ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just here waiting for a GA announcement so I can choose the best club for my Q42013. Granted, now I'm just here with my popcorn and to read how everyone thinks their own kid should be going pro!

The rumor is that Q4 parents wanting to club hop based on league rules is exactly why they are waiting until after tryouts to make announcements. If the leagues wait until this summer to change the rules (to perhaps allow Q4s to play down), then the clubs can dictate who to move between teams - not the parents.

Yup! wont know until late after ECNL tryout window is over.

If US Soccer agrees on a transit plan from a league, the plan must be kept away from the public until all 25/26 teams are formed. Thus, there will be no interleague poaching because of the transit plan.

There is no transition plan from US Soccer. The "transit plan" is essentially what you see now: announce a change a year in advance to let orgs and clubs plan their own needs.

This is kind of a waste, though, if they don’t give clubs tools to meaningfully make the transition.

It is clear that no new rules will be announced until after teams are formed for next season.

The best approach for Sep-Q4 players is to be in a club that gives you the chance to move up a level after SY is adopted.

What will happen for ECNL no idea about GA. All teams and clubs will have tryouts as usual ECNL will wait until they put out their policy rules for 25/26. But most likely there will be flexibility for players to go down but only to play in the new RL league not ECNL. So a Dec 2011 can play 2011 NL and 2012 RL.

Sounds like their will be limitations on how many games per player but will allow for coaches to start assessing player talent for 26/27.

But they are still working on the details…. Nothing set in stone yet.

Play in 2011 NL and play down in 2012 RL? This is weird. My Q4 NL can absolutely dominate the younger NL team.

Then they probably would not have your kid play. Sounds like it would be for kids they need to evaluate or give opportunities to for development. I doubt it happens but it could make things easier for clubs to make competitive RL teams if they bring down Q3/4 players.

Why on earth would a Q4 NL player go down to the prior year RL team? A demotion of levels and birth year. Makes no sense.

In would be in addition to playing NL so you could play both. It’s not one or the other. Again still lots of details they are looking at. So I could be dead wrong by the time they decide/finalize what they want to do.

[Anonymous]

Lol. Someone is actually mad about a single comment wasting people's time - on page 918 of this useless thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just here waiting for a GA announcement so I can choose the best club for my Q42013. Granted, now I'm just here with my popcorn and to read how everyone thinks their own kid should be going pro!

The rumor is that Q4 parents wanting to club hop based on league rules is exactly why they are waiting until after tryouts to make announcements. If the leagues wait until this summer to change the rules (to perhaps allow Q4s to play down), then the clubs can dictate who to move between teams - not the parents.

Yup! wont know until late after ECNL tryout window is over.

If US Soccer agrees on a transit plan from a league, the plan must be kept away from the public until all 25/26 teams are formed. Thus, there will be no interleague poaching because of the transit plan.

There is no transition plan from US Soccer. The "transit plan" is essentially what you see now: announce a change a year in advance to let orgs and clubs plan their own needs.

This is kind of a waste, though, if they don’t give clubs tools to meaningfully make the transition.

It is clear that no new rules will be announced until after teams are formed for next season.

The best approach for Sep-Q4 players is to be in a club that gives you the chance to move up a level after SY is adopted.

What will happen for ECNL no idea about GA. All teams and clubs will have tryouts as usual ECNL will wait until they put out their policy rules for 25/26. But most likely there will be flexibility for players to go down but only to play in the new RL league not ECNL. So a Dec 2011 can play 2011 NL and 2012 RL.

Sounds like their will be limitations on how many games per player but will allow for coaches to start assessing player talent for 26/27.

But they are still working on the details…. Nothing set in stone yet.

Play in 2011 NL and play down in 2012 RL? This is weird. My Q4 NL can absolutely dominate the younger NL team.

Has anyone thought about the scenario where ECNL goes SY and GA goes BY. Then the ECNL team you are on goes GA or vice versa? Hopefully they align but curious if anyone else is concerned about that scenario playing out?

What scenarios are you referring too? It has been speculated that GA could stay BY but we haven’t heard anything yet. Rumors are it will be known sometime before June.

My kids GA team keeps asking grade over and over again and not birth year or month born just grade level. Maybe that is a tell?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just here waiting for a GA announcement so I can choose the best club for my Q42013. Granted, now I'm just here with my popcorn and to read how everyone thinks their own kid should be going pro!

The rumor is that Q4 parents wanting to club hop based on league rules is exactly why they are waiting until after tryouts to make announcements. If the leagues wait until this summer to change the rules (to perhaps allow Q4s to play down), then the clubs can dictate who to move between teams - not the parents.

Yup! wont know until late after ECNL tryout window is over.

If US Soccer agrees on a transit plan from a league, the plan must be kept away from the public until all 25/26 teams are formed. Thus, there will be no interleague poaching because of the transit plan.

