do not see that happening . This is as much about marketing and exclusivity as it is about soccer . in theory , this allows the ECNL clubs to "attract" the single teams by age group to ECNL clubs .

facilites , structure etc are al factored in to the ECNL decision .....

a girl on a team that i know recentl left the team she was on - to get more exposure to colege coaches . i hear this more and more , ECNL is hoping that this message leads to the best players thinking that they cannot live without ECNL ...

Not syaing i agree ...just saying ...

if you think this is about the best competition playing vs each other then you are wrong . For instance , why do we have clubs limit playing up ? surely if a kid is good enough , they are old enough ..

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I agree with Arshavin's comments to a great extent. ECNL had formed because of the inadequacy of both ENY & LIJSL. Both organizations grew stagnant and really have not added anything new to "grow" the sport of soccer especially on the girls side. ECNL has the right premise which is to invite Clubs to join but at the same time those Clubs have to meet requirements (3:1 ratio) of practices to games. The idea is that when those teams in those clubs reach U14 when the true ECNL begins then hopefully those teams have had the development, skills and technique to play in a competitive atmosphere. As part of that growth process the exclusivity of those clubs hope to attract the best athletes and skilled players as possible in that area to that club hence you have the exclusivity and marketability of this new Super league. The problem lies in the fact that some club teams are not as good as other teams in that age bracket but because of this league as well as ECNL tournaments these teams will never play against one another. So, the result is you have everyone else now trying to join these new boutique leagues which in themselves are a work in progress which will take years for them to really get their act together so in essence at U12 most of these girls teams will be in a boat swimming upstream with no paddle. This is a real mess. Any one else have an opinion?

Gives more good teams an option to play in a more competitive environment. Not everyone gets into NERP and REgion 1 on teh ENY side. Now with ECNL and NPL, it gets me out of LIJSL D1 and playing some better teams in the region through these other elagues. WE can argue which is "top" on the girls side but overall the impression is they will all be pretty sound and better competition than what you will see on the LIJSL/ENY landscape at least for the next two years.

It's a bonus for the weaker teams that join these leagues but what about the stronger teams. Does this mean as far as competition in an 9 games season the stronger teams will play 2 competitive games? Sounds like LIJSL to me just another name.

Rankings write up posted on the NR website

No. 5 NJ Crush FC Stampede




NJ Crush are the best New Jersey team, most recently winning the New Jersey Cup after handling Toms River FC Everton, 4-2. After finishing 2nd in the EDP Fall season, Crush kept the consistency and are again currently 2nd in the EDP Spring season. NJ Crush proved they are capable of beating anyone, with their most impressive win a monumental 2-0 upset of 1st-ranked World Class FC in the PDA Spring Kickoff.

Commentary....Cruch being the best team in NJ will be news to PDA and Soccer America...also love theat the win vs WC is described as monumental....I will look for the monument on the Pallisades next time I am over that way

No. 4 North Rockland Rowdies



North Rockland Rowdies are a very tough group, capable of a number of deep runs through their strong defense. They beat 5th-ranked NJ Crush 1-0, as well as a 3-1 victory over 13th-ranked Manhattan Santos, on their way to victory in the Annandale Premier Cup. The Rowdies did not let up a goal on their way to winning the Baltimore Mania tournament. In the DELCO Players Cup, the Rowdies shut out all but one opponent, before 1st-ranked World Class FC unfortunately ran away with the final, 4-0

Commentary....WHen I first read it, I thought it said "capable of a murder", but re-read it and see it say capable of a "number of deep runs through their strong defense". I am still trying to determine what that means...that they can kick the ball deep from their D? Certainly it doesn't mean their D is capable of making deep runs. I don't recall many backs making overlapping runs or carrying the ball out of the back field and penetrating the opposing defense.

The kid in his basement writing this stuff really needs to get out and see a game or two. Other then California or NY/NJ, looks like no one else has a good U12 team. How do those Texas girls eventually fill out the rosters of D1 programs, yet they never play on a decent team....the wonders of gotsoccer!

These are just team write ups. If they truly think they are the #4 & #5 ranked teams in the country than good for them. Remember this is GotSoccer. I guarantee you if you asked the few knowledgeable Stampede & NR parents they would tell you that they are just as competitive with the likes of PDA, WC, & Manhattan. I do not think there is an argument that all 5 teams are the most competitive in the area.

Sounds like another jealous parent who patrols other team's web sites. There are numerous rankings sites and systems, let the teams that are highly ranked enjoy their success. Those teams mentioned have won many games and tournaments. By the way, what has any U12 PDA team won that would make them any better than Stampede? Right, they are PDA so they are just better.

interesting stuff ! if Crush are so good , why are Marlton representing the Garden State at regionals ? Off day ?

i think there is strong argument to say..

WCFC .................NR .......................The Rest