Cruzado wrote:

whothey wrote:

Cruzado wrote:

whothey wrote:

Cruzado wrote:

AnonymousNOT wrote:So I have attended a few High School games already and have noticed some MSL Next players from SYC playing High School soccer at various schools.

According to MLS Next rules and regulations, players are NOT allowed to play High School soccer.

If Alexandria can do the right thing and follow MLS Next rules why can't SYC do the same?

Give SYC the benefit of the doubt -- maybe they don't know that one of their players is also playing for his HS team in violation of the rules.

I'd report it to SYC. I'd also report it to MLS Next. It's unfair and poor sportsmanship to flout the rules of the league.

Who is it unfair to?

For one, it's unfair to all of the other MLS Next players who also might want to play for their high schools, but who aren't doing so because they agreed to abide by the rules of MLS Next.

That isn’t unfair, that is simply a choice. But my guess is, you believe it is unfair because you feel that MLSNext players playing on your opponents teams giving them an advantage OR MLSNext kids are playing on your school team which makes your kid a bench player.

Life isn’t fair. You can turn them in to SYC if you want but they didn’t break any HS rule by participating. And if the kids are Seniors or commuted Juniors, you’re out of luck.

What you wrote makes no sense. "That isn't unfair, that is simply a choice." What does that even mean? MLS Next players agreed to abide by the rules of the league when they signed up to play MLS Next. I'm sure many of them would also like to play for their high schools, but because it's against the rules they are doing the right thing and abiding by their contract. If one MLS Next player decides that the rules don't apply to him and breaks the rules to play for his high school, that's patently unfair. Whether it's a "choice" or not is beside the point -- it's unfair.

By analogy, if MLS Next players agreed to pay $500 to participate in the league, but one player decides that the rules don't apply to him and he doesn't have to pay, but expects that he can still participate, that's also unfair. (Yes, it's also a "choice" and it's unfair.)

It's not complicated.

And for the record, I don't have a dog in this fight. But if SYC is informed of this violation and doesn't do anything to correct it, well, it's just another black mark on SYC.

Perhaps kids are seniors and CHOSE to play HS regardless of their MLSNext status. Perhaps kids are committed Juniors and also did not care if they were not allowed to play in MLSNext games or attend club practices while they remained on the HS team. It was their choice to weigh the consequences. This is not a moral or ethics based rule. It is a rule carried over from DA as a way of determining both commitment as well as primarily to keep players healthy and managing their workload. The function of the rule is to not have the players overworked because the MLS season matches on and does not pause for HS.

SYC is well within their rights to enforce the rule but that will not guarantee the players will stop playing for their HS team. Perhaps a kid wasn’t getting enough minutes on the MLS roster but gets to play more for his HS, how is SYC suspending him from games he barely plays in a real punishment? Every player made a decision based on their situation and your crying to SYC about it is not going to affect your HS roster.

Parents always complained about this with DA mostly because their kid got bumped out of a starting spot or perhaps off the team because a DA player decided they wanted to play HS. It isn’t against the HS rule so just mind your own business.

If a parent on a competing MLSNext team knows this is happening then they would rightfully report it to the league and not even bother with the club to ensure the player was suspended because it can affect them. But HS parents year after year with their sour grapes over this never stops being funny.

This was not handled well by SYC and the MLS Next rules leave room for interpretation. For starters, back in September, statements by SYC about HS soccer led players and families to believe there would be flexibility and the rule would not be strictly enforced. This idea was reinforced in the fall when players attending private schools and/or living in Maryland were allowed to play HS. The vague messaging combined with private school/Maryland players getting the opportunity to participate in fall HS soccer created confusion and was unfair to the Virginia public high school players.

Adding to the confusion created by SYC are the poorly written MLS Next Rules that leave room for interpretation. For starters, MLS Next defines players as either “Full-Time” or “Future.” Specific to Full-Time, the rules state, “Full-time Players registered with a Club who do not meet waiver eligibility (meaning they are on scholarship at a private school to play soccer) and choose to play with their high school team will not be allowed to re-enter the Program during the same MLS NEXT Season after participating in the high school season with their current or a different Club.” Emphasis in this statement is on Full-Time.

