MLS Academy League Announcement Coming Soon

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha! Meaningful competition!?! Some of the recently added non MLS/not former DA clubs can’t compete against the DCUs and Bethesda.

Right, Arlington/VDA - tell us all about how you would have been greater had you the guts to try to play in MLS. And also say bye to some of your players who will be going to those clubs, where they may actually learn how to play.

I think Arlington/VDA still think they made the right decision. They joined a league that is stable and known with not a lot of variables whereas the MLS youth league has a lot of variables with question marks whether it will be fully supported long-term. So those local MLS youth clubs (Achilles, Bethesda, Baltimore Armour, DCU, Alexandria, and Springfield) are going to play each other in certain age groups and then have to travel some distance for other opponents. Meanwhile, Arlington/VDA will be in-state for the fall, which, given everything that's going on, is a sensible plan. And while there may be Arlington players that consider Alexandria, Bethesda, and Springfield, I am not sure if you would have a massive exodus of players leaving VDA, knowing they may have a 45-60 minute commute each way just for training. And all of this goes without even talking about a possible downgrade in coaching with some of those clubs. Lack of "guts"? Not sure about that, but more so about being practical and having foresight.

Some of good players at VDA could go to Springfield or Alexandria without a long commute (especially if they are in Woodbridge), and all of the Arlington players could do the same unless they are already making a long commute to Arlington from west or northwest of Arlington. There's possible upgrades of coaching in switching to some of those clubs, without question. Depends on the coach at your current team and potential coach on the next team. I don't think the travel is going to differ this year for these clubs, and certainly longer term the travel for ECNL is more burdensome and expensive. We'll see what happens. So Arlington will play BRYC, Loudoun and McLean, the teams it played in the CCL before everybody decided the CCL wasn't worthwhile. Do I have that right?

Top teams in those clubs will play ECNL. Second teams will play CCL. So if you're playing any of those clubs, you're playing their 2nd teams...

Right. But their top teams used to be in the CCL, and at least at younger ages, still are, right? So it will be just like old times for those kids. (I know your pecking order remains very important over in Arlington, but at the end of the day, it really is the same thing.)

Yes, that is effectively true. The nuance is that Arlington Soccer Assoc. over the years brings more and more kids from outside of Arlington; the older age groups look very different from how that same team looked in the younger years. Honestly, the top one or two teams in the older groups have very few kids from Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha! Meaningful competition!?! Some of the recently added non MLS/not former DA clubs can’t compete against the DCUs and Bethesda.

Right, Arlington/VDA - tell us all about how you would have been greater had you the guts to try to play in MLS. And also say bye to some of your players who will be going to those clubs, where they may actually learn how to play.

I think Arlington/VDA still think they made the right decision. They joined a league that is stable and known with not a lot of variables whereas the MLS youth league has a lot of variables with question marks whether it will be fully supported long-term. So those local MLS youth clubs (Achilles, Bethesda, Baltimore Armour, DCU, Alexandria, and Springfield) are going to play each other in certain age groups and then have to travel some distance for other opponents. Meanwhile, Arlington/VDA will be in-state for the fall, which, given everything that's going on, is a sensible plan. And while there may be Arlington players that consider Alexandria, Bethesda, and Springfield, I am not sure if you would have a massive exodus of players leaving VDA, knowing they may have a 45-60 minute commute each way just for training. And all of this goes without even talking about a possible downgrade in coaching with some of those clubs. Lack of "guts"? Not sure about that, but more so about being practical and having foresight.

I don't know about VDA. I'm pretty sure that the Arlington DA coaches, kids and parents weren't happy with the decision to join ECNL originally so they can't be "still" happy. We may actually be slightly more happy at this point since it appears we have at least some clarity about the season. Do the MLS league teams even have a fall schedule yet?

I don't think anyone will leave Arlington except for to go to DCU - and even there only about half the kids who got offers elected to move. I can't see anyone leaving for Bethesda, and Alexandria and Springfield won't even have MLS league teams except at the very youngest age group so they're not even an option for most of the existing players.

