Reply to MLS next above ECNL?

Forum Index » Soccer

Reply to "MLS next above ECNL?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]DCU parent here. In assessing MLS Next vs ECNL, you probably need to evaluate DCU separately from the other MLS Next clubs in the area. The MLS clubs play the vast majority of their games against each other. I think 21 of our 29 "regular season" games are against other MLS academies (from Toronto and Montreal down to Orlando and Miami). The reverse is true for the non-MLS clubs in the league (Bethesda, Armour, SYC, Alexandria) -- they only play a handful of games against MLS academies. They mostly play other non-MLS clubs (including good ones like PDA, Delco, Cedar Stars). But it's really two pretty different experiences of one league.

This asymmetry was part of what MLS clubs wanted, but never got, from the DA; now they can do it, since they created the league.[/quote]

There is no DCU at U13-14; Achilles, Alexandria, BSC, SYC and Armour are playing each other and others, including Philadelphia Union and Red Bulls.  It is designed to be a pyramid, or funnel, where top players go to DCU.  We are at one of the other clubs and don't really care about being on a par with DCU.  That's not the objective and people are smoking serious dope if they think their ECNL clubs are truly competitive with MLS academies among the same age groups.  That's also true for the non-MLS Academy MLS Next teams, with a few exceptions.

But if you are really caught up in being treated first among equals, have no doubt, I am sure you can find that in the ECNL.

[/quote]

True.  Pro MLS clubs are truly a different level than ECNL clubs.  Non pro MLS clubs are about the same level as ECNL.  Non pro MLS clubs simply do not have the facilities, coaching staff, and recruiting to compete with pro MLS clubs.[/quote]

Pro MLS clubs are not all at a different level.  Here on the east coast they mostly are, as we have arguably two of the three most competitive youth programs in the MLS in NYRB and PU.  There are MLS clubs in other parts of the country that are not nearly as strong.

And re facilities, coaching staff and recruiting - that is generally true, but not for DCU which invests very little in its youth program.[/quote]

As someone who went to the MLS Cup this year and saw most of the pro MLS clubs at multiple age groups, I can tell you that NYRB and PU are not exceptions.  All the pro MLS clubs across the country are exceptionally strong.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics