ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

At this point, absolutely nothing has been proposed for 25/26 by anyone except the one thing that said they'd start in January 26.

Still, I'm sure we can get to 1000 by bickering more.

I'll lead the way by saying every team has the best kids, the kids in the middle, and the bubble kids. It is delusional to think that with the SY change, that bubble NL kids can't be pushed out by top RL kids. On any given day the top RL kid is likely interchangeable with the bottom NL kid in their own age group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At this point, absolutely nothing has been proposed for 25/26 by anyone except the one thing that said they'd start in January 26.

Still, I'm sure we can get to 1000 by bickering more.

I'll lead the way by saying every team has the best kids, the kids in the middle, and the bubble kids. It is delusional to think that with the SY change, that bubble NL kids can't be pushed out by top RL kids. On any given day the top RL kid is likely interchangeable with the bottom NL kid in their own age group.

100% This is probably more 'true' on the boys side though compared to the girls side.

RE: the posts where people are saying the 2nd team can't compete with the 1st team a year down: y'all must not be at very competitive clubs. I'd look for a stronger development environment.

[Anonymous]

Op here checking in and supporting the push to 1,000!

My August player is happy to be able to eventually play with all her school grade friends.

Forget 1,000 ….. Onwards to 1,500!! Come on soccer parents- we’ve got this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here checking in and supporting the push to 1,000!

My August player is happy to be able to eventually play with all her school grade friends.

Forget 1,000 ….. Onwards to 1,500!! Come on soccer parents- we’ve got this!

Wait, where you live with an Aug B-day will allow her to play SY? How does that work? That doesn't seem ironed out -- yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here checking in and supporting the push to 1,000!

My August player is happy to be able to eventually play with all her school grade friends.

Forget 1,000 ….. Onwards to 1,500!! Come on soccer parents- we’ve got this!

Wait, where you live with an Aug B-day will allow her to play SY? How does that work? That doesn't seem ironed out -- yet.

New England. Our school cut off is typically Sept 1. So if they stay with 9/1, she’ll be the youngest, as she is in school.

[Anonymous]

Just wait until ECNL announces an amendment to their rules that will allow for Grad Year teams for Juniors and seniors. Its already in the works. They will slip it into their league rules summer 2026.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wait until ECNL announces an amendment to their rules that will allow for Grad Year teams for Juniors and seniors. Its already in the works. They will slip it into their league rules summer 2026.

It seems if they did this, why not extend it all the way down to U13 so that teams can form and stay cohesive throughout the 11 x 11 years.

[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.....

Bottom line:

1. ECNL and MLS Next are at war with each other.

2. Colorado was a proxy battle and ECNL won this one (but does Colorado even matter except for Real Colorado on the girls' side?).

3. MLS Next added a bunch of smaller or less-successful clubs to their platform in Colorado, but very likely won't be enough for it to matter without Real Colorado and Colorado Rapids Youth not involved.

4. Colorado Rapids *Academy* and Colorado Rapids *Youth* are distinct organizations. Academy is part of the actual MLS Rapids organization and Rapids Youth just shares branding (maybe they will change their branding or be forced to?) but does not have any official connection to the MLS organization.

5. This decision by ECNL, Real Colorado, and Colorado Rapids Youth is a consolidation and likely will negatively affect all of the other clubs and the state association. These were probably the two big players in the state and they just built a moat around themselves. They may be 'rivals' on the pitch, but they seem to have viewed the smaller clubs and state associations as the greater foe here.

6. Colorado is likely a lag indicator and not a lead indicator. Places like Colorado and DC don't set the tone for youth soccer, only California and Texas really can, do, and will

7. Again, this was just a proxy war that doesn't really matter anyways. ECNL won this one, but loyalties are fickle.

You’re an idiot. ECNL put out announcement that an ECNL team stayed in ECNL

The boys teams were in MLSN the girls were ECNL.

The boys were in ECNL Mountain. You’re confusing the academy with the club.

You're lost and confusing everyone.

Here's the facts:

The boys' top teams for both Colorado Rapids Youth and Real Colorado were in MLS Next.

