Message
1. Bethesda MLS
2. Potomac ECNL
3. Bethesda Blue
2. Potomac ECNL
3. Bethesda Blue
MLSNext is broken down between the Pro Team Academies and the Non-Pro Academies although they all play each other. The Pro Academies are a pipeline to professional soccer whereas the Non-Pro Academies are roughly in line with ECNL. Non-Pro Academies and ECNL are more college focused.
If you look at age group rankings, the top 25 teams are mixed between MLS and ECNL teams with more MLS teams there.
Another difference is that ECNL players can play high school soccer, MLSNext players can't.
The new National Academy League may be good but ultimately it will always be the 2nd team for a club whereas ENCL teams are the 1st team for that club. So even if a kid has his heart set on MLSNext, playing on a second team does not mean they will have a chance at the 1st team over outside players. As a matter of fact, it may be worse for the kid already at the club versus an outside player coming in.
If you look at age group rankings, the top 25 teams are mixed between MLS and ECNL teams with more MLS teams there.
Another difference is that ECNL players can play high school soccer, MLSNext players can't.
The new National Academy League may be good but ultimately it will always be the 2nd team for a club whereas ENCL teams are the 1st team for that club. So even if a kid has his heart set on MLSNext, playing on a second team does not mean they will have a chance at the 1st team over outside players. As a matter of fact, it may be worse for the kid already at the club versus an outside player coming in.
realdmv wrote:NosyParker wrote:realdmv wrote:NosyParker wrote:Tryout seems to have started for various clubs. Since I am in Maryland, I'll start a listing for clubs that are holding tryouts. Please free to add to the list. For the ones I have looked at, it seems only Bethesda Soccer is charging for tryouts.
Club Name Date(s) Location Tryout fee Website
Maryland Rush Various May dates depending on age group Annapolis, MD $0 https://www.marylandrush.com/maryland-rush-tryouts
Potomac Soccer Association Various May dates depending on age group Silver Spring, MD $0 https://potomacsoccer.org/travel-soccer/boys/
The Lions Soccer Various May dates depending on age group Rockville, MD $0 https://www.thelionssoccer.com/tryouts
Xeneizes MD Soccer Academy /
Liverpool International Academy May 4 and May 11 Rockville, MD $0 http://www.lfcinternationalacademymd.com/tryoutsdcmetro
Bethesda Soccer Club Various April &May dates depending on age group Bethesda, MD,
Rockville, MD $25 https://www.bethesdasoccer.org/tryouts/
Big news coming for one of those clubs.
Why don't you share the news now with us here?
https://www.ecnlboys.com/2023/04/ecnl-boys-announces-addition-of-potomac-soccer-association-to-ecnl-for-2023-24-season/
Thanks. Did not realize Potomac was ECNL.
TedLasso wrote:MLS Next isn't going to be replaced. This 'new' league has already been somewhat in practice already with a lot of NE boys teams. Essentially this league will house 2nd teams for clubs that exist in MLS Next.
Thank you! Unfortunately, this probably means that no college coaches will ever go to EDP for scouting however.
Does anybody know what this is? Does this replace MLS or is it a new league in addition to MLS?
https://www.nationalacademyleague.com/
https://www.nationalacademyleague.com/