Anonymous wrote:Well known PREM Academies use Sep1.

Anonymous wrote:Why would someone come here and make things up that are clearly false?

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Anonymous wrote:So….will mls next 2 announce they are going SY? GA did….

I think the suspicion now is both MLSN 1 and 2 will announce SY soon but still close to a coin toss chance if I had to guess

If that screenshot is real (it is real by the way), there is no way they come back in a few weeks and say "Sorry for the long wait and massive confusion for our member clubs, but we're not changing anything even though that will be hugely problematic for you as a partner club".

They are obviously debating what and how much to change. So there will 100% be a change in their current BY system. No doubt about that now, but to what extent is the question. Possible scenarios:

1- Total change to SY across the board (still seems unlikely to me but maybe not)
2- Partial SY change (just the P2P clubs at MLSN1 and MLSN2).
3- Just MLSN2 changes to SY
4- Enhanced biobanding allowing Q4 SY players to play 'down'.
5- ? Something else ?

6. All mlsn platforms go 8/1 for the 27/28 season and announce end of summer 26. I don’t see the advantage of changing a year later, but I’ve heard this from multiple people over the past 2 months.

Interesting. That is not power move at all. If true, it means they were unprepared for this, had to change course/strategy and are now going to lame duck an entire year while everyone else acclimates.

"announce end of summer 26". They just posted that they are reviewing this now and how important it is for their member clubs in the 26/27 season. I know they are slow but waiting well over a year (from the messaging they just put out) to make an announcement seems far fetched even for them. There is no way they let their member clubs hang without a decision in the next two months. And once the member clubs know, it will get out so they might as well announce...

Its almost like they dont plan to change from BY.

What messaging are you referring to? The likely fake screenshot posted to reddit?

Yes, that screenshot. It is definitely not fake.

If they don't plan on changing from BY (which is completely fine) then they need to just come out and tell their own damn member clubs who have no clue what is going on or what is going to happen. You don't see how that might be a problem?

I dont see the problem. Eventually MLS Next will need to release its 2026/27 season rules. When they do this everything will be clear. Until then or if they release a statement, BY.

Ok, that will certainly make their member clubs feel good. All of whom are telling parents all kinds of different things because they don't know what is going to happen! The 26/27 rules won't come out until August... Great way to run an organization.

Doesnt this tell you that they intend to stay BY?

If they intend to stay BY why not just come out and say it? Then no guessing is needed. Their own clubs don't know. Should they all just base their tryout season plans on guesses and tea-leaves?

Not saying anything clearly means something is up. It would take 10 seconds to put out an official message that they are staying BY. Then their clubs all know and can plan accordingly.

I'm good friends with the director and an MLSN2 club. The rest of the club is USYS and going to SY. His main competitors in the small-city market are ECRL and NPL. He is pulling his hair out because he has to field questions about this from parents constantly and has heard absolutely nothing from MLSN. How is he going to recruit players over from his competitors if he doesn't even know what the age brackets will be? It is a shit show. But that is cool, I'll just tell him he needs to read between the lines and figure it out for himself.

Likely MLSN is just slow to announce and just waits for prompts from clubs to pile up and/or they were thinking BY all along until complaints from clubs started piling up.

This.

I’m hoping we don’t get announcement that there is no change for 26/27 but they will continue to monitor and make a decision about 27/28 later.

I’m hoping they don’t overthink this change, should be a no brainer to simplify what’s in the best combined interest for them and their clubs.

I hope they stay BY to maintain international Academy relevance and integrity.

Right! that way US can have even more integrity than England and Germany, who do not use Jan 1. And when MLSN plays all those international matches and sells all those players…

Both England and Germany Acadmies use BY groupings

Lol. No.

Lol, Yes...
https://www.cpfc.co.uk/teams/under-18/

Dude, England uses a school year system, it is widely known. Your link doesn't show anything... We did this in the last (now archived) thread. https://www.thefa.com/~/media/Files/TheFAPortal/governance-docs/rules-of-the-association/standard-code-of-rules-for-youth-competitions.ashx

Looked through the doc. This is for p2p / rec league youth soccer. It has nothing to do with Youth Pro Acadamies.

