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Yes for your second question. Likely yes for the first question.
CleansheetDad wrote:westsidesoccer wrote:CleansheetDad wrote:westsidesoccer wrote:
Thank you. This is very interesting. I am shocked to see almost no difference between ECNL and National PRO on the boys side relative to MLS Next. Though not too surprised. As a player parent, I don't see any point in discussing leagues across genders, or, more generally, across pretty diverse regions and all age groups. The fact that ECNL offers top play for young women is completely irrelevant to my son.
You may think it is irrelevant to your son that ECNL allows for top play for both girls and boys, but you would by wrong. Clubs must have both their boys and girls teams in the ECNL National league to be a member. This is one reason why Arlington is in ECNL and not in MLSNext. This allows ECNL to give a more sustainable model for clubs to market themselves and to make money. Boys and girls teams support each other. They allow clubs to pay coaches and give more scholarships to both sides. If you have a club that can only REALLY market itself for high level play to the boy segment of the population, then the club will need to have a large number of lower level teams with players that pay full amounts to support the MLSNext team expenses, along with the scholarships for that team. And I do feel sorry for those parents who have been sold on development for their children, when in fact all they are is a paying parent.
As a player parent, who has seen alphabet leagues rise and fall, or come and go (the old DA league comes to mind), I think MLSNext is just the old DA league with a new name. This affects the boys on the second teams when a league folds and then your club is trying to find a league to play in the next season. Many of these teams that are going into the National Academy League are currently in EDP, before that they were in CCL, and before that they were in NCLS. There really isn't much difference and ultimately, in a couple of years these same teams will be in another league so the MLSNext clubs can try to market themselves.
Go Luck to the teams that are joining the new league. Don't get too comfortable or buy anything with NAL on it as it will be obsolete in about 2 years time.
Yes, well, I and many others have experience with the alphabet soup of leagues and league-chest-beating as well, and despite all of the dire predictions in 2020/2021 about how SYC, Achilles and Alexandria would never have anything beyond U-14, or how they would never be able to play MLS club academies, or how ECNL would ultimately prevail, I don't think the last three years have borne that out at all. There is a talent gap and it continues to widen across the country. That goal difference will continue to expand. And kids will still go to SYC and Alexandria in droves at younger ages. Can we just give the league crap a rest?
I never said that SYC, Achilles and/or Alexandria would never be able to play any MLS clubs. Of course they would, could and do. There is lots of talent in the DC/Baltimore area. ECNL National and MLSNext clubs from this area are comparable in talent, are very good, are very competitive against clubs from outside this area, and will continue to be. Very similar talent on these level of teams.
What I'm trying to say, and maybe not doing a good job of it, is that I have heard several parents refer to MLSNext clubs forming 2nd MLSNext teams for SYC, Achilles and Alexandria, which they are not. These are the same second tier teams for SYC, Achilles and Alexandria that currently play in EDP. I have noticed that NAL did not say anything about MLSNext in their announcements. Overall, these are not MLSNext or ECNL National level players that will be in this league.
But there does seem to be a gap. At U13, edp starts at div 3. Our mls next club second team performs at a much higher level than the teams in this edp division 3. Where do they play?
What year are they adding in the fall, U13 or U14?
Bustenloose wrote:If you receive an offer to solely play on MLS Next team then told you will be playing elsewhere within the same club, what are our rights?
Money returned for breach if contract. If you paid for a team and were given elsewhere. That is probably about it.
Pepe wrote:soccer197 wrote:Looks like the youth soccer games site has added rankings now. https://youthsoccergames.com
Site is woefully poor. Some teams have like 20 games, other 6. There's no rhyme or reason to why games are registered, but mostly because the site can't scrape ECNL well. Oh well
+2. I thought the sites owner had to make that comment about "added rankings" because the site is so bad. It doesn't even have the #1 team in Maryland for an age year listed in the app.
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akindc wrote:MadridFan wrote:akindc wrote:DC United just officially announced their academy teams...or at least I just saw their tweet about it.
