Anonymous wrote: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.

I noticed that when checking out schedules for DCU, SYC and Alexandria - that they weren’t in the same conference. Not sure how viable that is for the non-MLS academies longer term, to have their boys teams in a league where they are treated as 2nd class and provides nothing to their girls program. Too many of these MLS franchises want to put nothing into development, yet reap the benefits if a player from their area emerges and has value. It’s BS and another example of why many people in this country just can’t take this league seriously.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would look at what club is consistently pumping players into D-1 schools as well as larger academies than DCU. Unless you want to depend on the record of a scrimmage and brag to everyone how great your program is.

Very difficult now to go to a different MLS academy than DCU. DCU is blocking all moves.

That is interesting in that one of the written rules in MLSNext is that no club has geographic ownership and kids are free to play with any MLSNext team they want during the open tryout times. I would think that a kid that wanted to play for Philly Union that currently lives in the DC area would be free to do so. Long commute, though. I believe there was a Northern Virginia kid went out to Seattle to play for their academy a couple years back.

Rules for MLS Next and rules for MLS are different. The MLS academies claim ownership of all kids that live within 75 miles of their home base, and are able to block moves to other MLS academies.

Did not know that until you said this and I checked around Google a bit. Seems to be a lot of complaining about this rule as someone who has never played for a MLS academy (but lived within 75 miles of one) would have to work it out with that team if they wanted to switch to another. Stupid rule.

It's worse than that, because DCU is basically not willing to "work it out" at all.

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I would look at what club is consistently pumping players into D-1 schools as well as larger academies than DCU. Unless you want to depend on the record of a scrimmage and brag to everyone how great your program is. [/quote]

Very difficult now to go to a different MLS academy than DCU. DCU is blocking all moves.[/quote]

That is interesting in that one of the written rules in MLSNext is that no club has geographic ownership and kids are free to play with any MLSNext team they want during the open tryout times. I would think that a kid that wanted to play for Philly Union that currently lives in the DC area would be free to do so. Long commute, though. I believe there was a Northern Virginia kid went out to Seattle to play for their academy a couple years back. [/quote]

Rules for MLS Next and rules for MLS are different. The MLS academies claim ownership of all kids that live within 75 miles of their home base, and are able to block moves to other MLS academies.[/quote]

Did not know that until you said this and I checked around Google a bit. Seems to be a lot of complaining about this rule as someone who has never played for a MLS academy (but lived within 75 miles of one) would have to work it out with that team if they wanted to switch to another. Stupid rule.

Anonymous wrote:There are several kids from the DC area at other academies. DC has lost opportunities due to pay to play. Yes, that has changed. The problem is the talent level at DC compared to other academies is poor. Not saying they don't have some great kids. But overall coaching and talent are under par. U17's are the pinnacle of youth soccer according to MLS/US the DC teams of the past few years are underperforming. Many options in the DC area for other talented teams with good reputations. Some academies do an excellent job of promoting players and it shows every year when announcing college signings.

There are indeed DC area kids at other academies, but it is much more difficult to move now than it was even a year or two ago.

And the talent at DCU is actually better than many other MLS academies. It's not always obvious because our closest neighbors (Philly and NYRB) are two of the best in the nation both in terms of talent and in terms of coaching and resources, but there are many MLS academies which are happy to take kids who don't make DCU.

The problem is not the talent of the kids. It's the coaching and facilities and other resources that DCU chooses not to invest in.

DCU does give the kids good opportunities though at Loudoun and with the first team.

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I would look at what club is consistently pumping players into D-1 schools as well as larger academies than DCU. Unless you want to depend on the record of a scrimmage and brag to everyone how great your program is. [/quote]

Very difficult now to go to a different MLS academy than DCU. DCU is blocking all moves.[/quote]

That is interesting in that one of the written rules in MLSNext is that no club has geographic ownership and kids are free to play with any MLSNext team they want during the open tryout times. I would think that a kid that wanted to play for Philly Union that currently lives in the DC area would be free to do so. Long commute, though. I believe there was a Northern Virginia kid went out to Seattle to play for their academy a couple years back. [/quote]

Rules for MLS Next and rules for MLS are different. The MLS academies claim ownership of all kids that live within 75 miles of their home base, and are able to block moves to other MLS academies.