For Rapids Youth, yes, they switch to the Academy at U15. For Real Colorado, they stayed MLS Next through U19.

Starting in Fall '25, both Rapids YOUTH and Real Colorado are switching to ECNL completely and their top teams that previously competed in MLS Next are competing in ECNL Texas and their second teams will be competing ECNL Mountain.

Here's the real facts...

Colorado Rapids Academy teams will continue to play in MLS Next. They will be placing their SECOND teams in boys ECNL.

REAL Colorado.gave up on playing at the MLSN level and is going all in on the league Rapids are putting their 2nd teams in.

REAL Colorado players likely won't get considered for college anymore.

So confident, yet so uninformed.

You’re an idiot or a propagandist.

PP is correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wait until ECNL announces an amendment to their rules that will allow for Grad Year teams for Juniors and seniors. Its already in the works. They will slip it into their league rules summer 2026.

+10 pages

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wait until ECNL announces an amendment to their rules that will allow for Grad Year teams for Juniors and seniors. Its already in the works. They will slip it into their league rules summer 2026.

If so they should go down to the U14 age group so next year trap players get included.

[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.....

Bottom line:

1. ECNL and MLS Next are at war with each other.

2. Colorado was a proxy battle and ECNL won this one (but does Colorado even matter except for Real Colorado on the girls' side?).

3. MLS Next added a bunch of smaller or less-successful clubs to their platform in Colorado, but very likely won't be enough for it to matter without Real Colorado and Colorado Rapids Youth not involved.

4. Colorado Rapids *Academy* and Colorado Rapids *Youth* are distinct organizations. Academy is part of the actual MLS Rapids organization and Rapids Youth just shares branding (maybe they will change their branding or be forced to?) but does not have any official connection to the MLS organization.

5. This decision by ECNL, Real Colorado, and Colorado Rapids Youth is a consolidation and likely will negatively affect all of the other clubs and the state association. These were probably the two big players in the state and they just built a moat around themselves. They may be 'rivals' on the pitch, but they seem to have viewed the smaller clubs and state associations as the greater foe here.

6. Colorado is likely a lag indicator and not a lead indicator. Places like Colorado and DC don't set the tone for youth soccer, only California and Texas really can, do, and will

7. Again, this was just a proxy war that doesn't really matter anyways. ECNL won this one, but loyalties are fickle.

You’re an idiot. ECNL put out announcement that an ECNL team stayed in ECNL

The boys teams were in MLSN the girls were ECNL.

The boys were in ECNL Mountain. You’re confusing the academy with the club.

You're lost and confusing everyone.

Here's the facts:

The boys' top teams for both Colorado Rapids Youth and Real Colorado were in MLS Next.

For Rapids Youth, yes, they switch to the Academy at U15. For Real Colorado, they stayed MLS Next through U19.

Starting in Fall '25, both Rapids YOUTH and Real Colorado are switching to ECNL completely and their top teams that previously competed in MLS Next are competing in ECNL Texas and their second teams will be competing ECNL Mountain.

Here's the real facts...

Colorado Rapids Academy teams will continue to play in MLS Next. They will be placing their SECOND teams in boys ECNL.

REAL Colorado.gave up on playing at the MLSN level and is going all in on the league Rapids are putting their 2nd teams in.

REAL Colorado players likely won't get considered for college anymore.

So confident, yet so uninformed.

You’re an idiot or a propagandist.

PP is correct.

Mouth breathing moron, what PP typed IS propaganda. Do you know what that means or are you just typing word salad again.

[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.....

Bottom line:

1. ECNL and MLS Next are at war with each other.

2. Colorado was a proxy battle and ECNL won this one (but does Colorado even matter except for Real Colorado on the girls' side?).

3. MLS Next added a bunch of smaller or less-successful clubs to their platform in Colorado, but very likely won't be enough for it to matter without Real Colorado and Colorado Rapids Youth not involved.