There is no transition plan from US Soccer. The "transit plan" is essentially what you see now: announce a change a year in advance to let orgs and clubs plan their own needs.

This is kind of a waste, though, if they don’t give clubs tools to meaningfully make the transition.

It is clear that no new rules will be announced until after teams are formed for next season.

The best approach for Sep-Q4 players is to be in a club that gives you the chance to move up a level after SY is adopted.

What will happen for ECNL no idea about GA. All teams and clubs will have tryouts as usual ECNL will wait until they put out their policy rules for 25/26. But most likely there will be flexibility for players to go down but only to play in the new RL league not ECNL. So a Dec 2011 can play 2011 NL and 2012 RL.

Sounds like their will be limitations on how many games per player but will allow for coaches to start assessing player talent for 26/27.

But they are still working on the details…. Nothing set in stone yet.

Play in 2011 NL and play down in 2012 RL? This is weird. My Q4 NL can absolutely dominate the younger NL team.

Has anyone thought about the scenario where ECNL goes SY and GA goes BY. Then the ECNL team you are on goes GA or vice versa? Hopefully they align but curious if anyone else is concerned about that scenario playing out?

What scenarios are you referring too? It has been speculated that GA could stay BY but we haven’t heard anything yet. Rumors are it will be known sometime before June.

Let’s be really clear here. GA is BY, that isn’t a rumor. Any rumors would be that it is changing to SY, but staying what it is, isn’t a rumor, categorically.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just here waiting for a GA announcement so I can choose the best club for my Q42013. Granted, now I'm just here with my popcorn and to read how everyone thinks their own kid should be going pro!

The rumor is that Q4 parents wanting to club hop based on league rules is exactly why they are waiting until after tryouts to make announcements. If the leagues wait until this summer to change the rules (to perhaps allow Q4s to play down), then the clubs can dictate who to move between teams - not the parents.

Yup! wont know until late after ECNL tryout window is over.

If US Soccer agrees on a transit plan from a league, the plan must be kept away from the public until all 25/26 teams are formed. Thus, there will be no interleague poaching because of the transit plan.

There is no transition plan from US Soccer. The "transit plan" is essentially what you see now: announce a change a year in advance to let orgs and clubs plan their own needs.

This is kind of a waste, though, if they don’t give clubs tools to meaningfully make the transition.

It is clear that no new rules will be announced until after teams are formed for next season.

The best approach for Sep-Q4 players is to be in a club that gives you the chance to move up a level after SY is adopted.

What will happen for ECNL no idea about GA. All teams and clubs will have tryouts as usual ECNL will wait until they put out their policy rules for 25/26. But most likely there will be flexibility for players to go down but only to play in the new RL league not ECNL. So a Dec 2011 can play 2011 NL and 2012 RL.

Sounds like their will be limitations on how many games per player but will allow for coaches to start assessing player talent for 26/27.

But they are still working on the details…. Nothing set in stone yet.

Play in 2011 NL and play down in 2012 RL? This is weird. My Q4 NL can absolutely dominate the younger NL team.

Has anyone thought about the scenario where ECNL goes SY and GA goes BY. Then the ECNL team you are on goes GA or vice versa? Hopefully they align but curious if anyone else is concerned about that scenario playing out?

What scenarios are you referring too? It has been speculated that GA could stay BY but we haven’t heard anything yet. Rumors are it will be known sometime before June.

Let’s be really clear here. GA is BY, that isn’t a rumor. Any rumors would be that it is changing to SY, but staying what it is, isn’t a rumor, categorically.

You’re correct GA is birth year. But I said speculated they would stay BY. Never said they didn’t use BY currently? Soo….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just here waiting for a GA announcement so I can choose the best club for my Q42013. Granted, now I'm just here with my popcorn and to read how everyone thinks their own kid should be going pro!

The rumor is that Q4 parents wanting to club hop based on league rules is exactly why they are waiting until after tryouts to make announcements. If the leagues wait until this summer to change the rules (to perhaps allow Q4s to play down), then the clubs can dictate who to move between teams - not the parents.

Yup! wont know until late after ECNL tryout window is over.

If US Soccer agrees on a transit plan from a league, the plan must be kept away from the public until all 25/26 teams are formed. Thus, there will be no interleague poaching because of the transit plan.

There is no transition plan from US Soccer. The "transit plan" is essentially what you see now: announce a change a year in advance to let orgs and clubs plan their own needs.

This is kind of a waste, though, if they don’t give clubs tools to meaningfully make the transition.

It is clear that no new rules will be announced until after teams are formed for next season.

The best approach for Sep-Q4 players is to be in a club that gives you the chance to move up a level after SY is adopted.

