For ECNL-RL and MLSN2 the geographic area of the divisions is much smaller than the corresponding tier 1 team. For example the Carolinas vs. Mid-Atlantic. Yes you are playing second teams of those clubs in some cases, but a subset of the whole. |
Does mlsn2 play games in the fall? So if you didn’t play high school soccer do you still get a fall season with mlsn2 ? |
Yes full slate of fall games less in spring. |
This is for U13 and U14 only right? |
u13 |
The reverse for some states |
Okay so at u15 they figure you are going to play high school and don’t have games in the fall? So if stuck on mlsn2 and don’t want to play high school soccer then no fall season at all? |
The new MLSNext 2 teams near us are moving up from EDP 1/2/3. The new ECRL club near us is barely EDP 5. |
It's a 10 month program, they will have training in the Fall - although our club stressed that the kids total load would be monitored - and some games, although fewer. Part of the reason for the geographic distribution is to put clubs with the same HS season together. |
Sounds very unusual! |
I think ECNL has a much higher barrier to entry than NAL does in our area – that’s the gateway organization thAT give you access to MLS next one and two. In our area, Clubs getting MLS next or NAL run the gamut, including being all over the place in EDP The ECNL/rl clubs getting MLS next or NAL run the gamut, including being all over the place in EDP. The ECNL/RL club in our area is top of its group and EDP. |
For those keeping track - they removed the VA teams from the Carolinas division here - https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-next-new-competition-tier-teams-and-divisions-2025-26 -
A huge relief to all involved |
Figured that was an oversight since FC Richmond and VA Rush were listed in 2 divisions (for 3 months!), but nice to see it confirmed. Thanks for the heads up. |
Does it mean Virginia tier2 will only play with Virginia teams? |
Why is Achilles STILL not on this list? Is it not a complete list? |