4. Colorado Rapids *Academy* and Colorado Rapids *Youth* are distinct organizations. Academy is part of the actual MLS Rapids organization and Rapids Youth just shares branding (maybe they will change their branding or be forced to?) but does not have any official connection to the MLS organization.

5. This decision by ECNL, Real Colorado, and Colorado Rapids Youth is a consolidation and likely will negatively affect all of the other clubs and the state association. These were probably the two big players in the state and they just built a moat around themselves. They may be 'rivals' on the pitch, but they seem to have viewed the smaller clubs and state associations as the greater foe here.

6. Colorado is likely a lag indicator and not a lead indicator. Places like Colorado and DC don't set the tone for youth soccer, only California and Texas really can, do, and will

7. Again, this was just a proxy war that doesn't really matter anyways. ECNL won this one, but loyalties are fickle.

You’re an idiot. ECNL put out announcement that an ECNL team stayed in ECNL

The boys teams were in MLSN the girls were ECNL.

The boys were in ECNL Mountain. You’re confusing the academy with the club.

You're lost and confusing everyone.

Here's the facts:

The boys' top teams for both Colorado Rapids Youth and Real Colorado were in MLS Next.

For Rapids Youth, yes, they switch to the Academy at U15. For Real Colorado, they stayed MLS Next through U19.

Starting in Fall '25, both Rapids YOUTH and Real Colorado are switching to ECNL completely and their top teams that previously competed in MLS Next are competing in ECNL Texas and their second teams will be competing ECNL Mountain.

Here's the real facts...

Colorado Rapids Academy teams will continue to play in MLS Next. They will be placing their SECOND teams in boys ECNL.

REAL Colorado.gave up on playing at the MLSN level and is going all in on the league Rapids are putting their 2nd teams in.

REAL Colorado players likely won't get considered for college anymore.

So confident, yet so uninformed.

You’re an idiot or a propagandist.

PP is correct.

Mouth breathing moron, what PP typed IS propaganda. Do you know what that means or are you just typing word salad again.

Will Colorado Rapids continue to have an MLS Next Academy Team. Please respond with Yes or No.

Will Colorado Rapids be playing their top players on MLSN team or the ECNL team? Please respond with MLSN or ECNL

The responses provided will tell you everything people need to know. Which is that top players are in MLSN and the 2nd tier is ECNL.

[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.....

Bottom line:

1. ECNL and MLS Next are at war with each other.

2. Colorado was a proxy battle and ECNL won this one (but does Colorado even matter except for Real Colorado on the girls' side?).

3. MLS Next added a bunch of smaller or less-successful clubs to their platform in Colorado, but very likely won't be enough for it to matter without Real Colorado and Colorado Rapids Youth not involved.

4. Colorado Rapids *Academy* and Colorado Rapids *Youth* are distinct organizations. Academy is part of the actual MLS Rapids organization and Rapids Youth just shares branding (maybe they will change their branding or be forced to?) but does not have any official connection to the MLS organization.

5. This decision by ECNL, Real Colorado, and Colorado Rapids Youth is a consolidation and likely will negatively affect all of the other clubs and the state association. These were probably the two big players in the state and they just built a moat around themselves. They may be 'rivals' on the pitch, but they seem to have viewed the smaller clubs and state associations as the greater foe here.

6. Colorado is likely a lag indicator and not a lead indicator. Places like Colorado and DC don't set the tone for youth soccer, only California and Texas really can, do, and will

7. Again, this was just a proxy war that doesn't really matter anyways. ECNL won this one, but loyalties are fickle.

You’re an idiot. ECNL put out announcement that an ECNL team stayed in ECNL

The boys teams were in MLSN the girls were ECNL.

The boys were in ECNL Mountain. You’re confusing the academy with the club.

You're lost and confusing everyone.

Here's the facts:

The boys' top teams for both Colorado Rapids Youth and Real Colorado were in MLS Next.

For Rapids Youth, yes, they switch to the Academy at U15. For Real Colorado, they stayed MLS Next through U19.

Starting in Fall '25, both Rapids YOUTH and Real Colorado are switching to ECNL completely and their top teams that previously competed in MLS Next are competing in ECNL Texas and their second teams will be competing ECNL Mountain.

