ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

The conventional wisdom (and hope) is since MLSN is the market leader, these decisions are based on not wanting to lose girls ECNL while having at least a strong enough ECNL boys program. If you read the release it seems like ECNL bent over backward to get Real Colorado with all sorts of concessions to make their participation easier -- although these will put the partnership in the best possible light.

[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.

No, this is wrong. Colorado Rapids Youth is an entity different and separate from Colorado Rapids the MLS club. They are partnered organizations, but they are incorporated as separated entities entirely, just like FC Dallas and FC Dallas Youth.

Colorado Rapids will continue to play MLS Next with their academy teams as all MLS clubs are required to do.

[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.

No, this is wrong. Colorado Rapids Youth is an entity different and separate from Colorado Rapids the MLS club. They are partnered organizations, but they are incorporated as separated entities entirely, just like FC Dallas and FC Dallas Youth.

Colorado Rapids will continue to play MLS Next with their academy teams as all MLS clubs are required to do.

In the MLSN standings they are designated as Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club, seems like the same club.

[Anonymous]

All clubs will eventually be in the ECNL/US Club pyramid or MLSN/GA for their U13-19 top academy teams.

I heard that over a year ago that both ECNL and MLSN are trying to pull clubs over and it will eventually be mandated if you want to stay in their platform.

[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.

You’re wrong. MLS Academies are not operated like a club. The Rapids academy is not moving to ECNL. The mid-meh “youth” co-branded club was already in ECNL, and they are just realigning from mountain to Texas. Texas plays 10 months, mountain doesn’t.

[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.....

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.

No, this is wrong. Colorado Rapids Youth is an entity different and separate from Colorado Rapids the MLS club. They are partnered organizations, but they are incorporated as separated entities entirely, just like FC Dallas and FC Dallas Youth.

Colorado Rapids will continue to play MLS Next with their academy teams as all MLS clubs are required to do.

In the MLSN standings they are designated as Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club, seems like the same club.

You’re not correct. MLS controls their academies, not 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.....

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.

You’re wrong. MLS Academies are not operated like a club. The Rapids academy is not moving to ECNL. The mid-meh “youth” co-branded club was already in ECNL, and they are just realigning from mountain to Texas. Texas plays 10 months, mountain doesn’t.

Apparently not. Those clubs will each have two teams in ECNL, one in Texas and one in mountain. The Texas team from MLSN.

"Due to depth and quality, both clubs will continue to field teams in the ECNL Boys Mountain Conference that will compete in a traditional ECNL structure that provides opportunities for high school soccer, with games played across seven months, while also supporting teams in the ECNL Regional League Boys - Mountain."

[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.....

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.

No, this is wrong. Colorado Rapids Youth is an entity different and separate from Colorado Rapids the MLS club. They are partnered organizations, but they are incorporated as separated entities entirely, just like FC Dallas and FC Dallas Youth.

Colorado Rapids will continue to play MLS Next with their academy teams as all MLS clubs are required to do.

In the MLSN standings they are designated as Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club, seems like the same club.

You’re not correct. MLS controls their academies, not clubs.

Go look at the standings, I am correct.

[Anonymous]

Just remember ECNL is expert at making things LOOK different than they actually are. Like sharing girls college stats without specifying to make it believe their boys are just as strong.

[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.....

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.

Or the club is adding a 10-month team.

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.

You’re wrong. MLS Academies are not operated like a club. The Rapids academy is not moving to ECNL. The mid-meh “youth” co-branded club was already in ECNL, and they are just realigning from mountain to Texas. Texas plays 10 months, mountain doesn’t.

Apparently not. Those clubs will each have two teams in ECNL, one in Texas and one in mountain. The Texas team from MLSN.

"Due to depth and quality, both clubs will continue to field teams in the ECNL Boys Mountain Conference that will compete in a traditional ECNL structure that provides opportunities for high school soccer, with games played across seven months, while also supporting teams in the ECNL Regional League Boys - Mountain."

[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.....

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.

You’re wrong. MLS Academies are not operated like a club. The Rapids academy is not moving to ECNL. The mid-meh “youth” co-branded club was already in ECNL, and they are just realigning from mountain to Texas. Texas plays 10 months, mountain doesn’t.

Apparently not. Those clubs will each have two teams in ECNL, one in Texas and one in mountain. The Texas team from MLSN.

"Due to depth and quality, both clubs will continue to field teams in the ECNL Boys Mountain Conference that will compete in a traditional ECNL structure that provides opportunities for high school soccer, with games played across seven months, while also supporting teams in the ECNL Regional League Boys - Mountain."

OR the club is simply adding a 10-month team and trying to make it look its the MLS academy team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just remember ECNL is expert at making things LOOK different than they actually are. Like sharing girls college stats without specifying to make it believe their boys are just as strong.

I'll fix this for you:

Just remember [insert league name] is expert at making things LOOK different than they actually are.

[Anonymous]

Here's the MLS Academy team: https://www.coloradorapids.com/academy/rosters/

Here's the Rapids Youth club ECNL: https://rapidsyouthsoccer.org/elite/ecnl/boys-elite-clubs-national-league-ecnl/

Then there's Real Colorado -- who are also moving over.

Please anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Anonymous]

The ECNL Regional League – NorCal will include approximately 20 teams at each age group from U13 – U18 from clubs who qualify out of NorCal Premier Soccer.

This was posted on NorCal soccer website for 25/26 season, where is the U19 age group?

[Anonymous]

Too much focus on “platforms” and “clubs” and not enough on development is why we suck at developing high level players.

There should be a single simple competitive youth development platform with clarity on the levels of competition.

I am in Texas and have seen MLSN teams lose to ECNL RL teams and even USC TX ECNL RL teams. I’ve also seen clubs from little known leagues beating ECNL RL and ECNL teams.

There are teams that drive 7 hours for two matches on a weekend in Oklahoma. What good does that do the players and teams? You mean to tell me given the above we can’t find high level competition within an or two of your home?

How can we properly develop players with this kind of chaos?