ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t see ECNL doing as much as some people hope they will do. I could see them addressing the trapped player problem in some way for next year’s crop of 8th graders but even that’s a long shot.

I will say I’ve seen this posted everywhere but have not seen US club or ECNL post the announcement plan that came out.

ECNL has nothing to do with HS soccer…why do people keep trotting out the 8th grade issue like it’s a grand injustice.

The lower grade players on a club team still get 4 years of HS soccer if they want to play HS soccer…they just don’t get it at the same time the 9th graders on their club team are able to play HS soccer. If you’re on an NPL or classic team, sure maybe those awful but extra touches are helpful. But if you’re playing ECNL (and your ECNL club allows you to play HS soccer…which many do not) then HS soccer reps are bad reps, and the 8th grader that is making up for it by playing in club, or grinding with a trainer will be 1000x better off.

Another BY wacko that has no clue how things work. Ofcourse ECNL allows HS play, lookup the history and why everyone gravitated to ECNL in the first place. ECNL has ALOT to do with HS soccer. ENCL kids aren't playing at school to get better BTW, life isn't all about going pro for these kids. Even the phenoms want to help their HS win state championship and ball out in front of classmates from time to time.

And if you don't care about the 8th grade issue then you're just a BY leftover trying to justify why the current system isn't that bad. I'm sorry, but your January kid is now going to compete the December kid sitting right next to them in history class. Maybe that is why your kid doesn't play in HS, because it would expose how inferior they are to the Q3/Q4 kids in the SAME grade. What a broken system...

News flash, many if not most ECNL clubs do not allow their players to play HS until they’re committed to a college.

That is a patently false statement. ECNL thrived where DA didn't in large part because it allowed for HS participation. ECNL for U-15-U19 is only for one season, whereas U-13/U-14 is for the whole year. Why? Because of the direct conflict with HS soccer. Regardless of your opinion of HS soccer, ECNL clubs work closely with the High Schools in many regions. Heck, a lot of High School work at those clubs too.

You’re not correct. And it depends on the ECNL club…the most competitive (and many that want to be the most competitive) DO NOT allow it. Does “ECNL” allow for it? Yes. But that doesn’t mean clubs have to allow for it.

Tons of reasons for this. They don’t want to lose time un-coaching bad HS practices, they don’t want added work and wear on their athletes, they want to minimize injuries, they want to make sure the athlete is getting the right exposure to the schools they want to target, etc.

One of the big selling points for RL in many markets is that the kids have the time and freedom to play HS soccer if that is important to them. And I can tell you, for kids that playing HS soccer is important enough to drop to RL or play for a bottom ECNL club, is a kid that has already capped their soccer career.

I know this much. The 2024 09 Boys National Champions were SC Surf having beaten vaunted Pipeline in the final match. Every single one of them played HS ball. Facts. But perhaps that team isn't among "the most competitive" to you.

Maybe your club's ECNL prohibits HS play, but painting all of ECNL with such a broad brush is wrong. The ECNL Southeast clubs only play in the Fall. There is no club option for them in the Spring for U15-U19.

Nobody said all ECNL…you made that up in order to argue.

The original poster definitely painted a broad brush and tried to imply that high level ECNL players don't play HS. Everyone here is calling bull. I'm in SoCal and everyone plays HS ball here. Just look at all the recruiting profiles online. Its part of the marketing package. So and so played for xyz club and helped their HS team win CIF championship, blah blah. The idea that high level recruits don't play HS, at least on the girls side is silly. Not as familiar with the boys side but multiple kids quit MLSN for the sole reason of playing HS. Ban kids from their school sports at your own peril. The season is only a couple months long, seems dumb to take that stance in a competitive market where top kids have options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ve lost momentum. Need to pick it up or 400 by end of weekend is lost cause.

Omg! Classic BY parent whining, hoping that by pushing to page 400 they can avoid the inevitable of the Q4 4th teamer knee capping their Q1 in the parking lot before practice then stealing their GF/BF AND spot on the team.

Everything is BY's fault. Keep the focus there and we'll get to 500 in no time!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t see ECNL doing as much as some people hope they will do. I could see them addressing the trapped player problem in some way for next year’s crop of 8th graders but even that’s a long shot.

I will say I’ve seen this posted everywhere but have not seen US club or ECNL post the announcement plan that came out.

ECNL has nothing to do with HS soccer…why do people keep trotting out the 8th grade issue like it’s a grand injustice.

The lower grade players on a club team still get 4 years of HS soccer if they want to play HS soccer…they just don’t get it at the same time the 9th graders on their club team are able to play HS soccer. If you’re on an NPL or classic team, sure maybe those awful but extra touches are helpful. But if you’re playing ECNL (and your ECNL club allows you to play HS soccer…which many do not) then HS soccer reps are bad reps, and the 8th grader that is making up for it by playing in club, or grinding with a trainer will be 1000x better off.

Another BY wacko that has no clue how things work. Ofcourse ECNL allows HS play, lookup the history and why everyone gravitated to ECNL in the first place. ECNL has ALOT to do with HS soccer. ENCL kids aren't playing at school to get better BTW, life isn't all about going pro for these kids. Even the phenoms want to help their HS win state championship and ball out in front of classmates from time to time.

And if you don't care about the 8th grade issue then you're just a BY leftover trying to justify why the current system isn't that bad. I'm sorry, but your January kid is now going to compete the December kid sitting right next to them in history class. Maybe that is why your kid doesn't play in HS, because it would expose how inferior they are to the Q3/Q4 kids in the SAME grade. What a broken system...

News flash, many if not most ECNL clubs do not allow their players to play HS until they’re committed to a college.

That is a patently false statement. ECNL thrived where DA didn't in large part because it allowed for HS participation. ECNL for U-15-U19 is only for one season, whereas U-13/U-14 is for the whole year. Why? Because of the direct conflict with HS soccer. Regardless of your opinion of HS soccer, ECNL clubs work closely with the High Schools in many regions. Heck, a lot of High School work at those clubs too.

You’re not correct. And it depends on the ECNL club…the most competitive (and many that want to be the most competitive) DO NOT allow it. Does “ECNL” allow for it? Yes. But that doesn’t mean clubs have to allow for it.

Tons of reasons for this. They don’t want to lose time un-coaching bad HS practices, they don’t want added work and wear on their athletes, they want to minimize injuries, they want to make sure the athlete is getting the right exposure to the schools they want to target, etc.

One of the big selling points for RL in many markets is that the kids have the time and freedom to play HS soccer if that is important to them. And I can tell you, for kids that playing HS soccer is important enough to drop to RL or play for a bottom ECNL club, is a kid that has already capped their soccer career.

I know this much. The 2024 09 Boys National Champions were SC Surf having beaten vaunted Pipeline in the final match. Every single one of them played HS ball. Facts. But perhaps that team isn't among "the most competitive" to you.

