New Additions to Leagues Check Up (ECNL & GA)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://youtu.be/QdLkj6MmgIA?si=eYc9keEGW9k_rtqX

I thought this was a very good watch. I know Nationals get brought up here at times.

Realize that I am late with the follow-up on this, but I just finished watching. It was pretty long at 2 hours, but IMO it was worth it. I thought that the transparency that was offered was really good especially as it related to college recruiting, tryouts and having players come in. I didn't realize that Nationals had outposts all over Michigan and would draw those players into their top teams and some of those players would only practice 2 versus 4 days a week. Their justification for that make sense. Also, their college recruiting philosophy echoes what has been aid here, but others don't like to hear - they are going to be honest with players and only place them where they think they can belong - it doesn't do them as a club any favors to have players get pushed to D1 P4 and have the player not perform. They tryout thing as interesting as it seems that the ECNL clubs in the area entered into an agreement regarding when tryouts would be held for their younger and older age groups and how they would be handled.

Good stuff overall, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Richmond United is a combination of 2 large clubs, it's a geographic powerhouse consolidating all the power with a small group of people over thousands of kids. This year has shown having 1 isolated large club is not necessarily a good idea.

Interesting observation. What specifically about it has not worked? I realize the top teams (ECNL level) were always combined so that's not different.

What happens when an MLS homegrown club is in Richmond

They have two AD clubs now. Both are new. Not sure if either is ready to move to HG anytime soon. Maybe RU will move.

On the boys side the level of play is down from years past. We were down at Jeff Cup this weekend and family friends are at GA in Florida. The difference in the level of play is striking.

That's a fair point about the level of play and it's not surprising that the level of play at the Generation Adidas Cup is superior when compared to the Jefferson Cup. Your talking about the top level MLS Next level clubs. Top tier players from RU have left ECNL to play at true MLS Academies which has lessened the level of play and I think at the younger ages, you may see more kids moving to MLS AD which also lowers overall play. There's usually a handful each year. If a true MLS Next Homegrown club is in the area that could and would pull many boys players from RU, IMO.

Velocity is will be in AD and along with FC Richmond. I just saw that Velocity broke ground on their complex and FC Richmond also is building their own facility as well. Who has the edge in moving to AD? Not sure there, but agree that it wouldn't be anytime soon. How many AD clubs are getting moved to HG each year versus clubs joining AD? Many more into AD than from AD to HG.

The boys and girls are certainly different though for sure. While there would be an attraction to move their boys over to MLS Next, it would have to be straight to Academy and not to HG. Also, for Girls, I really don't see them getting out of ECNL today and going to GA, especially since they have been pushing to get their Blue team in ECNL and out of RL. That could obviously change though if there are other large clubs jumping out of ECNL girls into GA.

RU is too tied to ECNL to ever move to MLSN. That's the opportunity for the new MLSN AD clubs. The metric to watch is the performance of the RU RL teams over the next season. If you notice a drop in standings you can infer that they are being weakened by defections to the MLSN clubs. One of those clubs getting HG or maybe a high profile MLS academy or D1 college signing would be very threatening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://youtu.be/QdLkj6MmgIA?si=eYc9keEGW9k_rtqX

I thought this was a very good watch. I know Nationals get brought up here at times.

Realize that I am late with the follow-up on this, but I just finished watching. It was pretty long at 2 hours, but IMO it was worth it. I thought that the transparency that was offered was really good especially as it related to college recruiting, tryouts and having players come in. I didn't realize that Nationals had outposts all over Michigan and would draw those players into their top teams and some of those players would only practice 2 versus 4 days a week. Their justification for that make sense. Also, their college recruiting philosophy echoes what has been aid here, but others don't like to hear - they are going to be honest with players and only place them where they think they can belong - it doesn't do them as a club any favors to have players get pushed to D1 P4 and have the player not perform. They tryout thing as interesting as it seems that the ECNL clubs in the area entered into an agreement regarding when tryouts would be held for their younger and older age groups and how they would be handled.

Good stuff overall, IMO.

Yes, and especially since he came from GA/DA, he's not trashing them and respects clubs within that, although he clearly thinks ECNL is the top level and explains why the Nationals moved there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://youtu.be/QdLkj6MmgIA?si=eYc9keEGW9k_rtqX

I thought this was a very good watch. I know Nationals get brought up here at times.

Realize that I am late with the follow-up on this, but I just finished watching. It was pretty long at 2 hours, but IMO it was worth it. I thought that the transparency that was offered was really good especially as it related to college recruiting, tryouts and having players come in. I didn't realize that Nationals had outposts all over Michigan and would draw those players into their top teams and some of those players would only practice 2 versus 4 days a week. Their justification for that make sense. Also, their college recruiting philosophy echoes what has been aid here, but others don't like to hear - they are going to be honest with players and only place them where they think they can belong - it doesn't do them as a club any favors to have players get pushed to D1 P4 and have the player not perform. They tryout thing as interesting as it seems that the ECNL clubs in the area entered into an agreement regarding when tryouts would be held for their younger and older age groups and how they would be handled.

Good stuff overall, IMO.

Yes, and especially since he came from GA/DA, he's not trashing them and respects clubs within that, although he clearly thinks ECNL is the top level and explains why the Nationals moved there.

Just looked at Nationals ranking. At least from the age groups I rememeber them playing in when they were GA the rankings seem about the same as they are in ECNL now. But in GA they did win some National titles which I don't think has happened yet in ECNL for them.

Clubs like Nationals have multiple lower level feeder clubs that they take the top players from year after year to make a super team at each age group. So are they really better or worse playing in whatever league they're in? Not really. The results are the same as long as all the feeder clubs filter up to the top teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://youtu.be/QdLkj6MmgIA?si=eYc9keEGW9k_rtqX

I thought this was a very good watch. I know Nationals get brought up here at times.

Realize that I am late with the follow-up on this, but I just finished watching. It was pretty long at 2 hours, but IMO it was worth it. I thought that the transparency that was offered was really good especially as it related to college recruiting, tryouts and having players come in. I didn't realize that Nationals had outposts all over Michigan and would draw those players into their top teams and some of those players would only practice 2 versus 4 days a week. Their justification for that make sense. Also, their college recruiting philosophy echoes what has been aid here, but others don't like to hear - they are going to be honest with players and only place them where they think they can belong - it doesn't do them as a club any favors to have players get pushed to D1 P4 and have the player not perform. They tryout thing as interesting as it seems that the ECNL clubs in the area entered into an agreement regarding when tryouts would be held for their younger and older age groups and how they would be handled.

Good stuff overall, IMO.

Yes, and especially since he came from GA/DA, he's not trashing them and respects clubs within that, although he clearly thinks ECNL is the top level and explains why the Nationals moved there.

Just looked at Nationals ranking. At least from the age groups I rememeber them playing in when they were GA the rankings seem about the same as they are in ECNL now. But in GA they did win some National titles which I don't think has happened yet in ECNL for them.

Clubs like Nationals have multiple lower level feeder clubs that they take the top players from year after year to make a super team at each age group. So are they really better or worse playing in whatever league they're in? Not really. The results are the same as long as all the feeder clubs filter up to the top teams.

Having affiliated feeder clubs only enlarge their player pool. They don't guarantee spots on their top teams. They'll still take the best players that they can find, like all clubs will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://youtu.be/QdLkj6MmgIA?si=eYc9keEGW9k_rtqX

I thought this was a very good watch. I know Nationals get brought up here at times.

Realize that I am late with the follow-up on this, but I just finished watching. It was pretty long at 2 hours, but IMO it was worth it. I thought that the transparency that was offered was really good especially as it related to college recruiting, tryouts and having players come in. I didn't realize that Nationals had outposts all over Michigan and would draw those players into their top teams and some of those players would only practice 2 versus 4 days a week. Their justification for that make sense. Also, their college recruiting philosophy echoes what has been aid here, but others don't like to hear - they are going to be honest with players and only place them where they think they can belong - it doesn't do them as a club any favors to have players get pushed to D1 P4 and have the player not perform. They tryout thing as interesting as it seems that the ECNL clubs in the area entered into an agreement regarding when tryouts would be held for their younger and older age groups and how they would be handled.

Good stuff overall, IMO.

Yes, and especially since he came from GA/DA, he's not trashing them and respects clubs within that, although he clearly thinks ECNL is the top level and explains why the Nationals moved there.

Just looked at Nationals ranking. At least from the age groups I rememeber them playing in when they were GA the rankings seem about the same as they are in ECNL now. But in GA they did win some National titles which I don't think has happened yet in ECNL for them.

Clubs like Nationals have multiple lower level feeder clubs that they take the top players from year after year to make a super team at each age group. So are they really better or worse playing in whatever league they're in? Not really. The results are the same as long as all the feeder clubs filter up to the top teams.

Having affiliated feeder clubs only enlarge their player pool. They don't guarantee spots on their top teams. They'll still take the best players that they can find, like all clubs will.

Duh, hence why their ranking is the same playing in GA or ECNL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://youtu.be/QdLkj6MmgIA?si=eYc9keEGW9k_rtqX

I thought this was a very good watch. I know Nationals get brought up here at times.

Realize that I am late with the follow-up on this, but I just finished watching. It was pretty long at 2 hours, but IMO it was worth it. I thought that the transparency that was offered was really good especially as it related to college recruiting, tryouts and having players come in. I didn't realize that Nationals had outposts all over Michigan and would draw those players into their top teams and some of those players would only practice 2 versus 4 days a week. Their justification for that make sense. Also, their college recruiting philosophy echoes what has been aid here, but others don't like to hear - they are going to be honest with players and only place them where they think they can belong - it doesn't do them as a club any favors to have players get pushed to D1 P4 and have the player not perform. They tryout thing as interesting as it seems that the ECNL clubs in the area entered into an agreement regarding when tryouts would be held for their younger and older age groups and how they would be handled.

Good stuff overall, IMO.

Yes, and especially since he came from GA/DA, he's not trashing them and respects clubs within that, although he clearly thinks ECNL is the top level and explains why the Nationals moved there.

Just looked at Nationals ranking. At least from the age groups I rememeber them playing in when they were GA the rankings seem about the same as they are in ECNL now. But in GA they did win some National titles which I don't think has happened yet in ECNL for them.

Clubs like Nationals have multiple lower level feeder clubs that they take the top players from year after year to make a super team at each age group. So are they really better or worse playing in whatever league they're in? Not really. The results are the same as long as all the feeder clubs filter up to the top teams.

Having affiliated feeder clubs only enlarge their player pool. They don't guarantee spots on their top teams. They'll still take the best players that they can find, like all clubs will.

Duh, hence why their ranking is the same playing in GA or ECNL.

So, if they're the same ranking, but they can win national titles in GA but not in ECNL, what does that say about the competition in ECNL? Seems like the right move to make the club better, no?

[Anonymous]

and just like that HEX Keystone backed out of the money grab takeover by Penn Rising and is not joining the merger with Lehigh and Hex Dominion to be renamed Penn Rising and join the GA as one club. HEX Keystone are staying in the ECNL RL. smart move

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://youtu.be/QdLkj6MmgIA?si=eYc9keEGW9k_rtqX

I thought this was a very good watch. I know Nationals get brought up here at times.

Realize that I am late with the follow-up on this, but I just finished watching. It was pretty long at 2 hours, but IMO it was worth it. I thought that the transparency that was offered was really good especially as it related to college recruiting, tryouts and having players come in. I didn't realize that Nationals had outposts all over Michigan and would draw those players into their top teams and some of those players would only practice 2 versus 4 days a week. Their justification for that make sense. Also, their college recruiting philosophy echoes what has been aid here, but others don't like to hear - they are going to be honest with players and only place them where they think they can belong - it doesn't do them as a club any favors to have players get pushed to D1 P4 and have the player not perform. They tryout thing as interesting as it seems that the ECNL clubs in the area entered into an agreement regarding when tryouts would be held for their younger and older age groups and how they would be handled.

Good stuff overall, IMO.

Yes, and especially since he came from GA/DA, he's not trashing them and respects clubs within that, although he clearly thinks ECNL is the top level and explains why the Nationals moved there.

Just looked at Nationals ranking. At least from the age groups I rememeber them playing in when they were GA the rankings seem about the same as they are in ECNL now. But in GA they did win some National titles which I don't think has happened yet in ECNL for them.

Clubs like Nationals have multiple lower level feeder clubs that they take the top players from year after year to make a super team at each age group. So are they really better or worse playing in whatever league they're in? Not really. The results are the same as long as all the feeder clubs filter up to the top teams.

Having affiliated feeder clubs only enlarge their player pool. They don't guarantee spots on their top teams. They'll still take the best players that they can find, like all clubs will.

Duh, hence why their ranking is the same playing in GA or ECNL.