Nice try though

Read the first damn paragraph dopey:

https://www.premierleague.com/en/footballandcommunity/youth-development/parent-hub/the-academy-experience?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Doesn't seem like clubs are grouping by Aug 31 considering groups are titled u18 u17 u16 etc

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Anonymous wrote:So….will mls next 2 announce they are going SY? GA did….

I think the suspicion now is both MLSN 1 and 2 will announce SY soon but still close to a coin toss chance if I had to guess

If that screenshot is real (it is real by the way), there is no way they come back in a few weeks and say "Sorry for the long wait and massive confusion for our member clubs, but we're not changing anything even though that will be hugely problematic for you as a partner club".

They are obviously debating what and how much to change. So there will 100% be a change in their current BY system. No doubt about that now, but to what extent is the question. Possible scenarios:

1- Total change to SY across the board (still seems unlikely to me but maybe not)
2- Partial SY change (just the P2P clubs at MLSN1 and MLSN2).
3- Just MLSN2 changes to SY
4- Enhanced biobanding allowing Q4 SY players to play 'down'.
5- ? Something else ?

6. All mlsn platforms go 8/1 for the 27/28 season and announce end of summer 26. I don’t see the advantage of changing a year later, but I’ve heard this from multiple people over the past 2 months.

Interesting. That is not power move at all. If true, it means they were unprepared for this, had to change course/strategy and are now going to lame duck an entire year while everyone else acclimates.

"announce end of summer 26". They just posted that they are reviewing this now and how important it is for their member clubs in the 26/27 season. I know they are slow but waiting well over a year (from the messaging they just put out) to make an announcement seems far fetched even for them. There is no way they let their member clubs hang without a decision in the next two months. And once the member clubs know, it will get out so they might as well announce...

Its almost like they dont plan to change from BY.

What messaging are you referring to? The likely fake screenshot posted to reddit?

Yes, that screenshot. It is definitely not fake.

If they don't plan on changing from BY (which is completely fine) then they need to just come out and tell their own damn member clubs who have no clue what is going on or what is going to happen. You don't see how that might be a problem?

I dont see the problem. Eventually MLS Next will need to release its 2026/27 season rules. When they do this everything will be clear. Until then or if they release a statement, BY.

Ok, that will certainly make their member clubs feel good. All of whom are telling parents all kinds of different things because they don't know what is going to happen! The 26/27 rules won't come out until August... Great way to run an organization.

Doesnt this tell you that they intend to stay BY?

If they intend to stay BY why not just come out and say it? Then no guessing is needed. Their own clubs don't know. Should they all just base their tryout season plans on guesses and tea-leaves?

Not saying anything clearly means something is up. It would take 10 seconds to put out an official message that they are staying BY. Then their clubs all know and can plan accordingly.

I'm good friends with the director and an MLSN2 club. The rest of the club is USYS and going to SY. His main competitors in the small-city market are ECRL and NPL. He is pulling his hair out because he has to field questions about this from parents constantly and has heard absolutely nothing from MLSN. How is he going to recruit players over from his competitors if he doesn't even know what the age brackets will be? It is a shit show. But that is cool, I'll just tell him he needs to read between the lines and figure it out for himself.

Likely MLSN is just slow to announce and just waits for prompts from clubs to pile up and/or they were thinking BY all along until complaints from clubs started piling up.

This.

I’m hoping we don’t get announcement that there is no change for 26/27 but they will continue to monitor and make a decision about 27/28 later.

I’m hoping they don’t overthink this change, should be a no brainer to simplify what’s in the best combined interest for them and their clubs.

I hope they stay BY to maintain international Academy relevance and integrity.