Conversely, Future Players are defined as, “…a Player who is Rostered with a Club or its Affiliate who is not ready to contribute at the MLS NEXT level full time. A Future Player is not playing consistently and/or enough minutes in MLS NEXT Games to fully develop; therefore, the Player is eligible to play games outside of MLS NEXT. A Future Player is required to train a minimum of 1x every week with the Club, in addition to his non-MLS NEXT team, and overall should consistently train 3-4 times a week (depending on his age group).“

Because the no-high school rule is specifically attributed to Full-time players in the rules, this leaves the door open for Future players associated with the MLS Next team to play HS. Additionally, the MLS Next rules state that a team must have a minimum of 14 Full-time players on their roster and players’ status can change under one of two conditions to include 1) a Future Player can play in a maximum of 12 MLS NEXT Games in an MLS NEXT Season. After 12, they will be converted to Full-Time. 2) Clubs will have one period during the MLS NEXT Season (September 1, 2020 through April 2, 2021) at which time Players may be added as full-time (either adding a new full-time Player, a Player transfer from one Club to another, or moving a Future Player to full-time status).

I’m guessing SYC wouldn’t have had 14 Full-time players if they tried to switch some to Future status so they could play spring HS soccer. As a result, the private school kids got the best of both worlds and the public-school kids got screwed over because the rule wasn’t applied from the onset of the season back in August.

whothey wrote:

Cruzado wrote:

whothey wrote:

Cruzado wrote:

AnonymousNOT wrote:So I have attended a few High School games already and have noticed some MSL Next players from SYC playing High School soccer at various schools.

According to MLS Next rules and regulations, players are NOT allowed to play High School soccer.

If Alexandria can do the right thing and follow MLS Next rules why can't SYC do the same?

Give SYC the benefit of the doubt -- maybe they don't know that one of their players is also playing for his HS team in violation of the rules.

I'd report it to SYC. I'd also report it to MLS Next. It's unfair and poor sportsmanship to flout the rules of the league.

Who is it unfair to?

For one, it's unfair to all of the other MLS Next players who also might want to play for their high schools, but who aren't doing so because they agreed to abide by the rules of MLS Next.

That isn’t unfair, that is simply a choice. But my guess is, you believe it is unfair because you feel that MLSNext players playing on your opponents teams giving them an advantage OR MLSNext kids are playing on your school team which makes your kid a bench player.

Life isn’t fair. You can turn them in to SYC if you want but they didn’t break any HS rule by participating. And if the kids are Seniors or commuted Juniors, you’re out of luck.

What you wrote makes no sense. "That isn't unfair, that is simply a choice." What does that even mean? MLS Next players agreed to abide by the rules of the league when they signed up to play MLS Next. I'm sure many of them would also like to play for their high schools, but because it's against the rules they are doing the right thing and abiding by their contract. If one MLS Next player decides that the rules don't apply to him and breaks the rules to play for his high school, that's patently unfair. Whether it's a "choice" or not is beside the point -- it's unfair.

By analogy, if MLS Next players agreed to pay $500 to participate in the league, but one player decides that the rules don't apply to him and he doesn't have to pay, but expects that he can still participate, that's also unfair. (Yes, it's also a "choice" and it's unfair.)

It's not complicated.

And for the record, I don't have a dog in this fight. But if SYC is informed of this violation and doesn't do anything to correct it, well, it's just another black mark on SYC.

SYC Mission statement:Springfield/South County Youth Club provides athletic programs for boys and girls ages 4 to 19 that promote character development, good sportsmanship, and exemplary behavior... Something is amiss if these character flaws are consistently displayed by its players.

Cruzado wrote:

whothey wrote:

Cruzado wrote:

AnonymousNOT wrote:So I have attended a few High School games already and have noticed some MSL Next players from SYC playing High School soccer at various schools.

According to MLS Next rules and regulations, players are NOT allowed to play High School soccer.

If Alexandria can do the right thing and follow MLS Next rules why can't SYC do the same?

Give SYC the benefit of the doubt -- maybe they don't know that one of their players is also playing for his HS team in violation of the rules.