Maybe your club's ECNL prohibits HS play, but painting all of ECNL with such a broad brush is wrong. The ECNL Southeast clubs only play in the Fall. There is no club option for them in the Spring for U15-U19.

You made that up…a few of the boys played as ringers for a couple of games in their school’s state tournament last year as ringers on the JV team. Legit 2 games….

Why make things up? You know DCUM is well networked?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t see ECNL doing as much as some people hope they will do. I could see them addressing the trapped player problem in some way for next year’s crop of 8th graders but even that’s a long shot.

I will say I’ve seen this posted everywhere but have not seen US club or ECNL post the announcement plan that came out.

ECNL has nothing to do with HS soccer…why do people keep trotting out the 8th grade issue like it’s a grand injustice.

The lower grade players on a club team still get 4 years of HS soccer if they want to play HS soccer…they just don’t get it at the same time the 9th graders on their club team are able to play HS soccer. If you’re on an NPL or classic team, sure maybe those awful but extra touches are helpful. But if you’re playing ECNL (and your ECNL club allows you to play HS soccer…which many do not) then HS soccer reps are bad reps, and the 8th grader that is making up for it by playing in club, or grinding with a trainer will be 1000x better off.

Another BY wacko that has no clue how things work. Ofcourse ECNL allows HS play, lookup the history and why everyone gravitated to ECNL in the first place. ECNL has ALOT to do with HS soccer. ENCL kids aren't playing at school to get better BTW, life isn't all about going pro for these kids. Even the phenoms want to help their HS win state championship and ball out in front of classmates from time to time.

And if you don't care about the 8th grade issue then you're just a BY leftover trying to justify why the current system isn't that bad. I'm sorry, but your January kid is now going to compete the December kid sitting right next to them in history class. Maybe that is why your kid doesn't play in HS, because it would expose how inferior they are to the Q3/Q4 kids in the SAME grade. What a broken system...

News flash, many if not most ECNL clubs do not allow their players to play HS until they’re committed to a college.

That is a patently false statement. ECNL thrived where DA didn't in large part because it allowed for HS participation. ECNL for U-15-U19 is only for one season, whereas U-13/U-14 is for the whole year. Why? Because of the direct conflict with HS soccer. Regardless of your opinion of HS soccer, ECNL clubs work closely with the High Schools in many regions. Heck, a lot of High School work at those clubs too.

You’re not correct. And it depends on the ECNL club…the most competitive (and many that want to be the most competitive) DO NOT allow it. Does “ECNL” allow for it? Yes. But that doesn’t mean clubs have to allow for it.

Tons of reasons for this. They don’t want to lose time un-coaching bad HS practices, they don’t want added work and wear on their athletes, they want to minimize injuries, they want to make sure the athlete is getting the right exposure to the schools they want to target, etc.

One of the big selling points for RL in many markets is that the kids have the time and freedom to play HS soccer if that is important to them. And I can tell you, for kids that playing HS soccer is important enough to drop to RL or play for a bottom ECNL club, is a kid that has already capped their soccer career.

I know this much. The 2024 09 Boys National Champions were SC Surf having beaten vaunted Pipeline in the final match. Every single one of them played HS ball. Facts. But perhaps that team isn't among "the most competitive" to you.

Maybe your club's ECNL prohibits HS play, but painting all of ECNL with such a broad brush is wrong. The ECNL Southeast clubs only play in the Fall. There is no club option for them in the Spring for U15-U19.

Nobody said all ECNL…you made that up in order to argue.

The original poster definitely painted a broad brush and tried to imply that high level ECNL players don't play HS. Everyone here is calling bull. I'm in SoCal and everyone plays HS ball here. Just look at all the recruiting profiles online. Its part of the marketing package. So and so played for xyz club and helped their HS team win CIF championship, blah blah. The idea that high level recruits don't play HS, at least on the girls side is silly. Not as familiar with the boys side but multiple kids quit MLSN for the sole reason of playing HS. Ban kids from their school sports at your own peril. The season is only a couple months long, seems dumb to take that stance in a competitive market where top kids have options.

This is ECNL…define “high level recruit”. D1 ain’t what it used to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t see ECNL doing as much as some people hope they will do. I could see them addressing the trapped player problem in some way for next year’s crop of 8th graders but even that’s a long shot.

I will say I’ve seen this posted everywhere but have not seen US club or ECNL post the announcement plan that came out.

ECNL has nothing to do with HS soccer…why do people keep trotting out the 8th grade issue like it’s a grand injustice.

The lower grade players on a club team still get 4 years of HS soccer if they want to play HS soccer…they just don’t get it at the same time the 9th graders on their club team are able to play HS soccer. If you’re on an NPL or classic team, sure maybe those awful but extra touches are helpful. But if you’re playing ECNL (and your ECNL club allows you to play HS soccer…which many do not) then HS soccer reps are bad reps, and the 8th grader that is making up for it by playing in club, or grinding with a trainer will be 1000x better off.

Another BY wacko that has no clue how things work. Ofcourse ECNL allows HS play, lookup the history and why everyone gravitated to ECNL in the first place. ECNL has ALOT to do with HS soccer. ENCL kids aren't playing at school to get better BTW, life isn't all about going pro for these kids. Even the phenoms want to help their HS win state championship and ball out in front of classmates from time to time.

And if you don't care about the 8th grade issue then you're just a BY leftover trying to justify why the current system isn't that bad. I'm sorry, but your January kid is now going to compete the December kid sitting right next to them in history class. Maybe that is why your kid doesn't play in HS, because it would expose how inferior they are to the Q3/Q4 kids in the SAME grade. What a broken system...

News flash, many if not most ECNL clubs do not allow their players to play HS until they’re committed to a college.

That is a patently false statement. ECNL thrived where DA didn't in large part because it allowed for HS participation. ECNL for U-15-U19 is only for one season, whereas U-13/U-14 is for the whole year. Why? Because of the direct conflict with HS soccer. Regardless of your opinion of HS soccer, ECNL clubs work closely with the High Schools in many regions. Heck, a lot of High School work at those clubs too.

You’re not correct. And it depends on the ECNL club…the most competitive (and many that want to be the most competitive) DO NOT allow it. Does “ECNL” allow for it? Yes. But that doesn’t mean clubs have to allow for it.

Tons of reasons for this. They don’t want to lose time un-coaching bad HS practices, they don’t want added work and wear on their athletes, they want to minimize injuries, they want to make sure the athlete is getting the right exposure to the schools they want to target, etc.

One of the big selling points for RL in many markets is that the kids have the time and freedom to play HS soccer if that is important to them. And I can tell you, for kids that playing HS soccer is important enough to drop to RL or play for a bottom ECNL club, is a kid that has already capped their soccer career.

I know this much. The 2024 09 Boys National Champions were SC Surf having beaten vaunted Pipeline in the final match. Every single one of them played HS ball. Facts. But perhaps that team isn't among "the most competitive" to you.

