Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
He's too old to get picked up by a ECNL team. And obviously wasn't at the caliber early enough to displace a kid now.

This is truth but foolish. At least on boys side, there isn’t much difference in terms of talent (height and bulk, yes) between RL and NL.

Yet another reason why we are failing on National Stage - (over) focus on size where it doesn’t matter as much in the sport. (On yes).

Modrich, Messi, Iniesta, Tote, Pele: some of the true greats were small in stature.

This is a cultural bias - and I think the import of small but gifted players into MLS will slowly change mindset. (Can anyone say Joao Plata? He’s 5”2’)

thats not true either.. ECNL teams do not have a bias on size.. its technical and speed of play at NL level. Most RL teams at older ages are generally loaded to fast big physical kids. But they struggle in tight space or touch is bad

Completely disagree. ECNL teams absolutely bias to size.

Anonymous wrote:
He's too old to get picked up by a ECNL team. And obviously wasn't at the caliber early enough to displace a kid now.

This is truth but foolish. At least on boys side, there isn’t much difference in terms of talent (height and bulk, yes) between RL and NL.

Yet another reason why we are failing on National Stage - (over) focus on size where it doesn’t matter as much in the sport. (On yes).

Modrich, Messi, Iniesta, Tote, Pele: some of the true greats were small in stature.

This is a cultural bias - and I think the import of small but gifted players into MLS will slowly change mindset. (Can anyone say Joao Plata? He’s 5”2’)

thats not true either.. ECNL teams do not have a bias on size.. its technical and speed of play at NL level. Most RL teams at older ages are generally loaded to fast big physical kids. But they struggle in tight space or touch is bad

Anonymous wrote:I would love to know how many European born players, who played college soccer in the US, went on to play first division pro in Europe.

its actually the opposite the international kids in academies which are pro track. The kids coming to US generally are not getting to the top teams to become a pro. So the opt to come to US. These kids are generally better then there US counterparts because its not pay to play there.

I would love to know how many European born players, who played college soccer in the US, went on to play first division pro in Europe.

Anonymous wrote:
He's too old to get picked up by a ECNL team. And obviously wasn't at the caliber early enough to displace a kid now.

This is truth but foolish. At least on boys side, there isn’t much difference in terms of talent (height and bulk, yes) between RL and NL.

Yet another reason why we are failing on National Stage - (over) focus on size where it doesn’t matter as much in the sport. (On yes).

Modrich, Messi, Iniesta, Tote, Pele: some of the true greats were small in stature.

This is a cultural bias - and I think the import of small but gifted players into MLS will slowly change mindset. (Can anyone say Joao Plata? He’s 5”2’)

If you look through the rosters of the big European leagues the majority of the players are above average height. Like 75% average and above average height. There are a few players below 5’9” with very few below 5’7” on a roster. The rest are 5’10” or taller.

There is size bias in the US and Europe(and the rest of the world) but the difference is in the US size(and speed) is the first selection requirement at a very young age. In European(and ROW) the first selection is technically ability, speed of play and soccer IQ then they select for size, speed and athleticism. This is done at older ages(14-16) and done while playing against other player with a high speed of play. By 18 there are no non technical players getting time.

The US system(travel and college) do not expose players to high speed of play against full defensive intensity at practice or in games. Defensive intensity and speed of play are lacking in the US system from 15 through college. This delays development in the US and is why promising player have to leave to US to fully develop. The college game is incredibly slow when compared to similar age matches in Europe let alone the pro game.

* On corners, yes is what that one sentence was suppose to say. My cue to go to bed

He's too old to get picked up by a ECNL team. And obviously wasn't at the caliber early enough to displace a kid now.

This is truth but foolish. At least on boys side, there isn’t much difference in terms of talent (height and bulk, yes) between RL and NL.

Yet another reason why we are failing on National Stage - (over) focus on size where it doesn’t matter as much in the sport. (On yes).

Modrich, Messi, Iniesta, Tote, Pele: some of the true greats were small in stature.

This is a cultural bias - and I think the import of small but gifted players into MLS will slowly change mindset. (Can anyone say Joao Plata? He’s 5”2’)

With the portal and international players, a lot of boys aren't recruited until about now of their junior year of high school. There are plenty of D1 players not getting calls the day they are eligible after their sophomore year. Just keep with it

OP is your son looking for a scholarship or just the opportunity to keep playing soccer? I know several kids who have attended D1 schools, that were not quite good enough to be recruited NCAA athletes. They did the club team at their universities and really enjoyed it. I’m pretty sure the club teams compete against other universities’ club teams. It sounds like a great way to be part of a team environment, make friends, and continue the sport while taking advantage of all that a large university has to offer. For some kids that’s a better option than going to a D2 or D3 school just to play a sport.

Anonymous wrote:It’s not over especially with all of the changes in recruiting rules but it is time to be realistic.

I would also say that it isn’t over in terms of recruiting for D2 and D3 and that is a great pathway into D1. Also, the likelihood of getting playing time in D2 or D3 is substantially higher than D1.

Last thing, take recruiting advice with parents who have girls with a grain of salt. Not that their opinion isn’t valid just that girls college recruiting is fundamentally different from boys

I have both. For Boys D1 is over if they are not ECNL/MSLnxt in junior year and/or did not get contracted in the summer after sophomore year. With girls there are many more D1 options and D2 given its a primary sport them. But similar to boys if you don't here much the summer after sophomore year its a low probability. Unfortunately US pathway has become more challenging with portal and international players.

D2/D3 is the likely option if your kid wants to trade education for chance to play.

It’s not over especially with all of the changes in recruiting rules but it is time to be realistic.

