ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The U.S. Youth Soccer system is far too complex. It should be simple for parents and players to understand the levels of clubs they play for or would like to play for. The system should also incentivize clubs to develop and profit from their players via transfers, etc., instead of profiting from fees they charge players.

In my region, there are MLS Next teams (2010) that are ranked lower than multiple ECNL RL teams (not to mention even more ECNL teams). At least one of these MLSN teams charges its players outrageous annual fees. The parents think their kids are playing for top teams, but in reality they are playing for glorified mid level ECNL RL teams.

This is an utter racket. It is shameful that US Soccer has allowed this to happen.

There is no real market for transfers, it is pennies compared to a billion dollar industry of youth soccer. Without that, charging fees is the only way to operate. And looking at coaching certification costs, league fees, etc., U.S. Soccer isn't annoyed that P2P happens, they are annoyed their cut or grift take is so small.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So for mlsn to reap the rewards of staying by they have to more than EXPONENTIALLY grow and start a new ulittles league.

AND

NWLS has to open the academies. Not to worry that mls academies are a money pit and there’s talks of Lafc closing there’s


Makes sense, got it, thanks

Umm... Youre adding in things that nobody wrote. If MLSN stays BY most likely teams will just play each other and ignore ECNL clubs unless the grade down SY (ECNL) team was willing to play in a BY tournamant. See how it works?

You think ECNL switching to SY will force MLSN BY teams to play against SY teams that that are 5-6 months older. However this wont happen. BY MLSN clubs will just ignore SY teams. Since the top MLSN Academy teams can beat 5-6 month older SY teams. They are the only ones that will play in SY tournamants. When they win they'll retreat back into only playing BY teams. Net effect is that MLSN Acadamies will dominate the rankings just like they do now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NWLS has to open the academies. Not to worry that mls academies are a money pit and there’s talks of Lafc closing there’s

I wish idiots with a clear agenda would be forced to backup their statement with facts.

LAFCs Academy is fine.
https://www.thestriker.com/2023/05/11/lafc-academy-goals

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So for mlsn to reap the rewards of staying by they have to more than EXPONENTIALLY grow and start a new ulittles league.

AND

NWLS has to open the academies. Not to worry that mls academies are a money pit and there’s talks of Lafc closing there’s


Makes sense, got it, thanks

Umm... Youre adding in things that nobody wrote. If MLSN stays BY most likely teams will just play each other and ignore ECNL clubs unless the grade down SY (ECNL) team was willing to play in a BY tournamant. See how it works?

You think ECNL switching to SY will force MLSN BY teams to play against SY teams that that are 5-6 months older. However this wont happen. BY MLSN clubs will just ignore SY teams. Since the top MLSN Academy teams can beat 5-6 month older SY teams. They are the only ones that will play in SY tournamants. When they win they'll retreat back into only playing BY teams. Net effect is that MLSN Acadamies will dominate the rankings just like they do now.

LOL you think the rankings mean something…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NWLS has to open the academies. Not to worry that mls academies are a money pit and there’s talks of Lafc closing there’s

I wish idiots with a clear agenda would be forced to backup their statement with facts.

LAFCs Academy is fine.
https://www.thestriker.com/2023/05/11/lafc-academy-goals

Nice puff piece from over 2 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So for mlsn to reap the rewards of staying by they have to more than EXPONENTIALLY grow and start a new ulittles league.

AND

NWLS has to open the academies. Not to worry that mls academies are a money pit and there’s talks of Lafc closing there’s


Makes sense, got it, thanks

Umm... Youre adding in things that nobody wrote. If MLSN stays BY most likely teams will just play each other and ignore ECNL clubs unless the grade down SY (ECNL) team was willing to play in a BY tournamant. See how it works?

You think ECNL switching to SY will force MLSN BY teams to play against SY teams that that are 5-6 months older. However this wont happen. BY MLSN clubs will just ignore SY teams. Since the top MLSN Academy teams can beat 5-6 month older SY teams. They are the only ones that will play in SY tournamants. When they win they'll retreat back into only playing BY teams. Net effect is that MLSN Acadamies will dominate the rankings just like they do now.

LOL you think the rankings mean something…

They dont. But, SY wont matter. ECNL clubs for the most part will be excluded from the top of the list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NWLS has to open the academies. Not to worry that mls academies are a money pit and there’s talks of Lafc closing there’s

I wish idiots with a clear agenda would be forced to backup their statement with facts.

LAFCs Academy is fine.
https://www.thestriker.com/2023/05/11/lafc-academy-goals

Nice puff piece from over 2 years ago.

