Trapped/Re-aging Families, How are you having the conversation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

This is exactly why Aug birthdays playing on a grade down team doesnt work.

Told you, the troll toll tanks a discussion again.

The grade concern in this example is real. It'll be up to the clubs and college coaches to address it. Doom and gloom Aug guy thinks there's only one solution. Others say recruiting is more sophisticated, especially if the player is already on a school's radar via highlights, talent IDs and a player reaching out.

I think perhaps a reason why we haven't seen specific answers on this is because these are case-by-case situations. Every club and player is different. In some cases, the player will play up. In others, they'll play on age. We're wrong to say we know what one way is best.

Thats the issue. You're going to work twice as hard to get noticed by college coaches just to play on a grade down team. I you play on the correct grade in school team everything works and is easy.

Your road might be harder if you play up, can't start and the B team option doesn't get scouted.

This is also why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. Some parents just cant accept that their kid isnt very good.

You talk out both sides of your mouth. They're good enough to play up on grade just to make things "easier" for clubs and college coaches BUT not good enough to play on their actual age group? That's not fair to them. They deserve their best opportunity.

This is what the correct grade in school B team is for.

Not if they're good enough on A on age. That's why there was on average 1 misaligned player per team in the previous SY era.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

This is exactly why Aug birthdays playing on a grade down team doesnt work.

Told you, the troll toll tanks a discussion again.

The grade concern in this example is real. It'll be up to the clubs and college coaches to address it. Doom and gloom Aug guy thinks there's only one solution. Others say recruiting is more sophisticated, especially if the player is already on a school's radar via highlights, talent IDs and a player reaching out.

I think perhaps a reason why we haven't seen specific answers on this is because these are case-by-case situations. Every club and player is different. In some cases, the player will play up. In others, they'll play on age. We're wrong to say we know what one way is best.

Thats the issue. You're going to work twice as hard to get noticed by college coaches just to play on a grade down team. I you play on the correct grade in school team everything works and is easy.

Good luck getting noticed playing up vs playing on age. Tough to get noticed constantly moving around the pitch as a fill in or sub or bench warmer when you you can be central to a club on age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

This is exactly why Aug birthdays playing on a grade down team doesnt work.

Told you, the troll toll tanks a discussion again.

The grade concern in this example is real. It'll be up to the clubs and college coaches to address it. Doom and gloom Aug guy thinks there's only one solution. Others say recruiting is more sophisticated, especially if the player is already on a school's radar via highlights, talent IDs and a player reaching out.

I think perhaps a reason why we haven't seen specific answers on this is because these are case-by-case situations. Every club and player is different. In some cases, the player will play up. In others, they'll play on age. We're wrong to say we know what one way is best.

Thats the issue. You're going to work twice as hard to get noticed by college coaches just to play on a grade down team. I you play on the correct grade in school team everything works and is easy.

Your road might be harder if you play up, can't start and the B team option doesn't get scouted.

This is also why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. Some parents just cant accept that their kid isnt very good.

You talk out both sides of your mouth. They're good enough to play up on grade just to make things "easier" for clubs and college coaches BUT not good enough to play on their actual age group? That's not fair to them. They deserve their best opportunity.

This is what the correct grade in school B team is for.

Not if they're good enough on A on age. That's why there was on average 1 misaligned player per team in the previous SY era.

Clubs that matter won't allow Aug birthdays playing down. They're a waste of time and resources.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

This is exactly why Aug birthdays playing on a grade down team doesnt work.

Told you, the troll toll tanks a discussion again.

The grade concern in this example is real. It'll be up to the clubs and college coaches to address it. Doom and gloom Aug guy thinks there's only one solution. Others say recruiting is more sophisticated, especially if the player is already on a school's radar via highlights, talent IDs and a player reaching out.

I think perhaps a reason why we haven't seen specific answers on this is because these are case-by-case situations. Every club and player is different. In some cases, the player will play up. In others, they'll play on age. We're wrong to say we know what one way is best.

Thats the issue. You're going to work twice as hard to get noticed by college coaches just to play on a grade down team. I you play on the correct grade in school team everything works and is easy.