Right! that way US can have even more integrity than England and Germany, who do not use Jan 1. And when MLSN plays all those international matches and sells all those players…

Both England and Germany Acadmies use BY groupings

Lol. No.

Lol, Yes...
https://www.cpfc.co.uk/teams/under-18/

Dude, England uses a school year system, it is widely known. Your link doesn't show anything... We did this in the last (now archived) thread. https://www.thefa.com/~/media/Files/TheFAPortal/governance-docs/rules-of-the-association/standard-code-of-rules-for-youth-competitions.ashx

Looked through the doc. This is for p2p / rec league youth soccer. It has nothing to do with Youth Pro Acadamies.

Nice try though

Read the first damn paragraph dopey:

https://www.premierleague.com/en/footballandcommunity/youth-development/parent-hub/the-academy-experience?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Anonymous wrote:AI Overview
For youth player selection, Crystal Palace uses the English football academy system, which sets age groups based on the player's age on August 31st. The cutoff date aligns with the UK academic year and is standard practice for all Premier League academies.

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Anonymous wrote:So….will mls next 2 announce they are going SY? GA did….

I think the suspicion now is both MLSN 1 and 2 will announce SY soon but still close to a coin toss chance if I had to guess

If that screenshot is real (it is real by the way), there is no way they come back in a few weeks and say "Sorry for the long wait and massive confusion for our member clubs, but we're not changing anything even though that will be hugely problematic for you as a partner club".

They are obviously debating what and how much to change. So there will 100% be a change in their current BY system. No doubt about that now, but to what extent is the question. Possible scenarios:

1- Total change to SY across the board (still seems unlikely to me but maybe not)
2- Partial SY change (just the P2P clubs at MLSN1 and MLSN2).
3- Just MLSN2 changes to SY
4- Enhanced biobanding allowing Q4 SY players to play 'down'.
5- ? Something else ?

6. All mlsn platforms go 8/1 for the 27/28 season and announce end of summer 26. I don’t see the advantage of changing a year later, but I’ve heard this from multiple people over the past 2 months.

Interesting. That is not power move at all. If true, it means they were unprepared for this, had to change course/strategy and are now going to lame duck an entire year while everyone else acclimates.

"announce end of summer 26". They just posted that they are reviewing this now and how important it is for their member clubs in the 26/27 season. I know they are slow but waiting well over a year (from the messaging they just put out) to make an announcement seems far fetched even for them. There is no way they let their member clubs hang without a decision in the next two months. And once the member clubs know, it will get out so they might as well announce...

Its almost like they dont plan to change from BY.

What messaging are you referring to? The likely fake screenshot posted to reddit?

Yes, that screenshot. It is definitely not fake.

If they don't plan on changing from BY (which is completely fine) then they need to just come out and tell their own damn member clubs who have no clue what is going on or what is going to happen. You don't see how that might be a problem?

I dont see the problem. Eventually MLS Next will need to release its 2026/27 season rules. When they do this everything will be clear. Until then or if they release a statement, BY.

Ok, that will certainly make their member clubs feel good. All of whom are telling parents all kinds of different things because they don't know what is going to happen! The 26/27 rules won't come out until August... Great way to run an organization.

Doesnt this tell you that they intend to stay BY?

If they intend to stay BY why not just come out and say it? Then no guessing is needed. Their own clubs don't know. Should they all just base their tryout season plans on guesses and tea-leaves?

Not saying anything clearly means something is up. It would take 10 seconds to put out an official message that they are staying BY. Then their clubs all know and can plan accordingly.

I'm good friends with the director and an MLSN2 club. The rest of the club is USYS and going to SY. His main competitors in the small-city market are ECRL and NPL. He is pulling his hair out because he has to field questions about this from parents constantly and has heard absolutely nothing from MLSN. How is he going to recruit players over from his competitors if he doesn't even know what the age brackets will be? It is a shit show. But that is cool, I'll just tell him he needs to read between the lines and figure it out for himself.

