Anonymous
Post 10/21/2021 17:03     Subject: ECNL and MLS NEXT
Certainly kids from other clubs move to these clubs at older age groups as they are increasingly drawn to the higher level of coaching, teammate and opponent available, but in practise not too many kids tend to get cut for various reasons.

1. The kids move to 11 v 11 so teams and rosters get bigger.
2. Kids move away for various reasons of their own so the roster turns over naturally.
3. Parents of less talented or motivated kids aren't interested in paying extra for ECNL/MLSNext, and/or the kids aren't interested in the extra practise/travel, so they move themselves to the second team or another club without any fuss or bother.
4. The weaker kids don't start and don't get as much playing time (although a good club will still make sure they are getting 50% of the game), and this prompts them to leave voluntarily to seek a better fit and/or more playing time.


Could a player play on two clubs? So ECNL at a big club and EDP at our current small club? I realize the bigger clubs may play their B teams in EPL (or are there several levels at ECNL as well? So perhaps if it’s in different age groups?
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2021 15:29     Subject: ECNL and MLS NEXT
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is my understanding correct that if a kid (boys) wants to compete in ECNL and/or MLS NEXT, that they must join one of the clubs who are part of those leagues?Unlike EDP which allows any clubs to field teams. Looking at the clubs that are part of those leagues club, they all seem to cost a lot of money, at least double and sometimes triple what we currently pay for our small club. Most are the more well known names in this area.

So for a kid who has no funds to play at a member club, there only recourse to compete at the highest level is to get into the DC academy at U13? [is DCU academy free?] I realize that some of those clubs give scholarships but I imagine those are highly competitive and limited and at the end of the day, you’re still potentially playing with not as talented kids who have the resources to pay to play for a big name club.



If your kid is talented, a club will find a way to get him to play. As far as ECNL and MLS clubs other than DC United not being as competitive, I think you should take your son to try out for one of those. I think you will find that ECNL and MLS clubs other than DC United are far above a normal travel club level of play in EDP. A EDP star player can be just an average or below average player at those clubs. ECNL and MLS players play against other very competitive teams where every player is strong and every team is strong. EDP is hit or miss and the kids have a huge talent gap even on one team.



Thank you for this info! Do you think the big clubs get an influx from smaller clubs around the ECNL age? We have tried out for the big clubs and got offers but declined them for now to stay at our smaller club. We have played the clubs we tried out at and have not been very impressed by the kids (only a handful stand out). I know they do tryouts every year so I’m assuming they would have to drop long time club kids (or won’t put them on the A team) and take in more talented kids from smaller clubs to stay competitive in ECNL? Is that how it goes?


Certainly kids from other clubs move to these clubs at older age groups as they are increasingly drawn to the higher level of coaching, teammate and opponent available, but in practise not too many kids tend to get cut for various reasons.

1. The kids move to 11 v 11 so teams and rosters get bigger.
2. Kids move away for various reasons of their own so the roster turns over naturally.
3. Parents of less talented or motivated kids aren't interested in paying extra for ECNL/MLSNext, and/or the kids aren't interested in the extra practise/travel, so they move themselves to the second team or another club without any fuss or bother.
4. The weaker kids don't start and don't get as much playing time (although a good club will still make sure they are getting 50% of the game), and this prompts them to leave voluntarily to seek a better fit and/or more playing time.
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2021 15:04     Subject: ECNL and MLS NEXT
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is my understanding correct that if a kid (boys) wants to compete in ECNL and/or MLS NEXT, that they must join one of the clubs who are part of those leagues?Unlike EDP which allows any clubs to field teams. Looking at the clubs that are part of those leagues club, they all seem to cost a lot of money, at least double and sometimes triple what we currently pay for our small club. Most are the more well known names in this area.

So for a kid who has no funds to play at a member club, there only recourse to compete at the highest level is to get into the DC academy at U13? [is DCU academy free?] I realize that some of those clubs give scholarships but I imagine those are highly competitive and limited and at the end of the day, you’re still potentially playing with not as talented kids who have the resources to pay to play for a big name club.



If your kid is talented, a club will find a way to get him to play. As far as ECNL and MLS clubs other than DC United not being as competitive, I think you should take your son to try out for one of those. I think you will find that ECNL and MLS clubs other than DC United are far above a normal travel club level of play in EDP. A EDP star player can be just an average or below average player at those clubs. ECNL and MLS players play against other very competitive teams where every player is strong and every team is strong. EDP is hit or miss and the kids have a huge talent gap even on one team.



