ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

Another issue is clubs and coaches focus on “winning” instead of development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

Maybe none of their clubs have U19?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

Agreed. Way too much travel for competition that is similar to what can be found in a 2hr radius. But it is all about leagues, admin salaries and ego. Kids come last

[Anonymous]

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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.

Why don’t you call them… you’re an idiot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

Maybe none of their clubs have U19?

That’s an entire age group of kids? How do clubs not have U19? Not the poster but it goes U17 then U19 there is no U18 for club soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.....

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."

Dude…Take the L. You reading into it what you want it to be, when some basic research will prove you 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.....

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."

Dude…Take the L. You reading into it what you want it to be, when some basic research will prove you wrong. 🤦🏻‍♀️

not the pp but could you provide links to the basic research?

[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.

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."

Dude…Take the L. You reading into it what you want it to be, when some basic research will prove you wrong. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I defintely don't mind taking the L as I have no horse in this race. I just want to know what is happening and maybe you can show me.

Google search results with Real Colorado and MLSN are now dead links. Their website has no mention of MLSN at all. The link to their academy boys points to ECNL Texas

https://www.realcolorado.net/academy-boys

[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.....

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."

Dude…Take the L. You reading into it what you want it to be, when some basic research will prove you wrong. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I defintely don't mind taking the L as I have no horse in this race. I just want to know what is happening and maybe you can show me.

Google search results with Real Colorado and MLSN are now dead links. Their website has no mention of MLSN at all. The link to their academy boys points to ECNL Texas

https://www.realcolorado.net/academy-boys

Real Colorado has an MLS team? I didn't know! ... Ok, most teams call their top team an academy team regardless of whether it's a true MLS academy.. .... As for the other club, here's how it's different, the Rapids club appears to be adding a new team ...

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...ational-league-ecnl/

[Anonymous]

This may also help: https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/about/

"Membership for the 2024-25 season includes 29 MLS academies, 122 Elite Academies (151 total clubs), 753 teams and over 16,000 players across the U.S. and Canada."

[Anonymous]

And when you click on list clubs and clubs by state, there are 3 currently for Colorado:

Colorado

Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids Youth SC
Real Colorado

The announcement means 2 have moved to exclusively ECNL. The remaining team is the MLS academy team.

[Anonymous]

So, to really spell it out ... Seems like Rapids Youth and Real Colorado were considered "elite academies" while Colorado Rapids is an "MLS academy" connected to the pro franchise (so the MOST sought after).

[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:

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."

Dude…Take the L. You reading into it what you want it to be, when some basic research will prove you wrong. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I defintely don't mind taking the L as I have no horse in this race. I just want to know what is happening and maybe you can show me.

Google search results with Real Colorado and MLSN are now dead links. Their website has no mention of MLSN at all. The link to their academy boys points to ECNL Texas

https://www.realcolorado.net/academy-boys

Real Colorado has an MLS team? I didn't know! ... Ok, most teams call their top team an academy team regardless of whether it's a true MLS academy.. .... As for the other club, here's how it's different, the Rapids club appears to be adding a new team ...

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...ational-league-ecnl/

Got it. I guess we were talking about two different things. I was referring to those two clubs taking their MLSN pay to play teams to ECNL. Not familiar with how the MLS academies work, I guess this clear it up a bit for me.

[Anonymous]

US Club soccer updated their age groups for 25-26. It’s looking more like everyone waiting until Fall 26 for any changes, even minor ones

https://usclubsoccer.org/registration-player-age-groups/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:US Club soccer updated their age groups for 25-26. It’s looking more like everyone waiting until Fall 26 for any changes, even minor ones

https://usclubsoccer.org/registration-player-age-groups/

U.S. Club had already said the age matrix wasn’t going to change until 26/27. This isn’t news.

The question since the end of Feb has been whether any leagues will permit Q4s to “play down” in 25/26 as part of a transitional plan. Until the league rules are released, it’s an open issue.