Likely MLSN is just slow to announce and just waits for prompts from clubs to pile up and/or they were thinking BY all along until complaints from clubs started piling up.

This.

I’m hoping we don’t get announcement that there is no change for 26/27 but they will continue to monitor and make a decision about 27/28 later.

I’m hoping they don’t overthink this change, should be a no brainer to simplify what’s in the best combined interest for them and their clubs.

I hope they stay BY to maintain international Academy relevance and integrity.

Right! that way US can have even more integrity than England and Germany, who do not use Jan 1. And when MLSN plays all those international matches and sells all those players…

Both England and Germany Acadmies use BY groupings

Lol. No.

Lol yes
https://www.bvb.de/de/en/teams/football/youth/academy/youth-teams.html

post the same for England please.

Southampton Youth Acadamies...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southampton_F.C._Under-21s_and_Academy

Dude, just read the FA rules. Your links have nothing relevant in them.

https://www.thefa.com/~/media/Files/TheFAPort...th-competitions.ashx

Directly from the Wikipedia link i provided...

Southampton F.C. Under-21s and Academy
Article Talk
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Download PDF
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Edit
Southampton F.C. Under-21s and Academy or Saints U21s and Academy is the youth organisation run by Southampton F.C. to encourage and develop young footballers in the south of England. Renowned players including Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, and Alan Shearer began their careers at this academy.

The team is made up of under-21 and academy players, is effectively Southampton's second-string side, but is limited to three outfield players and one goalkeeper over the age of 21 per game following the introduction of new regulations from the 2012–13 season.[1] They play in Premier League 2, Division 2. The team also competes in the EFL Trophy, Premier League International Cup, Premier League Cup and the Hampshire Senior Cup. The under-18 players among other younger age groups make up the Academy team and play in the Premier League U18 First Division, South, Premier League U18 Cup and the FA Youth Cup.

Home fixtures are contested at A.F.C. Totton's Testwood Stadium with some fixtures being held at St. Mary's. Some games are played at the club's training facilities at Staplewood in Long Lane, Marchwood, Southampton if required. Since July 2025, the Under 21s have been managed by Tonda Eckert while since June 2025, the Under 18s have been managed by Andrew Surman.

Age categories
Under 21 (professionals)
Under 18
Under 16
Under 15
Under 14
Under 13
Under 12
Under 11
Under 10
Under 9
Under 8

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Anonymous wrote:So….will mls next 2 announce they are going SY? GA did….

I think the suspicion now is both MLSN 1 and 2 will announce SY soon but still close to a coin toss chance if I had to guess

If that screenshot is real (it is real by the way), there is no way they come back in a few weeks and say "Sorry for the long wait and massive confusion for our member clubs, but we're not changing anything even though that will be hugely problematic for you as a partner club".

They are obviously debating what and how much to change. So there will 100% be a change in their current BY system. No doubt about that now, but to what extent is the question. Possible scenarios:

1- Total change to SY across the board (still seems unlikely to me but maybe not)
2- Partial SY change (just the P2P clubs at MLSN1 and MLSN2).
3- Just MLSN2 changes to SY
4- Enhanced biobanding allowing Q4 SY players to play 'down'.
5- ? Something else ?

6. All mlsn platforms go 8/1 for the 27/28 season and announce end of summer 26. I don’t see the advantage of changing a year later, but I’ve heard this from multiple people over the past 2 months.

Interesting. That is not power move at all. If true, it means they were unprepared for this, had to change course/strategy and are now going to lame duck an entire year while everyone else acclimates.

"announce end of summer 26". They just posted that they are reviewing this now and how important it is for their member clubs in the 26/27 season. I know they are slow but waiting well over a year (from the messaging they just put out) to make an announcement seems far fetched even for them. There is no way they let their member clubs hang without a decision in the next two months. And once the member clubs know, it will get out so they might as well announce...

Its almost like they dont plan to change from BY.

What messaging are you referring to? The likely fake screenshot posted to reddit?

Yes, that screenshot. It is definitely not fake.

