ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The new format for USYS National Championship Series comes out on Friday. I’ve seen the leaks, but sworn to secrecy. Sorry.

Can you give a hint?

This was release in Feb ... https://www.thenationalleague.com/news/2025/02/07/usys-national-league-introduces-new-event-formats/

[Anonymous]

Get ready US Club going to announce it will allow leagues to begin age change as early spring 26. As of Jan 1 2026 ECNL,RL, NPL will allow 4 rosters spots for Aug to Dec players they will be eligible for nationals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The new format for USYS National Championship Series comes out on Friday. I’ve seen the leaks, but sworn to secrecy. Sorry.

Can you give a hint?

This was release in Feb ... https://www.thenationalleague.com/news/2025/02/07/usys-national-league-introduces-new-event-formats/

Does it involve any changes to the age group formations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The new format for USYS National Championship Series comes out on Friday. I’ve seen the leaks, but sworn to secrecy. Sorry.

Can you give a hint?

This was release in Feb ... https://www.thenationalleague.com/news/2025/02/07/usys-national-league-introduces-new-event-formats/

Does it involve any changes to the age group formations?

The USYS season has been and continues to be SY-based.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get ready US Club going to announce it will allow leagues to begin age change as early spring 26. As of Jan 1 2026 ECNL,RL, NPL will allow 4 rosters spots for Aug to Dec players they will be eligible for nationals.

Do u mean ECNL/ ECRL national playoffs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots and lots of younger parents want to declare the race over at u13. Reality is the race hasnt even started yet.

Depends on the race.

At u13 the race for building foundational pieces and technique is nearly over, if you’re not leading here, your goose is cooked.

No it’s not. Arsene Wenger said it is at 16 years old. I agree with him.

Ball mastery foundation is from 9 to 12 years old, but only the foundation. During that period the player learns and develops very quickly how to dominate and control the ball, particularly close control.

There are many “great” players at 12 that have poor control but are bigger, faster, and stronger and therefore perform better.

Most top players at U12 are not top players at 19.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots and lots of younger parents want to declare the race over at u13. Reality is the race hasnt even started yet.

Depends on the race.

At u13 the race for building foundational pieces and technique is nearly over, if you’re not leading here, your goose is cooked.

No it’s not. Arsene Wenger said it is at 16 years old. I agree with him.

Ball mastery foundation is from 9 to 12 years old, but only the foundation. During that period the player learns and develops very quickly how to dominate and control the ball, particularly close control.

There are many “great” players at 12 that have poor control but are bigger, faster, and stronger and therefore perform better.

Most top players at U12 are not top players at 19.

Makes sense with a small caveat that there could be a slight change between boys and girls. I anticipate he was speaking with boys in mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get ready US Club going to announce it will allow leagues to begin age change as early spring 26. As of Jan 1 2026 ECNL,RL, NPL will allow 4 rosters spots for Aug to Dec players they will be eligible for nationals.

Do u mean ECNL/ ECRL national playoffs?

I think maybe he meant the US Club National Cup Finals?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots and lots of younger parents want to declare the race over at u13. Reality is the race hasnt even started yet.

Depends on the race.

At u13 the race for building foundational pieces and technique is nearly over, if you’re not leading here, your goose is cooked.

No it’s not. Arsene Wenger said it is at 16 years old. I agree with him.

Ball mastery foundation is from 9 to 12 years old, but only the foundation. During that period the player learns and develops very quickly how to dominate and control the ball, particularly close control.

There are many “great” players at 12 that have poor control but are bigger, faster, and stronger and therefore perform better.

Most top players at U12 are not top players at 19.

Arsene Wenger, FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development, emphasizes the importance of youth development, particularly between the ages of 12 and 16, for building a strong foundation in football. He advocates for a holistic approach, focusing on technical skills, physical development, and mental resilience, with the goal of creating technically proficient and mentally strong players.

Key Stages of Development:

Technique (7-12 years): Wenger believes that a strong technical foundation is crucial for future success. He stresses the importance of developing a player's ability to control the ball, welcome it, and make it their friend.

Physical Development (12-16 years):
This stage is about building the physical attributes necessary for football, such as strength, speed, and stamina.

Mental Resilience (17-19 years): This involves developing the mental strength to handle the pressures of professional football, including dealing with setbacks and maintaining motivation.

Acquisition of Intelligence and Motivation (19-21 years): This final stage focuses on developing the player's understanding of the game, tactical awareness, and their desire to succeed at the highest level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots and lots of younger parents want to declare the race over at u13. Reality is the race hasnt even started yet.

Depends on the race.

At u13 the race for building foundational pieces and technique is nearly over, if you’re not leading here, your goose is cooked.

