MLS1 v MLS2

[Anonymous]

How long does mls plan to stretch this farce?

More importantly, does anyone know if MLS2 teams can ever promote into the MLS1 structure?

We’re supposed to move to northern VA in early 2026 and have been following the different ecosystems this pay2play structure has in America. Yes, we are helicopter parents.

With that out of the day, and reading the different feuds going on in this boards, we’d wonder what may be the best choice according to the anons here. Yes, I know there is a lot of beefing and agendas going on.

Nevertheless, we are dismayed with some of the info we found like:

- coaches/directors having affairs with players’ mothers
- a club that splits itself into two to maximize profits over development
- a club that requires you to pay an additional fee for what they believe will improve your child’s abilities (what’s their regular training for then?)
- a club with a TD raking in over $300K annually but without any meaningful players making it professionally

What else should we know before hand before showing up to tryouts?
TIA!

[Anonymous]

Maybe try MD clubs if it’s feasible. Also, maybe u do have girls but girls soccer is a whole other level of crazy

[Anonymous]

Your post is strange.

I honestly wouldn't focus on the gossip you see on this site, but in terms of giving you practical advice, you didn't say anything about the age / gender / level of your players.

A few points -

1. The level of MLSN2 is below MLSN1. But so what? If your player is on an MLSN1 team, that doesn't matter to you. You will be more focused on how much you are paying for a level of soccer that can still be questionable.

2. There are always extra trainings and extra playing opportunities, most of which comes at a cost. Does that not make sense to you? If a team practices 3x/week, and another team practices 4x/week, which team do you want to put your player on? Maybe you choose the team that practices 3x/week but the fields are closer to your house, and you supplement by paying for an extra weekly training.

3. The best choice for most ages is probably still the team that is closest to your house with a coach that you love, if you can find one. A player can progress in many different environments. Spending too many hours a week in the car does not help a player's school or soccer success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your post is strange.

I honestly wouldn't focus on the gossip you see on this site, but in terms of giving you practical advice, you didn't say anything about the age / gender / level of your players.

A few points -

1. The level of MLSN2 is below MLSN1. But so what? If your player is on an MLSN1 team, that doesn't matter to you. You will be more focused on how much you are paying for a level of soccer that can still be questionable.

2. There are always extra trainings and extra playing opportunities, most of which comes at a cost. Does that not make sense to you? If a team practices 3x/week, and another team practices 4x/week, which team do you want to put your player on? Maybe you choose the team that practices 3x/week but the fields are closer to your house, and you supplement by paying for an extra weekly training.

3. The best choice for most ages is probably still the team that is closest to your house with a coach that you love, if you can find one. A player can progress in many different environments. Spending too many hours a week in the car does not help a player's school or soccer success.

+1

3 is the best answer.

[Anonymous]

Wait. You have to make it to an MLS next team first .... don't jump the gun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait. You have to make it to an MLS next team first .... don't jump the gun.

Yes MLSN is the top dog and their players are so much better than any other league. If you make MLSN your kid MUST be great. It is not just another alphabet league… trust me!

[Anonymous]

I agree this is a strange post. All clubs have drama and issues. This area just happens to have a huge population with a large number of clubs, plus an anonymous message board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree this is a strange post. All clubs have drama and issues. This area just happens to have a huge population with a large number of clubs, plus an anonymous message board.

And it's become a place for outsiders (including me!, but I did live in NoVA for almost 30 years) to post about other soccer stuff. I would absolutely not make any kind of decision solely based off what you read here. Take it for some extra context, but you absolutely need to do more research on your own and seeing things in person.

[Anonymous]

If your kid is MLSNext level, that is, you’re transferring from another MLSNext or ECNL club, just reach out to the coach and ask to have your DS practice with the team. Being able to fit in and play well with existing players is the easiest way to get an offer.

Or ask whether current players will also be at tryouts. Tryouts competing with other random players seems so inefficient. At least if other players are there, you have an idea as to how the team plays and whether you’ll fit in.

[Anonymous]

There is a lot of gossip on these boards. Please know that many on here will purposely sabotage to keep you away from the real stuff that happens here. Here is what I would suggest. When you are visiting or just in town, hit up the club neutral trainers closest to you:

1) Next Star
2) Ballerz
3) FC Training Grounds
4) First Touch Aid
5) False8

See the type of kids that are at your kids level and above with the skills you want and then try to connect with the parents to attend a practice with their club team. The stuff you see here is never mentioned on the pitch in my circles. I think people living in Loudoun County are just bored as fuc&.

If you are on the MD side, Coppermine is MLS 2 but competes at a high level with the MLS Next 1's. They are like SYC though. A lot of effort but very little ball mastery so you will tap out by U15/U16. Both VRSC and TSJ have been light work for us on the VA side when we have played them.

Welcome to the DMV!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How long does mls plan to stretch this farce?

More importantly, does anyone know if MLS2 teams can ever promote into the MLS1 structure?

We’re supposed to move to northern VA in early 2026 and have been following the different ecosystems this pay2play structure has in America. Yes, we are helicopter parents.

With that out of the day, and reading the different feuds going on in this boards, we’d wonder what may be the best choice according to the anons here. Yes, I know there is a lot of beefing and agendas going on.

Nevertheless, we are dismayed with some of the info we found like:

- coaches/directors having affairs with players’ mothers
- a club that splits itself into two to maximize profits over development
- a club that requires you to pay an additional fee for what they believe will improve your child’s abilities (what’s their regular training for then?)
- a club with a TD raking in over $300K annually but without any meaningful players making it professionally

What else should we know before hand before showing up to tryouts?
TIA!

So you don't live in the area but are on top of all the negative gossip?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How long does mls plan to stretch this farce?

More importantly, does anyone know if MLS2 teams can ever promote into the MLS1 structure?

We’re supposed to move to northern VA in early 2026 and have been following the different ecosystems this pay2play structure has in America. Yes, we are helicopter parents.

With that out of the day, and reading the different feuds going on in this boards, we’d wonder what may be the best choice according to the anons here. Yes, I know there is a lot of beefing and agendas going on.

Nevertheless, we are dismayed with some of the info we found like:

- coaches/directors having affairs with players’ mothers
- a club that splits itself into two to maximize profits over development
- a club that requires you to pay an additional fee for what they believe will improve your child’s abilities (what’s their regular training for then?)
- a club with a TD raking in over $300K annually but without any meaningful players making it professionally

What else should we know before hand before showing up to tryouts?
TIA!

So you don't live in the area but are on top of all the negative gossip?

Funny how it’s not gossip but factual eh? Thanx for the confirmation pater

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How long does mls plan to stretch this farce?

More importantly, does anyone know if MLS2 teams can ever promote into the MLS1 structure?

We’re supposed to move to northern VA in early 2026 and have been following the different ecosystems this pay2play structure has in America. Yes, we are helicopter parents.

With that out of the day, and reading the different feuds going on in this boards, we’d wonder what may be the best choice according to the anons here. Yes, I know there is a lot of beefing and agendas going on.

Nevertheless, we are dismayed with some of the info we found like:

- coaches/directors having affairs with players’ mothers
- a club that splits itself into two to maximize profits over development
- a club that requires you to pay an additional fee for what they believe will improve your child’s abilities (what’s their regular training for then?)
- a club with a TD raking in over $300K annually but without any meaningful players making it professionally

What else should we know before hand before showing up to tryouts?
TIA!

So you don't live in the area but are on top of all the negative gossip?

Funny how it’s not gossip but factual eh? Thanx for the confirmation pater

When did gossip definition mean not factual?