On the U14 team, 3 are from BSC, 3 from PPA, 3 from Pipeline, 3 from Paragon, 2 from Manassas, 2 from Armor, and one each from Arlington, Cerritos, Achilles, and VDA.
Where do they post the DC United and other MLS Next rosters?
DC United posted it themselves...don't know if MLS Next rosters are posted anywhere in general, especially for the younger ages. Don't feel it's entirely appropriate, which is why I didn't add names here. I mean, once it gets to higher ages, and they start college recruitment, sure...but for U14?
Does dc united have a u13 team? Or will they be getting one soon?
mjb759 wrote:Our son is starting travel soccer in the fall and we have to order the uniform kit. I feel silly asking people in real life, so here I am. He is tall and skinny and Adidas sizing has always been tough for him. I think the uniform kit will be used for 1 more year after this upcoming year. Should we go ahead and get the larger size, even if it's a little baggy initially? I'd rather not have to buy another kit in a year when he is even taller, but wasn't sure if soccer uniforms are supposed to be very fitted/not baggy. Can you tell I never played?
I also see some optional gear listed. Will most kids have 1 or 2 of these pieces? I am especially curious about the backpack. Is it worth spending the money on this, or will most kids starting travel soccer just have a generic backpack? I want him to fit in with the team so we will do whatever is the norm, but also concerned about spending so much money on customized gear if he ends up wanting to switch clubs or something. Thanks!
I'm pretty sure your with my club.
Yes they will change uniforms in a year but people still wear the old items for extra practices to avoid washing during the week, at camps for extra shirts, to scrimmages, etc. Or when you just can't find the current shirts or shorts (yes you will be rushing out the door one day and can't find anything but last years items) . Get the bigger size because they grow very fast and it needs to last until September 2023 at least. Most people get the optional items, including the backpack. There's usually only one kid (if any) who don't have it. If he is old enough to have the optional items such as winter clothes, you will need them because it gets very cold in the winter and coaches ask want to see the uniform during practice. Size up in order to layer underneath. Even the short sleeve shirts- kids put long sleeves and sweatshirts underneath. Lastly, feel free to ask the parents that played last year. Most are very nice and a good way to connect - this won't be your last question!
There are lots of posts already in the archives on this. You can search. Half of people think it is a money grab and half think it is fun. Fwiw my ds enjoyed every moment of it and will be playing again. The down side is that it is hot and hot.
A. Your ds will enjoy the friends. Convenience with older dd. At U9 the best boys are doing supplement training. Do a 3rd day with a personal session or small group to work on individual deficits and he will move up. B sounds like weaker club. Regardless if it's a middle team or bottom team, he is still playing with players of similar skill.
bdubmd wrote:This is all super helpful. My son wants to be a professional soccer player and at the very least play in college. He's very competitive but isn't developing enough technical skills for sure. Anyone love their U10 team for technical development so we can look into tryouts? I can talk to our coach/director but really don't see how it could all change all of a sudden.
If those are your sons goals, msi classic at u10 or u11 is not the right place for him. Our top trams have outstanding technical skills for their age. When you go to try out, ask for the schedule of the top team you can watch them play.
My U10 ds is at a top club on a top team. They do mostly technique drills focusing on their footskills. They also do lots of cones, passing, defending and attacking drills. They will often do scrimmage for the last 1/4 or 1/3 of practice which the boys love and is their favorite part but sometimes they do not get to scrimmage at all.
He has been on a team in the past where the coach mostly scrimmaged and IMHO it led nowhere. This method from our current coach teaches much more.
He has been on a team in the past where the coach mostly scrimmaged and IMHO it led nowhere. This method from our current coach teaches much more.
Leave her alone and tell her to have fun. They will see her natural talents. Good luck!
timsubs wrote:What is this new username requirement? Sorry we are newbies
Around 2 months ago, admin began requiring a username to post. Before this you could post anonymously. There were much more helpful answers to questions like this before the requirement and people could get good information. Now no one posts or answers questions anymore, the posts get very little response.
I should add the the requirement was made because many posts got troll, rude, and racists comments.