Maybe your club's ECNL prohibits HS play, but painting all of ECNL with such a broad brush is wrong. The ECNL Southeast clubs only play in the Fall. There is no club option for them in the Spring for U15-U19.

Nobody said all ECNL…you made that up in order to argue.

The original poster definitely painted a broad brush and tried to imply that high level ECNL players don't play HS. Everyone here is calling bull. I'm in SoCal and everyone plays HS ball here. Just look at all the recruiting profiles online. Its part of the marketing package. So and so played for xyz club and helped their HS team win CIF championship, blah blah. The idea that high level recruits don't play HS, at least on the girls side is silly. Not as familiar with the boys side but multiple kids quit MLSN for the sole reason of playing HS. Ban kids from their school sports at your own peril. The season is only a couple months long, seems dumb to take that stance in a competitive market where top kids have options.

Spot on. The idea that clubs carry power doesn't apply to big markets. Every kid in our market is considering a move and being courted at all times by competitive clubs. Every club around is one offputting decision away from folding up shop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t see ECNL doing as much as some people hope they will do. I could see them addressing the trapped player problem in some way for next year’s crop of 8th graders but even that’s a long shot.

I will say I’ve seen this posted everywhere but have not seen US club or ECNL post the announcement plan that came out.

ECNL has nothing to do with HS soccer…why do people keep trotting out the 8th grade issue like it’s a grand injustice.

The lower grade players on a club team still get 4 years of HS soccer if they want to play HS soccer…they just don’t get it at the same time the 9th graders on their club team are able to play HS soccer. If you’re on an NPL or classic team, sure maybe those awful but extra touches are helpful. But if you’re playing ECNL (and your ECNL club allows you to play HS soccer…which many do not) then HS soccer reps are bad reps, and the 8th grader that is making up for it by playing in club, or grinding with a trainer will be 1000x better off.

Another BY wacko that has no clue how things work. Ofcourse ECNL allows HS play, lookup the history and why everyone gravitated to ECNL in the first place. ECNL has ALOT to do with HS soccer. ENCL kids aren't playing at school to get better BTW, life isn't all about going pro for these kids. Even the phenoms want to help their HS win state championship and ball out in front of classmates from time to time.

And if you don't care about the 8th grade issue then you're just a BY leftover trying to justify why the current system isn't that bad. I'm sorry, but your January kid is now going to compete the December kid sitting right next to them in history class. Maybe that is why your kid doesn't play in HS, because it would expose how inferior they are to the Q3/Q4 kids in the SAME grade. What a broken system...

News flash, many if not most ECNL clubs do not allow their players to play HS until they’re committed to a college.

That is a patently false statement. ECNL thrived where DA didn't in large part because it allowed for HS participation. ECNL for U-15-U19 is only for one season, whereas U-13/U-14 is for the whole year. Why? Because of the direct conflict with HS soccer. Regardless of your opinion of HS soccer, ECNL clubs work closely with the High Schools in many regions. Heck, a lot of High School work at those clubs too.

You’re not correct. And it depends on the ECNL club…the most competitive (and many that want to be the most competitive) DO NOT allow it. Does “ECNL” allow for it? Yes. But that doesn’t mean clubs have to allow for it.

Tons of reasons for this. They don’t want to lose time un-coaching bad HS practices, they don’t want added work and wear on their athletes, they want to minimize injuries, they want to make sure the athlete is getting the right exposure to the schools they want to target, etc.

One of the big selling points for RL in many markets is that the kids have the time and freedom to play HS soccer if that is important to them. And I can tell you, for kids that playing HS soccer is important enough to drop to RL or play for a bottom ECNL club, is a kid that has already capped their soccer career.

I know this much. The 2024 09 Boys National Champions were SC Surf having beaten vaunted Pipeline in the final match. Every single one of them played HS ball. Facts. But perhaps that team isn't among "the most competitive" to you.

Maybe your club's ECNL prohibits HS play, but painting all of ECNL with such a broad brush is wrong. The ECNL Southeast clubs only play in the Fall. There is no club option for them in the Spring for U15-U19.

Nobody said all ECNL…you made that up in order to argue.

The original poster definitely painted a broad brush and tried to imply that high level ECNL players don't play HS. Everyone here is calling bull. I'm in SoCal and everyone plays HS ball here. Just look at all the recruiting profiles online. It’s part of the marketing package. So and so played for xyz club and helped their HS team win CIF championship, blah blah. The idea that high level recruits don't play HS, at least on the girls side is silly. Not as familiar with the boys side but multiple kids quit MLSN for the sole reason of playing HS. Ban kids from their school sports at your own peril. The season is only a couple months long, seems dumb to take that stance in a competitive market where top kids have options.

Name the teams that allow it in your market then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t see ECNL doing as much as some people hope they will do. I could see them addressing the trapped player problem in some way for next year’s crop of 8th graders but even that’s a long shot.

I will say I’ve seen this posted everywhere but have not seen US club or ECNL post the announcement plan that came out.

ECNL has nothing to do with HS soccer…why do people keep trotting out the 8th grade issue like it’s a grand injustice.

The lower grade players on a club team still get 4 years of HS soccer if they want to play HS soccer…they just don’t get it at the same time the 9th graders on their club team are able to play HS soccer. If you’re on an NPL or classic team, sure maybe those awful but extra touches are helpful. But if you’re playing ECNL (and your ECNL club allows you to play HS soccer…which many do not) then HS soccer reps are bad reps, and the 8th grader that is making up for it by playing in club, or grinding with a trainer will be 1000x better off.

Another BY wacko that has no clue how things work. Ofcourse ECNL allows HS play, lookup the history and why everyone gravitated to ECNL in the first place. ECNL has ALOT to do with HS soccer. ENCL kids aren't playing at school to get better BTW, life isn't all about going pro for these kids. Even the phenoms want to help their HS win state championship and ball out in front of classmates from time to time.

And if you don't care about the 8th grade issue then you're just a BY leftover trying to justify why the current system isn't that bad. I'm sorry, but your January kid is now going to compete the December kid sitting right next to them in history class. Maybe that is why your kid doesn't play in HS, because it would expose how inferior they are to the Q3/Q4 kids in the SAME grade. What a broken system...

Beyond dumb take. Also fairly repugnant vicarious joy in their own framing of punching down…

Do you really think that parents of January players think of their kids as punching down like it seems you’re looking forward to for your Q3/Q4 kid?

A lot of projection going on with you I think.

Stop with the BY self loathing. It's not punching down. For the 1000'th time, your kid is sitting right next to another kid. They are in the same grade. They are graduating at the same time. They are competing for the same scholarship. How is it punching down to have them play together. Get your head out of the broken system. I know you're holding on tight. Im sorry you're losing an artificial advantage. But to call it punching down is ridiculous. I'm so happy my kid gets to play with classmates now. They've been 'punching up' for years. There's no RAE advantage to have a Dec and Jan kid on the same team. So why is my kid so much better than yours?? You're about to find out.

