ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you are giving ecnl way too much credit.

ECNL just promoted a whole RL league to NL league. Wait for the next bomb to drop.

[Anonymous]

Is that a win (bomb) for ECNL? Taking on a whole league of regional level teams?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is that a win (bomb) for ECNL? Taking on a whole league of regional level teams?

This just to show those f**king tard that think ECNL will do nothing. Wait 2 weeks after the meeting.

[Anonymous]

Will you implode when they announce no changes for 25/26?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is that a win (bomb) for ECNL? Taking on a whole league of regional level teams?

This just to show those f**king tard that think ECNL will do nothing. Wait 2 weeks after the meeting.

LMAO!!

They made maybe 3 or 4 announcements last year that were huge bombs…

If this is one of their announcements…..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just like MLS has done biobanding bullshit to allow 3 players to play down for many years without anyone giving a f**k, ECNL can also make its own rule in its own league. Anybody who has wishful thinking that ECNL will be a sitting duck will have a surprising wake-up call soon.

Yep. It's asinine to think that ECNL will wait 18 months to at least strongly suggest clubs switch to SY teams. They entire 25/26 year would be miserable with lame duck teams anyway.

I don’t think they will wait either and 2 or 3 players per team doesn’t solve the problem let.

[Anonymous]

Two weeks MN NPL was eaten up by ECNL-R.

It means that at least 10 clubs will be joining the ECNL ecosystem by next Fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just like MLS has done biobanding bullshit to allow 3 players to play down for many years without anyone giving a f**k, ECNL can also make its own rule in its own league. Anybody who has wishful thinking that ECNL will be a sitting duck will have a surprising wake-up call soon.

Yep. It's asinine to think that ECNL will wait 18 months to at least strongly suggest clubs switch to SY teams. They entire 25/26 year would be miserable with lame duck teams anyway.

I don’t think they will wait either and 2 or 3 players per team doesn’t solve the problem let.

It's already determined that no major changes will happen in 25. The best you will get is 3 players for biobanding. Any change to SY is for 26 and no sooner. The meeting next week is to finalize the approval to let leagues determine their own registration cutoffs to be effective in 26.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

That is also why the BY / SY b&m-ing from ECNL is such crocodile tears. There is ZERO problem recruiting in BY.

ECNL isn't going to birth year as a strategic move. It because it what has been requested from their customer (college coaches). That is what is driving the change. the ones who actually do the recruiting disagree that there is no problem recruiting by BY. They want to go go to a showcase and see players all in the same recruiting class, and not have to watch a game and determine who is what grad year.

Stop making stuff up! This absolutely is not true. You clearly have no clue what happens on top teams and in college recruitment. College coaches never show up to watch any team - they follow and watch specific players. Try to stay informed.

I know two D1 college soccer coaches. They most definitely show up to watch TEAMS at showcases. They do not have the resources to only scout specific players. Once they’ve identified players they want (usually after seeing them play in tournaments or showcases), they reach out to those players. They do not have the budgets to travel around the country to follow specific players and just watch their games - especially since there’s no guaranty those players will commit to their school.

You heard what you wanted to hear from your college coach friends. That is absolutely not what they do.

Do you think they fill a roster every year? If you need a CM and a CB for next year…do you watch a “TEAMs”? Do you have time to watch a full match to see if any other players stand out? Nope…coaches go to these evens on a mission, it’s not some romanticized discovery process.

They get tape sent from 100s of players. They send that to their assistants, who help zero in on a few names. Then those coaches go to watch those names in person for each position. When they go to watch Suzy Striker play, they are not looking at your Betty Leftback. Betty doesn’t have a snowballs chance in hell with that coach if she wasn’t already on the radar.

Ok. I’ll let them know that one or two random parents on a soccer chat board think they’re doing it wrong.

Btw - I know the coaches because they were friends of mine growing up and we played soccer together in college (after we went through the college recruitment process). Coaches only need to see a kid play once or twice in person to know if they want you or not.

Sounds like a plan. And if I bump into any college coaches, I’ll make sure to ask if they also know of you, since you’ve decided to roll out the “I know a guy, therefore I am an expect” justification for your opinion.

I think you think college coaches are more adept than they actually are. Once upon a time they absolutely were the pinnacle of US soccer coaching - that ship sailed 20+ years ago. The best coaches in the US are in the club-to-pro pyramid.

