Polling ECNL Participants for feedback

central wrote:I am back still trying to figure out what to do with my DD upcoming season.  Many of you responded with some good constructive comments about what route to take.  Since then, I have heard good and bad things about ECNL.  I understand, it is an individual choice.  This question is primarily directed to the U14 and U15's regarding your experiences with your first year or two in ECNL.  Of course, feedback from older groups welcome.

1.  Does ECNL primarily cater to those top 12-14 players and leave others behind to ride the bench? i.e....playing time? Texans and Solar more so.. Sting, Feet and FCD, not so much
2.  How often do coaches actually use dual roster as opposed to their core team to play in games and why?  i.e..is it injuries, performance, etcFrom my perspective, really only for injuries and some injuries can be long term
3.  Do dual roster players ever train with the other ECNL Players? As far as I know and have seen, all they want
4.  Those of you on ECNL teams whose dd's don't play a lot in games, will you continue to stay with ECNL or move on?  Do you feel the coaches are fair?  Do you feel your dd had a positive experience?  If no, why? I can't answer first hand, all play fair to big minutes on our team
5.  Will some of those DD's playing in D1 or D2 plan to try out for ECNL upcoming year?I would highly suggest it
6.  Will some drop out of ECNL?  I am curious to see if there are a lot of players disappointed with ECNL and playing time or the opposite?After the first year, some did, but in year two, when the colleges get involved, I think ECNL Roster Spots are a good commodity to have. And if you leave for another ECNL Team after year two, you better make darn sure the grass is Greener!
7.  What clubs do you feel best use the ECNL system to develop players?  Which don't? How do you want to measure "development"
8.  Who are the best coaches/programs/clubs and why? (I know their can be some bias) Wins and losses are easy to see for ourselves. As for college placement (I will show a link below) Sting, Texans, Feet in that order. FCD and Solar can place almost every ECNL as well... But do sort the link below by Club
9.  If your dd is on an ECNL team, wants to play in soccer in college (not necessarily for top school with top program) but doesn't play very much, should she change to D1 in order to get to play more? NO WAY!!
10.  Will D1 afford her more opportunities to play in college if your dd gets a lot of playing time as opposed to minimal time with ECNL? NO WAY!!
11.  On average, how often do ECNL coaches sub out players or do they tend to keep the same starters for almost entire game?  Are some clubs/coaches better about this than others? Really already asked and answered
12.  Do any of you feel your were fed a line of BS in your first year of ECNL?  Did coaches change the rules or go back on their word?  or the opposite? My DDs ECNL experience has been great to date...

I know this is long list of questions, but we are getting closer to that time of year when we all think about possibly making some changes.  We plan to go observe some of the older teams in the near future. We will be investing a lot of money next year and want to do it wisely.  I am sure many others are pondering this as well.  Thanks!

Pele98 wrote:Ditto to all SS's responses except #1.

IMHO, I don't think there is any Club which carter to the top 12 - 14 players more so than another.  It all depends from team to team within the Club, and also from game to game depending on who each team have available for the game roster.
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Most ECNL roster have a max of 30 players.  My clue to this situation would be to look at the team rosters. If a team/Coach tend to carry about 22 or more (knowing that you can only dress 18 for the game), then tread carefully.  If the team/coach tends to carry 17 - 21, then you know there is a good chance you dd will see the field more at some point if you factor in injuries, fatigue, absence and everything else into the playtime.
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