A question along these lines: if ultimate goal is ECNL or MLSNext 2, which of these would be best: 1) starter and valuable player on an RL team that is in a pathway/"alliance" but isn't very good; or 2) a team one level below MLSNext 2 and hope to work up to the top team?

These seem like the most realistic options right now. He could of course try to get on a better RL team or an MLSNext2 team, but it seems hard to break into those top teams if coming from outside especially if current team isn't doing so well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are your thoughts on ECNL RL for a strong hardworking kid? Is it a good pathway to ECNL or smarter to try to move when you can go straight to an ECNL team? This is a kid who is very ambitious and wants to work hard, puts in the time and is seeing a huge leap in his results thanks to his efforts. We want the best for him. It’s for U13 boys for the fall.

he needs to crush it on a 2nd team (ECNLRL or MSLN2) that is pretty good and then you can think about going to ECNL tryouts next year

U13-U14 is also a difficult age for boys because of puberty and physical growth by players at different times. Find a team at the highest level of play that will accept him; you want him challenged, not overwhelmed. Then if he is a starter for the team and one of the top players for a MSLN2 or ECNLRL team, then around late October/November ask if he can practice periodically with the ECNL/MLS team. This will show if he has the skill to play on an ENCL/MLS team, and if he does have the skill, it allows the coach to get to know your son.

Some teams may also be looking for additional players later in the season due to sickness, injuries, or vacations. So, if you can get on a coaches radar, they may ask you to quest play for a tournament or two.

Anonymous wrote:What are your thoughts on ECNL RL for a strong hardworking kid? Is it a good pathway to ECNL or smarter to try to move when you can go straight to an ECNL team? This is a kid who is very ambitious and wants to work hard, puts in the time and is seeing a huge leap in his results thanks to his efforts. We want the best for him. It’s for U13 boys for the fall.

he needs to crush it on a 2nd team (ECNLRL or MSLN2) that is pretty good and then you can think about going to ECNL tryouts next year

Anonymous wrote:What are your thoughts on ECNL RL for a strong hardworking kid? Is it a good pathway to ECNL or smarter to try to move when you can go straight to an ECNL team? This is a kid who is very ambitious and wants to work hard, puts in the time and is seeing a huge leap in his results thanks to his efforts. We want the best for him. It’s for U13 boys for the fall.

you wont just get to a ECNL or RL team for that matter. You either have to be an elite player (very few are) or be in the system (politics).

What are your thoughts on ECNL RL for a strong hardworking kid? Is it a good pathway to ECNL or smarter to try to move when you can go straight to an ECNL team? This is a kid who is very ambitious and wants to work hard, puts in the time and is seeing a huge leap in his results thanks to his efforts. We want the best for him. It’s for U13 boys for the fall.

Anonymous wrote:Do the ID sessions that have been happening

MLSNext and MLSN2 have happened. ECNL most are on last IDs. So unless your kid is a pure baller or known name forget about it. RL should be at end of month into april. Just go to clubs websites.

Anonymous wrote:Do the ID sessions that have been happening

Do the ID sessions that have been happening for ECNL and MLSNext include for the “Team 2” (ECNL-RL and MLSNext 2)? Or will they be part of the next round of open tryouts?

Do the ID sessions that have been happening