Your road might be harder if you play up, can't start and the B team option doesn't get scouted.

This is also why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. Some parents just cant accept that their kid isnt very good.

Clubs en masse announced that playing on age is default, a few of the best play up and grades are largely irrelevant. Clubs trying to push kids down to new age groups not up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

To answer your question bluntly. Your kid needs to play up on the correct grade in school team. All the college recruiting issues you described will go away.

No, all recruiting issues won't go away. If a player is forced to play up, they might not be in the best environment for them to shine, where they sit on the bench OR get limited playing time. You might think that means they aren't worthy of college, but coach-team-player chemistry makes a difference. This is why you see so many different player journeys across sports.

This is why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. There will always be a mr/mrs loophole looking for whatever advantage they can find. They dont care if others (clubs and parents) are inconvenienced its all about them.

Forcing Aug-Sept. to play up also could be seen as loophole. It may be appropriate to play up in certain cases and not in others.

Clubs don't even know or collect grades, too stupid.

[Anonymous]

The true reality is it's hard to get recruited to play in college -- whatever your situation is and whatever club you might be on. You could have all the advantages and still not make it because of injury OR maybe have a ton of disadvantages and still overcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

To answer your question bluntly. Your kid needs to play up on the correct grade in school team. All the college recruiting issues you described will go away.

No, all recruiting issues won't go away. If a player is forced to play up, they might not be in the best environment for them to shine, where they sit on the bench OR get limited playing time. You might think that means they aren't worthy of college, but coach-team-player chemistry makes a difference. This is why you see so many different player journeys across sports.

This is why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. There will always be a mr/mrs loophole looking for whatever advantage they can find. They dont care if others (clubs and parents) are inconvenienced its all about them.

Forcing Aug-Sept. to play up also could be seen as loophole. It may be appropriate to play up in certain cases and not in others.

Loophole for trying to get your kid to quit the rat race of soccer, sure it's a loophole for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

This is exactly why Aug birthdays playing on a grade down team doesnt work.

Told you, the troll toll tanks a discussion again.

The grade concern in this example is real. It'll be up to the clubs and college coaches to address it. Doom and gloom Aug guy thinks there's only one solution. Others say recruiting is more sophisticated, especially if the player is already on a school's radar via highlights, talent IDs and a player reaching out.

I think perhaps a reason why we haven't seen specific answers on this is because these are case-by-case situations. Every club and player is different. In some cases, the player will play up. In others, they'll play on age. We're wrong to say we know what one way is best.

Thats the issue. You're going to work twice as hard to get noticed by college coaches just to play on a grade down team. I you play on the correct grade in school team everything works and is easy.

Good luck getting noticed playing up vs playing on age. Tough to get noticed constantly moving around the pitch as a fill in or sub or bench warmer when you you can be central to a club on age.

If you cant handle playing against players in your grade how would you expect to get noticed by college coaches? It just doesnt make sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:It's so odd to me that someone would try to argue that college recruiting doesnt factor into youth soccer. It's literally the cheese clubs use to bait the trap which keeps parents paying through high school.

This is a good example of why you get so much wrong.

Nobody said college recruiting doesn't factor into youth soccer. Find where someone said this or accept that you have an inability to understand written English.

People have said you have no idea how college recruiting works and even college coaches have disagreed with you.

You are twisting what FC Copa said. They are grouping Aug birthdays by grade based on feedback from college coaches. The specific statement youre manipulating is that coaches only care about when players are Juniors in school. This is because its when they can speak with players (NCAA rules).

Why do you need college recruiting to force grade year for your soccer? How does that help you? College coaches said they don't care your age, it is a quote in two places, not manipulatived, but you say they lied?

The only person lieing is you.

https://youtu.be/H_MCwT85SKY?&t=5m19s

Ok, college coaches not lying. They said age for recruiting doesn't matter. And they put their money where their mouth is with transfers, foreign recruits, select ing whatever grades from BY.

They said that the only thing that matters to college coaches is graduation year or grade in school. Which is why FC Copa has chosen to group Aug birthdays with their grade in school team. Which means they will play up.

https://youtu.be/H_MCwT85SKY?&t=5m19s

I just don't care what a non DMV club in the middle NJ is doing.

