Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:16
Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - current players not attending
My kid’s club is having matches between the different levels and different age groups so that coaches get a good look at the players in the other teams.
RL vs ECNL. 2010 RL vs 2011 ECNL. Etc.
RL vs ECNL. 2010 RL vs 2011 ECNL. Etc.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:02
Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - current players not attending
Movement could happen this year though with the age group changes… This is not a normal tryout year.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 16:00
Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - current players not attending
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Arlington’s specifically says ID sessions are for players outside the club
They mean the lower players, not the existing ECNL players. They don't let RL players who want to try and compete for a spot come.
What? They won't let their own RL players come tryout for a spot on the ecnl team?
No, Arlington does not allow this. I thought it was normal. Do other clubs?
It is a Crap Move. Bigger clubs do this. Even if they did let them tryout, they won't make it. They typically only attract new players from other clubs by offering them sports on the 1st team. It happens all the time. Clubs pigeonhole 2nd team players and peg them as such. Over the years, we have seen 1 kid move up internally from the 2nd team, while 8 kids have transferred into the 1st team over a 3 year period.
In the ECNL world, if a coach truly wants a player on their team, they make it happen—especially if that player is already in their building. If you’ve been "training up" for a full season with no movement, the club has likely made its decision, and it is simply protecting its RL roster/revenue.
Yes if they are letting you train with the top team but haven’t immediately offered a spot then you aren’t moving up. Don’t hold out hope.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 15:58
Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - current players not attending
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Arlington’s specifically says ID sessions are for players outside the club
They mean the lower players, not the existing ECNL players. They don't let RL players who want to try and compete for a spot come.
What? They won't let their own RL players come tryout for a spot on the ecnl team?
No, Arlington does not allow this. I thought it was normal. Do other clubs?
Can't think of anyone who moved up from 2nd team to first team in years
It is extremely rare after U13 for players to move from RL to ECNL at the same club.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 15:55
Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - current players not attending
Anonymous wrote:Would you expect your current coach to let you know before tryouts if they were planning on moving your player down?
They should but unfortunately not all coaches will.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 15:39
Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - current players not attending
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Arlington’s specifically says ID sessions are for players outside the club
They mean the lower players, not the existing ECNL players. They don't let RL players who want to try and compete for a spot come.
What? They won't let their own RL players come tryout for a spot on the ecnl team?
No, Arlington does not allow this. I thought it was normal. Do other clubs?
It is a Crap Move. Bigger clubs do this. Even if they did let them tryout, they won't make it. They typically only attract new players from other clubs by offering them sports on the 1st team. It happens all the time. Clubs pigeonhole 2nd team players and peg them as such. Over the years, we have seen 1 kid move up internally from the 2nd team, while 8 kids have transferred into the 1st team over a 3 year period.
In the ECNL world, if a coach truly wants a player on their team, they make it happen—especially if that player is already in their building. If you’ve been "training up" for a full season with no movement, the club has likely made its decision, and it is simply protecting its RL roster/revenue.
This. ID sessions is not try outs. Coaches already know who they have and where they rank. They know who they will cut and who they will cut if someone better showed up. They will take people from the ID sessions and they know where to slot them.
The idea that an afternoon will change a year or more of observations is nuts. Also for RL, if there was an RL player that was even close, that person would have been invited to practices multiple times. Also that person would have guested for the Ecnl team when there were injuries or players were not available. The coaches know the RL players that can make the team. An afternoon is not going to change that.
This is pretty much it. Thinking of my DD's U17 ECNL team, there really hasn't been a ton of roster changes over the years. There have been two players that were RL players added to the NL roster one in U15 and one in U16. There probably will be 1 added next year as well that in the past played on the NL team. But, we haven't had a ton of outside additions either. There have been 3 total over the years. One at U14, one at U15 and one at U16.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 15:19
Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - current players not attending
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Arlington’s specifically says ID sessions are for players outside the club
They mean the lower players, not the existing ECNL players. They don't let RL players who want to try and compete for a spot come.
What? They won't let their own RL players come tryout for a spot on the ecnl team?
No, Arlington does not allow this. I thought it was normal. Do other clubs?
It is a Crap Move. Bigger clubs do this. Even if they did let them tryout, they won't make it. They typically only attract new players from other clubs by offering them sports on the 1st team. It happens all the time. Clubs pigeonhole 2nd team players and peg them as such. Over the years, we have seen 1 kid move up internally from the 2nd team, while 8 kids have transferred into the 1st team over a 3 year period.
In the ECNL world, if a coach truly wants a player on their team, they make it happen—especially if that player is already in their building. If you’ve been "training up" for a full season with no movement, the club has likely made its decision, and it is simply protecting its RL roster/revenue.
This. ID sessions is not try outs. Coaches already know who they have and where they rank. They know who they will cut and who they will cut if someone better showed up. They will take people from the ID sessions and they know where to slot them.
The idea that an afternoon will change a year or more of observations is nuts. Also for RL, if there was an RL player that was even close, that person would have been invited to practices multiple times. Also that person would have guested for the Ecnl team when there were injuries or players were not available. The coaches know the RL players that can make the team. An afternoon is not going to change that.
Don’t waste your time on a third ID session if the offer hasn't come yet. By that point, you aren't a 'recruit' anymore—you're just 'numbers' for their drills. If they don't value the player enough to offer a spot after two looks, it's time to take your talent and your tuition elsewhere
Anonymous
01/29/2026 15:15
Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - current players not attending
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Arlington’s specifically says ID sessions are for players outside the club
They mean the lower players, not the existing ECNL players. They don't let RL players who want to try and compete for a spot come.
