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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Apr 29, 2020 6:48:48 GMT -5
My oh my, soccermom, you are just jealous and have an axe to grind with TH or hate them because blah blah blah... 🤭 Obviously, I'm just kidding. But, finally, someone credible, with some insightful information and the moxie to give it straight. Now we can start to have a real conversation and the ominous debate that comes with that. This will not be an easy decision for many young ladies and their families to make. This comes down to the history and past successes of NTH, versus their new normal and the future success of the young ladies. Either way, hopefully it will be a fully well informed decision. Good-luck 🙌🙌🙌 |
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Post by honeybadger on Apr 29, 2020 7:10:57 GMT -5
I'm showing my ignorance but what does everyone mean when they say GAL? My apologies for being an idiot:)  |
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Post by soccernoleuk on Apr 29, 2020 7:16:35 GMT -5
I'm showing my ignorance but what does everyone mean when they say GAL? My apologies for being an idiot:) GAL - Girls Academy League It is a new league being formed by formed DA clubs that are not going to be part of ECNL (at least for this year). |
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Post by soccermaxx72 on Apr 29, 2020 7:48:13 GMT -5
So distance from wake (Winston Salem, NC) to Weston FC is 792 miles. Tophat has one team to play in North Carolina (318 miles away) and the rest in Florida.
Oh, and all the games are against what looks to be the weakest division of GAL.
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Post by crazzzy4soccer on Apr 29, 2020 7:51:19 GMT -5
My oh my, soccermom, you are just jealous and have an axe to grind with TH or hate them because blah blah blah... 🤭 Obviously, I'm just kidding. But, finally, someone credible, with some insightful information and the moxie to give it straight. Now we can start to have a real conversation and the ominous debate that comes with that. This will not be an easy decision for many young ladies and their families to make. This comes down to the history and past successes of NTH, versus their new normal and the future success of the young ladies. Either way, hopefully it will be a fully well informed decision. Good-luck 🙌🙌🙌 It boils down to really DA put these clubs in a HORRIBLE spot at a HORRIBLE time. You can HATE TH or not this affects much more than TH- nation wide and honestly just sucks. There was no way ECNL could take on EVERY displaced DA team- not this year anyway so this GAL thing is as everyone is correctly putting it the “next best thing” but in reality take out best it’s just really the only other thing. TH like the other clubs in it HAS to sell this to their parents to survive. It’s not the “TH way” it’s simply business 101, just like I bet UFA/GSA etc are now changing their pitch to include how TH has “fallen”...its business... I have a kid at TH. She’s young (not HS) and so we are leaning toward staying to see how this shakes up, next year is the bigger “decision year” in our mind. I do think if we were in HS the decision would be so much harder because well...GAL is new, unproven and the big question looms IS the the TH name enough to bring the boys to the yard ie recruits? So for those clutching your popcorn, I think TH will be ok this year and the bigger year of WHAT WILL EVERYONE do will be next when we see how GAL does, how college recruiting goes, and of course the big looming question does ECNL let us back in.....until then let’s just hopefully get back on the pitch and enjoy why we are all on this damn thread...to watch our kids do what they love!!!!!! |
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Post by fridge on Apr 29, 2020 8:07:53 GMT -5
Tophat just posted on Facebook they are going to GAL The list was almost 100% correct. The only team that you have on the list but wasn't on the post was S.Orlando. Maybe they will be added later Apparently Orlando was going to be in it, but then TG decided they were not good enough and booted them. This is after they had already told everyone that were going to be in GAL and has all their promotional stuff ready to go. The SE region for GAL is not strong, for anyone that followed DA knows that those teams were not that good. United Soccer Alliance had a good team at the oldest age but most of those girls graduating now. West Florida Flames is one of the worst teams in the nation, followed closely by Weston. IMG is up and down, they got better when they allowed outside talent to join their teams. I believe Wake FC was NPL not DA prior to this. Also anyone that has been around all of this, knows that TG had not so very nice things to say about those clubs and their talent. Stay if you want, go if you want. But do what's best for your kid, not what TG or anyone else wants you to do. What if the GAL is a disaster? TH will just move on to something new the year after. Don't get me wrong it could turn out to be the best thing ever, however, how old is your kid? Are you willing to be their guinea pig and pay a lot of $$ in the process and waste a year? Good luck to everyone at tryouts, glad to not be in that mess anymore I agree! But note, TH takes the position that GAL will be the highest level and most competitive platform in the country for its players--see other thread re TH Fact/Fiction! One side note, I don't think TH is in a position to move on to something new next year. Nothing credible exists as long as ECNL doesn't pull a DA and blow itself up. TH's only angle is to try to keep pushing to get into ECNL. However, it is trapped. It can't openly push for or promise ECNL while also being an advocate for GAL. |
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Post by atv on Apr 29, 2020 9:54:50 GMT -5
I haven’t seen any TH announcements ... only what I’ve read on here but it seems like GAL is being a little bit oversold. It will not be the top girls league in the country, that will be ECNL.