If they don't plan on changing from BY (which is completely fine) then they need to just come out and tell their own damn member clubs who have no clue what is going on or what is going to happen. You don't see how that might be a problem?

I dont see the problem. Eventually MLS Next will need to release its 2026/27 season rules. When they do this everything will be clear. Until then or if they release a statement, BY.

Ok, that will certainly make their member clubs feel good. All of whom are telling parents all kinds of different things because they don't know what is going to happen! The 26/27 rules won't come out until August... Great way to run an organization.

Doesnt this tell you that they intend to stay BY?

If they intend to stay BY why not just come out and say it? Then no guessing is needed. Their own clubs don't know. Should they all just base their tryout season plans on guesses and tea-leaves?

Not saying anything clearly means something is up. It would take 10 seconds to put out an official message that they are staying BY. Then their clubs all know and can plan accordingly.

I'm good friends with the director and an MLSN2 club. The rest of the club is USYS and going to SY. His main competitors in the small-city market are ECRL and NPL. He is pulling his hair out because he has to field questions about this from parents constantly and has heard absolutely nothing from MLSN. How is he going to recruit players over from his competitors if he doesn't even know what the age brackets will be? It is a shit show. But that is cool, I'll just tell him he needs to read between the lines and figure it out for himself.

Likely MLSN is just slow to announce and just waits for prompts from clubs to pile up and/or they were thinking BY all along until complaints from clubs started piling up.

This.

I’m hoping we don’t get announcement that there is no change for 26/27 but they will continue to monitor and make a decision about 27/28 later.

I’m hoping they don’t overthink this change, should be a no brainer to simplify what’s in the best combined interest for them and their clubs.

I hope they stay BY to maintain international Academy relevance and integrity.

Right! that way US can have even more integrity than England and Germany, who do not use Jan 1. And when MLSN plays all those international matches and sells all those players…

Both England and Germany Acadmies use BY groupings

Lol. No.

Lol yes
https://www.bvb.de/de/en/teams/football/youth/academy/youth-teams.html

post the same for England please.

Southampton Youth Acadamies...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southampton_F.C._Under-21s_and_Academy

Dude, just read the FA rules. Your links have nothing relevant in them.

https://www.thefa.com/~/media/Files/TheFAPort...th-competitions.ashx

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So….will mls next 2 announce they are going SY? GA did….

I think the suspicion now is both MLSN 1 and 2 will announce SY soon but still close to a coin toss chance if I had to guess

If that screenshot is real (it is real by the way), there is no way they come back in a few weeks and say "Sorry for the long wait and massive confusion for our member clubs, but we're not changing anything even though that will be hugely problematic for you as a partner club".

They are obviously debating what and how much to change. So there will 100% be a change in their current BY system. No doubt about that now, but to what extent is the question. Possible scenarios:

1- Total change to SY across the board (still seems unlikely to me but maybe not)
2- Partial SY change (just the P2P clubs at MLSN1 and MLSN2).
3- Just MLSN2 changes to SY
4- Enhanced biobanding allowing Q4 SY players to play 'down'.
5- ? Something else ?

6. All mlsn platforms go 8/1 for the 27/28 season and announce end of summer 26. I don’t see the advantage of changing a year later, but I’ve heard this from multiple people over the past 2 months.

Interesting. That is not power move at all. If true, it means they were unprepared for this, had to change course/strategy and are now going to lame duck an entire year while everyone else acclimates.

"announce end of summer 26". They just posted that they are reviewing this now and how important it is for their member clubs in the 26/27 season. I know they are slow but waiting well over a year (from the messaging they just put out) to make an announcement seems far fetched even for them. There is no way they let their member clubs hang without a decision in the next two months. And once the member clubs know, it will get out so they might as well announce...

Its almost like they dont plan to change from BY.

What messaging are you referring to? The likely fake screenshot posted to reddit?

Yes, that screenshot. It is definitely not fake.