I'd report it to SYC. I'd also report it to MLS Next. It's unfair and poor sportsmanship to flout the rules of the league.

Who is it unfair to?

For one, it's unfair to all of the other MLS Next players who also might want to play for their high schools, but who aren't doing so because they agreed to abide by the rules of MLS Next.

That isn’t unfair, that is simply a choice. But my guess is, you believe it is unfair because you feel that MLSNext players playing on your opponents teams giving them an advantage OR MLSNext kids are playing on your school team which makes your kid a bench player.

Life isn’t fair. You can turn them in to SYC if you want but they didn’t break any HS rule by participating. And if the kids are Seniors or commuted Juniors, you’re out of luck.

SoccerSkeptic wrote:

Mdmom22 wrote:Just wanted to point out that from my understanding, if an MLSNext student is getting a scholarship to play soccer in high school, MLSNext allows that student to play both in MLSNext and in high school. Of course this is irrelevant to MLSNext kids playing in public school but I think there is a possibility to do both (play MLSNext and in high school) without violating any MLSNext rules.

There is a waiver process for this situation, but I don’t think this scenario is too common, especially in this area.

May I ask why it wouldn't be common in the area? There's a lot of soccer in the area as well as kids who are in private schools that have robust soccer programs.

Mdmom22 wrote:Just wanted to point out that from my understanding, if an MLSNext student is getting a scholarship to play soccer in high school, MLSNext allows that student to play both in MLSNext and in high school. Of course this is irrelevant to MLSNext kids playing in public school but I think there is a possibility to do both (play MLSNext and in high school) without violating any MLSNext rules.

There is a waiver process for this situation, but I don’t think this scenario is too common, especially in this area.

Just wanted to point out that from my understanding, if an MLSNext student is getting a scholarship to play soccer in high school, MLSNext allows that student to play both in MLSNext and in high school. Of course this is irrelevant to MLSNext kids playing in public school but I think there is a possibility to do both (play MLSNext and in high school) without violating any MLSNext rules.

whothey wrote:

Cruzado wrote:

AnonymousNOT wrote:So I have attended a few High School games already and have noticed some MSL Next players from SYC playing High School soccer at various schools.

According to MLS Next rules and regulations, players are NOT allowed to play High School soccer.

If Alexandria can do the right thing and follow MLS Next rules why can't SYC do the same?

Give SYC the benefit of the doubt -- maybe they don't know that one of their players is also playing for his HS team in violation of the rules.

I'd report it to SYC. I'd also report it to MLS Next. It's unfair and poor sportsmanship to flout the rules of the league.

Who is it unfair to?

For one, it's unfair to all of the other MLS Next players who also might want to play for their high schools, but who aren't doing so because they agreed to abide by the rules of MLS Next.

westsidesoccer wrote:It’s a stupid rule. Clubs like it because it focuses their players on club play and reduces probability of injury outside club play. The violation of the rules is driven principally by player choice. It’s unfair to break the rules when other people either feel compelled to play ecnl to preserve ability to play lawfully or violate mls next rules that other mls next kids follow. If you don’t have a kid in either category, then you shouldn’t care. If you do, complain about the rule. If you are violating it, don’t pretend that is kosher to break rules that others are respecting. It is. But I must agree that ratting out kids is totally wrong.

It's not a stupid rule. The clubs don't want kids playing hs soccer because it's too much strain on the body and causes injuries. If your kid wants to play hs soccer then play on a different team. There are plenty of second teams that are good.

It’s a stupid rule. Clubs like it because it focuses their players on club play and reduces probability of injury outside club play. The violation of the rules is driven principally by player choice. It’s unfair to break the rules when other people either feel compelled to play ecnl to preserve ability to play lawfully or violate mls next rules that other mls next kids follow. If you don’t have a kid in either category, then you shouldn’t care. If you do, complain about the rule. If you are violating it, don’t pretend that is kosher to break rules that others are respecting. It is. But I must agree that ratting out kids is totally wrong.

whothey wrote:

SoccerSkeptic wrote:

whothey wrote:

SoccerSkeptic wrote:

whothey wrote:

AnonymousNOT wrote:

Cruzado wrote:

AnonymousNOT wrote:So I have attended a few High School games already and have noticed some MSL Next players from SYC playing High School soccer at various schools.