You provide nothing.

Here's an article from last month. Clubs dont hire new people right be closing

https://www.lafc.com/news/lafc-hires-toni-hernandez-as-academy-director

LAFC today announced the hiring of Toni Hernandez as the club’s new Academy Director. Hernandez will begin his new role on July 1, 2025.

“We are excited to welcome Toni to Los Angeles,” said LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington. “Toni brings world-class experience, a clear developmental vision, and a proven track record from one of the most respected academies in global football. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue building a nationally and internationally recognized Academy — one that develops elite talent and provides meaningful opportunities for players from Southern California.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NWLS has to open the academies. Not to worry that mls academies are a money pit and there’s talks of Lafc closing there’s

I wish idiots with a clear agenda would be forced to backup their statement with facts.

LAFCs Academy is fine.
https://www.thestriker.com/2023/05/11/lafc-academy-goals

Nice puff piece from over 2 years ago.

You provide nothing.

Here's an article from last month. Clubs dont hire new people right be closing

https://www.lafc.com/news/lafc-hires-toni-hernandez-as-academy-director

LAFC today announced the hiring of Toni Hernandez as the club’s new Academy Director. Hernandez will begin his new role on July 1, 2025.

“We are excited to welcome Toni to Los Angeles,” said LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington. “Toni brings world-class experience, a clear developmental vision, and a proven track record from one of the most respected academies in global football. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue building a nationally and internationally recognized Academy — one that develops elite talent and provides meaningful opportunities for players from Southern California.”

It’s no secret here in SoCal that talks were had. Why do you think mlsn2 was created? $

But you’re right, I should have set up a hidden camera to catch the conversation so that I could have sent it to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NWLS has to open the academies. Not to worry that mls academies are a money pit and there’s talks of Lafc closing there’s

I wish idiots with a clear agenda would be forced to backup their statement with facts.

LAFCs Academy is fine.
https://www.thestriker.com/2023/05/11/lafc-academy-goals

Nice puff piece from over 2 years ago.

You provide nothing.

Here's an article from last month. Clubs dont hire new people right be closing

https://www.lafc.com/news/lafc-hires-toni-hernandez-as-academy-director

LAFC today announced the hiring of Toni Hernandez as the club’s new Academy Director. Hernandez will begin his new role on July 1, 2025.

“We are excited to welcome Toni to Los Angeles,” said LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington. “Toni brings world-class experience, a clear developmental vision, and a proven track record from one of the most respected academies in global football. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue building a nationally and internationally recognized Academy — one that develops elite talent and provides meaningful opportunities for players from Southern California.”

It’s no secret here in SoCal that talks were had. Why do you think mlsn2 was created? $

But you’re right, I should have set up a hidden camera to catch the conversation so that I could have sent it to you.

Good job laying cover for your lies.

MLSN2 was created so MLS Acadamies can separate themselves from the larger MLSN p2p enviornamant. This way Acadamies only need to play the top MLSN p2p clubs. Also it allows MLSN to expand.

[Anonymous]

MLS is losing popularity from a ratings standpoint; and Wait till Messi retires next year. People watch premier league or other non US leagues. No parents at our MLSN club ever talk about MLS teams. They think MLSN is a scam as well, and this is tier 1 parents. Can’t imagine what tier 2 parents think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MLS is losing popularity from a ratings standpoint; and Wait till Messi retires next year. People watch premier league or other non US leagues. No parents at our MLSN club ever talk about MLS teams. They think MLSN is a scam as well, and this is tier 1 parents. Can’t imagine what tier 2 parents think.

When Messi retires, MLS will just import another world legend who is just about to retire -- that's exactly what they've done for decades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MLS is losing popularity from a ratings standpoint; and Wait till Messi retires next year. People watch premier league or other non US leagues. No parents at our MLSN club ever talk about MLS teams. They think MLSN is a scam as well, and this is tier 1 parents. Can’t imagine what tier 2 parents think.

When Messi retires, MLS will just import another world legend who is just about to retire -- that's exactly what they've done for decades.

You mean kinda like Ibrahimovic (right before Messi)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MLS is losing popularity from a ratings standpoint; and Wait till Messi retires next year. People watch premier league or other non US leagues. No parents at our MLSN club ever talk about MLS teams. They think MLSN is a scam as well, and this is tier 1 parents. Can’t imagine what tier 2 parents think.