If they don't plan on changing from BY (which is completely fine) then they need to just come out and tell their own damn member clubs who have no clue what is going on or what is going to happen. You don't see how that might be a problem?

I dont see the problem. Eventually MLS Next will need to release its 2026/27 season rules. When they do this everything will be clear. Until then or if they release a statement, BY.

Ok, that will certainly make their member clubs feel good. All of whom are telling parents all kinds of different things because they don't know what is going to happen! The 26/27 rules won't come out until August... Great way to run an organization.

Doesnt this tell you that they intend to stay BY?

If they intend to stay BY why not just come out and say it? Then no guessing is needed. Their own clubs don't know. Should they all just base their tryout season plans on guesses and tea-leaves?

Not saying anything clearly means something is up. It would take 10 seconds to put out an official message that they are staying BY. Then their clubs all know and can plan accordingly.

I'm good friends with the director and an MLSN2 club. The rest of the club is USYS and going to SY. His main competitors in the small-city market are ECRL and NPL. He is pulling his hair out because he has to field questions about this from parents constantly and has heard absolutely nothing from MLSN. How is he going to recruit players over from his competitors if he doesn't even know what the age brackets will be? It is a shit show. But that is cool, I'll just tell him he needs to read between the lines and figure it out for himself.

Likely MLSN is just slow to announce and just waits for prompts from clubs to pile up and/or they were thinking BY all along until complaints from clubs started piling up.

This.

I’m hoping we don’t get announcement that there is no change for 26/27 but they will continue to monitor and make a decision about 27/28 later.

I’m hoping they don’t overthink this change, should be a no brainer to simplify what’s in the best combined interest for them and their clubs.

I hope they stay BY to maintain international Academy relevance and integrity.

Right! that way US can have even more integrity than England and Germany, who do not use Jan 1. And when MLSN plays all those international matches and sells all those players…

Both England and Germany Acadmies use BY groupings

Lol. No.

Lol, Yes...
https://www.cpfc.co.uk/teams/under-18/

Dude, England uses a school year system, it is widely known. Your link doesn't show anything... We did this in the last (now archived) thread. https://www.thefa.com/~/media/Files/TheFAPortal/governance-docs/rules-of-the-association/standard-code-of-rules-for-youth-competitions.ashx

Looked through the doc. This is for p2p / rec league youth soccer. It has nothing to do with Youth Pro Acadamies.

Nice try though

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So….will mls next 2 announce they are going SY? GA did….

I think the suspicion now is both MLSN 1 and 2 will announce SY soon but still close to a coin toss chance if I had to guess

If that screenshot is real (it is real by the way), there is no way they come back in a few weeks and say "Sorry for the long wait and massive confusion for our member clubs, but we're not changing anything even though that will be hugely problematic for you as a partner club".

They are obviously debating what and how much to change. So there will 100% be a change in their current BY system. No doubt about that now, but to what extent is the question. Possible scenarios:

1- Total change to SY across the board (still seems unlikely to me but maybe not)
2- Partial SY change (just the P2P clubs at MLSN1 and MLSN2).
3- Just MLSN2 changes to SY
4- Enhanced biobanding allowing Q4 SY players to play 'down'.
5- ? Something else ?

6. All mlsn platforms go 8/1 for the 27/28 season and announce end of summer 26. I don’t see the advantage of changing a year later, but I’ve heard this from multiple people over the past 2 months.

Interesting. That is not power move at all. If true, it means they were unprepared for this, had to change course/strategy and are now going to lame duck an entire year while everyone else acclimates.

"announce end of summer 26". They just posted that they are reviewing this now and how important it is for their member clubs in the 26/27 season. I know they are slow but waiting well over a year (from the messaging they just put out) to make an announcement seems far fetched even for them. There is no way they let their member clubs hang without a decision in the next two months. And once the member clubs know, it will get out so they might as well announce...

Its almost like they dont plan to change from BY.

What messaging are you referring to? The likely fake screenshot posted to reddit?