Thank you for this info! Do you think the big clubs get an influx from smaller clubs around the ECNL age? We have tried out for the big clubs and got offers but declined them for now to stay at our smaller club. We have played the clubs we tried out at and have not been very impressed by the kids (only a handful stand out). I know they do tryouts every year so I’m assuming they would have to drop long time club kids (or won’t put them on the A team) and take in more talented kids from smaller clubs to stay competitive in ECNL? Is that how it goes?
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2021 07:48     Subject: ECNL and MLS NEXT
Anonymous wrote:Is my understanding correct that if a kid (boys) wants to compete in ECNL and/or MLS NEXT, that they must join one of the clubs who are part of those leagues?Unlike EDP which allows any clubs to field teams. Looking at the clubs that are part of those leagues club, they all seem to cost a lot of money, at least double and sometimes triple what we currently pay for our small club. Most are the more well known names in this area.

So for a kid who has no funds to play at a member club, there only recourse to compete at the highest level is to get into the DC academy at U13? [is DCU academy free?] I realize that some of those clubs give scholarships but I imagine those are highly competitive and limited and at the end of the day, you’re still potentially playing with not as talented kids who have the resources to pay to play for a big name club.



If your kid is talented, a club will find a way to get him to play. As far as ECNL and MLS clubs other than DC United not being as competitive, I think you should take your son to try out for one of those. I think you will find that ECNL and MLS clubs other than DC United are far above a normal travel club level of play in EDP. A EDP star player can be just an average or below average player at those clubs. ECNL and MLS players play against other very competitive teams where every player is strong and every team is strong. EDP is hit or miss and the kids have a huge talent gap even on one team.
Anonymous
Post 10/21/2021 00:12     Subject: ECNL and MLS NEXT
Anonymous wrote:Thank you! Can you name the clubs you’re in?


We are pre-ECNL and we pay less than half of what you listed for all year play, including winter indoor soccer and fall and spring EDP.


I think younger kids tend to be cheaper in general. They get less experienced coaches, no assistant coach, no access to trainer when injured, no GK coach, fewer practices per week on smaller fields with small goals, less travel for games (and thus less coaches' time and expenses), one referee instead of three, shorter games, half fields on game days etc. etc.

Still, it sounds like you're getting a pretty good deal all the same assuming you are getting a good coach, three practices per week, and a game at the weekend.

A better comparison would be an ECNL team vs an EDP team of the same age. I think most non-ECNL/MLS Next teams at larger clubs for U13 and up cost around $2,000 before tournaments and travel.
Anonymous
Post 10/20/2021 19:34     Subject: ECNL and MLS NEXT
Thank you! Can you name the clubs you’re in?

We are pre-ECNL and we pay less than half of what you listed for all year play, including winter indoor soccer and fall and spring EDP.
Anonymous
Post 10/20/2021 19:17     Subject: ECNL and MLS NEXT
Anonymous wrote:Is my understanding correct that if a kid (boys) wants to compete in ECNL and/or MLS NEXT, that they must join one of the clubs who are part of those leagues?


Correct.

Unlike EDP which allows any clubs to field teams. Looking at the clubs that are part of those leagues club, they all seem to cost a lot of money, at least double and sometimes triple what we currently pay for our small club.

I'm not sure what you pay for your small club, but I would be surprised if it was as little as half the cost of ECNL. ECNL typically costs around $3K, or a little more for the team and club fees. There are travel costs on top of that, but
- some kids elect not to make the expensive post-season trips, and most clubs are fine with this
- if your kid is talented and cost really is an issue, most of these clubs will provide significant financial aid

So for a kid who has no funds to play at a member club, there only recourse to compete at the highest level is to get into the DC academy at U13?

No, for two reasons:
1. The other clubs offer need-based financial aid.
2. The DCU academy does not start until U15.

[is DCU academy free?]

Yes.

I realize that some of those clubs give scholarships but I imagine those are highly competitive and limited and at the end of the day,

They are limited, but most clubs will find a way to help a really talented player.

you’re still potentially playing with not as talented kids who have the resources to pay to play for a big name club.

I can't speak for every club, but it was not done this way at my DS' old club where selection was done by ability, and scholarships were applied for and offered to kids who had made the selection cut.
Anonymous
Post 10/20/2021 18:58     Subject: ECNL and MLS NEXT
If they really can’t pay, there are scholarships. Our club is free for any kid who qualifies for free or reduced priced school lunches.
Anonymous
Post 10/20/2021 18:56     Subject: ECNL and MLS NEXT
Is my understanding correct that if a kid (boys) wants to compete in ECNL and/or MLS NEXT, that they must join one of the clubs who are part of those leagues?Unlike EDP which allows any clubs to field teams. Looking at the clubs that are part of those leagues club, they all seem to cost a lot of money, at least double and sometimes triple what we currently pay for our small club. Most are the more well known names in this area.

So for a kid who has no funds to play at a member club, there only recourse to compete at the highest level is to get into the DC academy at U13? [is DCU academy free?] I realize that some of those clubs give scholarships but I imagine those are highly competitive and limited and at the end of the day, you’re still potentially playing with not as talented kids who have the resources to pay to play for a big name club.