ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theecnl.com/news/2025/5/1/real-colorado-academy-colorado-rapids-youth-join-ecnl-texas-conference.aspx

Please discuss.....

I believe both of these clubs had girls in ECNL?

This falls in line with all the rumors that MLsN and ECNL are making back room deal to get clubs to full membership. From what I hear there will be some big name ECNL and some strong MLsN clubs making the switch.

Clubs will be either ECNL or MLSN/GA sooner than people think.

My club was told they’d have to sign a 10 year contract if they were going to switch from MLSN/GA to ECNL. Could not leave the platform for 10 years!

No “strong” MLSN team will switch to ECNL.

That’s like saying the KC Chiefs are going to the XFL.

They are middle of the pack for most of the age groups.

Funny now the clete is on the other foot. Just like with Midwest, we'll be debating just how good they are. They DO seem to have more higher standings (a few at the top or near, a few in the middle). Plus, it seems this is MLS' highest level switching over. That does seem like a shot across the bow. Has that happened before? What will be MLSN's response?

It is also pretty clear that MLSN if forcing its clubs to give up Girls ECNL to keep boys MLSN. Which is straight up garbage (even if it makes business sense). Hard to portray them as 'good guys' in this... Also interesting to see that these two clubs prioritize their girl's program pretty highly.

Both sides actually are being accused of this (with ECNL having a much longer history of doing so).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theecnl.com/news/2025/5/1/real-colorado-academy-colorado-rapids-youth-join-ecnl-texas-conference.aspx

Please discuss.....

I believe both of these clubs had girls in ECNL?

This falls in line with all the rumors that MLsN and ECNL are making back room deal to get clubs to full membership. From what I hear there will be some big name ECNL and some strong MLsN clubs making the switch.

Clubs will be either ECNL or MLSN/GA sooner than people think.

My club was told they’d have to sign a 10 year contract if they were going to switch from MLSN/GA to ECNL. Could not leave the platform for 10 years!

No “strong” MLSN team will switch to ECNL.

That’s like saying the KC Chiefs are going to the XFL.

They are middle of the pack for most of the age groups.

Funny now the clete is on the other foot. Just like with Midwest, we'll be debating just how good they are. They DO seem to have more higher standings (a few at the top or near, a few in the middle). Plus, it seems this is MLS' highest level switching over. That does seem like a shot across the bow. Has that happened before? What will be MLSN's response?

It is also pretty clear that MLSN if forcing its clubs to give up Girls ECNL to keep boys MLSN. Which is straight up garbage (even if it makes business sense). Hard to portray them as 'good guys' in this... Also interesting to see that these two clubs prioritize their girl's program pretty highly.

Both sides actually are being accused of this (with ECNL having a much longer history of doing so).

I guess, but this is just such a blatant example of MLSN trying to convince clubs to screw over their girl's programs. Not saying ECNL are the good guys, but MLSN is clearly not 'in it for the betterment of the soccer community' by playing like this. So there are no 'good guys' here (which maybe everyone already knew).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theecnl.com/news/2025/5/1/real-colorado-academy-colorado-rapids-youth-join-ecnl-texas-conference.aspx

Please discuss.....

Wow I would say that is pretty big news.

So the news is that Real Colorado moved out of ECNL Mountain and into ECNL Texas?

This is an internal ECNL realignment. The Colorado teams have been trending this way for the past year. Not news.

Colorado Rapids Youth has also been connected to ECNL prior and is aLao just moving to the Texas region…also not real news. And Rapids Academy is not leaving MLSN.

Look, there will be genuine news with club movement. But not every announcement by ECNL is industry shaking or world changing.

From my understanding, both clubs are moving their MLSN teams to ECNL Texas. Their ECNL teams will remain in mountain division .

If this is correct , I would say it is a little "industry shaking"

Your understanding is wrong 🤣

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theecnl.com/news/2025/5/1/real-colorado-academy-colorado-rapids-youth-join-ecnl-texas-conference.aspx

Please discuss.....