However, it should be a very good, competitive league since it is fielding top teams from a number of big clubs. Probably hit and miss depending on location, similar to NPL.
One thing it does have going for it is a club based tiering system in DPL. However, maybe I missed it, but it would be good to have a “play in” system similar to NPL boys and ECNL Regional Leagues where top performing teams can earn the opportunity to compete via open cup spots in the ECNL Playoffs older age groups. Also, I believe these platforms are being used by the ECNL for evaluation of new clubs.
Club pro/ rel would be good (IMO).
Also, in general with some exceptions, 2nd and 3rd teams need to have reduced travel and have more regional competition.
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Post by greenmonkey on Apr 29, 2020 10:52:42 GMT -5
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Post by ne1btunc on Apr 29, 2020 13:20:00 GMT -5
So distance from wake (Winston Salem, NC) to Weston FC is 792 miles. Tophat has one team to play in North Carolina (318 miles away) and the rest in Florida. Oh, and all the games are against what looks to be the weakest division of GAL. Wake FC is actually near Raleigh(apex, nc) and 800 miles from Weston and 400 miles from Atl. |
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Post by soccergirlz on Apr 29, 2020 13:36:25 GMT -5
now that there are no DA restrictions on who you can play, would ECNL clubs be willing to play GAL clubs and vice versa if the competition made sense? As far as I am aware ECNL doesnt prevent their clubs from playing outside competition.
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Post by atv on Apr 29, 2020 16:00:23 GMT -5
now that there are no DA restrictions on who you can play, would ECNL clubs be willing to play GAL clubs and vice versa if the competition made sense? As far as I am aware ECNL doesnt prevent their clubs from playing outside competition. Hopefully we are past all of that.... correct that was a USSF thing. |
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Post by fridge on Apr 29, 2020 16:02:13 GMT -5
My oh my, soccermom , you are just jealous and have an axe to grind with TH or hate them because blah blah blah... 🤭 Obviously, I'm just kidding. But, finally, someone credible, with some insightful information and the moxie to give it straight. Now we can start to have a real conversation and the ominous debate that comes with that. This will not be an easy decision for many young ladies and their families to make. This comes down to the history and past successes of NTH, versus their new normal and the future success of the young ladies. Either way, hopefully it will be a fully well informed decision. Good-luck 🙌🙌🙌 It boils down to really DA put these clubs in a HORRIBLE spot at a HORRIBLE time. You can HATE TH or not this affects much more than TH- nation wide and honestly just sucks. There was no way ECNL could take on EVERY displaced DA team- not this year anyway so this GAL thing is as everyone is correctly putting it the “next best thing” but in reality take out best it’s just really the only other thing. TH like the other clubs in it HAS to sell this to their parents to survive. It’s not the “TH way” it’s simply business 101, just like I bet UFA/GSA etc are now changing their pitch to include how TH has “fallen”...its business... I have a kid at TH. She’s young (not HS) and so we are leaning toward staying to see how this shakes up, next year is the bigger “decision year” in our mind. I do think if we were in HS the decision would be so much harder because well...GAL is new, unproven and the big question looms IS the the TH name enough to bring the boys to the yard ie recruits? So for those clutching your popcorn, I think TH will be ok this year and the bigger year of WHAT WILL EVERYONE do will be next when we see how GAL does, how college recruiting goes, and of course the big looming question does ECNL let us back in.....until then let’s just hopefully get back on the pitch and enjoy why we are all on this damn thread...to watch our kids do what they love!!!!!! I 100% agree no question TH and others got screwed by DA. I also think that GAL has enough talent for colleges coaches to attend GAL events. The bigger question is whether the college coaches come in the same volume or as frequently as they will to ECNL events. I think that what happens is not necessarily based on TH. I think that the college coaches who have finite resources, want to see as many high quality kids playing high level competition and so, if the competition is not that great, they may not put as many resources there--e.g. skip a showcase. Bottom line, these coaches like several looks at kids and if they aren't going to all events, that could put a kid at a disadvantage. Lot's of stuff to consider to give your kid the best shot if of college is the goal. |
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Post by atlfutboldad on Apr 29, 2020 16:05:08 GMT -5
There won't be any restrictions I'm sure.