I'm still hoping Arlington switch back to MLS league next year though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How some players play MLS and other leagues????

I thought they couldn't. Alexandria youth MLS team is playing other leagues as well.

DA is no more and with it are many of the restrictions that came with it.

Teams play in multiple leagues without issue why should it be different for players?

And here is the thing that people must really come to terms with, no league is going to enforce the rules of another league.

So for example, your team plays in EDP and one week your opponent has kids on their team who also play in MLS. What is it to EDP? EDP doesn't care about the rules of another league and MLS doesn't care about EDP's rules either.

So there is nothing your league is going to do about MLS players playing on teams in your league.

MLS Rules:

Clubs may not permit any full-time Club Player to participate in non- MLS NEXT soccer activities
during the MLS NEXT Season, except as set forth in this Section and in connection with a Player’s
National Team duty and/or Youth National Team Identification Center participation. Clubs will be
held accountable for the actions of their Players and Club Representatives, as well as the Club’s
parents, spectators, and volunteers. Club Players will be subject to discipline by both their own Club
and PDev.

Where are you seeing that?

Link please?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How some players play MLS and other leagues????

I thought they couldn't. Alexandria youth MLS team is playing other leagues as well.

DA is no more and with it are many of the restrictions that came with it.

Teams play in multiple leagues without issue why should it be different for players?

And here is the thing that people must really come to terms with, no league is going to enforce the rules of another league.

So for example, your team plays in EDP and one week your opponent has kids on their team who also play in MLS. What is it to EDP? EDP doesn't care about the rules of another league and MLS doesn't care about EDP's rules either.

So there is nothing your league is going to do about MLS players playing on teams in your league.

If my son is on a EDP team and the club brings in MLS players from the top team to play a game, I would be pretty pissed. Therefore, I doubt a club would do that.

Umm. Yeah. They would. Ethics is not a strong suit for club soccer. People bring in ringers all the time. And they try to get kids kicked off with unreasonable roster checks.

[Anonymous]

First week schedule

https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/competitions

[Anonymous]

DCU v Bethesda
Armour v PA Classics
SYC v Alexandria

My god, this is *so* "Next". Can't imagine the kind of genius it took to put this together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How some players play MLS and other leagues????

I thought they couldn't. Alexandria youth MLS team is playing other leagues as well.

DA is no more and with it are many of the restrictions that came with it.

Teams play in multiple leagues without issue why should it be different for players?

And here is the thing that people must really come to terms with, no league is going to enforce the rules of another league.

So for example, your team plays in EDP and one week your opponent has kids on their team who also play in MLS. What is it to EDP? EDP doesn't care about the rules of another league and MLS doesn't care about EDP's rules either.

So there is nothing your league is going to do about MLS players playing on teams in your league.

MLS Rules:

Clubs may not permit any full-time Club Player to participate in non- MLS NEXT soccer activities
during the MLS NEXT Season, except as set forth in this Section and in connection with a Player’s
National Team duty and/or Youth National Team Identification Center participation. Clubs will be
held accountable for the actions of their Players and Club Representatives, as well as the Club’s
parents, spectators, and volunteers. Club Players will be subject to discipline by both their own Club
and PDev.

What EDP rule was broken?

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of eyes are opening during this period and some people, including parents, may realize (1) that they do not have to travel 2-3 hours for a one-off league match, (2) that there is sufficient competition simply within the DMV, (3) that they pass 5-10 other competitive opponents on their way to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, and other states beyond, and (4) that excessive travel may wear on the player and possibly affect their overall enjoyment of the sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of eyes are opening during this period and some people, including parents, may realize (1) that they do not have to travel 2-3 hours for a one-off league match, (2) that there is sufficient competition simply within the DMV, (3) that they pass 5-10 other competitive opponents on their way to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, and other states beyond, and (4) that excessive travel may wear on the player and possibly affect their overall enjoyment of the sport.