What will happen for ECNL no idea about GA. All teams and clubs will have tryouts as usual ECNL will wait until they put out their policy rules for 25/26. But most likely there will be flexibility for players to go down but only to play in the new RL league not ECNL. So a Dec 2011 can play 2011 NL and 2012 RL.

Sounds like their will be limitations on how many games per player but will allow for coaches to start assessing player talent for 26/27.

But they are still working on the details…. Nothing set in stone yet.

Play in 2011 NL and play down in 2012 RL? This is weird. My Q4 NL can absolutely dominate the younger NL team.

Has anyone thought about the scenario where ECNL goes SY and GA goes BY. Then the ECNL team you are on goes GA or vice versa? Hopefully they align but curious if anyone else is concerned about that scenario playing out?

What scenarios are you referring too? It has been speculated that GA could stay BY but we haven’t heard anything yet. Rumors are it will be known sometime before June.

My kids GA team keeps asking grade over and over again and not birth year or month born just grade level. Maybe that is a tell?

My kids GA team hasn’t said or asked anything about grade.

[Anonymous]

Kids registration for u13 MLSN2 team wanted to know grad year. Pretty interesting. They have tight relationship with MLS academy as they put 4 kids in last year.

[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:I'm just here waiting for a GA announcement so I can choose the best club for my Q42013. Granted, now I'm just here with my popcorn and to read how everyone thinks their own kid should be going pro!

The rumor is that Q4 parents wanting to club hop based on league rules is exactly why they are waiting until after tryouts to make announcements. If the leagues wait until this summer to change the rules (to perhaps allow Q4s to play down), then the clubs can dictate who to move between teams - not the parents.

Yup! wont know until late after ECNL tryout window is over.

If US Soccer agrees on a transit plan from a league, the plan must be kept away from the public until all 25/26 teams are formed. Thus, there will be no interleague poaching because of the transit plan.

There is no transition plan from US Soccer. The "transit plan" is essentially what you see now: announce a change a year in advance to let orgs and clubs plan their own needs.

This is kind of a waste, though, if they don’t give clubs tools to meaningfully make the transition.

It is clear that no new rules will be announced until after teams are formed for next season.

The best approach for Sep-Q4 players is to be in a club that gives you the chance to move up a level after SY is adopted.

What will happen for ECNL no idea about GA. All teams and clubs will have tryouts as usual ECNL will wait until they put out their policy rules for 25/26. But most likely there will be flexibility for players to go down but only to play in the new RL league not ECNL. So a Dec 2011 can play 2011 NL and 2012 RL.

Sounds like their will be limitations on how many games per player but will allow for coaches to start assessing player talent for 26/27.

But they are still working on the details…. Nothing set in stone yet.

Play in 2011 NL and play down in 2012 RL? This is weird. My Q4 NL can absolutely dominate the younger NL team.

Has anyone thought about the scenario where ECNL goes SY and GA goes BY. Then the ECNL team you are on goes GA or vice versa? Hopefully they align but curious if anyone else is concerned about that scenario playing out?

What scenarios are you referring too? It has been speculated that GA could stay BY but we haven’t heard anything yet. Rumors are it will be known sometime before June.

My kids GA team keeps asking grade over and over again and not birth year or month born just grade level. Maybe that is a tell?

My kids GA team hasn’t said or asked anything about grade.

My kids GA team hasn't asked either. Although it's pretty easy to tell when some are playing/played HS soccer and others arent/didn't.

[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:

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.

Facts:

1. Colorado Rapids (MLS team) and Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Association (CRYSA) are separate organizations.

2. Colorado Rapids will maintain their MLS Academy (U15 and up). CRYSA will no longer have an MLSN program. Instead, their top team will play ECNL-Texas and their second team will play ECNL-Mountain.

3. ECNL got the biggest boys’ programs in Colorado.

Understand yet?

So Rapids...
1st team = MLSN
2nd team = ECNL

Again… reading comprehension issues.

Rapids Youth 1st team = ECNL-Texas
Rapids Youth 2nd team = ECNL-Mountain

Rapids Academy associated with the pro team is the only MLS academy with most boys recruited not even coming from any Colorado youth clubs (Rapids Youth included). Rapids MLS Academy can recruit from any youth club in Colorado or wherever they find them.

So Rapids...
1st team = MLSN
2nd team = ECNL

I realize you're trying to differentiate between the youth club and pro club. But in the end MLSN = top team

Keep on trolling! You sound like a moron but it enrages the others. Mission accomplished! Lol

[Anonymous]

My club is re-doing age groups early under U13, and my kid was just offered a first team spot for next year in her new age group after spending the last 2 on the second team.

YMMV

[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:

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.

Facts:

1. Colorado Rapids (MLS team) and Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Association (CRYSA) are separate organizations.