I wonder if ECNL might be willing to add IMG and Weston next year. Then Florida would have 8 teams/worthy of its own division (2 Miami, 2 Tampa, 2 Orlando, 2 Jacksonville). The North side could add a couple more clubs to do the same.
TG and NTH can stay in their own Sandbox. It sounds possible he's passed off enough clubs to prevent an invite for some time.
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Post by footyfan on Apr 29, 2020 16:07:36 GMT -5
There will be less college coaches at the lesser events due what I expect will be reduced travel budgets for travel in college soccer recruiting.
*edit for clarity
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Post by SoccerMom on Apr 29, 2020 17:58:33 GMT -5
now that there are no DA restrictions on who you can play, would ECNL clubs be willing to play GAL clubs and vice versa if the competition made sense? As far as I am aware ECNL doesnt prevent their clubs from playing outside competition. DA teams played other teams in friendlies. Not playing other local teams was a TH thing |
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Post by messindreams on Apr 29, 2020 18:03:37 GMT -5
Some colleges might even drop soccer, lacrosse and other non/less revenue generating programs. Hope that is not true but reality might be different.
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Post by soccergirlz on Apr 29, 2020 18:36:37 GMT -5
now that there are no DA restrictions on who you can play, would ECNL clubs be willing to play GAL clubs and vice versa if the competition made sense? As far as I am aware ECNL doesnt prevent their clubs from playing outside competition. DA teams played other teams in friendlies. Not playing other local teams was a TH thing Who said anything about this being a TH thing? Regardless, It was meant to stimulate a discussion. Many of us know and have friends at TH, CF, UFA, GSA, AFU, SSA, etc. Would CF and TH be willing to play each other? Would UFA and TH want to continue to play each other? Would CF, UFA, GSA, AFU, etc be open to playing IMG if they came to town? One would think that local clubs and even close by clubs (CESA, CSA, TSC, etc) would want to play the best competition possible. Shoot, someone could put together an Atlanta College Showcase and I bet you could get a lot of colleges to come watch. Just a thought. |
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Post by justwatching on Apr 29, 2020 19:19:41 GMT -5
GAL looks to have several really strong clubs in it (the majority of former DA clubs are in it). ECNL has strong clubs also. The southeast conferences look probably to be on par with each other. The one plus for GAL to me are the regular season crossover games where historically really strong clubs like Tophat, FC Dallas, Nationals, etc. can play each other throughout the season. Looking at the DA standings and ECNL standings their are a couple Atlanta based clubs who are regularly at the bottom of the table similar to some that have been mentioned in regards to SE GAL to not be a strong as others. Also looking at the standings all the clubs being ragged on aren't as bad as they are being made to be either.