So, if they're the same ranking, but they can win national titles in GA but not in ECNL, what does that say about the competition in ECNL? Seems like the right move to make the club better, no?

it was the right move. better structure, better organization, better showcases, better competition, more access to college coaches in the ECNL. it's the GA bonnets out here propping up the GA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://youtu.be/QdLkj6MmgIA?si=eYc9keEGW9k_rtqX

I thought this was a very good watch. I know Nationals get brought up here at times.

Realize that I am late with the follow-up on this, but I just finished watching. It was pretty long at 2 hours, but IMO it was worth it. I thought that the transparency that was offered was really good especially as it related to college recruiting, tryouts and having players come in. I didn't realize that Nationals had outposts all over Michigan and would draw those players into their top teams and some of those players would only practice 2 versus 4 days a week. Their justification for that make sense. Also, their college recruiting philosophy echoes what has been aid here, but others don't like to hear - they are going to be honest with players and only place them where they think they can belong - it doesn't do them as a club any favors to have players get pushed to D1 P4 and have the player not perform. They tryout thing as interesting as it seems that the ECNL clubs in the area entered into an agreement regarding when tryouts would be held for their younger and older age groups and how they would be handled.

Good stuff overall, IMO.

Yes, and especially since he came from GA/DA, he's not trashing them and respects clubs within that, although he clearly thinks ECNL is the top level and explains why the Nationals moved there.

Just looked at Nationals ranking. At least from the age groups I rememeber them playing in when they were GA the rankings seem about the same as they are in ECNL now. But in GA they did win some National titles which I don't think has happened yet in ECNL for them.

Clubs like Nationals have multiple lower level feeder clubs that they take the top players from year after year to make a super team at each age group. So are they really better or worse playing in whatever league they're in? Not really. The results are the same as long as all the feeder clubs filter up to the top teams.

Having affiliated feeder clubs only enlarge their player pool. They don't guarantee spots on their top teams. They'll still take the best players that they can find, like all clubs will.

Duh, hence why their ranking is the same playing in GA or ECNL.

So, if they're the same ranking, but they can win national titles in GA but not in ECNL, what does that say about the competition in ECNL? Seems like the right move to make the club better, no?

it was the right move. better structure, better organization, better showcases, better competition, more access to college coaches in the ECNL. it's the GA bonnets out here propping up the GA.

That's where you're wrong. GA is a good league. ECNL for girls is just the top at the moment (and for many years past). No need to punch down.

[Anonymous]

wow! 4 GA clubs bolt to ECNL RL....

https://theecnl.com/news/2026/3/31/ecnl-regional-league-girls-ecnl-regional-league-girls-far-west-to-launch-next-season.aspx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:wow! 4 GA clubs bolt to ECNL RL....

https://theecnl.com/news/2026/3/31/ecnl-regional-league-girls-ecnl-regional-league-girls-far-west-to-launch-next-season.aspx

Were these GA clubs?

Never heard of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wow! 4 GA clubs bolt to ECNL RL....

https://theecnl.com/news/2026/3/31/ecnl-regional-league-girls-ecnl-regional-league-girls-far-west-to-launch-next-season.aspx

Were these GA clubs?

Never heard of them.

I mean it's "Far West" so not exactly a hotbed and they have to deal with a ton of travel so it does seem to make sense for those clubs. Nationally, this is nothing, but good for those clubs getting into a better situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wow! 4 GA clubs bolt to ECNL RL....

https://theecnl.com/news/2026/3/31/ecnl-regional-league-girls-ecnl-regional-league-girls-far-west-to-launch-next-season.aspx

Were these GA clubs?

Never heard of them.

United PDX looks particularly strong -- although the Washington teams in their conference seem to do better in general vs. the Oregon ones. Seems like they already had ECNL boys. Guess they made their choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wow! 4 GA clubs bolt to ECNL RL....

https://theecnl.com/news/2026/3/31/ecnl-regional-league-girls-ecnl-regional-league-girls-far-west-to-launch-next-season.aspx

Were these GA clubs?

Never heard of them.

I mean it's "Far West" so not exactly a hotbed and they have to deal with a ton of travel so it does seem to make sense for those clubs. Nationally, this is nothing, but good for those clubs getting into a better situation.

geez, your GA bonnet must be tight fitting. it's over for the GA. pack it up