No PP, but to answer your question: Your kid likely has more experience (maybe at least a year, depending on when they started) AND perhaps more experience on bigger fields (depends on what age they are at). Right now, that edge only helps in 9th grade. If/when the switch happens, it'll be an edge for that season and the older they are, the less of an edge, really. As for the Jan kid, they're more than likely welcome a more experienced player onto their team. Younger players want to play up as much as possible. It helps them get better.

This is the misconception. Why are there so few Q4 kids at the higher levels? Its not one season. Its not that every older kid in 8th grade is worse than their younger counterparts. Really sit with that question. It makes no sense. The answer is over years of being the youngest kid and other challenges of being trapped, kids drop out. LONG before this magical age you speak of where birthdays don't matter anymore and it all comes down to skill. It isn't just one season.

Except NOW that it's changing, asking those Q4 survivors to play on a less experienced team really takes the cake. Dress it up as victory all you want BUT it's just the club likely literally handing your kid another setback so they can have a stronger team during this transition.

The nonsense continues to be laughable. You're right, January kids have had it so rough. And now the poor December babies are going to be forced to join those unfortunate January kids. We're actually screwing the December kids all up by forcing them to play down with those January kids. We should just stick with the current system, you're right. Excellent arguments for BY. lol.

They may be similar in age but if they're 2012, they're probably currently playing 11v11 whereas the 2013s are still doing 9v9. Next year 2013 now doing 11v11 for the first time. Developmentally, maybe not the best situation for the 2012 player. See how it's different perhaps depending how old you are now?

Also, not saying we should stay with BY or that it's inherently any better -- just manage the transition with common sense -- which means giving players more flexibility until the youngest age groups cycle through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t see ECNL doing as much as some people hope they will do. I could see them addressing the trapped player problem in some way for next year’s crop of 8th graders but even that’s a long shot.

I will say I’ve seen this posted everywhere but have not seen US club or ECNL post the announcement plan that came out.

ECNL has nothing to do with HS soccer…why do people keep trotting out the 8th grade issue like it’s a grand injustice.

The lower grade players on a club team still get 4 years of HS soccer if they want to play HS soccer…they just don’t get it at the same time the 9th graders on their club team are able to play HS soccer. If you’re on an NPL or classic team, sure maybe those awful but extra touches are helpful. But if you’re playing ECNL (and your ECNL club allows you to play HS soccer…which many do not) then HS soccer reps are bad reps, and the 8th grader that is making up for it by playing in club, or grinding with a trainer will be 1000x better off.

Another BY wacko that has no clue how things work. Ofcourse ECNL allows HS play, lookup the history and why everyone gravitated to ECNL in the first place. ECNL has ALOT to do with HS soccer. ENCL kids aren't playing at school to get better BTW, life isn't all about going pro for these kids. Even the phenoms want to help their HS win state championship and ball out in front of classmates from time to time.

And if you don't care about the 8th grade issue then you're just a BY leftover trying to justify why the current system isn't that bad. I'm sorry, but your January kid is now going to compete the December kid sitting right next to them in history class. Maybe that is why your kid doesn't play in HS, because it would expose how inferior they are to the Q3/Q4 kids in the SAME grade. What a broken system...

News flash, many if not most ECNL clubs do not allow their players to play HS until they’re committed to a college.

That is a patently false statement. ECNL thrived where DA didn't in large part because it allowed for HS participation. ECNL for U-15-U19 is only for one season, whereas U-13/U-14 is for the whole year. Why? Because of the direct conflict with HS soccer. Regardless of your opinion of HS soccer, ECNL clubs work closely with the High Schools in many regions. Heck, a lot of High School work at those clubs too.

You’re not correct. And it depends on the ECNL club…the most competitive (and many that want to be the most competitive) DO NOT allow it. Does “ECNL” allow for it? Yes. But that doesn’t mean clubs have to allow for it.

Tons of reasons for this. They don’t want to lose time un-coaching bad HS practices, they don’t want added work and wear on their athletes, they want to minimize injuries, they want to make sure the athlete is getting the right exposure to the schools they want to target, etc.

One of the big selling points for RL in many markets is that the kids have the time and freedom to play HS soccer if that is important to them. And I can tell you, for kids that playing HS soccer is important enough to drop to RL or play for a bottom ECNL club, is a kid that has already capped their soccer career.

I know this much. The 2024 09 Boys National Champions were SC Surf having beaten vaunted Pipeline in the final match. Every single one of them played HS ball. Facts. But perhaps that team isn't among "the most competitive" to you.

Maybe your club's ECNL prohibits HS play, but painting all of ECNL with such a broad brush is wrong. The ECNL Southeast clubs only play in the Fall. There is no club option for them in the Spring for U15-U19.

Nobody said all ECNL…you made that up in order to argue.

The original poster definitely painted a broad brush and tried to imply that high level ECNL players don't play HS. Everyone here is calling bull. I'm in SoCal and everyone plays HS ball here. Just look at all the recruiting profiles online. Its part of the marketing package. So and so played for xyz club and helped their HS team win CIF championship, blah blah. The idea that high level recruits don't play HS, at least on the girls side is silly. Not as familiar with the boys side but multiple kids quit MLSN for the sole reason of playing HS. Ban kids from their school sports at your own peril. The season is only a couple months long, seems dumb to take that stance in a competitive market where top kids have options.

This is ECNL…define “high level recruit”. D1 ain’t what it used to be.

D1 is the destination for everyone I know. Nobody is sending their daughter across the world to play soccer. Boys might be different, IDK. But high level recruit is national team members courted by top 10 schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t see ECNL doing as much as some people hope they will do. I could see them addressing the trapped player problem in some way for next year’s crop of 8th graders but even that’s a long shot.

I will say I’ve seen this posted everywhere but have not seen US club or ECNL post the announcement plan that came out.

ECNL has nothing to do with HS soccer…why do people keep trotting out the 8th grade issue like it’s a grand injustice.

The lower grade players on a club team still get 4 years of HS soccer if they want to play HS soccer…they just don’t get it at the same time the 9th graders on their club team are able to play HS soccer. If you’re on an NPL or classic team, sure maybe those awful but extra touches are helpful. But if you’re playing ECNL (and your ECNL club allows you to play HS soccer…which many do not) then HS soccer reps are bad reps, and the 8th grader that is making up for it by playing in club, or grinding with a trainer will be 1000x better off.

Another BY wacko that has no clue how things work. Ofcourse ECNL allows HS play, lookup the history and why everyone gravitated to ECNL in the first place. ECNL has ALOT to do with HS soccer. ENCL kids aren't playing at school to get better BTW, life isn't all about going pro for these kids. Even the phenoms want to help their HS win state championship and ball out in front of classmates from time to time.

And if you don't care about the 8th grade issue then you're just a BY leftover trying to justify why the current system isn't that bad. I'm sorry, but your January kid is now going to compete the December kid sitting right next to them in history class. Maybe that is why your kid doesn't play in HS, because it would expose how inferior they are to the Q3/Q4 kids in the SAME grade. What a broken system...