According to MLS Next rules and regulations, players are NOT allowed to play High School soccer.

If Alexandria can do the right thing and follow MLS Next rules why can't SYC do the same?

Give SYC the benefit of the doubt -- maybe they don't know that one of their players is also playing for his HS team in violation of the rules.

I'd report it to SYC. I'd also report it to MLS Next. It's unfair and poor sportsmanship to flout the rules of the league.

This is not one or two MLS Next players in HS teams. The kids know them and talk about it. This is not a HS problem but, once again, SYC breaking the rules.

What rule is SYC breaking?

Did you not read any of the posts in this thread? MLSNext players aren't allowed to play high school soccer.

That would be players breaking the rules, not the club.

But, even if they are playing, why do you care?

That's like saying Russia isn't responsible for it's doping athletes. Clubs have the responsibility of enforcing this rule. If they turn a blind eye, they can get in trouble with the league.

Bad analogy. Doping is against Olympic and lost competitive rules.

MLSNext players playing HS soccer is not a violation of HS soccer rules.

It is a violation of MLSNext competition rules. So if you want to play HS soccer, do so where the rules permit, such as ECNL.

SoccerSkeptic wrote:

whothey wrote:

SoccerSkeptic wrote:

whothey wrote:

AnonymousNOT wrote:

Cruzado wrote:

AnonymousNOT wrote:So I have attended a few High School games already and have noticed some MSL Next players from SYC playing High School soccer at various schools.

According to MLS Next rules and regulations, players are NOT allowed to play High School soccer.

If Alexandria can do the right thing and follow MLS Next rules why can't SYC do the same?

Give SYC the benefit of the doubt -- maybe they don't know that one of their players is also playing for his HS team in violation of the rules.

I'd report it to SYC. I'd also report it to MLS Next. It's unfair and poor sportsmanship to flout the rules of the league.

This is not one or two MLS Next players in HS teams. The kids know them and talk about it. This is not a HS problem but, once again, SYC breaking the rules.

What rule is SYC breaking?

Did you not read any of the posts in this thread? MLSNext players aren't allowed to play high school soccer.

That would be players breaking the rules, not the club.

But, even if they are playing, why do you care?

That's like saying Russia isn't responsible for it's doping athletes. Clubs have the responsibility of enforcing this rule. If they turn a blind eye, they can get in trouble with the league.

Bad analogy. Doping is against Olympic and lost competitive rules.

MLSNext players playing HS soccer is not a violation of HS soccer rules.

whothey wrote:

SoccerSkeptic wrote:

whothey wrote:

AnonymousNOT wrote:

Cruzado wrote:

AnonymousNOT wrote:So I have attended a few High School games already and have noticed some MSL Next players from SYC playing High School soccer at various schools.

According to MLS Next rules and regulations, players are NOT allowed to play High School soccer.

If Alexandria can do the right thing and follow MLS Next rules why can't SYC do the same?

Give SYC the benefit of the doubt -- maybe they don't know that one of their players is also playing for his HS team in violation of the rules.

I'd report it to SYC. I'd also report it to MLS Next. It's unfair and poor sportsmanship to flout the rules of the league.

This is not one or two MLS Next players in HS teams. The kids know them and talk about it. This is not a HS problem but, once again, SYC breaking the rules.

What rule is SYC breaking?

Did you not read any of the posts in this thread? MLSNext players aren't allowed to play high school soccer.

That would be players breaking the rules, not the club.

But, even if they are playing, why do you care?

That's like saying Russia isn't responsible for it's doping athletes. Clubs have the responsibility of enforcing this rule. If they turn a blind eye, they can get in trouble with the league.

If anyone is at "fault" it is likely the player/parents who surely are aware of the MLS NEXT's no high school rule. Is it the club's responsibility to police player behavior outside of the club? I don't know. Making the families aware of the rule and, if they hear it's not being followed, asking them to knock it off sounds like enough to me.

That said, SYC chose to enter a league that did not allow high school play. Don't choose to play in a league, or for a club, with silly rules and you don't have to worry about silly rules being followed.