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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2015 13:12:38 GMT -5
Just wondering, with all the "rumors" of Tophat and a Florida team potentially getting ecnl. (rumors at this point)
For the u14 through u18s, how does Tophat compare to the current ecnl teams - Concorde/GSA/AFU.
My guess for the 14s is:
1. GSA
2. Tophat
3. Concorde
AFU - not even a comparison with the other 3 clubs
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Post by spectator on Mar 18, 2015 13:23:40 GMT -5
The curerent U15 TH-18 Gold team hasn't lost to a GA team in their age group since August of 2012. Their only other losses to GA teams were to the AFU ECNL team one age up.
I'd love to see them play the current U15 Concorde ECNL team - that would most likely be a very competitive game since a player on each of those teams is on the current U17 National Team roster, too.
The current U15 AFU ECNL team is the old Ambush team that was always competitive with Top Hat when they played them - but I haven't seen that team play in a while so I can't comment on their performance now. In our age group, GSA ECNL is the non factor
I've asked this many times - does Top Hat even "need' ECNL? Their top teams are almost always top of their age group, RPL, State Cup Champs every year. Those players on those teams are getting their national and college exposure without all the travel of ECNL.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Mar 18, 2015 13:38:07 GMT -5
Thats funny, I was just about to ask about the 15s! I know they play with a few u14s also, that's an unreal stat.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, i've always been impressed with Tophats style of play.
when was the last time the 15s played concorde?
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Post by spectator on Mar 18, 2015 14:47:11 GMT -5
Thats funny, I was just about to ask about the 15s! I know they play with a few u14s also, that's an unreal stat. I've said it before and I'll say it again, i've always been impressed with Tophats style of play. when was the last time the 15s played concorde? State Cup last year - but it was Concorde Elite - TopHat won 4-0. In our age group, the Concorde A team is good enough on their own - I don't know if they bring down ECNL players or not - I know when we played them this fall, they did not. And they won Athena A so they've got a great shot at making final four at State Cup and going RPL. I think they are stronger than both Savannah and NASA who are currently in RPL. It's going to be an interesting Memorial Day Weekend this year. But I cannot see any team other than TopHat winning the whole thing - it's really anti-climatic at this point. That's the only reason I could see the club wanting ECNL - at least with the U15 team, the other GA teams just aren't up to their level. Maybe UFA Elite but Top Hat has bested them every time they've played in RPL. It's close - but Top Hat prevails. I've watched this team since U13 - they have very little change in their roster year over year - maybe add 2-3 because 2-3 move on or leave. It's an amazing team to watch play - beautiful soccer - even when they are killing our team - you have to appreciate the skills and talent. |
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Post by stevieg on Mar 18, 2015 15:43:09 GMT -5
TopHat U15 also added very good players from both that old Ambush team and from CF this season. They have already qualified for Nationals by winning National League. Not much competition for them in Georgia or even in Region III.
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Post by soccerdude16 on Mar 19, 2015 5:02:07 GMT -5
Old Boy- have to take issue with part of this post. Tophat can absolutely- and should be competing in ECNL with the the other 3 Georgia clubs. GA has enough kids, and ECNL- whether we like it or not is the future for top tier girls soccer in the US. Tophat has done a great job- and by joining -they will strengthen the league and their own program.
TH still has some great teams and players, but this is changing. as for your rankings-
no argument with U14- today but without ECNL that will change in the next few years---not that TH will necessarily get worse- but GSA and CF are already as good/better, and by next year AFU will be too.
U15 may take a little longer--- that is truly a special team- but again CF is close , aFU is close, and GSA will also catch up.
As for U16- the Midgets (TH) are no longer the class of the age group- Both CF and GSA are at least as good- if not better- and AFU will improve.
As for your last two assessments- you are way off. while at u17 TH CF and AFU used to be the class of the group. TH has dropped- and clearly CF ECNL the class of the group. However- GSA vastly improved and is clearly the second best team in the group- and next year as their playups drop down they will be on par with CF- followed by AFU- TH and CF RPL are both good teams- but neither would beat either of the ECNL clubs.
and U18- no one in the state can compete with GSA 18s. the only club that can compete with AFU and CF ECNl is the Norcross u18s (sorry- i know this is UFA now- but this is the Norcross RPL team). TH has never even made RPL in this age group. Yes a good solid Athena A squad but that is it.
As good of a club as Norcross/UFA is- you won't see a club as successful as that u18 team is again vis a vis the ECNL teams going forward, and TH (i hope) will get in to ECNL as well- which is the only way they will be able to continue to compete at the same level.
It is easier at u14 and under- but for those kids that want to play in college- the BEST way for them to get visibility and credibility is to play ECNL- The trend is clear- and fighting it doesn't help your kid get the exposure they need.
TH has done a great job- but with the exception of the U15 team trying to say they are better than the ECNL clubs is pure fantasy.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Mar 19, 2015 12:07:38 GMT -5
Lots of good information and discussion here but there are some inaccuracies in regards to Tophat, many people have their own theories as to why they do a good job in terms of development, why they need or don't need ECNL, college exposure, etc. I may post something later but many people have misconceptions about Tophat that I see all the time on both forums, there are many things that make Tophat successful, unless you have a child involved in the program it's hard to understand all the dynamics at play.
More later.......hopefully
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Post by paterfamilias on Mar 19, 2015 16:43:37 GMT -5
I think the key issue here is this. In which environment would your daughter flourish the most? Assuming she is good enough to compete for a slot at one of these 4 clubs, the answer boils down to which coach will be able to motivate, encourage, train and guide her the best? For each girl it will be a different answer.
Another key question is, even if your daughter is good enough to compete for a slot on one of these teams, should she and does she want to? Are the clubs close enough to not make practice travel a burden? Does she have other activities she would rather be participating in (volleyball, basketball, swimming, chess club...)? Does she want to give up that many weekends to travel?
Can she compete at a different level but have more fulfilling life experiences?
It really isn't a question about ranking the programs against each other from game results. It is a question of which program fits your daughter's desires and needs the best. Game results are only a small part of the experience. What are her aspirations?
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