I believe both of these clubs had girls in ECNL?

This falls in line with all the rumors that MLsN and ECNL are making back room deal to get clubs to full membership. From what I hear there will be some big name ECNL and some strong MLsN clubs making the switch.

Clubs will be either ECNL or MLSN/GA sooner than people think.

My club was told they’d have to sign a 10 year contract if they were going to switch from MLSN/GA to ECNL. Could not leave the platform for 10 years!

No “strong” MLSN team will switch to ECNL.

That’s like saying the KC Chiefs are going to the XFL.

They are middle of the pack for most of the age groups.

Funny now the clete is on the other foot. Just like with Midwest, we'll be debating just how good they are. They DO seem to have more higher standings (a few at the top or near, a few in the middle). Plus, it seems this is MLS' highest level switching over. That does seem like a shot across the bow. Has that happened before? What will be MLSN's response?

It is also pretty clear that MLSN if forcing its clubs to give up Girls ECNL to keep boys MLSN. Which is straight up garbage (even if it makes business sense). Hard to portray them as 'good guys' in this... Also interesting to see that these two clubs prioritize their girl's program pretty highly.

Girl dad here. No club prioritizes its girls over boys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theecnl.com/news/2025/5/1/real-colorado-academy-colorado-rapids-youth-join-ecnl-texas-conference.aspx

Please discuss.....

I believe both of these clubs had girls in ECNL?

This falls in line with all the rumors that MLsN and ECNL are making back room deal to get clubs to full membership. From what I hear there will be some big name ECNL and some strong MLsN clubs making the switch.

Clubs will be either ECNL or MLSN/GA sooner than people think.

My club was told they’d have to sign a 10 year contract if they were going to switch from MLSN/GA to ECNL. Could not leave the platform for 10 years!

No “strong” MLSN team will switch to ECNL.

That’s like saying the KC Chiefs are going to the XFL.

They are middle of the pack for most of the age groups.

Funny now the clete is on the other foot. Just like with Midwest, we'll be debating just how good they are. They DO seem to have more higher standings (a few at the top or near, a few in the middle). Plus, it seems this is MLS' highest level switching over. That does seem like a shot across the bow. Has that happened before? What will be MLSN's response?

It is also pretty clear that MLSN if forcing its clubs to give up Girls ECNL to keep boys MLSN. Which is straight up garbage (even if it makes business sense). Hard to portray them as 'good guys' in this... Also interesting to see that these two clubs prioritize their girl's program pretty highly.

Both sides actually are being accused of this (with ECNL having a much longer history of doing so).

I guess, but this is just such a blatant example of MLSN trying to convince clubs to screw over their girl's programs. Not saying ECNL are the good guys, but MLSN is clearly not 'in it for the betterment of the soccer community' by playing like this. So there are no 'good guys' here (which maybe everyone already knew).

You’re literally making up what is happening to do the old “pox on both houses, everyone is in the wrong, it’s all just politics” routine.

As a PP posted, there isn’t actually a change outside of ECNL doing a regional realignment.

The bigger news should be why ECNL continues to chip away at MidAtlantic? Pretty soon we’ll only have 2 playoff seeds the way they’re favoring big clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theecnl.com/news/2025/5/1/real-colorado-academy-colorado-rapids-youth-join-ecnl-texas-conference.aspx

Please discuss.....

I believe both of these clubs had girls in ECNL?

This falls in line with all the rumors that MLsN and ECNL are making back room deal to get clubs to full membership. From what I hear there will be some big name ECNL and some strong MLsN clubs making the switch.

Clubs will be either ECNL or MLSN/GA sooner than people think.

My club was told they’d have to sign a 10 year contract if they were going to switch from MLSN/GA to ECNL. Could not leave the platform for 10 years!

No “strong” MLSN team will switch to ECNL.

That’s like saying the KC Chiefs are going to the XFL.

They are middle of the pack for most of the age groups.