I would also say that it isn’t over in terms of recruiting for D2 and D3 and that is a great pathway into D1. Also, the likelihood of getting playing time in D2 or D3 is substantially higher than D1.

Last thing, take recruiting advice with parents who have girls with a grain of salt. Not that their opinion isn’t valid just that girls college recruiting is fundamentally different from boys

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is a Junior HS and he is been playing soccer in ECNL RL. However, he want to go to D1 school(he got pick up some D3 colleges on his Sophomore year in ID camps/Varsity player in HS). If he join the ECNL in 2025, is it too late to be pick by D1 school? I know that some Junior ECNL player got pick up by D1 school already.

pretty much its over for him from D1. They know who they want pretty early and if you aren't hearing much during summer going into junior yr, you aren't on an interest list. RL teams don't go to the show cases needed and if they do, they are in a low bracket where no colleges show.

He's too old to get picked up by a ECNL team. And obviously wasn't at the caliber early enough to displace a kid now.

Lastly D1 schools have a large number of international pipelines and are using portal.

My advice if he wants D1, try to walk on. He also needs to reach out to schools and coaches himself. Or as many have said ….D2 and D3 schools are just as good. And many can and will beat D1 schools.

The only thing I will agree wirh is D1 rosters are filled with international students and there are few spots. However, I disagree that it’s too late if a junior has not been recruited yet. Some don’t commit until senior year. Partly it depends on position but also gender. Girls soccer recruitment happens earlier than boys so I wonder if this poster has a daughter. It’s definitely not too old to move to ECNL either but obviously it does depend on ability.

Thank you. Actually he got some emails back from the D1 coaches and ask to him to fill out the Recruiting Questionnaire on the school website. Also he will try D2 and D3 schools too.

That's standard. They tell all kids to do that. But, in the next breath at a camp will admit it means nothing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is a Junior HS and he is been playing soccer in ECNL RL. However, he want to go to D1 school(he got pick up some D3 colleges on his Sophomore year in ID camps/Varsity player in HS). If he join the ECNL in 2025, is it too late to be pick by D1 school? I know that some Junior ECNL player got pick up by D1 school already.

pretty much its over for him from D1. They know who they want pretty early and if you aren't hearing much during summer going into junior yr, you aren't on an interest list. RL teams don't go to the show cases needed and if they do, they are in a low bracket where no colleges show.

He's too old to get picked up by a ECNL team. And obviously wasn't at the caliber early enough to displace a kid now.

Lastly D1 schools have a large number of international pipelines and are using portal.

My advice if he wants D1, try to walk on. He also needs to reach out to schools and coaches himself. Or as many have said ….D2 and D3 schools are just as good. And many can and will beat D1 schools.

The only thing I will agree wirh is D1 rosters are filled with international students and there are few spots. However, I disagree that it’s too late if a junior has not been recruited yet. Some don’t commit until senior year. Partly it depends on position but also gender. Girls soccer recruitment happens earlier than boys so I wonder if this poster has a daughter. It’s definitely not too old to move to ECNL either but obviously it does depend on ability.

Thank you. Actually he got some emails back from the D1 coaches and ask to him to fill out the Recruiting Questionnaire on the school website. Also he will try D2 and D3 schools too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is a Junior HS and he is been playing soccer in ECNL RL. However, he want to go to D1 school(he got pick up some D3 colleges on his Sophomore year in ID camps/Varsity player in HS). If he join the ECNL in 2025, is it too late to be pick by D1 school? I know that some Junior ECNL player got pick up by D1 school already.

pretty much its over for him from D1. They know who they want pretty early and if you aren't hearing much during summer going into junior yr, you aren't on an interest list. RL teams don't go to the show cases needed and if they do, they are in a low bracket where no colleges show.

He's too old to get picked up by a ECNL team. And obviously wasn't at the caliber early enough to displace a kid now.

Lastly D1 schools have a large number of international pipelines and are using portal.

My advice if he wants D1, try to walk on. He also needs to reach out to schools and coaches himself. Or as many have said ….D2 and D3 schools are just as good. And many can and will beat D1 schools.

Go the JUCO route, they offer scholarships, competitive soccer and an opportunity to eventually play for a D1. West Virginia had a kid drafted in the MLS draft that they got from a JUCO.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is a Junior HS and he is been playing soccer in ECNL RL. However, he want to go to D1 school(he got pick up some D3 colleges on his Sophomore year in ID camps/Varsity player in HS). If he join the ECNL in 2025, is it too late to be pick by D1 school? I know that some Junior ECNL player got pick up by D1 school already.

pretty much its over for him from D1. They know who they want pretty early and if you aren't hearing much during summer going into junior yr, you aren't on an interest list. RL teams don't go to the show cases needed and if they do, they are in a low bracket where no colleges show.

He's too old to get picked up by a ECNL team. And obviously wasn't at the caliber early enough to displace a kid now.

Lastly D1 schools have a large number of international pipelines and are using portal.

My advice if he wants D1, try to walk on. He also needs to reach out to schools and coaches himself. Or as many have said ….D2 and D3 schools are just as good. And many can and will beat D1 schools.

The only thing I will agree wirh is D1 rosters are filled with international students and there are few spots. However, I disagree that it’s too late if a junior has not been recruited yet. Some don’t commit until senior year. Partly it depends on position but also gender. Girls soccer recruitment happens earlier than boys so I wonder if this poster has a daughter. It’s definitely not too old to move to ECNL either but obviously it does depend on ability.

its over for D1. The kid is a junior and not on a ECNL or MLSnext team. You will know if there is interest when june 15 hits after soph year. The portal has really screwed with recruiting. Then add international. I do agree boys sign later then girls but almost all of them got some sort of interest prior to junior yr.