There are several kids from the DC area at other academies. DC has lost opportunities due to pay to play. Yes, that has changed. The problem is the talent level at DC compared to other academies is poor. Not saying they don't have some great kids. But overall coaching and talent are under par. U17's are the pinnacle of youth soccer according to MLS/US the DC teams of the past few years are underperforming. Many options in the DC area for other talented teams with good reputations. Some academies do an excellent job of promoting players and it shows every year when announcing college signings.

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I would look at what club is consistently pumping players into D-1 schools as well as larger academies than DCU. Unless you want to depend on the record of a scrimmage and brag to everyone how great your program is. [/quote]

Very difficult now to go to a different MLS academy than DCU. DCU is blocking all moves.[/quote]

That is interesting in that one of the written rules in MLSNext is that no club has geographic ownership and kids are free to play with any MLSNext team they want during the open tryout times. I would think that a kid that wanted to play for Philly Union that currently lives in the DC area would be free to do so. Long commute, though. I believe there was a Northern Virginia kid went out to Seattle to play for their academy a couple years back.

[quote=Anonymous]I would look at what club is consistently pumping players into D-1 schools as well as larger academies than DCU. Unless you want to depend on the record of a scrimmage and brag to everyone how great your program is. [/quote]

Very difficult now to go to a different MLS academy than DCU. DCU is blocking all moves.

Anonymous wrote:The next few years will determine which is the stronger league on the boys side. MLS Next let in some questionable clubs and some pretty strong clubs are in ECNL so we'll see. I'd say it's a toss up right now. Need to play the game.

Really though, you have to focus on what your kid needs and their goals. If your kid is good enough to play pro you want to place them in an environment that will help them get there. Though you have lots of questions to answer like do you want your kid to go to college first before pro or just go pro. Will your kid gel with the team? Is it the right environment for your kid to learn and grow? If your kid is that outstanding they would probably have been picked up early by one of the MLS Club teams by U13. If your kid is looking to be a student athlete in college, then you'll want to start contacting the coaches where your kid wants to play and start building a relationship there. Kids with high GPA's and pretty good soccer skills can find spots on D1, D2 and D3 teams. Or if your kid is that good and a school will overlook the grades, then go that route. It's the best when your kid knows what they want and they just go for it and ask you for help when needed.

No doubt a new league will pop up in the next few years

The next few years will determine which is the stronger league on the boys side. MLS Next let in some questionable clubs and some pretty strong clubs are in ECNL so we'll see. I'd say it's a toss up right now. Need to play the game.

Really though, you have to focus on what your kid needs and their goals. If your kid is good enough to play pro you want to place them in an environment that will help them get there. Though you have lots of questions to answer like do you want your kid to go to college first before pro or just go pro. Will your kid gel with the team? Is it the right environment for your kid to learn and grow? If your kid is that outstanding they would probably have been picked up early by one of the MLS Club teams by U13. If your kid is looking to be a student athlete in college, then you'll want to start contacting the coaches where your kid wants to play and start building a relationship there. Kids with high GPA's and pretty good soccer skills can find spots on D1, D2 and D3 teams. Or if your kid is that good and a school will overlook the grades, then go that route. It's the best when your kid knows what they want and they just go for it and ask you for help when needed.

I would look at what club is consistently pumping players into D-1 schools as well as larger academies than DCU. Unless you want to depend on the record of a scrimmage and brag to everyone how great your program is.

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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. [/quote]

Clubs do not develop coaches do. Find the best coach that you can. The badge on the jersey is not a shortcut.[/quote]

The problem with this is that you could end up switching clubs every year. It might well be better to find the club with the strongest coaching slate across the board and stick with it - even if you get a weaker coach one year.

[quote=Anonymous]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. [/quote]

Clubs do not develop coaches do. Find the best coach that you can. The badge on the jersey is not a shortcut.

[quote=Anonymous]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. [/quote]

DC United have to identify the best talent in the dmv and provide opportunity.