If DA was a good league in your mind for quality of clubs in it you can't honestly say GAL will not be a very high quality and high level league to potentially challenge ECNL, whether that is year one, two, or whenever, but that potential exists. Lastly, if you believe colleges will ignore Tophat versus FC Dallas, etc. because they are not in ECNL and instead go watch AFU vs Concorde Premier instead i think you are not being honest with yourself. Also nothing against AFU or Concorde Premier but right now neither of those two programs are TH or FC Dallas or the like.
No one can say what GAL will be. The college exposure and YNT invites over the next two years will probably give everyone a great idea.
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Post by fridge on Apr 29, 2020 20:15:04 GMT -5
I think GAL will have a few "strong" clubs such as TH but not many. (I may have overlooked it, but I don't see an announcement from FC Dallas or any Texas teams yet). Objectively, GAL is appears to be a big down grade compared to ECNL. DA/GAL lost 11 clubs to ECNL in this move (15 if you count the 4 clubs who announced bf DA closed). These 15 clubs were Top 20 clubs in DA and top 30 clubs in the US. Name a state and the most notable clubs are ECNL. I guess you can pick on some GA teams, but of the top 5 GA clubs, 4 are ECNL. Again, TH lost their local competition when NC Courage and CSA went ECNL.
Serious question, I just reviewed the GAL website, besides TH, who are the next 9 powerhouses that have COMMITTED to GAL? I see they have around 38 clubs, but honestly don't recognize many of the names.
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Post by blu on Apr 29, 2020 20:38:29 GMT -5
now that there are no DA restrictions on who you can play, would ECNL clubs be willing to play GAL clubs and vice versa if the competition made sense? As far as I am aware ECNL doesnt prevent their clubs from playing outside competition. DA teams played other teams in friendlies. Not playing other local teams was a TH thing
GSA played DA/non-ECNL teams last year in friendlies. Several DA teams at a weekend up at CESA before the season and then later in the season we played Atl Utd. |
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Post by justadad on Apr 29, 2020 22:46:37 GMT -5
I think GAL will have a few "strong" clubs such as TH but not many. (I may have overlooked it, but I don't see an announcement from FC Dallas or any Texas teams yet). Objectively, GAL is appears to be a big down grade compared to ECNL. DA/GAL lost 11 clubs to ECNL in this move (15 if you count the 4 clubs who announced bf DA closed). These 15 clubs were Top 20 clubs in DA and top 30 clubs in the US. Name a state and the most notable clubs are ECNL. I guess you can pick on some GA teams, but of the top 5 GA clubs, 4 are ECNL. Again, TH lost their local competition when NC Courage and CSA went ECNL. Serious question, I just reviewed the GAL website, besides TH, who are the next 9 powerhouses that have COMMITTED to GAL? I see they have around 38 clubs, but honestly don't recognize many of the names. I would put these 10 clubs against any 10 clubs in ECNL - TH - FC Virginia - NEFC - CDA (Cincinnati) - FC Dallas - Lonestar - Beach - Legends - SC Del Sol - Nationals - Weston ** It will be interesting to see which teams in Northern California / upper NorthWest will join. I am sure we will see in the coming weeks, if not days. vs. - CF - Michigan Hawks - PDA - Real Colorado - Eclipse - So Cal Blues - SD Surf - CrossFire Premier - Slammers FC - MVLA ** Solar FC is on another level at a couple of age groups So - at the top, in my opinion, there is not a big difference between the two. ECNL has more teams in the middle of the table than GAL (many more teams); and they are pretty equal at the bottom of the table. Bad clubs in both leagues. My belief over the next two years we will have a better sense of the gap or non gap between the two leagues. Nice discussion though... |
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Post by Lady Soccer Whistledown on Apr 29, 2020 23:21:21 GMT -5
now that there are no DA restrictions on who you can play, would ECNL clubs be willing to play GAL clubs and vice versa if the competition made sense? As far as I am aware ECNL doesnt prevent their clubs from playing outside competition. I would hope that all the league teams could compete in Pre/post season tournaments. Just my thought |
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Post by fridge on Apr 30, 2020 8:23:52 GMT -5
Justadad--LOVE the good discussion! I recalled and just found another thread where Footyfan listed the top 40 clubs which were not in ECNL. Of the top 40, 11 are GAL (See Below) and almost all of the rest in ECNL. (I didn't count the 2 Texas clubs on your list as they have not announced GAL--which I think signals perhaps something else is in the works.) Further, only 5 clubs in the top 20. ECNL is clearly much more deep in the top tier which then bleeds into the mid tier. Again, that's a big issue for level of competition and colleges deciding where to spend their dollars to recruit.
