Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 09:48     Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - February 1
Players have to commit to a full year cycle yet half of each year is a lame duck period that is detrimental to player and coach development due to these tryouts. Why not just allow tryouts every 6 months? It's nonsense for players and coaches to head into the second half of each season with a group of them knowing they aren't going to be there in a few months.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 09:45     Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - February 1
Crazy that these tryouts are so soon! I guess it’s good though for players to figure out where they stand before tryouts for RL happen. Are ECNL tryouts a good way for a kid outside the club to get on coaches’ radar as a potential fit for the RL team if the are on the bubble? Or is that an entirely separate thing with different coaches etc?
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 07:36     Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - February 1
Anonymous wrote:My guess is both leagues will organize around Feb 1 as US Soccer consolidates and aligns pyramids. Hopefully bringing an end to this chaos next year.

If there is anything I’ve learned with kids in youth soccer for almost 15 years it’s that the chaos most certainly will not end next year.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 07:30     Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - February 1
My guess is both leagues will organize around Feb 1 as US Soccer consolidates and aligns pyramids. Hopefully bringing an end to this chaos next year.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 07:23     Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - February 1
Anonymous wrote:Arlington has moved up IDs to start April 1


Edit feb 1.
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 07:23     Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - February 1
Arlington has moved up IDs to start April 1
Anonymous
Post 01/22/2026 05:52     Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - February 1
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What club?
VDA professionally sent an email. Not sure about the other clubs. Ecnl is pretty close to the pulse of ECNL mid Atlantic.

You all are focused on GA. In reality this is to halt mlsn defections.

Interesting blink at the poker table


It’s all so dumb. It’s just gets earlier and for what? Kids that are leaving are leaving if they actually can leave regardless of when ecnl tryouts start. Pretty soon tryouts will start in September for following year. 😂
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 22:39     Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - February 1
Anonymous wrote:What club?
VDA professionally sent an email. Not sure about the other clubs. Ecnl is pretty close to the pulse of ECNL mid Atlantic.

You all are focused on GA. In reality this is to halt mlsn defections.

Interesting blink at the poker table
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 11:42     Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - February 1
Braking news! GA will now host tryouts January 1st for 2027! -Your move ECNL!
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 08:18     Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - February 1
Anonymous wrote:Just heard from our club that ECNL ID sessions have been cleared by ECNL to be moved up to February 1 instead of March 1. Is this because of competition with GA? Wanting to snap up good GA players and not lose talented ECNL players? If that’s not the reason what is? And yes I know GA players can try out any time but by having the sessions moved up a coach can see everyone all at once rather than make one off decisions.

If Feb 1 date is true, I would say yes to both questions. Try to grab any GA players looking to move to ECNL and try to stop any defections from ECNL to GA. In reality though all tryouts for an area should be at the same time. It's just easier for everyone involved. Whoever is going to switch teams is going to switch teams. Some are chasing a badge, some are chasing playing time, some follow a coach, etc
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 08:14     Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - February 1
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Just heard from our club that ECNL ID sessions have been cleared by ECNL to be moved up to February 1 instead of March 1. Is this because of competition with GA? Wanting to snap up good GA players and not lose talented ECNL players? If that’s not the reason what is? And yes I know GA players can try out any time but by having the sessions moved up a coach can see everyone all at once rather than make one off decisions.


Informal “ID sessions” have been taking place for several months during training sessions. This really is a nothing burger.


There’s a difference between doing it sneakily and quietly vs the rule allowed this.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 07:47     Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - February 1
Anonymous wrote:Just heard from our club that ECNL ID sessions have been cleared by ECNL to be moved up to February 1 instead of March 1. Is this because of competition with GA? Wanting to snap up good GA players and not lose talented ECNL players? If that’s not the reason what is? And yes I know GA players can try out any time but by having the sessions moved up a coach can see everyone all at once rather than make one off decisions.


Informal “ID sessions” have been taking place for several months during training sessions. This really is a nothing burger.
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 07:34     Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - February 1
What club?
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 07:33     Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - February 1
Anonymous wrote:Just heard from our club that ECNL ID sessions have been cleared by ECNL to be moved up to February 1 instead of March 1. Is this because of competition with GA? Wanting to snap up good GA players and not lose talented ECNL players? If that’s not the reason what is? And yes I know GA players can try out any time but by having the sessions moved up a coach can see everyone all at once rather than make one off decisions.


Did you answer your own post?
Anonymous
Post 01/21/2026 07:13     Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - February 1
Just heard from our club that ECNL ID sessions have been cleared by ECNL to be moved up to February 1 instead of March 1. Is this because of competition with GA? Wanting to snap up good GA players and not lose talented ECNL players? If that’s not the reason what is? And yes I know GA players can try out any time but by having the sessions moved up a coach can see everyone all at once rather than make one off decisions.