Yes, that screenshot. It is definitely not fake.

If they don't plan on changing from BY (which is completely fine) then they need to just come out and tell their own damn member clubs who have no clue what is going on or what is going to happen. You don't see how that might be a problem?

I dont see the problem. Eventually MLS Next will need to release its 2026/27 season rules. When they do this everything will be clear. Until then or if they release a statement, BY.

Ok, that will certainly make their member clubs feel good. All of whom are telling parents all kinds of different things because they don't know what is going to happen! The 26/27 rules won't come out until August... Great way to run an organization.

Doesnt this tell you that they intend to stay BY?

If they intend to stay BY why not just come out and say it? Then no guessing is needed. Their own clubs don't know. Should they all just base their tryout season plans on guesses and tea-leaves?

Not saying anything clearly means something is up. It would take 10 seconds to put out an official message that they are staying BY. Then their clubs all know and can plan accordingly.

I'm good friends with the director and an MLSN2 club. The rest of the club is USYS and going to SY. His main competitors in the small-city market are ECRL and NPL. He is pulling his hair out because he has to field questions about this from parents constantly and has heard absolutely nothing from MLSN. How is he going to recruit players over from his competitors if he doesn't even know what the age brackets will be? It is a shit show. But that is cool, I'll just tell him he needs to read between the lines and figure it out for himself.

Likely MLSN is just slow to announce and just waits for prompts from clubs to pile up and/or they were thinking BY all along until complaints from clubs started piling up.

This.

I’m hoping we don’t get announcement that there is no change for 26/27 but they will continue to monitor and make a decision about 27/28 later.

I’m hoping they don’t overthink this change, should be a no brainer to simplify what’s in the best combined interest for them and their clubs.

I hope they stay BY to maintain international Academy relevance and integrity.

Right! that way US can have even more integrity than England and Germany, who do not use Jan 1. And when MLSN plays all those international matches and sells all those players…

Both England and Germany Acadmies use BY groupings

Lol. No.

Lol, Yes...
https://www.cpfc.co.uk/teams/under-18/

Dude, England uses a school year system, it is widely known. Your link doesn't show anything... We did this in the last (now archived) thread. https://www.thefa.com/~/media/Files/TheFAPortal/governance-docs/rules-of-the-association/standard-code-of-rules-for-youth-competitions.ashx

Looked through the doc. This is for p2p / rec league youth soccer. It has nothing to do with Youth Pro Acadamies.

Nice try though

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Anonymous wrote:So….will mls next 2 announce they are going SY? GA did….

I think the suspicion now is both MLSN 1 and 2 will announce SY soon but still close to a coin toss chance if I had to guess

If that screenshot is real (it is real by the way), there is no way they come back in a few weeks and say "Sorry for the long wait and massive confusion for our member clubs, but we're not changing anything even though that will be hugely problematic for you as a partner club".

They are obviously debating what and how much to change. So there will 100% be a change in their current BY system. No doubt about that now, but to what extent is the question. Possible scenarios:

1- Total change to SY across the board (still seems unlikely to me but maybe not)
2- Partial SY change (just the P2P clubs at MLSN1 and MLSN2).
3- Just MLSN2 changes to SY
4- Enhanced biobanding allowing Q4 SY players to play 'down'.
5- ? Something else ?

6. All mlsn platforms go 8/1 for the 27/28 season and announce end of summer 26. I don’t see the advantage of changing a year later, but I’ve heard this from multiple people over the past 2 months.

Interesting. That is not power move at all. If true, it means they were unprepared for this, had to change course/strategy and are now going to lame duck an entire year while everyone else acclimates.

"announce end of summer 26". They just posted that they are reviewing this now and how important it is for their member clubs in the 26/27 season. I know they are slow but waiting well over a year (from the messaging they just put out) to make an announcement seems far fetched even for them. There is no way they let their member clubs hang without a decision in the next two months. And once the member clubs know, it will get out so they might as well announce...

