feedback on the NAL

[Anonymous]

I understand this was the league's first year, and would love to hear what sort of experiences people have had. If you can state boy/girl and share any other details you're comfortable with (age group/general age, and/or club), that would be great.

[Anonymous]

Glad you asked. I would also like to know if anyone has any feedback.

Would you pick NAL over ECNL?

[Anonymous]

My son has played both in MLS Next (non-academy) and ECNL (mid-tier club) and moved to NAL for this season. Overall he’s been very happy with NAL. The level of play is very comparable to lower level MLS Next/mid-tier ECNL.

[Anonymous]

On the older girls side- over half the teams are leaving for ECRL or Ga next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son has played both in MLS Next (non-academy) and ECNL (mid-tier club) and moved to NAL for this season. Overall he’s been very happy with NAL. The level of play is very comparable to lower level MLS Next/mid-tier ECNL.

In other words, they should have all just stayed in EDP and spared the extra expenses and travel.

But you wouldn't have the cool NAL badge 😎

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son has played both in MLS Next (non-academy) and ECNL (mid-tier club) and moved to NAL for this season. Overall he’s been very happy with NAL. The level of play is very comparable to lower level MLS Next/mid-tier ECNL.

In other words, they should have all just stayed in EDP and spared the extra expenses and travel.

But you wouldn't have the cool NAL badge 😎

Kind of a jerk comment, what if there isn't a nearby team that participates in EDP. What if the team in NAL is the best fit for the kid and family. EDP is more of a MD thing and cool for the u-littles in NOVA.

[Anonymous]

What cool NAL badge lol

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son has played both in MLS Next (non-academy) and ECNL (mid-tier club) and moved to NAL for this season. Overall he’s been very happy with NAL. The level of play is very comparable to lower level MLS Next/mid-tier ECNL.

In other words, they should have all just stayed in EDP and spared the extra expenses and travel.

But you wouldn't have the cool NAL badge 😎

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son has played both in MLS Next (non-academy) and ECNL (mid-tier club) and moved to NAL for this season. Overall he’s been very happy with NAL. The level of play is very comparable to lower level MLS Next/mid-tier ECNL.

In other words, they should have all just stayed in EDP and spared the extra expenses and travel.

But you wouldn't have the cool NAL badge 😎

Kind of a jerk comment, what if there isn't a nearby team that participates in EDP. What if the team in NAL is the best fit for the kid and family. EDP is more of a MD thing and cool for the u-littles in NOVA.

They should have all stayed local, where there is plenty of competition, without needing the extra expenses and travel.

better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son has played both in MLS Next (non-academy) and ECNL (mid-tier club) and moved to NAL for this season. Overall he’s been very happy with NAL. The level of play is very comparable to lower level MLS Next/mid-tier ECNL.

In other words, they should have all just stayed in EDP and spared the extra expenses and travel.

But you wouldn't have the cool NAL badge 😎

Kind of a jerk comment, what if there isn't a nearby team that participates in EDP. What if the team in NAL is the best fit for the kid and family. EDP is more of a MD thing and cool for the u-littles in NOVA.

They should have all stayed local, where there is plenty of competition, without needing the extra expenses and travel.

better?

I agree that there is plenty of competition around here but that is on the club to make that decision not the player. Unfortunately the clubs can't come together to make the experience for the player and family.

Until the state associations or federation take things into their hands and set-up/keep competition within the state outside of a national league such as MLSN/GA/ECNL, it is always going to be a mess. Even NCSL would be better off into breaking itself up into MD and VA competition. They could even bring together the D1 champ from each state to have a NCSL age group champ.

[Anonymous]

Our club market it as MSL Next 2 it is nothing more than just playing MLS Next second team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our club market it as MSL Next 2 it is nothing more than just playing MLS Next second team.

Yes but is the level of competition really better than what you would play locally outside of MLSN/ECNL/GA. If the competition is better than it makes sense to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son has played both in MLS Next (non-academy) and ECNL (mid-tier club) and moved to NAL for this season. Overall he’s been very happy with NAL. The level of play is very comparable to lower level MLS Next/mid-tier ECNL.

In other words, they should have all just stayed in EDP and spared the extra expenses and travel.

But you wouldn't have the cool NAL badge 😎

Kind of a jerk comment, what if there isn't a nearby team that participates in EDP. What if the team in NAL is the best fit for the kid and family. EDP is more of a MD thing and cool for the u-littles in NOVA.

They should have all stayed local, where there is plenty of competition, without needing the extra expenses and travel.

better?

I agree that there is plenty of competition around here but that is on the club to make that decision not the player. Unfortunately the clubs can't come together to make the experience for the player and family.

Until the state associations or federation take things into their hands and set-up/keep competition within the state outside of a national league such as MLSN/GA/ECNL, it is always going to be a mess. Even NCSL would be better off into breaking itself up into MD and VA competition. They could even bring together the D1 champ from each state to have a NCSL age group champ.

ECNL/GA level teams have plenty local level competition, they don't need to travel all over either.
NAL are club 2nd tier teams. Why do they need to be traveling all over the place?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our club market it as MSL Next 2 it is nothing more than just playing MLS Next second team.

Yes but is the level of competition really better than what you would play locally outside of MLSN/ECNL/GA. If the competition is better than it makes sense to do it.

No, it's just a marketing scam that they know will easily work on parents who love labels

[Anonymous]

That's the problem. The level of competition isn't better. Also, why would you pick NAL a second tier team over ECNL top tier?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's the problem. The level of competition isn't better. Also, why would you pick NAL a second tier team over ECNL top tier?

Aren't several NAL teams former ECNL teams?
Same players, same coaches, same level.
Different name.