News flash, many if not most ECNL clubs do not allow their players to play HS until they’re committed to a college.

That is a patently false statement. ECNL thrived where DA didn't in large part because it allowed for HS participation. ECNL for U-15-U19 is only for one season, whereas U-13/U-14 is for the whole year. Why? Because of the direct conflict with HS soccer. Regardless of your opinion of HS soccer, ECNL clubs work closely with the High Schools in many regions. Heck, a lot of High School work at those clubs too.

You’re not correct. And it depends on the ECNL club…the most competitive (and many that want to be the most competitive) DO NOT allow it. Does “ECNL” allow for it? Yes. But that doesn’t mean clubs have to allow for it.

Tons of reasons for this. They don’t want to lose time un-coaching bad HS practices, they don’t want added work and wear on their athletes, they want to minimize injuries, they want to make sure the athlete is getting the right exposure to the schools they want to target, etc.

One of the big selling points for RL in many markets is that the kids have the time and freedom to play HS soccer if that is important to them. And I can tell you, for kids that playing HS soccer is important enough to drop to RL or play for a bottom ECNL club, is a kid that has already capped their soccer career.

I know this much. The 2024 09 Boys National Champions were SC Surf having beaten vaunted Pipeline in the final match. Every single one of them played HS ball. Facts. But perhaps that team isn't among "the most competitive" to you.

Maybe your club's ECNL prohibits HS play, but painting all of ECNL with such a broad brush is wrong. The ECNL Southeast clubs only play in the Fall. There is no club option for them in the Spring for U15-U19.

Nobody said all ECNL…you made that up in order to argue.

The original poster definitely painted a broad brush and tried to imply that high level ECNL players don't play HS. Everyone here is calling bull. I'm in SoCal and everyone plays HS ball here. Just look at all the recruiting profiles online. Its part of the marketing package. So and so played for xyz club and helped their HS team win CIF championship, blah blah. The idea that high level recruits don't play HS, at least on the girls side is silly. Not as familiar with the boys side but multiple kids quit MLSN for the sole reason of playing HS. Ban kids from their school sports at your own peril. The season is only a couple months long, seems dumb to take that stance in a competitive market where top kids have options.

This is ECNL…define “high level recruit”. D1 ain’t what it used to be.

D1 is the destination for everyone I know. Nobody is sending their daughter across the world to play soccer. Boys might be different, IDK. But high level recruit is national team members courted by top 10 schools.

The point I’m making is that there D1 is a vast landscape. Being a D1 tier recruit is not high level. There are bench warmers that are D1 level recruits.

[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:I just don’t see ECNL doing as much as some people hope they will do. I could see them addressing the trapped player problem in some way for next year’s crop of 8th graders but even that’s a long shot.

I will say I’ve seen this posted everywhere but have not seen US club or ECNL post the announcement plan that came out.

ECNL has nothing to do with HS soccer…why do people keep trotting out the 8th grade issue like it’s a grand injustice.

The lower grade players on a club team still get 4 years of HS soccer if they want to play HS soccer…they just don’t get it at the same time the 9th graders on their club team are able to play HS soccer. If you’re on an NPL or classic team, sure maybe those awful but extra touches are helpful. But if you’re playing ECNL (and your ECNL club allows you to play HS soccer…which many do not) then HS soccer reps are bad reps, and the 8th grader that is making up for it by playing in club, or grinding with a trainer will be 1000x better off.

Another BY wacko that has no clue how things work. Ofcourse ECNL allows HS play, lookup the history and why everyone gravitated to ECNL in the first place. ECNL has ALOT to do with HS soccer. ENCL kids aren't playing at school to get better BTW, life isn't all about going pro for these kids. Even the phenoms want to help their HS win state championship and ball out in front of classmates from time to time.

And if you don't care about the 8th grade issue then you're just a BY leftover trying to justify why the current system isn't that bad. I'm sorry, but your January kid is now going to compete the December kid sitting right next to them in history class. Maybe that is why your kid doesn't play in HS, because it would expose how inferior they are to the Q3/Q4 kids in the SAME grade. What a broken system...

News flash, many if not most ECNL clubs do not allow their players to play HS until they’re committed to a college.

That is a patently false statement. ECNL thrived where DA didn't in large part because it allowed for HS participation. ECNL for U-15-U19 is only for one season, whereas U-13/U-14 is for the whole year. Why? Because of the direct conflict with HS soccer. Regardless of your opinion of HS soccer, ECNL clubs work closely with the High Schools in many regions. Heck, a lot of High School work at those clubs too.

You’re not correct. And it depends on the ECNL club…the most competitive (and many that want to be the most competitive) DO NOT allow it. Does “ECNL” allow for it? Yes. But that doesn’t mean clubs have to allow for it.

Tons of reasons for this. They don’t want to lose time un-coaching bad HS practices, they don’t want added work and wear on their athletes, they want to minimize injuries, they want to make sure the athlete is getting the right exposure to the schools they want to target, etc.

One of the big selling points for RL in many markets is that the kids have the time and freedom to play HS soccer if that is important to them. And I can tell you, for kids that playing HS soccer is important enough to drop to RL or play for a bottom ECNL club, is a kid that has already capped their soccer career.

I know this much. The 2024 09 Boys National Champions were SC Surf having beaten vaunted Pipeline in the final match. Every single one of them played HS ball. Facts. But perhaps that team isn't among "the most competitive" to you.

Maybe your club's ECNL prohibits HS play, but painting all of ECNL with such a broad brush is wrong. The ECNL Southeast clubs only play in the Fall. There is no club option for them in the Spring for U15-U19.

Nobody said all ECNL…you made that up in order to argue.

The original poster definitely painted a broad brush and tried to imply that high level ECNL players don't play HS. Everyone here is calling bull. I'm in SoCal and everyone plays HS ball here. Just look at all the recruiting profiles online. Its part of the marketing package. So and so played for xyz club and helped their HS team win CIF championship, blah blah. The idea that high level recruits don't play HS, at least on the girls side is silly. Not as familiar with the boys side but multiple kids quit MLSN for the sole reason of playing HS. Ban kids from their school sports at your own peril. The season is only a couple months long, seems dumb to take that stance in a competitive market where top kids have options.

This is ECNL…define “high level recruit”. D1 ain’t what it used to be.

D1 is the destination for everyone I know. Nobody is sending their daughter across the world to play soccer. Boys might be different, IDK. But high level recruit is national team members courted by top 10 schools.

The point I’m making is that there D1 is a vast landscape. Being a D1 tier recruit is not high level. There are bench warmers that are D1 level recruits.

It happens. I know of a couple of players who were among the best in their state, recruited by and were on a top-tier D1 team and rarely saw the field in college. They got a good education, at least. Except for the world's-best, everyone is humbled eventually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t see ECNL doing as much as some people hope they will do. I could see them addressing the trapped player problem in some way for next year’s crop of 8th graders but even that’s a long shot.

