Anonymous wrote:DA =/= MLS Next

Maybe in a few years. For now, if you're going to try to tell me that SYC is at a higher level than Arlington or Bethesda...well, I could use a good laugh.

If there's anything that comes from this alliance is that it allows the ECNL players to understand the level of quality, quickness and technical skills necessary to play in MLS Next.

PM and EM have always been good at finding fast, physical players who are good at running with and kicking the ball and recruiting them to their teams. That doesn't translate to winning at this age anymore.

A team that did OK in the EDP South Atlantic Conference Premier II Red and was near the bottom of the table of the 4th division at the Jefferson Cup last year isn't a "step above" by virtue of their league. They'd be lucky to be a step above where they were last spring.

Exactly.

All the DA teams in Virginia went to ECNL, along with the DA teams from the Carolinas. Maryland DA teams went to MLS Next. MLS Next admitted clubs from Virginia which were not as good as the clubs which went to ECNL, although they were probably better than some clubs which were already in ECNL.

The players didn't switch teams as a result, nor did the coaches.

The result is that, at least in this area, the strongest teams are currently split between MLS Next and ECNL.

Whether that remains the case will depend on whether MLS Next can market themselves as better because of the participation by MLS clubs, and consequently attract the better players - and just as importantly the better coaches. This definitely could happen.

Equally the opposite could happen too - if the MLS clubs move to separate themselves further from the other MLS Next clubs - as they are already doing - then MLS Next could struggle.

There are reasons why the ex-DA clubs in this area did not move to MLS Next when it was offered (and re-offered again this year). It's not a slam dunk that MLS Next wins this beauty contest. Richmond, Arlington, VDA and Loudoun will always have strong teams. And SYC will struggle in MLS Next and may continue to do so for a long time - just as many clubs struggled in DA and never really made the necessary jump in level to compete with the better DA teams even after many years in that league.

In the end only time will tell.

DA =/= MLS Next

Maybe in a few years. For now, if you're going to try to tell me that SYC is at a higher level than Arlington or Bethesda...well, I could use a good laugh.

If there's anything that comes from this alliance is that it allows the ECNL players to understand the level of quality, quickness and technical skills necessary to play in MLS Next.

PM and EM have always been good at finding fast, physical players who are good at running with and kicking the ball and recruiting them to their teams. That doesn't translate to winning at this age anymore.

A team that did OK in the EDP South Atlantic Conference Premier II Red and was near the bottom of the table of the 4th division at the Jefferson Cup last year isn't a "step above" by virtue of their league. They'd be lucky to be a step above where they were last spring.

Another great thing about the alliance is the diversity on the team and mixing of various communities and backgrounds. It's a great growth and learning opportunity for the kids to be teammates from different backgrounds to learn and understand each other's lives. And most of all representative of the world we live in today.

Anonymous wrote:When was MLSnext ever considered better?

DA\MLS Next was always considered better than ECNL. As a whole, the player talent in DA\MLS Next was always a step above ECNL. With the downfall of DA, the lines are blurred now with some DA teams going to ECNL and some weaker teams going to MLS Next. We'll have to give it a few years to let things shake out and see which league comes out on top. It's pretty apparent when you see scrimmages of VA Union ECNL teams vs SYC MLS Next teams. Generally, the SYC MLS Teams have very quick technical players in most positions which I've found most of the MLS Next top teams in the DMV have. If there's anything that comes from this alliance is that it allows the ECNL players to understand the level of quality, quickness and technical skills necessary to play in MLS Next.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hasn't ECNL always been a step below the Development Academy (DA) League which is basically now MLS Next? And hasn't it always been known if you want to play pro DA/MLS Next is where you want to be and if you want to play soccer in College ECNL is the league to be in? Though if I were a College I'd be looking at both leagues to recruit.

I'm sure if you took a top MLS Next team vs a top ECNL team the MLS Next team would have a slight advantage, but would probably be a very close game.

I would disagree with DA is now MLS. When that transition happened, some former DA clubs went ECNL, and MLSNext let in some clubs that never would have qualified or have been considered under the DA rules. Each region is going to be different with regards to were the stronger clubs ended up.

So maybe this makes ECNL and MLSNext somewhat even if MLSNext let some weaker clubs in.

When was MLSnext ever considered better?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hasn't ECNL always been a step below the Development Academy (DA) League which is basically now MLS Next? And hasn't it always been known if you want to play pro DA/MLS Next is where you want to be and if you want to play soccer in College ECNL is the league to be in? Though if I were a College I'd be looking at both leagues to recruit.

I'm sure if you took a top MLS Next team vs a top ECNL team the MLS Next team would have a slight advantage, but would probably be a very close game.

I would disagree with DA is now MLS. When that transition happened, some former DA clubs went ECNL, and MLSNext let in some clubs that never would have qualified or have been considered under the DA rules. Each region is going to be different with regards to were the stronger clubs ended up.

So maybe this makes ECNL and MLSNext somewhat even if MLSNext let some weaker clubs in.

Like SYC, Alexandria, and Achilles?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hasn't ECNL always been a step below the Development Academy (DA) League which is basically now MLS Next? And hasn't it always been known if you want to play pro DA/MLS Next is where you want to be and if you want to play soccer in College ECNL is the league to be in? Though if I were a College I'd be looking at both leagues to recruit.

