Player Identification
ECNL Conference Selection Program: The ECNL Conference Selection Program (formerly named PDP) is intended to provide a better, more efficient, and streamlined process for identifying players, and to provide additional exposure and opportunity to top players across the ECNL. The ECNL Conference Selection Program identifies the top players in the ECNL. The ECNL Conference Selection Program was created under 4 key principles:
- Players should be scouted and evaluated in their regular environment.
- There should be no additional cost to players for scouting and identification.
- To insure accurate evaluations, multiple people should evaluate players over multiple events.
- To insure accurate evaluations, the coaches that train and develop the identified players should be consulted as the best source of information regarding overall ability, mentality, and current form.
By scouting players in their regular team environment, while they are competing against the best players in the country, the ECNL Conference Selection Program increases opportunities for identified players at no additional cost to the players. The program also does not add congestion to the player calendar by requiring multiple levels of “try-outs” and other competitions to identify players.
ECNL scouts are assigned to observe and analyze ECNL games at each ECNL National Showcase Event. A standardized evaluation program has been established by the ECNL for these scouts whereby identified players will be evaluated on a variety of technical, tactical, physical, and psychological characteristics based upon their performances. ECNL scouts include coaches from member clubs of the ECNL, independent coaches, coaches with experience with US Soccer Youth National Teams, and coaches from top Division I, II, and III colleges.
The ECNL Player Identification Programs are sanctioned as Olympic Development Programs (ODP) via US Club Soccer’s id2 and Player Development Programs.
