What is the best ECNL team in the area?

[Anonymous]

I know I will get flamed for this but my son has played for Potomac ECNL and wants to play for his high school team so MLS Next is not on the table (he has been invited to practice and try out so I do think he is up to the challenge if he wanted but he doesn’t) - what are the top ECNL teams or are there other options I don’t know of that would allow him to play for his high school team too? I realize tryouts have started so this may be too late! TIA.

[Anonymous]

If he is high school age, choose one in your state/season. Maryland (Fall) and Virginia (Spring) have different high school seasons

[Anonymous]

Virginia seems to have better teams than Maryland

[Anonymous]

Depends on 1) age group 2) where you live 3) what you are looking for.

I would start with these three depending on whether you want Fall or Spring

Pipeline - great record great college placement may be near you if you play in MD already

Arlington- Most stable club (no alliances/mergers/league changes) good coaches and college record

VDA —best boys record but not so great college placement and random practice locations (many different locations far apart from each other)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on 1) age group 2) where you live 3) what you are looking for.

I would start with these three depending on whether you want Fall or Spring

Pipeline - great record great college placement may be near you if you play in MD already

Arlington- Most stable club (no alliances/mergers/league changes) good coaches and college record

VDA —best boys record but not so great college placement and random practice locations (many different locations far apart from each other)

agree with everything but VDA practice locations. They have two set practice locations at each end of PWC (one is a PWSI location and one is VSA). Not sure what's random about that.

Do not recommend playing in a VA ECNL team if you A) play HS in MD or B) go to private school. VA ECNL teams are in mid atlantic division and, for high school ages, play 14 games through early Feb (number of games may change since mid atlantic lost 2 teams but gained 1 that I know about). No games but showcases or playoffs in June after that. So you have months of no games

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on 1) age group 2) where you live 3) what you are looking for.

I would start with these three depending on whether you want Fall or Spring

Pipeline - great record great college placement may be near you if you play in MD already

Arlington- Most stable club (no alliances/mergers/league changes) good coaches and college record

VDA —best boys record but not so great college placement and random practice locations (many different locations far apart from each other)

agree with everything but VDA practice locations. They have two set practice locations at each end of PWC (one is a PWSI location and one is VSA). Not sure what's random about that.

Do not recommend playing in a VA ECNL team if you A) play HS in MD or B) go to private school. VA ECNL teams are in mid atlantic division and, for high school ages, play 14 games through early Feb (number of games may change since mid atlantic lost 2 teams but gained 1 that I know about). No games but showcases or playoffs in June after that. So you have months of no games

+1

Those teams are all good options.

[Anonymous]

Potomac or Pipeline is likely your only options if your son wants to play HS soccer in MD too. VA would make zero sense.

[Anonymous]

Thank you! This is super helpful.