Ignoramus. Approximately 31% of top-league soccer players are born in the first three months of the year (Q1), which is significantly more than those born in the later quarters, due to a relative age effect. This overrepresentation is often due to the physical advantages older children have in youth leagues, leading to earlier identification and development into higher-level play. First Quarter (Q1): Around 31% of top-league players are born in the first quarter of the year, which is significantly higher than any other quarter. Fourth Quarter (Q4): The number of players born in the fourth quarter is substantially lower, with one study showing only about 19%. Reasons: This difference is often attributed to the "relative age effect," where players born earlier in the calendar year are physically more developed and receive more attention in youth leagues, which are often organized by birth year. Impact: This initial advantage can lead to a higher dropout rate for younger players, and the trend persists into professional leagues. |
The pathway to pro and college exists for the top tier How did we get to, everyone has a chance |
100% correct. Laughable. So goes ECNL. |
What does any of that have to do with the statement that pathways to pro is for the truly talented? |
No, you are wrong. In many states MLSN2 is where 1st teams and best players are placed, because there are no MLSN1 teams, or sometimes even no MLS academies. MLSN2 last year was presented to these clubs as a pathway to promote to MLSN1. Now it has been discovered that promise was a scam. |
Mathis whole thread is meaningless. If you kid is on the younger side that only means he’s getting reps with older players will only strengthen his game. Grow a sack, dads. |
ECNL is a dumpster fire. Great 5 years ago but now laughable. Jefferson Cup. HAHAHA. |
As I said, delusional Also, what's stopping a MLSN2 1st team from becoming a MLS Next team in the future? |
The number of helicopter patents here is crazy. Your kid is either good enough to keep up or he sits the bench. It’s incumbent on your kid to step up, not whither on the vibe like the posters here. |
Well… they are different ages now. So an mls2 team Aug-July cannot become an mls1 team Jan-dec |
Wouldn't they just apply to be a MLS Next team and have players that match the BY age brackets? |
Because "talent" must be developed, worked, exposed, incentivized ... I was born in Portugal, I know many professional soccer players of my age, they went with me to school and high school is Lisbon, none of them were a "talent" like CR or Vitinha (both February, by the way). 30% of Liga Portugal soccer players were born January, February and March. Were they more "talented" when kids? NO, they just had more opportunities because their earlier physical maturity. |
Ignoramus, just read the title of this forum and will find the answer. |
So kids without talent are identified in Portugal and placed on a pathway to pro? |
They aren’t though. Aug-December will be playing an age group younger until MLSN officially starts. |