Funny now the clete is on the other foot. Just like with Midwest, we'll be debating just how good they are. They DO seem to have more higher standings (a few at the top or near, a few in the middle). Plus, it seems this is MLS' highest level switching over. That does seem like a shot across the bow. Has that happened before? What will be MLSN's response?

It is also pretty clear that MLSN if forcing its clubs to give up Girls ECNL to keep boys MLSN. Which is straight up garbage (even if it makes business sense). Hard to portray them as 'good guys' in this... Also interesting to see that these two clubs prioritize their girl's program pretty highly.

Both sides actually are being accused of this (with ECNL having a much longer history of doing so).

I guess, but this is just such a blatant example of MLSN trying to convince clubs to screw over their girl's programs. Not saying ECNL are the good guys, but MLSN is clearly not 'in it for the betterment of the soccer community' by playing like this. So there are no 'good guys' here (which maybe everyone already knew).

How? There's no evidence of that -- only speculation. All we know is these clubs picked ECNL over MLSN, not why. Doesn't say that anywhere.

[Anonymous]

ECNL started this a few years ago forcing clubs to give up ECNL if they stayed in MLSnext. Many clubs used to have a top team in MLSnext and second team in ecnl.

There are clubs that prioritize girls development over boys, PDA is an example of that. Wouldn’t surprise me if their boys left MLSnext for ecnl. Like aok clubs, it’s all about what is going to make them the most money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theecnl.com/news/2025/5/1/real-colorado-academy-colorado-rapids-youth-join-ecnl-texas-conference.aspx

Please discuss.....

Wow I would say that is pretty big news.

I'm dumb, please explain.

MLSN just lost two academy teams to ECNL.

I'm actually not sure about the Rapids academy but this definitely makes the age change more convoluted.

So the academy is going SY apparently.

No. Colorado Rapids Youth is their club soccer arm. Similar to FC Dallas Youth. FC Dallas has boys academy teams, funded, not pay to play, one per age group, that play in MLS Next. Then their second and third boys teams play in ECNL along with their girls teams.

This is wrong - their Academy team is going to ECNL. It is clear in the announcement on their website but also clear if you look at the coaches and programs listed for their academy team for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theecnl.com/news/2025/5/1/real-colorado-academy-colorado-rapids-youth-join-ecnl-texas-conference.aspx

Please discuss.....

Wow I would say that is pretty big news.

I'm dumb, please explain.

MLSN just lost two academy teams to ECNL.

I'm actually not sure about the Rapids academy but this definitely makes the age change more convoluted.

So the academy is going SY apparently.

Not that it matters as a 10-month program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theecnl.com/news/2025/5/1/real-colorado-academy-colorado-rapids-youth-join-ecnl-texas-conference.aspx

Please discuss.....

Wow I would say that is pretty big news.

I'm dumb, please explain.

MLSN just lost two academy teams to ECNL.

I'm actually not sure about the Rapids academy but this definitely makes the age change more convoluted.

So the academy is going SY apparently.

No. Colorado Rapids Youth is their club soccer arm. Similar to FC Dallas Youth. FC Dallas has boys academy teams, funded, not pay to play, one per age group, that play in MLS Next. Then their second and third boys teams play in ECNL along with their girls teams.

This is wrong - their Academy team is going to ECNL. It is clear in the announcement on their website but also clear if you look at the coaches and programs listed for their academy team for next year.

Aren’t mls academies forced to play mlsnext? How is it possible for them to leave for ecnl?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theecnl.com/news/2025/5/1/real-colorado-academy-colorado-rapids-youth-join-ecnl-texas-conference.aspx

Please discuss.....

Wow I would say that is pretty big news.

I'm dumb, please explain.

MLSN just lost two academy teams to ECNL.

I'm actually not sure about the Rapids academy but this definitely makes the age change more convoluted.

So the academy is going SY apparently.

No. Colorado Rapids Youth is their club soccer arm. Similar to FC Dallas Youth. FC Dallas has boys academy teams, funded, not pay to play, one per age group, that play in MLS Next. Then their second and third boys teams play in ECNL along with their girls teams.