I will say I’ve seen this posted everywhere but have not seen US club or ECNL post the announcement plan that came out.

ECNL has nothing to do with HS soccer…why do people keep trotting out the 8th grade issue like it’s a grand injustice.

The lower grade players on a club team still get 4 years of HS soccer if they want to play HS soccer…they just don’t get it at the same time the 9th graders on their club team are able to play HS soccer. If you’re on an NPL or classic team, sure maybe those awful but extra touches are helpful. But if you’re playing ECNL (and your ECNL club allows you to play HS soccer…which many do not) then HS soccer reps are bad reps, and the 8th grader that is making up for it by playing in club, or grinding with a trainer will be 1000x better off.

Another BY wacko that has no clue how things work. Ofcourse ECNL allows HS play, lookup the history and why everyone gravitated to ECNL in the first place. ECNL has ALOT to do with HS soccer. ENCL kids aren't playing at school to get better BTW, life isn't all about going pro for these kids. Even the phenoms want to help their HS win state championship and ball out in front of classmates from time to time.

And if you don't care about the 8th grade issue then you're just a BY leftover trying to justify why the current system isn't that bad. I'm sorry, but your January kid is now going to compete the December kid sitting right next to them in history class. Maybe that is why your kid doesn't play in HS, because it would expose how inferior they are to the Q3/Q4 kids in the SAME grade. What a broken system...

News flash, many if not most ECNL clubs do not allow their players to play HS until they’re committed to a college.

That is a patently false statement. ECNL thrived where DA didn't in large part because it allowed for HS participation. ECNL for U-15-U19 is only for one season, whereas U-13/U-14 is for the whole year. Why? Because of the direct conflict with HS soccer. Regardless of your opinion of HS soccer, ECNL clubs work closely with the High Schools in many regions. Heck, a lot of High School work at those clubs too.

You’re not correct. And it depends on the ECNL club…the most competitive (and many that want to be the most competitive) DO NOT allow it. Does “ECNL” allow for it? Yes. But that doesn’t mean clubs have to allow for it.

Tons of reasons for this. They don’t want to lose time un-coaching bad HS practices, they don’t want added work and wear on their athletes, they want to minimize injuries, they want to make sure the athlete is getting the right exposure to the schools they want to target, etc.

One of the big selling points for RL in many markets is that the kids have the time and freedom to play HS soccer if that is important to them. And I can tell you, for kids that playing HS soccer is important enough to drop to RL or play for a bottom ECNL club, is a kid that has already capped their soccer career.

What market are you in?? lol. The club wants this. The club wants that. We're in a competitive market. My daughter has options. I'd love for the club to try and dictate no HS ball so they can cease to exist. Maybe they tried that with the bubble players but everyone around here plays HS ball and is a major selling point for ECNL.

It's a great selling point BUT often only exactly that. Every player is one recruit away from seeing the bench or placement on a lower team, especially at the highest levels, where that's how teams get better, many of the top clubs. They recruit the players who already developed ELSEWHERE. That's why they are absolutely salivating over this change. Recruiting is their bread-and-butter and they look to exploit any rule change and this is the mother of all rule changes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t see ECNL doing as much as some people hope they will do. I could see them addressing the trapped player problem in some way for next year’s crop of 8th graders but even that’s a long shot.

I will say I’ve seen this posted everywhere but have not seen US club or ECNL post the announcement plan that came out.

ECNL has nothing to do with HS soccer…why do people keep trotting out the 8th grade issue like it’s a grand injustice.

The lower grade players on a club team still get 4 years of HS soccer if they want to play HS soccer…they just don’t get it at the same time the 9th graders on their club team are able to play HS soccer. If you’re on an NPL or classic team, sure maybe those awful but extra touches are helpful. But if you’re playing ECNL (and your ECNL club allows you to play HS soccer…which many do not) then HS soccer reps are bad reps, and the 8th grader that is making up for it by playing in club, or grinding with a trainer will be 1000x better off.

Another BY wacko that has no clue how things work. Ofcourse ECNL allows HS play, lookup the history and why everyone gravitated to ECNL in the first place. ECNL has ALOT to do with HS soccer. ENCL kids aren't playing at school to get better BTW, life isn't all about going pro for these kids. Even the phenoms want to help their HS win state championship and ball out in front of classmates from time to time.

And if you don't care about the 8th grade issue then you're just a BY leftover trying to justify why the current system isn't that bad. I'm sorry, but your January kid is now going to compete the December kid sitting right next to them in history class. Maybe that is why your kid doesn't play in HS, because it would expose how inferior they are to the Q3/Q4 kids in the SAME grade. What a broken system...

News flash, many if not most ECNL clubs do not allow their players to play HS until they’re committed to a college.

That is a patently false statement. ECNL thrived where DA didn't in large part because it allowed for HS participation. ECNL for U-15-U19 is only for one season, whereas U-13/U-14 is for the whole year. Why? Because of the direct conflict with HS soccer. Regardless of your opinion of HS soccer, ECNL clubs work closely with the High Schools in many regions. Heck, a lot of High School work at those clubs too.

You’re not correct. And it depends on the ECNL club…the most competitive (and many that want to be the most competitive) DO NOT allow it. Does “ECNL” allow for it? Yes. But that doesn’t mean clubs have to allow for it.

Tons of reasons for this. They don’t want to lose time un-coaching bad HS practices, they don’t want added work and wear on their athletes, they want to minimize injuries, they want to make sure the athlete is getting the right exposure to the schools they want to target, etc.

One of the big selling points for RL in many markets is that the kids have the time and freedom to play HS soccer if that is important to them. And I can tell you, for kids that playing HS soccer is important enough to drop to RL or play for a bottom ECNL club, is a kid that has already capped their soccer career.

I know this much. The 2024 09 Boys National Champions were SC Surf having beaten vaunted Pipeline in the final match. Every single one of them played HS ball. Facts. But perhaps that team isn't among "the most competitive" to you.

Maybe your club's ECNL prohibits HS play, but painting all of ECNL with such a broad brush is wrong. The ECNL Southeast clubs only play in the Fall. There is no club option for them in the Spring for U15-U19.

this is 100% incorrect. The SouthEast ECNL girls play in the Fall and Spring for the Florida Teams. High School is now/Winter in Florida.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t see ECNL doing as much as some people hope they will do. I could see them addressing the trapped player problem in some way for next year’s crop of 8th graders but even that’s a long shot.

I will say I’ve seen this posted everywhere but have not seen US club or ECNL post the announcement plan that came out.

ECNL has nothing to do with HS soccer…why do people keep trotting out the 8th grade issue like it’s a grand injustice.

The lower grade players on a club team still get 4 years of HS soccer if they want to play HS soccer…they just don’t get it at the same time the 9th graders on their club team are able to play HS soccer. If you’re on an NPL or classic team, sure maybe those awful but extra touches are helpful. But if you’re playing ECNL (and your ECNL club allows you to play HS soccer…which many do not) then HS soccer reps are bad reps, and the 8th grader that is making up for it by playing in club, or grinding with a trainer will be 1000x better off.