We do have some parents on our u15 tier 1 team who follow MLS regularly. they are also bought in hook line and sinker waiting for that academy invite. I don’t get a sense many parents and kids are pushing for professional, most of the talk is on college scholarships. Also absolutely zero communication from our club on age cutoffs for next season. There is a big concern if tier 1 and 2 don’t have the same cutoff though. We had one biobanded player last season who didnt play much and never seemed like a bonafide member of the team tbh.

[Anonymous]

Top 20 girls and boys MLSN/GA club. My kid is a u15. We haven't heard anything about SY or staying BY. Theres rumors about switching from BY to SY but its all at the parent or player level. Our club doesn't mix the boys and girls in any way so I don't know what the boys parents are thinking.

My guess is...
- GA has a 50% chance of switching from BY to SY.
- MLSN has a 20% chance of switching from BY to SY.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So here is what we know:
- US Soccer gave member associations reasonable flexibility to modify their age registration.
- AYSO, US Club, and USYS then announced 8/1-7/31 starting Fall of 26, after initially saying 9/1.
- No league associated with either of those 3 (aside from maybe a few rec originations here and there) has said anything about their plans to implement the change. ECNL has made no mention of it all.
- GA and MLSN have made no announcements on what, if anything, they plan to do. And because they’re self-governing (correct me if I’m wrong) what AYSO, US Club and USYS do has no bearing on them whatsoever.

So that is what we know. Everything else is just guessing and wishful thinking.
And until ECNL lays out their plan, we can assume there is no changing coming this spring to allow teams to adjust. And because GA and MLSN have said nothing, we can assume they are not going to change.

HOWEVER, we can also assume that until ECNL comes out with their “plan”, we are not going to hear a peep from either MLSN or GA. There is no advantage yet (and they’re all looking for an advantage) to say anything or give any details until we get close to next season.

I’m in the boat that once ECNL announces SY, we will get the same announcement that MLSN and GA are going SY. I can see the arguments on both sides as to why GA/MLSN will/should stay BY, but I think at the end of the day youth soccer will realize it benefits everyone to be on the same page. Whether that is the right page will be debated for years (you know what they say about opinions - they’re a lot like a**holes because everybody has one!) Time will tell! Until then, we are going to get to 2000 pages in no time!

Technically GA is using USSSA for paperwork/sanctioning right now. However US Soccer has given them the ability to do what USSSA is providing for themselves or any other league. (They can function like US Club)

MLSN uses MLS for paperwork/sanctioning.

See how this can be an issue for US Club who thinks they have all the littles under thumb. All GA + MLS have to do is make the call and we could have BY littles leagues.

This changed has changed. GA is fully self sanctioned now, their sub leagues like DPL which are open to clubs that also have ECNL or other national platforms, are sanctioned under USSSA. Aspire will be under GA sanctioning umbrella.

Well that makes sense I was wondering when GA would flip the switch.

Just so everyone understands what's going on.

US Soccer -> MLS -> MLSN
US Soccer -> GA
US Soccer -> US Club -> ECNL

US Soccer is setting things up so NWSL can take over GA like how MLS took over Boys DA.

Also both MLSN and GA are setting up MLSN2 and GA2 so clubs can switch over from ECNL/ECRL and nothing will change other than the league. Put another way they're working to make ECNL the MLSN2 and GA2 league. What they'll do is keep MLSN and GA BY and MLSN2 and GA2 SY which if MLSN Acadamies stay aligned witb MLS and GA somehow aligns with NWSL will happen.

The only reason NWSL + GA hasn't occurred yet is because Jessica Berman makes more money for NWSL owners by bringing on expansion teams than fielding the best possible product. Eventually adding more clubs will hit dismishing returns and NWSL clubs will need to actually win to appeal to a larger audience and the Subaru Outback / Comfortable Shoes crowd.

The new NWSL CBA strengthened the rules around this. They’re still building foundational structure. GA / NWSL is probably 5 years out legitimately. They’re aiming for 2-3. A lot can change in that amount of time.

Its interesting that NWSL valuations are going up without the league investing in player pipelines or youth development. As long as this continues to occur NWSL isnt going to get involved with youth.. Maybe womens USL or some other league can put pressure on player demand. But for now its not happening. The girls/women are so close to Academy style youth development. Ironic that NWSL club valuations going up is what's keeping it from happening. I wouldn't have seen this outcome 5 years ago.

WSL valuations are going up fast too. They have a mandated pipeline.

I think you’re overthinking the business dynamics. Fans drive sponsorships, stars and “homegrown” talent, drive fans.