What? They won't let their own RL players come tryout for a spot on the ecnl team?
No, Arlington does not allow this. I thought it was normal. Do other clubs?
It is a Crap Move. Bigger clubs do this. Even if they did let them tryout, they won't make it. They typically only attract new players from other clubs by offering them sports on the 1st team. It happens all the time. Clubs pigeonhole 2nd team players and peg them as such. Over the years, we have seen 1 kid move up internally from the 2nd team, while 8 kids have transferred into the 1st team over a 3 year period.
In the ECNL world, if a coach truly wants a player on their team, they make it happen—especially if that player is already in their building. If you’ve been "training up" for a full season with no movement, the club has likely made its decision, and it is simply protecting its RL roster/revenue.
This. ID sessions is not try outs. Coaches already know who they have and where they rank. They know who they will cut and who they will cut if someone better showed up. They will take people from the ID sessions and they know where to slot them.
The idea that an afternoon will change a year or more of observations is nuts. Also for RL, if there was an RL player that was even close, that person would have been invited to practices multiple times. Also that person would have guested for the Ecnl team when there were injuries or players were not available. The coaches know the RL players that can make the team. An afternoon is not going to change that.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 14:21
Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - current players not attending
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Arlington’s specifically says ID sessions are for players outside the club
They mean the lower players, not the existing ECNL players. They don't let RL players who want to try and compete for a spot come.
What? They won't let their own RL players come tryout for a spot on the ecnl team?
No, Arlington does not allow this. I thought it was normal. Do other clubs?
It is a Crap Move. Bigger clubs do this. Even if they did let them tryout, they won't make it. They typically only attract new players from other clubs by offering them sports on the 1st team. It happens all the time. Clubs pigeonhole 2nd team players and peg them as such. Over the years, we have seen 1 kid move up internally from the 2nd team, while 8 kids have transferred into the 1st team over a 3 year period.
In the ECNL world, if a coach truly wants a player on their team, they make it happen—especially if that player is already in their building. If you’ve been "training up" for a full season with no movement, the club has likely made its decision, and it is simply protecting its RL roster/revenue.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 14:16
Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - current players not attending
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Arlington’s specifically says ID sessions are for players outside the club
They mean the lower players, not the existing ECNL players. They don't let RL players who want to try and compete for a spot come.
What? They won't let their own RL players come tryout for a spot on the ecnl team?
No, Arlington does not allow this. I thought it was normal. Do other clubs?
Can't think of anyone who moved up from 2nd team to first team in years
In the club's ecosystem, the jump from ECNL-RL to the full ECNL side is rare. Since they already have your money secured, there’s little incentive for them to promote internally. If your player is serious about making that leap, your best bet is to look for a fresh start and try out for an ECNL spot at a different club.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 13:52
Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - current players not attending
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Arlington’s specifically says ID sessions are for players outside the club
They mean the lower players, not the existing ECNL players. They don't let RL players who want to try and compete for a spot come.
What? They won't let their own RL players come tryout for a spot on the ecnl team?
No, Arlington does not allow this. I thought it was normal. Do other clubs?
It is a Crap Move. Bigger clubs do this. Even if they did let them tryout, they won't make it. They typically only attract new players from other clubs by offering them sports on the 1st team. It happens all the time. Clubs pigeonhole 2nd team players and peg them as such. Over the years, we have seen 1 kid move up internally from the 2nd team, while 8 kids have transferred into the 1st team over a 3 year period.
Anonymous
01/29/2026 13:37
Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - current players not attending
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Arlington’s specifically says ID sessions are for players outside the club
They mean the lower players, not the existing ECNL players. They don't let RL players who want to try and compete for a spot come.
What? They won't let their own RL players come tryout for a spot on the ecnl team?
No, Arlington does not allow this. I thought it was normal. Do other clubs?
Can't think of anyone who moved up from 2nd team to first team in years
Anonymous
01/29/2026 13:28
Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - current players not attending
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Arlington’s specifically says ID sessions are for players outside the club
They mean the lower players, not the existing ECNL players. They don't let RL players who want to try and compete for a spot come.
What? They won't let their own RL players come tryout for a spot on the ecnl team?
No, Arlington does not allow this. I thought it was normal. Do other clubs?
Anonymous
01/29/2026 12:56
Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - current players not attending
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I said this before and I will say it again. If your club does not want your player to tryout at the current club, then you take your player to tryout at all the clubs. Simple. Don't mess around with your player's soccer future. The local DMV clubs have loyalty to nobody but $ and winning to attract more customer$ They will drop your player in a heartbeat for a better player. Always remember that.
You think every club that will take your player is good for your player?
Folks always chasing greener in the distance grass
We've left a club twice, and moved up a level both times. In each case we've gone back to watch the old teams and it's always clear we made the right decision for DC. It's not even necessarily purely greed/laziness that keeps a club from moving DC up, they may really have a strong roster or not need anyone in your kids position.
It's in their interest to keep you paying, and keep you waiting in case a spot does show up. It's not necessarily in your child's interest to do either.
What are the levels?
Anonymous
01/29/2026 12:53
Subject: ECNL ID Sessions - current players not attending
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Arlington’s specifically says ID sessions are for players outside the club
They mean the lower players, not the existing ECNL players. They don't let RL players who want to try and compete for a spot come.
What? They won't let their own RL players come tryout for a spot on the ecnl team?