This is wrong - their Academy team is going to ECNL. It is clear in the announcement on their website but also clear if you look at the coaches and programs listed for their academy team for next year.

Aren’t mls academies forced to play mlsnext? How is it possible for them to leave for ecnl?

Not sure that it's an "academy" that's connected to an MLS team. Seems more like marketing of its now former NEXT team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theecnl.com/news/2025/5/1/real-colorado-academy-colorado-rapids-youth-join-ecnl-texas-conference.aspx

Please discuss.....

I believe both of these clubs had girls in ECNL?

This falls in line with all the rumors that MLsN and ECNL are making back room deal to get clubs to full membership. From what I hear there will be some big name ECNL and some strong MLsN clubs making the switch.

Clubs will be either ECNL or MLSN/GA sooner than people think.

My club was told they’d have to sign a 10 year contract if they were going to switch from MLSN/GA to ECNL. Could not leave the platform for 10 years!

No “strong” MLSN team will switch to ECNL.

That’s like saying the KC Chiefs are going to the XFL.

They are middle of the pack for most of the age groups.

Funny now the clete is on the other foot. Just like with Midwest, we'll be debating just how good they are. They DO seem to have more higher standings (a few at the top or near, a few in the middle). Plus, it seems this is MLS' highest level switching over. That does seem like a shot across the bow. Has that happened before? What will be MLSN's response?

It is also pretty clear that MLSN if forcing its clubs to give up Girls ECNL to keep boys MLSN. Which is straight up garbage (even if it makes business sense). Hard to portray them as 'good guys' in this... Also interesting to see that these two clubs prioritize their girl's program pretty highly.

Both sides actually are being accused of this (with ECNL having a much longer history of doing so).

I guess, but this is just such a blatant example of MLSN trying to convince clubs to screw over their girl's programs. Not saying ECNL are the good guys, but MLSN is clearly not 'in it for the betterment of the soccer community' by playing like this. So there are no 'good guys' here (which maybe everyone already knew).

How? There's no evidence of that -- only speculation. All we know is these clubs picked ECNL over MLSN, not why. Doesn't say that anywhere.

Speculation is this entire thread. I think it is pretty clear what happened here (from a variety of sources) but sure, that could be wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theecnl.com/news/2025/5/1/real-colorado-academy-colorado-rapids-youth-join-ecnl-texas-conference.aspx

Please discuss.....

I believe both of these clubs had girls in ECNL?

This falls in line with all the rumors that MLsN and ECNL are making back room deal to get clubs to full membership. From what I hear there will be some big name ECNL and some strong MLsN clubs making the switch.

Clubs will be either ECNL or MLSN/GA sooner than people think.

My club was told they’d have to sign a 10 year contract if they were going to switch from MLSN/GA to ECNL. Could not leave the platform for 10 years!

No “strong” MLSN team will switch to ECNL.

That’s like saying the KC Chiefs are going to the XFL.

They are middle of the pack for most of the age groups.

Funny now the clete is on the other foot. Just like with Midwest, we'll be debating just how good they are. They DO seem to have more higher standings (a few at the top or near, a few in the middle). Plus, it seems this is MLS' highest level switching over. That does seem like a shot across the bow. Has that happened before? What will be MLSN's response?

It is also pretty clear that MLSN if forcing its clubs to give up Girls ECNL to keep boys MLSN. Which is straight up garbage (even if it makes business sense). Hard to portray them as 'good guys' in this... Also interesting to see that these two clubs prioritize their girl's program pretty highly.

Both sides actually are being accused of this (with ECNL having a much longer history of doing so).

I guess, but this is just such a blatant example of MLSN trying to convince clubs to screw over their girl's programs. Not saying ECNL are the good guys, but MLSN is clearly not 'in it for the betterment of the soccer community' by playing like this. So there are no 'good guys' here (which maybe everyone already knew).

How? There's no evidence of that -- only speculation. All we know is these clubs picked ECNL over MLSN, not why. Doesn't say that anywhere.