1. Top Hat (GA)
8. Legends (CA)
9. Beach (CA)
10. Earthquakes (CA)
16. FC Virginia (VA)
25. NEFC (MA)
26. Sporting Blue Valley (KS)
28. Cincinnati Development Academy (OH)
32.South Shore Select (MA)
35. LA Galaxy
37. Nationals (MI)
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Post by oraclesfriend on Apr 30, 2020 9:02:58 GMT -5
Justadad--LOVE the good discussion! I recalled and just found another thread where Footyfan listed the top 40 clubs which were not in ECNL. Of the top 40, 11 are GAL (See Below) and almost all of the rest in ECNL. (I didn't count the 2 Texas clubs on your list as they have not announced GAL--which I think signals perhaps something else is in the works.) Further, only 5 clubs in the top 20. ECNL is clearly much more deep in the top tier which then bleeds into the mid tier. Again, that's a big issue for level of competition and colleges deciding where to spend their dollars to recruit. 1. Top Hat (GA) 8. Legends (CA) 9. Beach (CA) 10. Earthquakes (CA) 16. FC Virginia (VA) 25. NEFC (MA) 26. Sporting Blue Valley (KS) 28. Cincinnati Development Academy (OH) 32.South Shore Select (MA) 35. LA Galaxy 37. Nationals (MI) The GAL has not yet announced the conference that the Texas clubs are in yet so your list may be premature, but a great post otherwise. Once the frontier conference is announced it will be interesting to lay it all out and see who is in which league (ECNL, GAL, or other). Regardless I think even 11 of the top 40 makes GAL a legitimate league. ECNL will have more depth IMO but I think some of that will be conference based. Great discussion and info! |
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Post by soccermaxx72 on Apr 30, 2020 9:27:46 GMT -5
The only problem with this discussion is that Tophat has no quality teams in their own division of GAL which will be the majority of their games. Then you have to hope they see some of the quality opponents at a crossover/showcase event but no guarantee that will happen.
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Post by justwatching on Apr 30, 2020 9:59:58 GMT -5
Justadad--LOVE the good discussion! I recalled and just found another thread where Footyfan listed the top 40 clubs which were not in ECNL. Of the top 40, 11 are GAL (See Below) and almost all of the rest in ECNL. (I didn't count the 2 Texas clubs on your list as they have not announced GAL--which I think signals perhaps something else is in the works.) Further, only 5 clubs in the top 20. ECNL is clearly much more deep in the top tier which then bleeds into the mid tier. Again, that's a big issue for level of competition and colleges deciding where to spend their dollars to recruit. 1. Top Hat (GA) 8. Legends (CA) 9. Beach (CA) 10. Earthquakes (CA) 16. FC Virginia (VA) 25. NEFC (MA) 26. Sporting Blue Valley (KS) 28. Cincinnati Development Academy (OH) 32.South Shore Select (MA) 35. LA Galaxy 37. Nationals (MI) The GAL has not yet announced the conference that the Texas clubs are in yet so your list may be premature, but a great post otherwise. Once the frontier conference is announced it will be interesting to lay it all out and see who is in which league (ECNL, GAL, or other). Regardless I think even 11 of the top 40 makes GAL a legitimate league. ECNL will have more depth IMO but I think some of that will be conference based. Great discussion and info! Agreed. If you take the same logic and apply it to what last season looked like and compare it to how many clubs ECNL had in the top 40 and GA certainly looks to have some credibility in year one. In 2019 ECNL had one club in the top 10, nine in the top 20, and 20 in the top 40. Compare that to GA clubs that have been announced plus what is expected and GA in 2020 has four in the top 10 (not sure what San Jose Earthquakes are joining since I haven't seen any graphic with NW division in GA), five in the top 20, and 11 in the top 40. I can't remember where I saw the projected teams for the Frontier division but assume the group will be 7 - 9 teams (and it includes FC Dallas and Lonestar) and GA has a little over 20% of the clubs that are part of the league as top 40 clubs in the US which is also what ECNL had in 2019. ECNL got a little kick start this year by gaining some DA teams but from what I can tell GA looks to be where ECNL was last year with a very slight edge at the very top of the league. |