I’ll grant you that you may personally know the two most inefficient college soccer coaches in the country, two of whom also apparently have unlimited amounts of time, resources and potentially an analytics team on staff to help them with their inefficiencies - after all they do end up with recruiting classes I assume. Also, apparently your college soccer coach friends are stuck in a recruiting system that was based on the HS pyramid, because you all went through it together when you played, and nothing ever changes according to your friend group.

And yes, college coaches, all knowing experts that they are, only need to see once or twice to make a snap decision. Thats why they waste all that extra time with private invites for practices and camps. And those kids on their shortlist that they go see live for the 3m on ball out of an 80-90m match, well if they’re off the shortlist the coaches just mosey over and watch some random team to find their target replacement…genius!

Dude…take the L…you’re an idiot, and you don’t know what you’re talking about.

I’ve been through the college soccer recruiting process and talk to two friends who are D1 soccer coaches, but you still claim to know more than me and the two guys who do it for a living. Love your ignorance and blind confidence.

Not sure who you think said the coaches “just mosey over and watch random teams”. But the college coaches have relationships and connections with lots of the club teams at showcases and tournaments. Most (all?) ECNL teams have people whose sole job is to network with college coaches and get the college coaches to come and watch their players at these things. And when the college coaches come over to watch those TEAMS play, they will also scout the team they are playing against. (Not sure why you think the college coaches wouldn’t use the opportunity to scout every player on the field.)

At these showcases, college coaches will also check out promising players that sent them tape. But when they do, they are scouting every player on the field in that game (not sure why you think they wouldn’t use the opportunity to scout every player they see play.)

And if your team makes the elimination round at one of these showcases or tournaments, there will for sure be college scouts randomly watching those teams/games. College scouts know that good players are on teams that make it to the elimination round of these events.

The main purpose for these showcases is for college scouts to find and recruit players that they have not yet seen, met, or heard of. While they’re at it, they’ll also take a moment to check out any players that reached out to them who will be playing in the showcase.

The coaches will also scout players that go to soccer camps put on by the coaches at that school. So if there is a college that your son/daughter wants to play at, see if that school has a soccer camp they can attend.

Take it or leave it. I lived it and have two friends who do it for a living. I’m posting here simply for the benefit of those parents who want to know how it works. If your son/daughter is a good player, even if they are on a mid-level or not good team, they will have scouts watching them at these events - even if the scout was there to watch another team or to see a different player in the game. And colleges are always looking for impact players, regardless of position.

You absolutely don’t live the current recruiting landscape AND grew up with two current college coaches. You’ve got no idea what you’re talking about. Sorry you are so defensive that you’re unable to be wrong.

Yes, many coaches that don’t have a specific target recruit watch the finals but they aren’t scouting teams, they are scouting needs.

Coaches aren’t there “doing favors” for ECNL and scouting whole teams.

And again, congratulations for either being too myopic to understand what your college coach friends told you, OR, being friend with their two least efficient college coaches in college coaching. And that’s saying something, because college coaches as a whole are not the most impressive stock of football coaches.

(You also make a lot of assumptions that others on here haven’t gone through the recruiting process, and that others on here have had kids going through, or players, or have “college coach BFFs” - loose said yesterday, just because it came from your brain, doesn’t make it right)

You read things that aren’t written. No one said they only scout the finals. There are several elimination games prior to the finals. And several pool play games that they target to watch.

And college coaches don’t scout teams as a “favor” to anyone. They have clubs that they target (usually clubs in their school’s region) to scout each year because those clubs produce good college players. I’ve heard college coaches say, “I’ve been successful with players from X club”, or “for some reason, I haven’t had any luck when recruiting players from Y club”. I’ve heard them say “X club is one of the best around. I always try to get players from them.” The coaches don’t just sit in their office and hope that good players send them their highlights to watch. They don’t just hope that players accept invites to their camps.

Of course showcases are just one avenue. Of course players should be sending coaches their highlight tape and soccer profile/“resume”. There are articles about that all over the internet that people can look up.

But college coaches don’t recruit positions as you say (except goalie). They recruit impact players. They will move players (incoming players and existing players) to new positions to get the best players on the field. They don’t decide not to recruit a great striker because they already have two strikers returning from last season.