Another BY wacko that has no clue how things work. Ofcourse ECNL allows HS play, lookup the history and why everyone gravitated to ECNL in the first place. ECNL has ALOT to do with HS soccer. ENCL kids aren't playing at school to get better BTW, life isn't all about going pro for these kids. Even the phenoms want to help their HS win state championship and ball out in front of classmates from time to time.

And if you don't care about the 8th grade issue then you're just a BY leftover trying to justify why the current system isn't that bad. I'm sorry, but your January kid is now going to compete the December kid sitting right next to them in history class. Maybe that is why your kid doesn't play in HS, because it would expose how inferior they are to the Q3/Q4 kids in the SAME grade. What a broken system...

News flash, many if not most ECNL clubs do not allow their players to play HS until they’re committed to a college.

That is a patently false statement. ECNL thrived where DA didn't in large part because it allowed for HS participation. ECNL for U-15-U19 is only for one season, whereas U-13/U-14 is for the whole year. Why? Because of the direct conflict with HS soccer. Regardless of your opinion of HS soccer, ECNL clubs work closely with the High Schools in many regions. Heck, a lot of High School work at those clubs too.

You’re not correct. And it depends on the ECNL club…the most competitive (and many that want to be the most competitive) DO NOT allow it. Does “ECNL” allow for it? Yes. But that doesn’t mean clubs have to allow for it.

Tons of reasons for this. They don’t want to lose time un-coaching bad HS practices, they don’t want added work and wear on their athletes, they want to minimize injuries, they want to make sure the athlete is getting the right exposure to the schools they want to target, etc.

One of the big selling points for RL in many markets is that the kids have the time and freedom to play HS soccer if that is important to them. And I can tell you, for kids that playing HS soccer is important enough to drop to RL or play for a bottom ECNL club, is a kid that has already capped their soccer career.

I know this much. The 2024 09 Boys National Champions were SC Surf having beaten vaunted Pipeline in the final match. Every single one of them played HS ball. Facts. But perhaps that team isn't among "the most competitive" to you.

Maybe your club's ECNL prohibits HS play, but painting all of ECNL with such a broad brush is wrong. The ECNL Southeast clubs only play in the Fall. There is no club option for them in the Spring for U15-U19.

Nobody said all ECNL…you made that up in order to argue.

The original poster definitely painted a broad brush and tried to imply that high level ECNL players don't play HS. Everyone here is calling bull. I'm in SoCal and everyone plays HS ball here. Just look at all the recruiting profiles online. Its part of the marketing package. So and so played for xyz club and helped their HS team win CIF championship, blah blah. The idea that high level recruits don't play HS, at least on the girls side is silly. Not as familiar with the boys side but multiple kids quit MLSN for the sole reason of playing HS. Ban kids from their school sports at your own peril. The season is only a couple months long, seems dumb to take that stance in a competitive market where top kids have options.

This is ECNL…define “high level recruit”. D1 ain’t what it used to be.

D1 is the destination for everyone I know. Nobody is sending their daughter across the world to play soccer. Boys might be different, IDK. But high level recruit is national team members courted by top 10 schools.

The point I’m making is that there D1 is a vast landscape. Being a D1 tier recruit is not high level. There are bench warmers that are D1 level recruits.

It happens. I know of a couple of players who were among the best in their state, recruited by and were on a top-tier D1 team and rarely saw the field in college. They got a good education, at least. Except for the world's-best, everyone is humbled eventually.

Even the worlds best are humbled eventually. Pulisic is arguably the best player the US ever produced (well, kindof...took the Germans to intervene and identify the talent. He barely sniffed the field at Chelsea. Lesson for all the Q4 parents rejoicing...if you're the best player on the field, you're on the wrong field.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t see ECNL doing as much as some people hope they will do. I could see them addressing the trapped player problem in some way for next year’s crop of 8th graders but even that’s a long shot.

I will say I’ve seen this posted everywhere but have not seen US club or ECNL post the announcement plan that came out.

ECNL has nothing to do with HS soccer…why do people keep trotting out the 8th grade issue like it’s a grand injustice.

The lower grade players on a club team still get 4 years of HS soccer if they want to play HS soccer…they just don’t get it at the same time the 9th graders on their club team are able to play HS soccer. If you’re on an NPL or classic team, sure maybe those awful but extra touches are helpful. But if you’re playing ECNL (and your ECNL club allows you to play HS soccer…which many do not) then HS soccer reps are bad reps, and the 8th grader that is making up for it by playing in club, or grinding with a trainer will be 1000x better off.

Another BY wacko that has no clue how things work. Ofcourse ECNL allows HS play, lookup the history and why everyone gravitated to ECNL in the first place. ECNL has ALOT to do with HS soccer. ENCL kids aren't playing at school to get better BTW, life isn't all about going pro for these kids. Even the phenoms want to help their HS win state championship and ball out in front of classmates from time to time.

And if you don't care about the 8th grade issue then you're just a BY leftover trying to justify why the current system isn't that bad. I'm sorry, but your January kid is now going to compete the December kid sitting right next to them in history class. Maybe that is why your kid doesn't play in HS, because it would expose how inferior they are to the Q3/Q4 kids in the SAME grade. What a broken system...

News flash, many if not most ECNL clubs do not allow their players to play HS until they’re committed to a college.

That is a patently false statement. ECNL thrived where DA didn't in large part because it allowed for HS participation. ECNL for U-15-U19 is only for one season, whereas U-13/U-14 is for the whole year. Why? Because of the direct conflict with HS soccer. Regardless of your opinion of HS soccer, ECNL clubs work closely with the High Schools in many regions. Heck, a lot of High School work at those clubs too.

You’re not correct. And it depends on the ECNL club…the most competitive (and many that want to be the most competitive) DO NOT allow it. Does “ECNL” allow for it? Yes. But that doesn’t mean clubs have to allow for it.

Tons of reasons for this. They don’t want to lose time un-coaching bad HS practices, they don’t want added work and wear on their athletes, they want to minimize injuries, they want to make sure the athlete is getting the right exposure to the schools they want to target, etc.

One of the big selling points for RL in many markets is that the kids have the time and freedom to play HS soccer if that is important to them. And I can tell you, for kids that playing HS soccer is important enough to drop to RL or play for a bottom ECNL club, is a kid that has already capped their soccer career.

I know this much. The 2024 09 Boys National Champions were SC Surf having beaten vaunted Pipeline in the final match. Every single one of them played HS ball. Facts. But perhaps that team isn't among "the most competitive" to you.

Maybe your club's ECNL prohibits HS play, but painting all of ECNL with such a broad brush is wrong. The ECNL Southeast clubs only play in the Fall. There is no club option for them in the Spring for U15-U19.

Nobody said all ECNL…you made that up in order to argue.