I'm sure if you took a top MLS Next team vs a top ECNL team the MLS Next team would have a slight advantage, but would probably be a very close game.

I would disagree with DA is now MLS. When that transition happened, some former DA clubs went ECNL, and MLSNext let in some clubs that never would have qualified or have been considered under the DA rules. Each region is going to be different with regards to were the stronger clubs ended up.

So maybe this makes ECNL and MLSNext somewhat even if MLSNext let some weaker clubs in.

Anonymous wrote:Hasn't ECNL always been a step below the Development Academy (DA) League which is basically now MLS Next? And hasn't it always been known if you want to play pro DA/MLS Next is where you want to be and if you want to play soccer in College ECNL is the league to be in? Though if I were a College I'd be looking at both leagues to recruit.

I'm sure if you took a top MLS Next team vs a top ECNL team the MLS Next team would have a slight advantage, but would probably be a very close game.

I would disagree with DA is now MLS. When that transition happened, some former DA clubs went ECNL, and MLSNext let in some clubs that never would have qualified or have been considered under the DA rules. Each region is going to be different with regards to were the stronger clubs ended up.

Anonymous wrote:Hasn't ECNL always been a step below the Development Academy (DA) League which is basically now MLS Next? And hasn't it always been known if you want to play pro DA/MLS Next is where you want to be and if you want to play soccer in College ECNL is the league to be in? Though if I were a College I'd be looking at both leagues to recruit.

I'm sure if you took a top MLS Next team vs a top ECNL team the MLS Next team would have a slight advantage, but would probably be a very close game.

Which is exactly what is happening in scrimmages and tournaments - sometimes the ECNL team wins and sometimes the MLS teams but they’re close games. You’re also talking about 1-2 players leaving ans being replaced by other good players (including from some of these MLS teams).

Hasn't ECNL always been a step below the Development Academy (DA) League which is basically now MLS Next? And hasn't it always been known if you want to play pro DA/MLS Next is where you want to be and if you want to play soccer in College ECNL is the league to be in? Though if I were a College I'd be looking at both leagues to recruit.

I'm sure if you took a top MLS Next team vs a top ECNL team the MLS Next team would have a slight advantage, but would probably be a very close game.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was told top MLS Next SYC players were going to be duel rostered on the ECNL team too. Did that not happen? My DS is still a year away from this

MLS Next players can't dual roster with an ECNL team nor can MLS Next players play for their high school soccer team (unless you get a waiver). This was determined a while back.

Except they can for Va Union. I think there are a couple of players who are rostered on the ECNL team and can guest play in a certain number of games wirh SYC’s MLS next team.

Yep. This is the only way this is supposed to work. Mls next players cannot play ecnl or other league games.

Gotta preserve that illusion of eliteness

It's not an illusion when top-of-the-roster players from ECNL teams like Arlington, VDA and Loudoun are moving to MLS Next teams like SYC and Achilles. The MLS Next teams to which they moved would handily beat the teams they left. So that's reality. Not just including "Elite" in your league name, which is increasingly ironic on the boys side.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was told top MLS Next SYC players were going to be duel rostered on the ECNL team too. Did that not happen? My DS is still a year away from this

MLS Next players can't dual roster with an ECNL team nor can MLS Next players play for their high school soccer team (unless you get a waiver). This was determined a while back.

Except they can for Va Union. I think there are a couple of players who are rostered on the ECNL team and can guest play in a certain number of games wirh SYC’s MLS next team.

Yep. This is the only way this is supposed to work. Mls next players cannot play ecnl or other league games.

Gotta preserve that illusion of eliteness

How many times will MLS next players play in the ecnl spots.

You did not read this correctly. They don't. ECNL players guest play in MLS nNext.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was told top MLS Next SYC players were going to be duel rostered on the ECNL team too. Did that not happen? My DS is still a year away from this

MLS Next players can't dual roster with an ECNL team nor can MLS Next players play for their high school soccer team (unless you get a waiver). This was determined a while back.

Except they can for Va Union. I think there are a couple of players who are rostered on the ECNL team and can guest play in a certain number of games wirh SYC’s MLS next team.

Yep. This is the only way this is supposed to work. Mls next players cannot play ecnl or other league games.

Gotta preserve that illusion of eliteness

How many times will MLS next players play in the ecnl spots.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was told top MLS Next SYC players were going to be duel rostered on the ECNL team too. Did that not happen? My DS is still a year away from this

MLS Next players can't dual roster with an ECNL team nor can MLS Next players play for their high school soccer team (unless you get a waiver). This was determined a while back.

Except they can for Va Union. I think there are a couple of players who are rostered on the ECNL team and can guest play in a certain number of games wirh SYC’s MLS next team.

Yep. This is the only way this is supposed to work. Mls next players cannot play ecnl or other league games.

Gotta preserve that illusion of eliteness

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was told top MLS Next SYC players were going to be duel rostered on the ECNL team too. Did that not happen? My DS is still a year away from this

MLS Next players can't dual roster with an ECNL team nor can MLS Next players play for their high school soccer team (unless you get a waiver). This was determined a while back.

Except they can for Va Union. I think there are a couple of players who are rostered on the ECNL team and can guest play in a certain number of games wirh SYC’s MLS next team.

Yep. This is the only way this is supposed to work. Mls next players cannot play ecnl or other league games.

+1