2. Colorado Rapids will maintain their MLS Academy (U15 and up). CRYSA will no longer have an MLSN program. Instead, their top team will play ECNL-Texas and their second team will play ECNL-Mountain.

3. ECNL got the biggest boys’ programs in Colorado.

Understand yet?

So Rapids...
1st team = MLSN
2nd team = ECNL

Again… reading comprehension issues.

Rapids Youth 1st team = ECNL-Texas
Rapids Youth 2nd team = ECNL-Mountain

Rapids Academy associated with the pro team is the only MLS academy with most boys recruited not even coming from any Colorado youth clubs (Rapids Youth included). Rapids MLS Academy can recruit from any youth club in Colorado or wherever they find them.

So Rapids...
1st team = MLSN
2nd team = ECNL

I realize you're trying to differentiate between the youth club and pro club. But in the end MLSN = top team

Keep on trolling! You sound like a moron but it enrages the others. Mission accomplished! Lol

Looks like the truth to me.

ECNL hats don't like it because they want wins on the boys side so badly.

[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:

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.

Facts:

1. Colorado Rapids (MLS team) and Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Association (CRYSA) are separate organizations.

2. Colorado Rapids will maintain their MLS Academy (U15 and up). CRYSA will no longer have an MLSN program. Instead, their top team will play ECNL-Texas and their second team will play ECNL-Mountain.

3. ECNL got the biggest boys’ programs in Colorado.

Understand yet?

So Rapids...
1st team = MLSN
2nd team = ECNL

Again… reading comprehension issues.

Rapids Youth 1st team = ECNL-Texas
Rapids Youth 2nd team = ECNL-Mountain

Rapids Academy associated with the pro team is the only MLS academy with most boys recruited not even coming from any Colorado youth clubs (Rapids Youth included). Rapids MLS Academy can recruit from any youth club in Colorado or wherever they find them.

So Rapids...
1st team = MLSN
2nd team = ECNL

I realize you're trying to differentiate between the youth club and pro club. But in the end MLSN = top team

Keep on trolling! You sound like a moron but it enrages the others. Mission accomplished! Lol

Looks like the truth to me.

ECNL hats don't like it because they want wins on the boys side so badly.

Right but it's a stupid point. Everyone agrees that if your son could play for an MLS Academy then thats what he would be doing. Theres no news in that or debate there. The discussion is always, is it better for your son to be at a P2P MLSN Club or a P2P ECNL club. To that point, even MLS clubs that are keeping teams below their academies, they seem to think ECNL is the better league to play in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My club is re-doing age groups early under U13, and my kid was just offered a first team spot for next year in her new age group after spending the last 2 on the second team.

YMMV

That was a good idea to go SY now instead of waiting. Rip the band aid off people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My club is re-doing age groups early under U13, and my kid was just offered a first team spot for next year in her new age group after spending the last 2 on the second team.

YMMV

That was a good idea to go SY now instead of waiting. Rip the band aid off people.

I know parents who still dont think its going to happen. Thy wild ride & die all the way to the end. I know another that thinks its August 1.....

The early adaptors will be the best teams. The deniers will be in the wilderness.

[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:

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.

Facts:

1. Colorado Rapids (MLS team) and Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Association (CRYSA) are separate organizations.

2. Colorado Rapids will maintain their MLS Academy (U15 and up). CRYSA will no longer have an MLSN program. Instead, their top team will play ECNL-Texas and their second team will play ECNL-Mountain.

3. ECNL got the biggest boys’ programs in Colorado.

Understand yet?

So Rapids...
1st team = MLSN
2nd team = ECNL

Again… reading comprehension issues.

Rapids Youth 1st team = ECNL-Texas
Rapids Youth 2nd team = ECNL-Mountain

Rapids Academy associated with the pro team is the only MLS academy with most boys recruited not even coming from any Colorado youth clubs (Rapids Youth included). Rapids MLS Academy can recruit from any youth club in Colorado or wherever they find them.

So Rapids...
1st team = MLSN
2nd team = ECNL

I realize you're trying to differentiate between the youth club and pro club. But in the end MLSN = top team

Keep on trolling! You sound like a moron but it enrages the others. Mission accomplished! Lol

Looks like the truth to me.

ECNL hats don't like it because they want wins on the boys side so badly.

Right but it's a stupid point. Everyone agrees that if your son could play for an MLS Academy then thats what he would be doing. Theres no news in that or debate there. The discussion is always, is it better for your son to be at a P2P MLSN Club or a P2P ECNL club. To that point, even MLS clubs that are keeping teams below their academies, they seem to think ECNL is the better league to play in.

As I said before now that ECNL has accepted its status at 2nd tier on the boys side everything works. If clubs want to choose MLS2 or ECNL or NPL or whatever league for their 2nd tier teams to play in so be it.

The issue before was that ECNL would threaten to take girls ECNL away from clubs if they joined MLSN.