ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why anyone would even want to play in US college, quality is non-existent. See for example ongoing NCAA tournament. Kickball.

Are you talking about the mens or womens side? Anytime you want to go try to star for Indiana, Stanford, or Clemson mens soccer - go right ahead. Let's see how your version of kickball fits into their systems.

So I’m watching Stanford vs Ohio State right now, and it’s pure kickball. Exceptionally athletic guys, but they are not playing the same sport the rest of the world plays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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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.

D1 is truly a vast landscape and from what everyone has told us, chasing top programs is fools gold. It sounds like a miserable experience and regardless of talent, not something we're interested in. Pro isn't a destination for us. Family of physicians and lawyers, we're looking at Ivy or great teaching institutions and a program that will take care of our daughter, not just on the field but all around. If you really want your kid in the power 5, ask around so you know what you're getting into. Not discounting if that's your dream but I've yet to speak with someone that loved the experience. Every year the transfer portal is loaded with young women that realize the reality of playing at those schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why anyone would even want to play in US college, quality is non-existent. See for example ongoing NCAA tournament. Kickball.

Are you talking about the mens or womens side? Anytime you want to go try to star for Indiana, Stanford, or Clemson mens soccer - go right ahead. Let's see how your version of kickball fits into their systems.

So I’m watching Stanford vs Ohio State right now, and it’s pure kickball. Exceptionally athletic guys, but they are not playing the same sport the rest of the world plays.

Isn't that what we're known for? Speed and athleticism? I wonder if that is a bad thing. Is that the full explanation on why we can't compete on the mens side worldwide?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why anyone would even want to play in US college, quality is non-existent. See for example ongoing NCAA tournament. Kickball.

Are you talking about the mens or womens side? Anytime you want to go try to star for Indiana, Stanford, or Clemson mens soccer - go right ahead. Let's see how your version of kickball fits into their systems.

So I’m watching Stanford vs Ohio State right now, and it’s pure kickball. Exceptionally athletic guys, but they are not playing the same sport the rest of the world plays.

Isn't that what we're known for? Speed and athleticism? I wonder if that is a bad thing. Is that the full explanation on why we can't compete on the mens side worldwide?

Until I see a person outrun a ball, yes, it's a bad thing.

[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:

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....

Don't get too high on being bigger and faster. You should celebrate if and when she has the highest motor on the field and can do things with the ball that noone else can. It's the high motors with skills who survive in this sport, not the biggest and strongest.

[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:

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....

Are you sure you aren't talking about HS? It could easily be the case for a top-tier club player, who plays up 2-3 years up, choosing to play on their HS team. They'd likely be far and above rec and other even lesser club players, as you describe. But if your club never allows the younger age group play the age right above, then something is off with that age group OR your club. That usually happens when the best players on the younger team get asked to play up.

But the whole -- my daughter isn't the best on her team but plays up 2-3 years -- really makes think you are trolling to get this thing to 400 pages!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why anyone would even want to play in US college, quality is non-existent. See for example ongoing NCAA tournament. Kickball.

Are you talking about the mens or womens side? Anytime you want to go try to star for Indiana, Stanford, or Clemson mens soccer - go right ahead. Let's see how your version of kickball fits into their systems.

So I’m watching Stanford vs Ohio State right now, and it’s pure kickball. Exceptionally athletic guys, but they are not playing the same sport the rest of the world plays.

Isn't that what we're known for? Speed and athleticism? I wonder if that is a bad thing. Is that the full explanation on why we can't compete on the mens side worldwide?

Until I see a person outrun a ball, yes, it's a bad thing.

What's glorious is watching a dedicated youth team work together over the course of the season to build from the back and be able to reverse the ball. Also, watching teamwork slowly develop in the ability to defend and score to win decisively against strong opponents. Knowing how many hours go into that work, it is beautiful to watch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why anyone would even want to play in US college, quality is non-existent. See for example ongoing NCAA tournament. Kickball.

Are you talking about the mens or womens side? Anytime you want to go try to star for Indiana, Stanford, or Clemson mens soccer - go right ahead. Let's see how your version of kickball fits into their systems.

So I’m watching Stanford vs Ohio State right now, and it’s pure kickball. Exceptionally athletic guys, but they are not playing the same sport the rest of the world plays.

Isn't that what we're known for? Speed and athleticism? I wonder if that is a bad thing. Is that the full explanation on why we can't compete on the mens side worldwide?