Not to mention affect their school work!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How some players play MLS and other leagues????

I thought they couldn't. Alexandria youth MLS team is playing other leagues as well.

DA is no more and with it are many of the restrictions that came with it.

Teams play in multiple leagues without issue why should it be different for players?

And here is the thing that people must really come to terms with, no league is going to enforce the rules of another league.

So for example, your team plays in EDP and one week your opponent has kids on their team who also play in MLS. What is it to EDP? EDP doesn't care about the rules of another league and MLS doesn't care about EDP's rules either.

So there is nothing your league is going to do about MLS players playing on teams in your league.

If my son is on a EDP team and the club brings in MLS players from the top team to play a game, I would be pretty pissed. Therefore, I doubt a club would do that.

Umm. Yeah. They would. Ethics is not a strong suit for club soccer. People bring in ringers all the time. And they try to get kids kicked off with unreasonable roster checks.

You can only be officially rostered for ONE team in VYSA. You cannot play for two different teams even if the teams play in different leagues. However, the player can be a 'guest player' in tournaments---but he/she cannot play in other League games or State Cup, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCU v Bethesda
Armour v PA Classics
SYC v Alexandria

My god, this is *so* "Next". Can't imagine the kind of genius it took to put this together.

It's DCU vs Bethesda for U15 and U17. Achilles vs. Bethesda for U13 and U14.

Can't quite get this comment though. What would you like MLS Next to do? Invent new clubs overnight and have them play DCU and Bethesda in Takoma Park and Friendship Heights?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of eyes are opening during this period and some people, including parents, may realize (1) that they do not have to travel 2-3 hours for a one-off league match, (2) that there is sufficient competition simply within the DMV, (3) that they pass 5-10 other competitive opponents on their way to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, and other states beyond, and (4) that excessive travel may wear on the player and possibly affect their overall enjoyment of the sport.

I think Covid has people scrambling for as many players scrambling looking for playing opportunities where they can find them. Conversely, there are probably many teams who will struggle to field regular teams this season as well.

So perhaps we focus on getting a season in and not really worry about the results this much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCU v Bethesda
Armour v PA Classics
SYC v Alexandria

My god, this is *so* "Next". Can't imagine the kind of genius it took to put this together.

It's DCU vs Bethesda for U15 and U17. Achilles vs. Bethesda for U13 and U14.

Can't quite get this comment though. What would you like MLS Next to do? Invent new clubs overnight and have them play DCU and Bethesda in Takoma Park and Friendship Heights?

PP here. This comment is an eye-roll at the hype language that MLS Next uses. There's nothing happening here that's new or exciting.

[Anonymous]

According to our club admin, all short-drive MLS Next league games for first 4 weeks, so no need for hotels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How some players play MLS and other leagues????

I thought they couldn't. Alexandria youth MLS team is playing other leagues as well.

DA is no more and with it are many of the restrictions that came with it.

Teams play in multiple leagues without issue why should it be different for players?

And here is the thing that people must really come to terms with, no league is going to enforce the rules of another league.

So for example, your team plays in EDP and one week your opponent has kids on their team who also play in MLS. What is it to EDP? EDP doesn't care about the rules of another league and MLS doesn't care about EDP's rules either.

So there is nothing your league is going to do about MLS players playing on teams in your league.

If my son is on a EDP team and the club brings in MLS players from the top team to play a game, I would be pretty pissed. Therefore, I doubt a club would do that.

Umm. Yeah. They would. Ethics is not a strong suit for club soccer. People bring in ringers all the time. And they try to get kids kicked off with unreasonable roster checks.

You can only be officially rostered for ONE team in VYSA. You cannot play for two different teams even if the teams play in different leagues. However, the player can be a 'guest player' in tournaments---but he/she cannot play in other League games or State Cup, etc.

MLS Next doesn't card through VYSA. Again, no VYSA or EDP rule is broken.