Anonymous
Post 12/19/2023 16:12     Subject: Ecnl make up games
Anonymous wrote:Forgot that ECNL allocated a ridiculous number of qualifying spots for the mid-atlantic. Top 5 out of 13 teams is kind of ridiculous for post season play.


It's a little high. Nationwide 34.4% get in (44/128). At 5/13, the MA gets 38.5% of its teams in. At 4/13, it would get 30.8% of its teams in. I'm not complaining.

Anonymous
Post 12/19/2023 15:42     Subject: Ecnl make up games
Anonymous wrote:Forgot that ECNL allocated a ridiculous number of qualifying spots for the mid-atlantic. Top 5 out of 13 teams is kind of ridiculous for post season play.


All spots are earned.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2023 15:10     Subject: Ecnl make up games
Forgot that ECNL allocated a ridiculous number of qualifying spots for the mid-atlantic. Top 5 out of 13 teams is kind of ridiculous for post season play.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2023 14:04     Subject: Ecnl make up games
Anonymous wrote:Poor planning on the home club then I'd say. But according to the rules, unless this becomes something that affects the standings for post season play, the game will likely just go unplayed.


It will certainly affect standings for one or both clubs for post-season play at likely every age group.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2023 14:01     Subject: Ecnl make up games
Poor planning on the home club then I'd say. But according to the rules, unless this becomes something that affects the standings for post season play, the game will likely just go unplayed.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2023 13:56     Subject: Ecnl make up games
Anonymous wrote:I do feel bad for Union here. Having to travel to Wilmington NC for 1 game sucks.


They didn't play on Sunday?
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2023 13:50     Subject: Ecnl make up games
I do feel bad for Union here. Having to travel to Wilmington NC for 1 game sucks.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2023 12:26     Subject: Ecnl make up games
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Confused…So do the rich MLS teams also fly or is it just the privileged McLean ECNL families. Do they pay for coaches and private trainers to fly as well? Or does each team have their own plane?


Only McLean. They fly.


don't hate da playa, hate da game
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2023 12:24     Subject: Ecnl make up games
Anonymous wrote:Confused…So do the rich MLS teams also fly or is it just the privileged McLean ECNL families. Do they pay for coaches and private trainers to fly as well? Or does each team have their own plane?


Only McLean. They fly.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2023 12:05     Subject: Ecnl make up games
Confused…So do the rich MLS teams also fly or is it just the privileged McLean ECNL families. Do they pay for coaches and private trainers to fly as well? Or does each team have their own plane?
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2023 11:07     Subject: Ecnl make up games
Anonymous wrote:No. Of course not.

Other than the MLS teams themselves, there are many fine clubs connected with MLSNEXT. Almost all, if not all, have other older age guy teams playing in other leagues too. These clubs will follow the same training schedules and programs for all their teams. I just checked the website for the club one of my kids played for years back. We were in a State with no MLS team.

That club has, at u16, the following guy teams - MLSNEXT, National Academy League, National League Conference and a State Premier team. Basically, an A,B, C and D team just like u9. There is no “secret” code word training for MLSNEXT teams that “other” teams don’t get. The club’s older age group coaches all have A and B licenses. They train at the same locations. They do the same stuff.

If, next year, all the non-MLS clubs got together and said they were forming their own league they certainly could. Since I’ve been around youth soccer, as a parent, the “top league” has changed several times. Now it’s MLSNEXT. Prior to that it was the Development Academy, Prior to that it was a mix of regional leagues under usysa and us soccer umbrellas.

Just for comparison - on the girls’ side the club has two ECNL teams and 1 ECRL team.



Don't see MLS Next losing it's spot as the top league any time soon. Unless all the MLS Clubs pull out and start their own league.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2023 10:26     Subject: Ecnl make up games
No. Of course not.

Other than the MLS teams themselves, there are many fine clubs connected with MLSNEXT. Almost all, if not all, have other older age guy teams playing in other leagues too. These clubs will follow the same training schedules and programs for all their teams. I just checked the website for the club one of my kids played for years back. We were in a State with no MLS team.

That club has, at u16, the following guy teams - MLSNEXT, National Academy League, National League Conference and a State Premier team. Basically, an A,B, C and D team just like u9. There is no “secret” code word training for MLSNEXT teams that “other” teams don’t get. The club’s older age group coaches all have A and B licenses. They train at the same locations. They do the same stuff.

If, next year, all the non-MLS clubs got together and said they were forming their own league they certainly could. Since I’ve been around youth soccer, as a parent, the “top league” has changed several times. Now it’s MLSNEXT. Prior to that it was the Development Academy, Prior to that it was a mix of regional leagues under usysa and us soccer umbrellas.

Just for comparison - on the girls’ side the club has two ECNL teams and 1 ECRL team.

Anonymous
Post 12/19/2023 09:00     Subject: Ecnl make up games
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:MLS Next was pushed hard because of solidarity payments as well IMO. It gave more control to the MLS after their decision to go after solidarity payments. They were successful with Weston McKennie and getting compensation to FC Dallas.

https://theathletic.com/933096/2019/04/18/breaking-down-mlss-new-solidarity-payments-policy-and-how-it-will-impact-academy-players/?amp=1


Putting the politics aside, (there is politics in soccer all over the globe btw) isn't MLS Next a better run organization and league with much higher quality all around than ECNL?
Why wouldn't true soccer loving folks want MLS Next?


I'm all for MLS Next and their fully funded academy programs. There is a lot of push back from parents and players that participate in ECNL since they feel like they go unnoticed in YNT participation but the reality is the system seems to be working. Those YNT rosters full of MLS Next players have been finding success, people complain because their kid isn't being included but most of the time there is typically a valid reason for it. If a kid is talented enough, regardless of their league affiliation, an MLS Academy scout will find them most of the time. There will always be exceptions to that here or there though.


Ages of pay-to-play created a false sense of security, entitlement and inflated worth.

There is nowhere on the planet where at the highest levels of youth soccer your kid is included just because you think he/she should be there, and you have a little cash.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2023 08:38     Subject: Ecnl make up games
People don't want to hear it but the truth is that the MLS Academy teams tied to Pro MLS Clubs are the top tier of youth boys soccer. ECNL is second tier for youth boys, and showing me ECNL teams that beat MLS Next teams doesn't make it otherwise.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2023 08:36     Subject: Ecnl make up games
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:MLS Next was pushed hard because of solidarity payments as well IMO. It gave more control to the MLS after their decision to go after solidarity payments. They were successful with Weston McKennie and getting compensation to FC Dallas.

https://theathletic.com/933096/2019/04/18/breaking-down-mlss-new-solidarity-payments-policy-and-how-it-will-impact-academy-players/?amp=1


Putting the politics aside, (there is politics in soccer all over the globe btw) isn't MLS Next a better run organization and league with much higher quality all around than ECNL?
Why wouldn't true soccer loving folks want MLS Next?


I'm all for MLS Next and their fully funded academy programs. There is a lot of push back from parents and players that participate in ECNL since they feel like they go unnoticed in YNT participation but the reality is the system seems to be working. Those YNT rosters full of MLS Next players have been finding success, people complain because their kid isn't being included but most of the time there is typically a valid reason for it. If a kid is talented enough, regardless of their league affiliation, an MLS Academy scout will find them most of the time. There will always be exceptions to that here or there though.