The original poster definitely painted a broad brush and tried to imply that high level ECNL players don't play HS. Everyone here is calling bull. I'm in SoCal and everyone plays HS ball here. Just look at all the recruiting profiles online. Its part of the marketing package. So and so played for xyz club and helped their HS team win CIF championship, blah blah. The idea that high level recruits don't play HS, at least on the girls side is silly. Not as familiar with the boys side but multiple kids quit MLSN for the sole reason of playing HS. Ban kids from their school sports at your own peril. The season is only a couple months long, seems dumb to take that stance in a competitive market where top kids have options.

This is ECNL…define “high level recruit”. D1 ain’t what it used to be.

D1 is the destination for everyone I know. Nobody is sending their daughter across the world to play soccer. Boys might be different, IDK. But high level recruit is national team members courted by top 10 schools.

The point I’m making is that there D1 is a vast landscape. Being a D1 tier recruit is not high level. There are bench warmers that are D1 level recruits.

It happens. I know of a couple of players who were among the best in their state, recruited by and were on a top-tier D1 team and rarely saw the field in college. They got a good education, at least. Except for the world's-best, everyone is humbled eventually.

Even the worlds best are humbled eventually. Pulisic is arguably the best player the US ever produced (well, kindof...took the Germans to intervene and identify the talent. He barely sniffed the field at Chelsea. Lesson for all the Q4 parents rejoicing...if you're the best player on the field, you're on the wrong field.

Great point about development. But keep in mind there is a small contingent of militant Q4 parents in this thread that are saying “my kid isn’t the best on the field, maybe not even on the same field, but this cut-off changed makes them the best now, and it will be glorious.”

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t see ECNL doing as much as some people hope they will do. I could see them addressing the trapped player problem in some way for next year’s crop of 8th graders but even that’s a long shot.

I will say I’ve seen this posted everywhere but have not seen US club or ECNL post the announcement plan that came out.

ECNL has nothing to do with HS soccer…why do people keep trotting out the 8th grade issue like it’s a grand injustice.

The lower grade players on a club team still get 4 years of HS soccer if they want to play HS soccer…they just don’t get it at the same time the 9th graders on their club team are able to play HS soccer. If you’re on an NPL or classic team, sure maybe those awful but extra touches are helpful. But if you’re playing ECNL (and your ECNL club allows you to play HS soccer…which many do not) then HS soccer reps are bad reps, and the 8th grader that is making up for it by playing in club, or grinding with a trainer will be 1000x better off.

Another BY wacko that has no clue how things work. Ofcourse ECNL allows HS play, lookup the history and why everyone gravitated to ECNL in the first place. ECNL has ALOT to do with HS soccer. ENCL kids aren't playing at school to get better BTW, life isn't all about going pro for these kids. Even the phenoms want to help their HS win state championship and ball out in front of classmates from time to time.

And if you don't care about the 8th grade issue then you're just a BY leftover trying to justify why the current system isn't that bad. I'm sorry, but your January kid is now going to compete the December kid sitting right next to them in history class. Maybe that is why your kid doesn't play in HS, because it would expose how inferior they are to the Q3/Q4 kids in the SAME grade. What a broken system...

News flash, many if not most ECNL clubs do not allow their players to play HS until they’re committed to a college.

That is a patently false statement. ECNL thrived where DA didn't in large part because it allowed for HS participation. ECNL for U-15-U19 is only for one season, whereas U-13/U-14 is for the whole year. Why? Because of the direct conflict with HS soccer. Regardless of your opinion of HS soccer, ECNL clubs work closely with the High Schools in many regions. Heck, a lot of High School work at those clubs too.

You’re not correct. And it depends on the ECNL club…the most competitive (and many that want to be the most competitive) DO NOT allow it. Does “ECNL” allow for it? Yes. But that doesn’t mean clubs have to allow for it.

Tons of reasons for this. They don’t want to lose time un-coaching bad HS practices, they don’t want added work and wear on their athletes, they want to minimize injuries, they want to make sure the athlete is getting the right exposure to the schools they want to target, etc.

One of the big selling points for RL in many markets is that the kids have the time and freedom to play HS soccer if that is important to them. And I can tell you, for kids that playing HS soccer is important enough to drop to RL or play for a bottom ECNL club, is a kid that has already capped their soccer career.

I know this much. The 2024 09 Boys National Champions were SC Surf having beaten vaunted Pipeline in the final match. Every single one of them played HS ball. Facts. But perhaps that team isn't among "the most competitive" to you.

Maybe your club's ECNL prohibits HS play, but painting all of ECNL with such a broad brush is wrong. The ECNL Southeast clubs only play in the Fall. There is no club option for them in the Spring for U15-U19.

Nobody said all ECNL…you made that up in order to argue.

The original poster definitely painted a broad brush and tried to imply that high level ECNL players don't play HS. Everyone here is calling bull. I'm in SoCal and everyone plays HS ball here. Just look at all the recruiting profiles online. Its part of the marketing package. So and so played for xyz club and helped their HS team win CIF championship, blah blah. The idea that high level recruits don't play HS, at least on the girls side is silly. Not as familiar with the boys side but multiple kids quit MLSN for the sole reason of playing HS. Ban kids from their school sports at your own peril. The season is only a couple months long, seems dumb to take that stance in a competitive market where top kids have options.

This is ECNL…define “high level recruit”. D1 ain’t what it used to be.

D1 is the destination for everyone I know. Nobody is sending their daughter across the world to play soccer. Boys might be different, IDK. But high level recruit is national team members courted by top 10 schools.

The point I’m making is that there D1 is a vast landscape. Being a D1 tier recruit is not high level. There are bench warmers that are D1 level recruits.

It happens. I know of a couple of players who were among the best in their state, recruited by and were on a top-tier D1 team and rarely saw the field in college. They got a good education, at least. Except for the world's-best, everyone is humbled eventually.

Even the worlds best are humbled eventually. Pulisic is arguably the best player the US ever produced (well, kindof...took the Germans to intervene and identify the talent. He barely sniffed the field at Chelsea. Lesson for all the Q4 parents rejoicing...if you're the best player on the field, you're on the wrong field.

Great point about development. But keep in mind there is a small contingent of militant Q4 parents in this thread that are saying “my kid isn’t the best on the field, maybe not even on the same field, but this cut-off changed makes them the best now, and it will be glorious.”

You got it. This is my situation. My daughter is not the best on her current team but zero doubt in my mind she'll run circles around the girls a year down. My daughter regularly guests up 2-3 years. This change is almost laughable how good she'll be compared to her peers. I just feel bad for her schoolmates that thought they were good. Maybe I'll be proven wrong and she'll continue to be only top 7 on her next team. But at her age the size and speed difference is insane. She hasn't practiced with the younger group yet, they aren't allowed anywhere near the older girls because they'll get crushed, and maybe even hurt. Judging by the coaches sniffing around though, my daughter has her pick of team and position in 2026. We'll see....