Seems manipulating the round object and having high soccer intelligence is valued by those loser countries in South America and Europe etc

[Anonymous]

Hoping for some insight- my daughter is a Q4 2013. Starter on her team and highest goal scorer. Out with a season ending injury and won’t be able to partake in tryouts in the spring. We have enough film to hi light her skills. However after 1 season she will switch teams due to school year. Should she just start on a lower team in a new club and wait it out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why anyone would even want to play in US college, quality is non-existent. See for example ongoing NCAA tournament. Kickball.

Are you talking about the mens or womens side? Anytime you want to go try to star for Indiana, Stanford, or Clemson mens soccer - go right ahead. Let's see how your version of kickball fits into their systems.

So I’m watching Stanford vs Ohio State right now, and it’s pure kickball. Exceptionally athletic guys, but they are not playing the same sport the rest of the world plays.

Isn't that what we're known for? Speed and athleticism? I wonder if that is a bad thing. Is that the full explanation on why we can't compete on the mens side worldwide?

Until I see a person outrun a ball, yes, it's a bad thing.

What's glorious is watching a dedicated youth team work together over the course of the season to build from the back and be able to reverse the ball. Also, watching teamwork slowly develop in the ability to defend and score to win decisively against strong opponents. Knowing how many hours go into that work, it is beautiful to watch.

Wish I could find that for my daughter in the DMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why anyone would even want to play in US college, quality is non-existent. See for example ongoing NCAA tournament. Kickball.

Are you talking about the mens or womens side? Anytime you want to go try to star for Indiana, Stanford, or Clemson mens soccer - go right ahead. Let's see how your version of kickball fits into their systems.

So I’m watching Stanford vs Ohio State right now, and it’s pure kickball. Exceptionally athletic guys, but they are not playing the same sport the rest of the world plays.

That is BS. You can have your opinion but it is BS.

[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:

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....

No she does not guest up 2-3 years. BS

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Anonymous wrote:Not sure why anyone would even want to play in US college, quality is non-existent. See for example ongoing NCAA tournament. Kickball.

Are you talking about the mens or womens side? Anytime you want to go try to star for Indiana, Stanford, or Clemson mens soccer - go right ahead. Let's see how your version of kickball fits into their systems.

So I’m watching Stanford vs Ohio State right now, and it’s pure kickball. Exceptionally athletic guys, but they are not playing the same sport the rest of the world plays.

That is BS. You can have your opinion but it is BS.

Watch the game. ESPN+.

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Anonymous wrote:Not sure why anyone would even want to play in US college, quality is non-existent. See for example ongoing NCAA tournament. Kickball.

Are you talking about the mens or womens side? Anytime you want to go try to star for Indiana, Stanford, or Clemson mens soccer - go right ahead. Let's see how your version of kickball fits into their systems.

So I’m watching Stanford vs Ohio State right now, and it’s pure kickball. Exceptionally athletic guys, but they are not playing the same sport the rest of the world plays.

That is BS. You can have your opinion but it is BS.

Watch the game. ESPN+.

Actually, watch the game and then watch any significant European club’s second team play. They are playing a different sport.

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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.

D1 is truly a vast landscape and from what everyone has told us, chasing top programs is fools gold. It sounds like a miserable experience and regardless of talent, not something we're interested in. Pro isn't a destination for us. Family of physicians and lawyers, we're looking at Ivy or great teaching institutions and a program that will take care of our daughter, not just on the field but all around. If you really want your kid in the power 5, ask around so you know what you're getting into. Not discounting if that's your dream but I've yet to speak with someone that loved the experience. Every year the transfer portal is loaded with young women that realize the reality of playing at those schools.

We had a younger travel coach 2 years ago who played D1 for all 4 years (He was tall and fast). Not a powerhouse D1 mind you. In the end, he told me he would have chosen D3 if he had to do it all over again. He kept in touch with his buddies who played D3 and he said their experience was a lot more fun than his. He felt like it was cut throat in D1 and he felt there was not much in the way of loyalty to the player or players to the team. (Could have just been his experience.) But in the end, he just came back to Alexandria/ Annandale to Coach travel soccer and work his day job. He did have a teammate go play pro in USL and he stopped after 2 years due to the limited ceiling, low pay and burnout. You got to enjoy the experience along the way instead of solely focusing on the destination.