It’s great if you’ve been through the process, but you’re blind to certain things (especially how it plays out from the college coach’s side).

Love that you softened your take. You’re still an idiot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid for sure got recruited after a coach from a teammate’s dream school showed up to recruit a teammate. Went with my kid instead of the teammate. Awkward.

Yep. That happens more than people know.

It does happen! But look at what you just said…the coach went to recruit one kid, and saw another they liked. That isn’t the same as “scouting the entire team.” The reason the coach was there wasn’t to scout both teams, the player that got found, or a favor to ECNL. The coach went for a specific player.

What people don’t understand is that coaches aren’t on the sidelines to “get to yes” on a player. They’re actually watching because the target is often in the “yes” or “maybe” column, and they’re looking to see if the player really should be a “no.” So of course this sort of thing happens, but it’s not the majority of the time. And great for that player that did so well they got on that coach’s radar!

We agree that they will go watch some specific players that sent in tape and interest the coach. Players that are in the “yes” or “possibly” category. But the coaches 100% do scout teams as well. And they aren’t usually flying across country for 1 player (unless that player is a big time recruit). That game was likely at a showcase or close to where the school was located.

They aren’t flying across the country for 1 team either. 🤣 hence why showcases exist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

That is also why the BY / SY b&m-ing from ECNL is such crocodile tears. There is ZERO problem recruiting in BY.

ECNL isn't going to birth year as a strategic move. It because it what has been requested from their customer (college coaches). That is what is driving the change. the ones who actually do the recruiting disagree that there is no problem recruiting by BY. They want to go go to a showcase and see players all in the same recruiting class, and not have to watch a game and determine who is what grad year.

Stop making stuff up! This absolutely is not true. You clearly have no clue what happens on top teams and in college recruitment. College coaches never show up to watch any team - they follow and watch specific players. Try to stay informed.

I know two D1 college soccer coaches. They most definitely show up to watch TEAMS at showcases. They do not have the resources to only scout specific players. Once they’ve identified players they want (usually after seeing them play in tournaments or showcases), they reach out to those players. They do not have the budgets to travel around the country to follow specific players and just watch their games - especially since there’s no guaranty those players will commit to their school.

You heard what you wanted to hear from your college coach friends. That is absolutely not what they do.

Do you think they fill a roster every year? If you need a CM and a CB for next year…do you watch a “TEAMs”? Do you have time to watch a full match to see if any other players stand out? Nope…coaches go to these evens on a mission, it’s not some romanticized discovery process.

They get tape sent from 100s of players. They send that to their assistants, who help zero in on a few names. Then those coaches go to watch those names in person for each position. When they go to watch Suzy Striker play, they are not looking at your Betty Leftback. Betty doesn’t have a snowballs chance in hell with that coach if she wasn’t already on the radar.

Ok. I’ll let them know that one or two random parents on a soccer chat board think they’re doing it wrong.

Btw - I know the coaches because they were friends of mine growing up and we played soccer together in college (after we went through the college recruitment process). Coaches only need to see a kid play once or twice in person to know if they want you or not.

Sounds like a plan. And if I bump into any college coaches, I’ll make sure to ask if they also know of you, since you’ve decided to roll out the “I know a guy, therefore I am an expect” justification for your opinion.

I think you think college coaches are more adept than they actually are. Once upon a time they absolutely were the pinnacle of US soccer coaching - that ship sailed 20+ years ago. The best coaches in the US are in the club-to-pro pyramid.

I’ll grant you that you may personally know the two most inefficient college soccer coaches in the country, two of whom also apparently have unlimited amounts of time, resources and potentially an analytics team on staff to help them with their inefficiencies - after all they do end up with recruiting classes I assume. Also, apparently your college soccer coach friends are stuck in a recruiting system that was based on the HS pyramid, because you all went through it together when you played, and nothing ever changes according to your friend group.

And yes, college coaches, all knowing experts that they are, only need to see once or twice to make a snap decision. Thats why they waste all that extra time with private invites for practices and camps. And those kids on their shortlist that they go see live for the 3m on ball out of an 80-90m match, well if they’re off the shortlist the coaches just mosey over and watch some random team to find their target replacement…genius!

Dude…take the L…you’re an idiot, and you don’t know what you’re talking about.

Not the previous poster....you're right about most of the above, with the exception of the camps part. Those aren't wasted time for coaches....nor are they truly recruiting tools....they are revenue generators for the programs. Not saying that they don't find a kid or two, but the primary driver for those camps is $$$$.

Yea, that’s true. But there are typically 2 kinds of camp / ID / invite.

One that goes to a large pool, and is typically paid by the player - it’s not actually a recruiting / exposure camp - it’s a money maker camp. (Do some kids pop in the radar?
Sure, but that’s not the purpose).

And another that is private, selective invite only, typically free for the player. Sometimes is just a practice session with the team, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For 25/26, ECNL will recommend that clubs play up. And for the playoff next year, it will be SY-based.

So ECNL teams will be created as SY teams and play up in a BY system for 2025/26?

I believe the clubs have the flexibility to mix BY and SY for the regular season. If playoff next year will use SY, then it gives club incentive to build SY team during the regular season. Anyway the playoff is after ECNL tryout which is already SY based next year.

So basically they will go SY a year early? My daughter is a q3 looking to move to ECNL. So instead of playing with the 2012s (BY) she would try out for next year on the 2013s (her school year) who will be playing a year up? Or would she still play on the 2012s (BY) team?

Depends on the club. Talk to the director, they’re usually very open about this stuff when you’re looking from another club.

That said, girl better be able to ball. “Q3” does nothing for her, skills do everything. The thing to keep in mind is “my daughter was able to hang” is not a positive. “My daughter dominated everyone” gets you on the team (if there is a spot).

And beware the “we’ll place her in our second team just to see where she is, and then if she keeps playing as well as she did at tryouts, we’ll move her up.” In 90% of cases, your kid isn’t moving up, and the club doesn’t actually mean what they say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever watched teams that are supposed to be 9v9 play 11v11? It's awful imagine bunch ball but the players get tired bunchballing it up and down the larger 11v11 field.

Even the smallest amount of tactics + passing will win games. But this isn't how players think at that age. Which is why they're supposed to be playing 9v9.

Watching some U12 pre-ECNL scrimmages trying out 11 v 11 for the first time this winter, I've been pleasantly surprised how quickly they've adjusted to the bigger field. Love more touches 9 v 9, but it's almost a different sport compared to 1 or 2 girls dominating on the small field. Maybe it's just that tactics & passing are actually working !

9aside is messy. 7aside and 11aside are more similar. You should always expect quick adjustment from 9 to 11. It’s like taking off clothes that are too restrictive and putting on something that fits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you are giving ecnl way too much credit.

ECNL just promoted a whole RL league to NL league. Wait for the next bomb to drop.

ECNL is making a huge mess with its promotion process as well as its regional additions and realignments. It is setting up a couple of power clubs to consistently make the semis through the benefit of the league structure with weaker conferences and stronger conferences, as well as playoff birth spots. There will be a price to pay at some point down the road.

And much of it will come from places like Surf SD Surf where ECNL has allowed them to create an all star team at the detriment to their other feeder clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For 25/26, ECNL will recommend that clubs play up. And for the playoff next year, it will be SY-based.

So ECNL teams will be created as SY teams and play up in a BY system for 2025/26?

I believe the clubs have the flexibility to mix BY and SY for the regular season. If playoff next year will use SY, then it gives club incentive to build SY team during the regular season. Anyway the playoff is after ECNL tryout which is already SY based next year.

So basically they will go SY a year early? My daughter is a q3 looking to move to ECNL. So instead of playing with the 2012s (BY) she would try out for next year on the 2013s (her school year) who will be playing a year up? Or would she still play on the 2012s (BY) team?

Depends on the club. Talk to the director, they’re usually very open about this stuff when you’re looking from another club.

That said, girl better be able to ball. “Q3” does nothing for her, skills do everything. The thing to keep in mind is “my daughter was able to hang” is not a positive. “My daughter dominated everyone” gets you on the team (if there is a spot).

And beware the “we’ll place her in our second team just to see where she is, and then if she keeps playing as well as she did at tryouts, we’ll move her up.” In 90% of cases, your kid isn’t moving up, and the club doesn’t actually mean what they say.

She is on a GA team for BY and the ECNL team is a much better team reputation wise. Added plus is she knows several kids on the ECNL team as they are in her grade. She would be top 3 as things stand on the ECNL roster.