If the top players are already playing 1-2 years up then why is there a forum of parents concerned over an age change to SY why would anyone care? If your kid is ECNL or MLSN changing really wouldn’t matter because their kids are elite? The answer to the question is it definitely matters because even amongst ECNL or MLSN the majority of player are not at the level to play up and be as effective. Especially when all players are talented and the skill difference is usually very small. So now you change the age groups and introduce 6 months of older, bigger, stronger players on average which makes it even more challenging to get on the field. Which is why some parents are hoping GA/MLSN stay BY because they don’t want their kids playing against even older players because that makes games more difficult and competitive in a soccer landscape that’s already ultra competitive. |
Hoping for a reduction in RAE with more than one age cutoff so we can have more kids playing soccer at a higher level and more kids available for national teams. Would be nice if MLSN can stay BY but the business case doesn't make sense. |
It’s definitely a rule. Which I know isn’t a good argument but just ask your MLSN director and he will tell you all about it. |
Yes I agree would probably be very helpful to have essentially two 6 month leagues which is basically what SY/BY would be. Especially in the younger ages. I think it would only keep kids playing longer and more kids feeling encouraged to play longer. Kids can always play “up” if their SY team or BY team is not competitive enough for them. |
Marketed as Late Developer. |
Not a BY parent - don’t care either way - and am happy that SY relieves anguish from the trap. But this is not a flex for ECNL to be doing what 90% of youth soccer is doing. If we transferred this analogy to practice sessions and said “ECNL is doing the same sessions as 90% of youth soccer.” Everyone would be saying ECNL is stupid and copying rec will get rec results. |
Um….because the vast majority of parents are on the outside looking in, and think that the SY for rec + ECNL change will benefit their kid in such to such a drastic degree that they’ll then be on the inside. |
It’s only a flex if ECNL came up with idea to go back and then slowly got the majority of leagues on board. Essentially making their will forced into reality. But I agree going along with the masses because you have to isn’t a flex it’s just standard practice. |
What about the kids that are at the top level, that are Q4 kids? They exist and will have a distinct advantage IF they decide to play in the new age groupings. |
Just do biobanding and play one year down in MLS. A lot of parents already do that, so their mediocre kids can have a chance. |
Many of them will have to. Playing at a 18 month disadvantage is too much for most players at ECNL level. Obviously some outliers will be able to do it. |
My kid is on a top team with a few Q4 starters. Those kids, their parents and coach think playing in their SY group will hurt their development. They will “play up” if there is a switch to SY. |
If your kid is on a top team and playing up college coaches will want you on their team. |
There’s always going to be outliers. For the majority of q4’s, it’s easy to feel that way right now. But what’s going to happen come tryout time with the q4’s a year up show up? Not everyone’s going to survive that |
Sold to those okay with cheating |