Here's the real facts...

Colorado Rapids Academy teams will continue to play in MLS Next. They will be placing their SECOND teams in boys ECNL.

REAL Colorado.gave up on playing at the MLSN level and is going all in on the league Rapids are putting their 2nd teams in.

REAL Colorado players likely won't get considered for college anymore.

So confident, yet so uninformed.

You’re an idiot or a propagandist.

PP is correct.

Mouth breathing moron, what PP typed IS propaganda. Do you know what that means or are you just typing word salad again.

Will Colorado Rapids continue to have an MLS Next Academy Team. Please respond with Yes or No.

Will Colorado Rapids be playing their top players on MLSN team or the ECNL team? Please respond with MLSN or ECNL

The responses provided will tell you everything people need to know. Which is that top players are in MLSN and the 2nd tier is ECNL.

Just a few days ago REAL Colorado was a top MLSN, no question, now because of the recent announcements, they won't be getting recruited by colleges and are 2nd tier? Hyperbolic much

[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.....

Bottom line:

1. ECNL and MLS Next are at war with each other.

2. Colorado was a proxy battle and ECNL won this one (but does Colorado even matter except for Real Colorado on the girls' side?).

3. MLS Next added a bunch of smaller or less-successful clubs to their platform in Colorado, but very likely won't be enough for it to matter without Real Colorado and Colorado Rapids Youth not involved.

4. Colorado Rapids *Academy* and Colorado Rapids *Youth* are distinct organizations. Academy is part of the actual MLS Rapids organization and Rapids Youth just shares branding (maybe they will change their branding or be forced to?) but does not have any official connection to the MLS organization.

5. This decision by ECNL, Real Colorado, and Colorado Rapids Youth is a consolidation and likely will negatively affect all of the other clubs and the state association. These were probably the two big players in the state and they just built a moat around themselves. They may be 'rivals' on the pitch, but they seem to have viewed the smaller clubs and state associations as the greater foe here.

6. Colorado is likely a lag indicator and not a lead indicator. Places like Colorado and DC don't set the tone for youth soccer, only California and Texas really can, do, and will

7. Again, this was just a proxy war that doesn't really matter anyways. ECNL won this one, but loyalties are fickle.

You’re an idiot. ECNL put out announcement that an ECNL team stayed in ECNL

The boys teams were in MLSN the girls were ECNL.

The boys were in ECNL Mountain. You’re confusing the academy with the club.

You're lost and confusing everyone.

Here's the facts:

The boys' top teams for both Colorado Rapids Youth and Real Colorado were in MLS Next.

For Rapids Youth, yes, they switch to the Academy at U15. For Real Colorado, they stayed MLS Next through U19.

Starting in Fall '25, both Rapids YOUTH and Real Colorado are switching to ECNL completely and their top teams that previously competed in MLS Next are competing in ECNL Texas and their second teams will be competing ECNL Mountain.

Here's the real facts...

Colorado Rapids Academy teams will continue to play in MLS Next. They will be placing their SECOND teams in boys ECNL.

REAL Colorado.gave up on playing at the MLSN level and is going all in on the league Rapids are putting their 2nd teams in.

REAL Colorado players likely won't get considered for college anymore.

So confident, yet so uninformed.

You’re an idiot or a propagandist.

PP is correct.

Mouth breathing moron, what PP typed IS propaganda. Do you know what that means or are you just typing word salad again.

Will Colorado Rapids continue to have an MLS Next Academy Team. Please respond with Yes or No.

Will Colorado Rapids be playing their top players on MLSN team or the ECNL team? Please respond with MLSN or ECNL

The responses provided will tell you everything people need to know. Which is that top players are in MLSN and the 2nd tier is ECNL.

You conveniently mixed MLSN Academy and P2P MLSN together.

The actual rank should be:

1. MLSN Academy
2. ECNL / P2P MLSN.

[Anonymous]

Well USCS finally posted their age ranges for next year which had been blank for some time.