I found it useful for them to say that they spoke to college coaches and college coaches said they don't care about age groups, based on rules they can only directly recruit juniors. Which directly confirms what Eastside said. So statement then confirmation from a second source is strong evidence that college coaches recruit the best players regardless of age or age group.

Duncehat they literally said that they're going to group Aug birthday players by grade.

https://youtu.be/H_MCwT85SKY?&t=5m19s

I dont care either what age players are either unless they're older and trying to play down against younger players. All that matters is Aug birthdays playing on the correct grade in school team.

All that matters is that 2 teams offered without needing to that college coaches don't care about age groups for recruiting, college is performance based and grades based and cost based.

100% Which is why Aug birthdays need to play on a club team that is their grade in school.

Have no idea how you misinterpreting this so bad. Unless you need youth soccer to go grade for your benefit and are trying to mislead everyone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

To answer your question bluntly. Your kid needs to play up on the correct grade in school team. All the college recruiting issues you described will go away.

No, all recruiting issues won't go away. If a player is forced to play up, they might not be in the best environment for them to shine, where they sit on the bench OR get limited playing time. You might think that means they aren't worthy of college, but coach-team-player chemistry makes a difference. This is why you see so many different player journeys across sports.

This is why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. There will always be a mr/mrs loophole looking for whatever advantage they can find. They dont care if others (clubs and parents) are inconvenienced its all about them.

Forcing Aug-Sept. to play up also could be seen as loophole. It may be appropriate to play up in certain cases and not in others.

Clubs don't even know or collect grades, too stupid.

They know, every ECNL player profile lists their graduation year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

This is exactly why Aug birthdays playing on a grade down team doesnt work.

Told you, the troll toll tanks a discussion again.

The grade concern in this example is real. It'll be up to the clubs and college coaches to address it. Doom and gloom Aug guy thinks there's only one solution. Others say recruiting is more sophisticated, especially if the player is already on a school's radar via highlights, talent IDs and a player reaching out.

I think perhaps a reason why we haven't seen specific answers on this is because these are case-by-case situations. Every club and player is different. In some cases, the player will play up. In others, they'll play on age. We're wrong to say we know what one way is best.

Thats the issue. You're going to work twice as hard to get noticed by college coaches just to play on a grade down team. I you play on the correct grade in school team everything works and is easy.

Your road might be harder if you play up, can't start and the B team option doesn't get scouted.

This is also why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. Some parents just cant accept that their kid isnt very good.

You talk out both sides of your mouth. They're good enough to play up on grade just to make things "easier" for clubs and college coaches BUT not good enough to play on their actual age group? That's not fair to them. They deserve their best opportunity.

This is what the correct grade in school B team is for.

Not if they're good enough on A on age. That's why there was on average 1 misaligned player per team in the previous SY era.

Clubs, kids and parents would want the A team every time. Not a debate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

This is exactly why Aug birthdays playing on a grade down team doesnt work.

Told you, the troll toll tanks a discussion again.

The grade concern in this example is real. It'll be up to the clubs and college coaches to address it. Doom and gloom Aug guy thinks there's only one solution. Others say recruiting is more sophisticated, especially if the player is already on a school's radar via highlights, talent IDs and a player reaching out.

I think perhaps a reason why we haven't seen specific answers on this is because these are case-by-case situations. Every club and player is different. In some cases, the player will play up. In others, they'll play on age. We're wrong to say we know what one way is best.

Thats the issue. You're going to work twice as hard to get noticed by college coaches just to play on a grade down team. I you play on the correct grade in school team everything works and is easy.

Your road might be harder if you play up, can't start and the B team option doesn't get scouted.

This is also why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. Some parents just cant accept that their kid isnt very good.

You talk out both sides of your mouth. They're good enough to play up on grade just to make things "easier" for clubs and college coaches BUT not good enough to play on their actual age group? That's not fair to them. They deserve their best opportunity.

This is what the correct grade in school B team is for.

Not if they're good enough on A on age. That's why there was on average 1 misaligned player per team in the previous SY era.

