Anonymous
Post 10/11/2021 10:41     Subject: Re:MLS next above ECNL?
Because you take a kid from a local academy and that kid becomes a pro does not make you a producer of that child. Give the clubs that developed these kids credit and the parents how had to pay for all the extra travel and training. DC hasn't developed crap. They just recently went free for training.
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2021 10:42     Subject: MLS next above ECNL?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DCU is operated from a different perspective than an arlington. More focus on identification in the near term than longer term development bc DCU believes development at the club level can be recruited later.


So you're saying DCU is focused on finding out which the best players are, and recruiting them, but then doesn't bother developing them any further?


Partial truth.

They spot talent and take them to the next level.

It isn't always worth their time or money to weed thru the U9-U12s


They are really only looking for the 1 or 2 players per year that they think can move to the next level and focus on them, and you are right that is well after U12. They did produce Parades, Yow, Nyeman Pines and Durkin.
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2021 10:01     Subject: MLS next above ECNL?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DCU is operated from a different perspective than an arlington. More focus on identification in the near term than longer term development bc DCU believes development at the club level can be recruited later.


So you're saying DCU is focused on finding out which the best players are, and recruiting them, but then doesn't bother developing them any further?


Partial truth.

They spot talent and take them to the next level.

It isn't always worth their time or money to weed thru the U9-U12s
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2021 09:54     Subject: MLS next above ECNL?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DCU is operated from a different perspective than an arlington. More focus on identification in the near term than longer term development bc DCU believes development at the club level can be recruited later.


So you're saying DCU is focused on finding out which the best players are, and recruiting them, but then doesn't bother developing them any further?


Yes, and a few other clubs in the DMV also operate that way.
Anonymous
Post 10/09/2021 12:55     Subject: MLS next above ECNL?
Anonymous wrote:DCU is operated from a different perspective than an arlington. More focus on identification in the near term than longer term development bc DCU believes development at the club level can be recruited later.


So you're saying DCU is focused on finding out which the best players are, and recruiting them, but then doesn't bother developing them any further?
Anonymous
Post 10/09/2021 01:00     Subject: MLS next above ECNL?
DCU is operated from a different perspective than an arlington. More focus on identification in the near term than longer term development bc DCU believes development at the club level can be recruited later. All are good clubs and players develop at different ages and speeds. Top players at u16 may not be the same as top players at u21
Anonymous
Post 10/08/2021 21:49     Subject: MLS next above ECNL?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know for girls it’s ECNL and GA up there. For boys is ECNL considered lower level than boys playing in mls next? I want to make the best move possible for my child. Any help is appreciated.


The best team in the area for boys is the DC United MLSnext team and its not close.


Depending on the specific age group I'm not even sure I'd agree with the "it's not close" part of this, and my DS is at DCU.

Whether or not the other MLSNext teams are above or below particular ECNL teams is much more debatable.


This is definitely true.

If we were doing it all again, knowing what we know now, I would send my DS to Alexandria at the younger age groups and move him to Arlington at U13. Those are the two clubs (at those age ranges) where your DS will stand the best chance of getting the best coaching and development.

Anonymous
Post 10/08/2021 21:14     Subject: MLS next above ECNL?
DC United is clear cut best in terms of exposure. Development is another matter. There’s no one answer for that.
Anonymous
Post 10/08/2021 21:08     Subject: MLS next above ECNL?
Agree with other posters. DC United is clear cut best, MLSNext vs ECNL depends on the specific team (club AND birth year).
Anonymous
Post 10/08/2021 20:59     Subject: MLS next above ECNL?
Anonymous wrote:Depends who you ask and how you define better. The ECNL teams and families will tout they are just as good. Some ECNL teams (Richmond, Arlington, VDA, Loudoun) were once in the DA competing alongside many of the MLSNext clubs (PDA, PA Classics, FC Delco, Philly Union, DCU, etc).

There are certainly ECNL teams that have beaten and can beat MLSNext teams, DCU even. What’s hard to know is whether coaches are trying out changes in lineups, players are injured, or tired from travel/other matches, etc. to really assess one league is better than another based scores and standings.

However- if the end game is recruiting for college soccer or pros, MLS has a better draw. Look at the recent U16 YNT list for boys. Maybe 1 or 2 ECNL, rest were MLS. Guess where college scouts are looking for top talent - MLS. Look at college rosters to get a read of where colleges are picking players up from. Also look at the different college placements of the local boys ECNL clubs vs MLS clubs.

If you're looking for better development of the players, ECNL might have a leg up at certain clubs with particular coaches. That variable is more dependent on the coach than the club or league.

Back to the short answer of it depends who you ask and what you are looking for.


Call ups for the YNT are not necessarily based on talent. USSF will always pick a certain quota from MLS academies. Some kids clearly deserve the call up, but there has always been a quota to pander to MLS. I would not use the national teams call ups as a measuring stick of the quality of local teams. Talent wise, DCU is the best team.
Anonymous
Post 10/08/2021 20:17     Subject: MLS next above ECNL?
Depends who you ask and how you define better. The ECNL teams and families will tout they are just as good. Some ECNL teams (Richmond, Arlington, VDA, Loudoun) were once in the DA competing alongside many of the MLSNext clubs (PDA, PA Classics, FC Delco, Philly Union, DCU, etc).

There are certainly ECNL teams that have beaten and can beat MLSNext teams, DCU even. What’s hard to know is whether coaches are trying out changes in lineups, players are injured, or tired from travel/other matches, etc. to really assess one league is better than another based scores and standings.

However- if the end game is recruiting for college soccer or pros, MLS has a better draw. Look at the recent U16 YNT list for boys. Maybe 1 or 2 ECNL, rest were MLS. Guess where college scouts are looking for top talent - MLS. Look at college rosters to get a read of where colleges are picking players up from. Also look at the different college placements of the local boys ECNL clubs vs MLS clubs.

If you're looking for better development of the players, ECNL might have a leg up at certain clubs with particular coaches. That variable is more dependent on the coach than the club or league.

Back to the short answer of it depends who you ask and what you are looking for.
Anonymous
Post 10/08/2021 17:14     Subject: MLS next above ECNL?
Look at specific clubs and how his age group is currently doing. Which league is better will be determined by your sons age group- you’re looking for the beat recruitment opportunities? Best development?
Or just want him to be on the top team?
Anonymous
Post 10/08/2021 16:31     Subject: MLS next above ECNL?
Anonymous wrote:I know for girls it’s ECNL and GA up there. For boys is ECNL considered lower level than boys playing in mls next? I want to make the best move possible for my child. Any help is appreciated.


The best team in the area for boys is the DC United MLSnext team and its not close. Whether or not the other MLSNext teams are above or below particular ECNL teams is much more debatable.
Anonymous
Post 10/08/2021 16:29     Subject: MLS next above ECNL?
Anonymous wrote:I know for girls it’s ECNL and GA up there. For boys is ECNL considered lower level than boys playing in mls next? I want to make the best move possible for my child. Any help is appreciated. [/quot


Every players situation is unique. Thats about the realest answer you can get.
Anonymous
Post 10/08/2021 16:17     Subject: MLS next above ECNL?
I know for girls it’s ECNL and GA up there. For boys is ECNL considered lower level than boys playing in mls next? I want to make the best move possible for my child. Any help is appreciated.