ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

So an announcement was made at the US Soccer AGM that some leagues will be going SY in 26/27. No other formal announcement but some tweets from people who were in the room. Because August 2026 is well over a year away, we just move on like nothing happened? When will leagues officially announce this change? People mentioned this week. Starting to doubt a timely response

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question:

With MLS Competition Tier being announced, are we thinking that's equivalent to ECNL-RL? So MLSNext = ECNL, and MLSNext Tier II = ECNL-RL? Roughly?

For MLSNext Tier II, is it accurate to say that a Club will only have ONE team (per age group & gender) in that Competition tier (i.e. their best team in that age group) while their 2nd, 3rd, 4th ranked teams in that age/gender will still play in NCLS (for those teams in the DC area)?

I think for players that have aspirations to play professionally, MLSN II would be the best option, other than MLSN. I believe the pyramid on the boys side will go something like MLSN I, MLSN II, ECNL, ECNL-RL, and so on and so forth.

I think it's actually very local. In Texas for example, all the best teams besides the MLS Academy teams, are ECNL for boys. MLS Next pay to play teams are a joke compared to boys ECNL. Even FC Dallas plays their second team in ECNL.

I think that will change eventually with this new Tier in MLSN. And your right it is hit or miss with non-affiliated MLSN teams, but the point of some of those teams is to put players in a position to make an academy. I think a lot of these changes to MLSN structure were brought about by MLS teams and consolidating their talent, in their regions. I think after these changes, it will be clear what the developmental path for each of these leagues, are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question:

With MLS Competition Tier being announced, are we thinking that's equivalent to ECNL-RL? So MLSNext = ECNL, and MLSNext Tier II = ECNL-RL? Roughly?

For MLSNext Tier II, is it accurate to say that a Club will only have ONE team (per age group & gender) in that Competition tier (i.e. their best team in that age group) while their 2nd, 3rd, 4th ranked teams in that age/gender will still play in NCLS (for those teams in the DC area)?

I think for players that have aspirations to play professionally, MLSN II would be the best option, other than MLSN. I believe the pyramid on the boys side will go something like MLSN I, MLSN II, ECNL, ECNL-RL, and so on and so forth.

I think it's actually very local. In Texas for example, all the best teams besides the MLS Academy teams, are ECNL for boys. MLS Next pay to play teams are a joke compared to boys ECNL. Even FC Dallas plays their second team in ECNL.

I think that will change eventually with this new Tier in MLSN. And you're right it is hit or miss with non-affiliated MLSN teams, but the point of some of those teams is to put players in a position to make an academy. I think a lot of these changes to MLSN structure were brought about by MLS teams and consolidating their talent, in their regions. I think after these changes, it will be clear what the developmental path for each of these leagues, are.

I disagree with this. It's all just branding. MLS Academies have shown no inclination to add kids from MLS Next clubs over anything else as far as I've seen, and why would they? They're looking for talented kids wherever they are.

I understand the pitch of the non-affiliated MLSN teams is that they put them in a better position than ECNL teams, but form what I've seen that isn't true. I'm sure in different places people have really different experiences, which is why I think the PP point is good. The conditions that matter to you are the ones where you live, and things change alot from place to place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question:

With MLS Competition Tier being announced, are we thinking that's equivalent to ECNL-RL? So MLSNext = ECNL, and MLSNext Tier II = ECNL-RL? Roughly?

For MLSNext Tier II, is it accurate to say that a Club will only have ONE team (per age group & gender) in that Competition tier (i.e. their best team in that age group) while their 2nd, 3rd, 4th ranked teams in that age/gender will still play in NCLS (for those teams in the DC area)?

I think for players that have aspirations to play professionally, MLSN II would be the best option, other than MLSN. I believe the pyramid on the boys side will go something like MLSN I, MLSN II, ECNL, ECNL-RL, and so on and so forth.

I think it's actually very local. In Texas for example, all the best teams besides the MLS Academy teams, are ECNL for boys. MLS Next pay to play teams are a joke compared to boys ECNL. Even FC Dallas plays their second team in ECNL.

I think that will change eventually with this new Tier in MLSN. And you're right it is hit or miss with non-affiliated MLSN teams, but the point of some of those teams is to put players in a position to make an academy. I think a lot of these changes to MLSN structure were brought about by MLS teams and consolidating their talent, in their regions. I think after these changes, it will be clear what the developmental path for each of these leagues, are.

I disagree with this. It's all just branding. MLS Academies have shown no inclination to add kids from MLS Next clubs over anything else as far as I've seen, and why would they? They're looking for talented kids wherever they are.

I understand the pitch of the non-affiliated MLSN teams is that they put them in a better position than ECNL teams, but form what I've seen that isn't true. I'm sure in different places people have really different experiences, which is why I think the PP point is good. The conditions that matter to you are the ones where you live, and things change alot from place to place.

I mean if you are a non affiliated MLSN team playing tier 1, then I would say that you have a better shot at making an academy then an ECNL kid. Now with tier II kids being able to play in MLSN fest and other events, the exposure will be even more relevant. But I agree, outside of the academy teams, the talent seems to be pretty even between the 2 leagues overall and it does come down to region and proximity to academies.

[Anonymous]

Playing meaningful games in the MLS ecosytem is invaluable for kids with asperations of playing pro. Make no mistake there will be kids who make the most of it with full rides and contracts. Talent is where you find it and lots of small clubs have found themselves with star players over the years. MLSN2 will find these players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So an announcement was made at the US Soccer AGM that some leagues will be going SY in 26/27. No other formal announcement but some tweets from people who were in the room. Because August 2026 is well over a year away, we just move on like nothing happened? When will leagues officially announce this change? People mentioned this week. Starting to doubt a timely response

Pretty much. I would hope we could get some clarity in the next week or so, but doubt it. If they had enough info about those leagues to make “an announcement” at a closed door meeting, then you would think they have enough of the details ironed out to let the masses know something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So an announcement was made at the US Soccer AGM that some leagues will be going SY in 26/27. No other formal announcement but some tweets from people who were in the room. Because August 2026 is well over a year away, we just move on like nothing happened? When will leagues officially announce this change? People mentioned this week. Starting to doubt a timely response

If all it was ever going to be was nothing changes until 26/27 - the announcement from all leagues / organizations would be very simple.

[Anonymous]

Is GA moving to SY?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is GA moving to SY?

TBD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is GA moving to SY?

TBD

My feeling is that the league's and sanctioning organizations probably want you to get your information, as a parent, from your club. My guess is that is how we'll mostly all hear whats going to happen.

[Anonymous]

Time to call your directors!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is GA moving to SY?

TBD

But unlikely since governed by MLS. Would anticipate bio branding. Get your daughters to get ready to get on the scale. Should be an awesome S show.

[Anonymous]

Whatever the decision (MLSN and GA) I hope they announce it soon. Helps families plans and decisions about next steps moving forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Time to call your directors!

The national statement (unified?) is coming out this Wed. Have some patience folks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Time to call your directors!

The national statement (unified?) is coming out this Wed. Have some patience folks.

Let me guess - on the ECNL podcast?