Speculation is this entire thread. I think it is pretty clear what happened here (from a variety of sources) but sure, that could be wrong.

You mean from a variety of speculation!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theecnl.com/news/2025/5/1/real-colorado-academy-colorado-rapids-youth-join-ecnl-texas-conference.aspx

Please discuss.....

I believe both of these clubs had girls in ECNL?

This falls in line with all the rumors that MLsN and ECNL are making back room deal to get clubs to full membership. From what I hear there will be some big name ECNL and some strong MLsN clubs making the switch.

Clubs will be either ECNL or MLSN/GA sooner than people think.

My club was told they’d have to sign a 10 year contract if they were going to switch from MLSN/GA to ECNL. Could not leave the platform for 10 years!

No “strong” MLSN team will switch to ECNL.

That’s like saying the KC Chiefs are going to the XFL.

They are middle of the pack for most of the age groups.

Funny now the clete is on the other foot. Just like with Midwest, we'll be debating just how good they are. They DO seem to have more higher standings (a few at the top or near, a few in the middle). Plus, it seems this is MLS' highest level switching over. That does seem like a shot across the bow. Has that happened before? What will be MLSN's response?

It is also pretty clear that MLSN if forcing its clubs to give up Girls ECNL to keep boys MLSN. Which is straight up garbage (even if it makes business sense). Hard to portray them as 'good guys' in this... Also interesting to see that these two clubs prioritize their girl's program pretty highly.

Both sides actually are being accused of this (with ECNL having a much longer history of doing so).

I guess, but this is just such a blatant example of MLSN trying to convince clubs to screw over their girl's programs. Not saying ECNL are the good guys, but MLSN is clearly not 'in it for the betterment of the soccer community' by playing like this. So there are no 'good guys' here (which maybe everyone already knew).

How? There's no evidence of that -- only speculation. All we know is these clubs picked ECNL over MLSN, not why. Doesn't say that anywhere.

Speculation is this entire thread. I think it is pretty clear what happened here (from a variety of sources) but sure, that could be wrong.

You mean from a variety of speculation!

Lol. Yeah, but that is the most powerful speculation! I will say though, that, generally speaking, when speculation aligns with someone's belief, they see it as evidence. And that goes both (or all?) ways in this thread!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://theecnl.com/news/2025/5/1/real-colorado-academy-colorado-rapids-youth-join-ecnl-texas-conference.aspx

Please discuss.....

I believe both of these clubs had girls in ECNL?

This falls in line with all the rumors that MLsN and ECNL are making back room deal to get clubs to full membership. From what I hear there will be some big name ECNL and some strong MLsN clubs making the switch.

Clubs will be either ECNL or MLSN/GA sooner than people think.

My club was told they’d have to sign a 10 year contract if they were going to switch from MLSN/GA to ECNL. Could not leave the platform for 10 years!

No “strong” MLSN team will switch to ECNL.

That’s like saying the KC Chiefs are going to the XFL.

They are middle of the pack for most of the age groups.

Funny now the clete is on the other foot. Just like with Midwest, we'll be debating just how good they are. They DO seem to have more higher standings (a few at the top or near, a few in the middle). Plus, it seems this is MLS' highest level switching over. That does seem like a shot across the bow. Has that happened before? What will be MLSN's response?

It is also pretty clear that MLSN if forcing its clubs to give up Girls ECNL to keep boys MLSN. Which is straight up garbage (even if it makes business sense). Hard to portray them as 'good guys' in this... Also interesting to see that these two clubs prioritize their girl's program pretty highly.

Girl dad here. No club prioritizes its girls over boys.

Could be that the choice is more ECNL boys vs GA girls rather than MLSN for boys and ECNL for girls so they don't seem like they are picking a gender. (Also to a lesser extent ECRL for boys vs GA Aspire for girls).

And the programs are picking ECNL so both the boys and girls can play in what they perceive as high level leagues. In that sense, seems they are considering both girls and boys in the decision. Every club is unique of course.