Play on a team where you play

OP, has your son and you seen any MLSNext games?

Do you feel your kid is at that level? Is he naturally gifted and competitive? Is he passionate and discipline?

Is he above playing level than other kids in his current team? Does he stand out?

If yes to all the above, then go ahead a reach out to an MLSNext coach and have him attend a few of their practices. They are very open about having prospect players join in.

When my son was on MLSNext, his team had a few kids coming in from time to time, some stayed, some never came back... some never left and were offered spots.

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP and thank you everyone who responded. What a rational, kind and helpful thread. Incredible!

I know that we should be contacting coaches and asking if my son can come out to a practice. Sorry for newbie questions — but do you email the coach ? Do they really let random kids come to practices? Do you send video?

Yes, I’ve gotten coaches info from their website. Or reaching out to the director of the club. Or if you know a family that has a kid in the club you’re interested in, see if they can make an introduction.

Coaches will let your kid come to practices so long as you can convince them that your kid is at the level of their team. So if trying to get on an MLSNext or ECNL team, for most players, you are already on the top team of a major club, or you could be the best player on a second team at a big club.

If you’re from a small club, you are the best on the team and/or playing up.

If you’re not any of the above, you may just have to see if you show well at an open tryout.

Good luck!

This is the OP and thank you everyone who responded. What a rational, kind and helpful thread. Incredible!

I know that we should be contacting coaches and asking if my son can come out to a practice. Sorry for newbie questions — but do you email the coach ? Do they really let random kids come to practices? Do you send video?

All can happen…..but politics and maneuvering happens sadly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did they join? Move up from a 2nd team at the club or join from the outside? What age? Thank you!

My son was playing on the top team when the Club (SYC) introduced MLSNext level. At tryouts, a few kids didn't make it and moved down to the 2nd team opening doors to new "top" players.

By the second year, more players got moved down. Never saw a kid from the 2nd team move up to MLSNext. New players were always coming from other Clubs.

3rd year, my son didn't make MLSNext and refused to play in their 2nd team.

We looked up the MLSNext team recently and only about about 5 kids from the original team are still there. A lot of kids who left are either at other Clubs or have quit soccer all together.

Being on the top team can kill the passion for soccer - kids who don't shine and stress about being able to dress for game day. And playing for the second team...yeah, they'd rather quit.

Or it can light a fire in them. At least at our club, it’s very few, but there have been a handful that have raised from the second team over the years. Our team now has at least one from the second team getting regular minutes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did they join? Move up from a 2nd team at the club or join from the outside? What age? Thank you!

My son was playing on the top team when the Club (SYC) introduced MLSNext level. At tryouts, a few kids didn't make it and moved down to the 2nd team opening doors to new "top" players.

By the second year, more players got moved down. Never saw a kid from the 2nd team move up to MLSNext. New players were always coming from other Clubs.

3rd year, my son didn't make MLSNext and refused to play in their 2nd team.

We looked up the MLSNext team recently and only about about 5 kids from the original team are still there. A lot of kids who left are either at other Clubs or have quit soccer all together.

Being on the top team can kill the passion for soccer - kids who don't shine and stress about being able to dress for game day. And playing for the second team...yeah, they'd rather quit.

Anonymous wrote:How did they join? Move up from a 2nd team at the club or join from the outside? What age? Thank you!

My son was playing on the top team when the Club (SYC) introduced MLSNext level. At tryouts, a few kids didn't make it and moved down to the 2nd team opening doors to new "top" players.

By the second year, more players got moved down. Never saw a kid from the 2nd team move up to MLSNext. New players were always coming from other Clubs.

3rd year, my son didn't make MLSNext and refused to play in their 2nd team.

We looked up the MLSNext team recently and only about about 5 kids from the original team are still there. A lot of kids who left are either at other Clubs or have quit soccer all together.

Most went to lower-level teams, some went to other clubs, one went to DC United. I have no idea if it is typical, but it was interesting to experience