After the covid years and some recent club consolidations, expect we'll see more movement than usual this year. ID sessions seem to have started earlier this year. Is that what everyone else is seeing at their clubs, too? |
Our club, and seems like most around, have started tryouts already. The whole idea of trying out for next year while still in the current season doesn't sit well with me. |
Agreed. It's odd and inevitably unpleasant. Aside from competition between clubs and teams, the only other reason for earlier tryouts is ensuring that clubs and teams can retain coaches. Otherwise it would make more sense to have tryouts right at after tournaments conclude (usually Memorial Day weekend) or a week or two thereafter. Of course, most good clubs offer coaching slates ahead of tryouts, so the coaching retention rationale does not make much sense. |
Our club's national programs (ENCL/ENCL-R) for boys are this week and next but the state level teams are after the season in late May. It's still a little awkward but not as terrible as it could be.
Initially I thought the tryouts were before the last traveling tournament and cringed at the thought of kids knowing they were cut or being moved to the lower team and still being asked to play their best. |
All the real tryouts are basically over. At least for the top teams. |
This is true. Offers are already out for the top teams. Although there is always an extra spot or two if someone good enough shows up. |
"top teams" from what clubs? the maryland ECNL clubs havent even had tryouts yet |
Some clubs have been holding "ID" sessions for their top teams prior to the actual tryouts. |
I have seen ID sessions posted throughout March and April from VA Union, VDA, FCV, Arlington. |
One thing I never understood at the ECNL level how are kids from another ECNL team allowed to practice with another ECNL team during the season in these "ID" sessions before actual tryouts? I thought recruiting can't happen until May? |
The ECNL rules changed this year for Virginia. The old May 1 date is now March 1 for all clubs in VA. Most other states still have May 1. |
Thanks for the clarification. Since you seem knowledgeable in this area if you're on an ECNL team but working out with an MLS Next team (or reversed) anytime during the year is fine, correct? |
Sorry - not familiar with the boys side, only the girls. |
ECNL players can train with MLS/GA teams at any time |