No it’s not. Arsene Wenger said it is at 16 years old. I agree with him.

Ball mastery foundation is from 9 to 12 years old, but only the foundation. During that period the player learns and develops very quickly how to dominate and control the ball, particularly close control.

There are many “great” players at 12 that have poor control but are bigger, faster, and stronger and therefore perform better.

Most top players at U12 are not top players at 19.

Arsene Wenger, FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development, emphasizes the importance of youth development, particularly between the ages of 12 and 16, for building a strong foundation in football. He advocates for a holistic approach, focusing on technical skills, physical development, and mental resilience, with the goal of creating technically proficient and mentally strong players.

Key Stages of Development:

Technique (7-12 years): Wenger believes that a strong technical foundation is crucial for future success. He stresses the importance of developing a player's ability to control the ball, welcome it, and make it their friend.

Physical Development (12-16 years):
This stage is about building the physical attributes necessary for football, such as strength, speed, and stamina.

Mental Resilience (17-19 years): This involves developing the mental strength to handle the pressures of professional football, including dealing with setbacks and maintaining motivation.

Acquisition of Intelligence and Motivation (19-21 years): This final stage focuses on developing the player's understanding of the game, tactical awareness, and their desire to succeed at the highest level.

As another poster said, at U12 it is the start of the race, not the end of it.

Whoever thinks the race ends at U12 is laughably wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots and lots of younger parents want to declare the race over at u13. Reality is the race hasnt even started yet.

Depends on the race.

At u13 the race for building foundational pieces and technique is nearly over, if you’re not leading here, your goose is cooked.

No it’s not. Arsene Wenger said it is at 16 years old. I agree with him.

Ball mastery foundation is from 9 to 12 years old, but only the foundation. During that period the player learns and develops very quickly how to dominate and control the ball, particularly close control.

There are many “great” players at 12 that have poor control but are bigger, faster, and stronger and therefore perform better.

Most top players at U12 are not top players at 19.

Arsene Wenger, FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development, emphasizes the importance of youth development, particularly between the ages of 12 and 16, for building a strong foundation in football. He advocates for a holistic approach, focusing on technical skills, physical development, and mental resilience, with the goal of creating technically proficient and mentally strong players.

Key Stages of Development:

Technique (7-12 years): Wenger believes that a strong technical foundation is crucial for future success. He stresses the importance of developing a player's ability to control the ball, welcome it, and make it their friend.

Physical Development (12-16 years):
This stage is about building the physical attributes necessary for football, such as strength, speed, and stamina.

Mental Resilience (17-19 years): This involves developing the mental strength to handle the pressures of professional football, including dealing with setbacks and maintaining motivation.

Acquisition of Intelligence and Motivation (19-21 years): This final stage focuses on developing the player's understanding of the game, tactical awareness, and their desire to succeed at the highest level.

As another poster said, at U12 it is the start of the race, not the end of it.

Whoever thinks the race ends at U12 is laughably wrong.

Thats why I posted a more clearly defined definition of FIFAs stance on development.

The problem with DCUM is the dumbest people shout the loudest. On top of that 90% of the posts have some kind of personal motivation. League, Groupings, Clubs, Coaches, Colleges. Development, Talent ID, etc, etc, etc. They all have winners and losers and people trying to recruit typically through fomo. Which occurs because those doing it feel make themselves feel better about all the time and money they've dumped into the soccer hole.

[Anonymous]

So the age groups will look like this starting the 2026-2027 season?

U13
8/1/2013 - 7/31/2014

U14
8/1/2012 - 7/31/2013

U15
8/1/2011 - 7/31/2012

U16
8/1/2010 - 7/31/2011

U17
8/1/2009 - 7/31/2010

U18-19
8/1/2008 - 7/31/2009

[Anonymous]

Yes for all of youth soccer except for ODP and possibly MLSN. I’m sure ECNL would love for MLSN to stay BY but it’s doubtful

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes for all of youth soccer except for ODP and possibly MLSN. I’m sure ECNL would love for MLSN to stay BY but it’s doubtful

Why do you say ODP? Isn’t ODP under USYS, and hasn’t USYS already said they’re going 8/1-7/31?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes for all of youth soccer except for ODP and possibly MLSN. I’m sure ECNL would love for MLSN to stay BY but it’s doubtful

Why do you say ODP? Isn’t ODP under USYS, and hasn’t USYS already said they’re going 8/1-7/31?

ODP has always been BY, even going back to the 90s. The program was originally designed to feed the YNT which were also BY. Now it’s just a supplemental program and at the younger ages split into early and late birthday groups, so it really doesn’t matter what age cutoff they use.