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Post by hateallthesechanges on Apr 30, 2020 10:07:05 GMT -5
Justadad--LOVE the good discussion! I recalled and just found another thread where Footyfan listed the top 40 clubs which were not in ECNL. Of the top 40, 11 are GAL (See Below) and almost all of the rest in ECNL. (I didn't count the 2 Texas clubs on your list as they have not announced GAL--which I think signals perhaps something else is in the works.) Further, only 5 clubs in the top 20. ECNL is clearly much more deep in the top tier which then bleeds into the mid tier. Again, that's a big issue for level of competition and colleges deciding where to spend their dollars to recruit. 1. Top Hat (GA) 8. Legends (CA) 9. Beach (CA) 10. Earthquakes (CA) 16. FC Virginia (VA) 25. NEFC (MA) 26. Sporting Blue Valley (KS) 28. Cincinnati Development Academy (OH) 32.South Shore Select (MA) 35. LA Galaxy 37. Nationals (MI) The GAL has not yet announced the conference that the Texas clubs are in yet so your list may be premature, but a great post otherwise. Once the frontier conference is announced it will be interesting to lay it all out and see who is in which league (ECNL, GAL, or other). Regardless I think even 11 of the top 40 makes GAL a legitimate league. ECNL will have more depth IMO but I think some of that will be conference based. Great discussion and info! And I guess it still isn't clear if Legends and Beach are putting their top teams in GAL or ECRL. I think it was previously stated top teams would be ECRL. |
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Post by soccerlegacy on Apr 30, 2020 10:39:09 GMT -5
DA teams played other teams in friendlies. Not playing other local teams was a TH thing Who said anything about this being a TH thing? Regardless, It was meant to stimulate a discussion. Many of us know and have friends at TH, CF, UFA, GSA, AFU, SSA, etc. Would CF and TH be willing to play each other? Would UFA and TH want to continue to play each other? Would CF, UFA, GSA, AFU, etc be open to playing IMG if they came to town? One would think that local clubs and even close by clubs (CESA, CSA, TSC, etc) would want to play the best competition possible. Shoot, someone could put together an Atlanta College Showcase and I bet you could get a lot of colleges to come watch. Just a thought. There already is an Atlanta College Showcase... it's just that it is ran by Impact so it doesn't get much publicity and from what I was told, not a whole bunch of colleges come. |
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Post by atlfutboldad on Apr 30, 2020 10:53:40 GMT -5
In terms of top prospects/top players...
Prior to 2020-21: ECNL 50% / DA 50%
2020-21: ECNL 75% / GAL 25%
Colleges will undoubtedly put most of their scouting efforts on ECNL/ECNL showcases, but there will obviously be some scouting of GAL. WHen it comes to spending their scouting budget, ECNL will get most of the emphasis.
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Post by soccermaxx72 on Apr 30, 2020 10:55:51 GMT -5
In terms of top prospects/top players... Prior to 2020-21: ECNL 50% / DA 50% 2020-21: ECNL 75% / GAL 25% Colleges will undoubtedly put most of their scouting efforts on ECNL/ECNL showcases, but there will obviously be some scouting of GAL. WHen it comes to spending their scouting budget, ECNL will get most of the emphasis. And scouting budgets will be decreasing, atleast in the short term, due to Rona so tough decisions by colleges will have to be made in trying to maximize their budgets. |
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