Clubs that matter won't allow Aug birthdays playing down. They're a waste of time and resources.

Clubs will never know grades, they try to limit excepts, and want few playing up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

This is exactly why Aug birthdays playing on a grade down team doesnt work.

Told you, the troll toll tanks a discussion again.

The grade concern in this example is real. It'll be up to the clubs and college coaches to address it. Doom and gloom Aug guy thinks there's only one solution. Others say recruiting is more sophisticated, especially if the player is already on a school's radar via highlights, talent IDs and a player reaching out.

I think perhaps a reason why we haven't seen specific answers on this is because these are case-by-case situations. Every club and player is different. In some cases, the player will play up. In others, they'll play on age. We're wrong to say we know what one way is best.

Thats the issue. You're going to work twice as hard to get noticed by college coaches just to play on a grade down team. I you play on the correct grade in school team everything works and is easy.

Good luck getting noticed playing up vs playing on age. Tough to get noticed constantly moving around the pitch as a fill in or sub or bench warmer when you you can be central to a club on age.

If you cant handle playing against players in your grade how would you expect to get noticed by college coaches? It just doesnt make sense.

The point is that you don't need to play up as college coaches pointed out that playing up is unnecessary.

[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:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

This is exactly why Aug birthdays playing on a grade down team doesnt work.

Told you, the troll toll tanks a discussion again.

The grade concern in this example is real. It'll be up to the clubs and college coaches to address it. Doom and gloom Aug guy thinks there's only one solution. Others say recruiting is more sophisticated, especially if the player is already on a school's radar via highlights, talent IDs and a player reaching out.

I think perhaps a reason why we haven't seen specific answers on this is because these are case-by-case situations. Every club and player is different. In some cases, the player will play up. In others, they'll play on age. We're wrong to say we know what one way is best.

Thats the issue. You're going to work twice as hard to get noticed by college coaches just to play on a grade down team. I you play on the correct grade in school team everything works and is easy.

Your road might be harder if you play up, can't start and the B team option doesn't get scouted.

This is also why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. Some parents just cant accept that their kid isnt very good.

You talk out both sides of your mouth. They're good enough to play up on grade just to make things "easier" for clubs and college coaches BUT not good enough to play on their actual age group? That's not fair to them. They deserve their best opportunity.

This is what the correct grade in school B team is for.

Not if they're good enough on A on age. That's why there was on average 1 misaligned player per team in the previous SY era.

Clubs that matter won't allow Aug birthdays playing down. They're a waste of time and resources.

Clubs will never know grades, they try to limit excepts, and want few playing up.

Every ECNL player profile lists their graduation year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Girl soccer - U15 ECNL

As a result of 8/1 to 7/31 change my daughter will have a second U15 year.

Have any of the clubs shared how they will handle players that move down in 2026-27 (play with the younger group) but their graduation year is more in align with the higher age group?

Our concern is while she will get an extra U15 year her graduation year has not changed. U15 teams usually go to less showcases than U16 - so she will miss out on exposure to college coaches that attend U16 games. Regardless of her birthday communication with college coaches will start next summer for her. How are clubs helping kids like mine still get recruited? Are they allowing those in the appropriate grad. Year play up for showcases? How does that work with team chemistry?

To answer your question bluntly. Your kid needs to play up on the correct grade in school team. All the college recruiting issues you described will go away.

No, all recruiting issues won't go away. If a player is forced to play up, they might not be in the best environment for them to shine, where they sit on the bench OR get limited playing time. You might think that means they aren't worthy of college, but coach-team-player chemistry makes a difference. This is why you see so many different player journeys across sports.

This is why clubs are going to group by grade and just not tell parents. There will always be a mr/mrs loophole looking for whatever advantage they can find. They dont care if others (clubs and parents) are inconvenienced its all about them.

Forcing Aug-Sept. to play up also could be seen as loophole. It may be appropriate to play up in certain cases and not in others.

Clubs don't even know or collect grades, too stupid.

They know, every ECNL player profile lists their graduation year.

All are self reported and a whole bunch are wrong and nobody cares.