US Youth Soccer Nationals start Wednesday. They are here in Overland Park. How come nobody is talking about it!?

Keep since I don't have girls, what was the purpose of forming the ECNL (other than money)? Do more college coaches go to their events than USYSA events(like they do with NDA for the boys)?

About the ECNL:

The ECNL is a non-profit national youth soccer league founded in 2009 to provide the best possible developmental environment for American female youth soccer players through the creation of the highest level of national competition and an identification and development program to provide an avenue for players to participate in U.S. Soccer's National Teams.

The 2009-10 season is the ECNL’s inaugural season. Each of the 40 member clubs in 2009-10 field a team in the U-15, U-16 and U-17 age groups, each competing for the ECNL National Championship, the ECNL National Club Championship and promotion and relegation between flights. The ECNL is sanctioned by US Club Soccer.

For more information, visit Website .

I think this program is a prestigious one and would really benefit the players involved!

EFS

I agree that it is prestigious program, but it does not represent the best teams in each age group. In order to be a part of the ECNL your "club" has to be approved... therefore teams such as the Hurricanes, Dallas Texans, Toro, KC Select, JB Marine, etc. in the U16 age group are not represented because our clubs do not have teams in each of the required age groups.

I also find it interesting that the ECNL would mandate that the clubs no longer participate in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. Isn't that how they qualified to be in their "Elite Club" by proving that they are worthy? If they enforce this mandate then the teams such as Eclipse and Michigan Hawks will no longer be eligible to participate in the MRL league as you are required to play in your "State Cup" tournament to be eligible to participate in the MRL. I don't see teams giving up their claim to fame as a State Cup winner because of the league they play in... it will be interesting to see how that all unfolds.

Lets just have five or six youth national championships (and state too) just like youth baseball. The youth baseball ones are all pretty much meaningless by now.

I do like the Little League one on ESPN though and the stories told about how much of their youth they give up just to play for the one "championship."

I'm pretty sure this means more to the parents than the players.

CONGRATULATIONS to the JB Marine - Wipke (U15) team for a great game this morning. Way to come back late in the 2nd half to tie the game at 2 vs. Real Colorado. Good Luck with the remainder of your pool play games and hope to see you all in the elimination round this weekend! Keep up the good work

It was a pretty nice morning. Stayed decently cool until noon. I am still trying to get out and see at least one game. I think I would be drenched standing out there in a dark suit. I might try to make the u-19 boys final on Saturday. Would still rather see these kids play in some better weather. The ECNL finals were in Seattle. Much better choice for July. At least OP is getting something like 5800 room nights. And the games are getting played.

get over the weather. it is July in the midwest. games are early should not be a problem.

If anyone is looking to check out some good soccer games at Nationals on the boys side some teams that have been very fun to watch are U-15 Baltamore, U-16 Slammers and U-17 Georgia teams. I havn't seen the other age groups as much. I havn't been able to catch a bunch of the girls but looks to be a good showdown between U-15 Scorpions(MA) and Sting (Tx) at 10AM. Great opportunity to watch some good teams from other areas.

Exactly. It's July in the Midwest. So now we go to phase 2 of the OP Soccer Complex. Put some big old steel out there with some shade. Maybe like that fabric they stretched over the P&L district. Prairie Schooner style. Now you have a one of a kind facility. OP has another $15MM to spend on giant shade structures over the fields. Plus it will be good for the economy. OP can step it up here.

Kaka You might just watch the U-19 live on Fox sports since they are televising that game and you won't have to got out in the heat. Really, in normal Summer clothes the 8 and 10 AM games are not bad but the 12 game is pretty hot. I have been impressed with the whole event KC and the event crew are putting on a great event. Go out and watch a few games if you can!

U17 Gallager had a nice win over a CA team and then lost their next game. U17 Georgia team looked very strong and has a good forward committed to Creighton I think.

"Put some big old steel out there with some shade. Maybe like that fabric they stretched over the P&L district. Prairie Schooner style."

Genius. Pure Genius. And the first KS thunderstorm that blows through open country like that at OVPK 135th corridor and you'll see that structure fall faster than a ramp in the Grandview Triangle.

gallagher won their third game today and will play in the final on Sunday morning at 8. U19 final will be a replay of game today which ended in a 1-1 tie. Both teams are very skilled which will make for a great final tomorrow night

Who is Gallagher playing in the final?

Alpharetta Ambush 93 Red @ 8am

Nice article in the Blue Valley edition of the Star this week on Nationals at OP.

The hightlight show for the tournament is on FSC right now. 5 minutes in it looks very professional and OP is getting good press. It repeats at 4PM today (I think, the listing is the same).