Its almost like they dont plan to change from BY.

What messaging are you referring to? The likely fake screenshot posted to reddit?

Yes, that screenshot. It is definitely not fake.

If they don't plan on changing from BY (which is completely fine) then they need to just come out and tell their own damn member clubs who have no clue what is going on or what is going to happen. You don't see how that might be a problem?

I dont see the problem. Eventually MLS Next will need to release its 2026/27 season rules. When they do this everything will be clear. Until then or if they release a statement, BY.

Ok, that will certainly make their member clubs feel good. All of whom are telling parents all kinds of different things because they don't know what is going to happen! The 26/27 rules won't come out until August... Great way to run an organization.

Doesnt this tell you that they intend to stay BY?

If they intend to stay BY why not just come out and say it? Then no guessing is needed. Their own clubs don't know. Should they all just base their tryout season plans on guesses and tea-leaves?

Not saying anything clearly means something is up. It would take 10 seconds to put out an official message that they are staying BY. Then their clubs all know and can plan accordingly.

I'm good friends with the director and an MLSN2 club. The rest of the club is USYS and going to SY. His main competitors in the small-city market are ECRL and NPL. He is pulling his hair out because he has to field questions about this from parents constantly and has heard absolutely nothing from MLSN. How is he going to recruit players over from his competitors if he doesn't even know what the age brackets will be? It is a shit show. But that is cool, I'll just tell him he needs to read between the lines and figure it out for himself.

Likely MLSN is just slow to announce and just waits for prompts from clubs to pile up and/or they were thinking BY all along until complaints from clubs started piling up.

This.

I’m hoping we don’t get announcement that there is no change for 26/27 but they will continue to monitor and make a decision about 27/28 later.

I’m hoping they don’t overthink this change, should be a no brainer to simplify what’s in the best combined interest for them and their clubs.

I hope they stay BY to maintain international Academy relevance and integrity.

Right! that way US can have even more integrity than England and Germany, who do not use Jan 1. And when MLSN plays all those international matches and sells all those players…

Both England and Germany Acadmies use BY groupings

Lol. No.

Lol, Yes...
https://www.cpfc.co.uk/teams/under-18/

Dude, England uses a school year system, it is widely known. Your link doesn't show anything... We did this in the last (now archived) thread. https://www.thefa.com/~/media/Files/TheFAPortal/governance-docs/rules-of-the-association/standard-code-of-rules-for-youth-competitions.ashx

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So….will mls next 2 announce they are going SY? GA did….

I think the suspicion now is both MLSN 1 and 2 will announce SY soon but still close to a coin toss chance if I had to guess

If that screenshot is real (it is real by the way), there is no way they come back in a few weeks and say "Sorry for the long wait and massive confusion for our member clubs, but we're not changing anything even though that will be hugely problematic for you as a partner club".

They are obviously debating what and how much to change. So there will 100% be a change in their current BY system. No doubt about that now, but to what extent is the question. Possible scenarios:

1- Total change to SY across the board (still seems unlikely to me but maybe not)
2- Partial SY change (just the P2P clubs at MLSN1 and MLSN2).
3- Just MLSN2 changes to SY
4- Enhanced biobanding allowing Q4 SY players to play 'down'.
5- ? Something else ?

6. All mlsn platforms go 8/1 for the 27/28 season and announce end of summer 26. I don’t see the advantage of changing a year later, but I’ve heard this from multiple people over the past 2 months.

Interesting. That is not power move at all. If true, it means they were unprepared for this, had to change course/strategy and are now going to lame duck an entire year while everyone else acclimates.

"announce end of summer 26". They just posted that they are reviewing this now and how important it is for their member clubs in the 26/27 season. I know they are slow but waiting well over a year (from the messaging they just put out) to make an announcement seems far fetched even for them. There is no way they let their member clubs hang without a decision in the next two months. And once the member clubs know, it will get out so they might as well announce...

Its almost like they dont plan to change from BY.

What messaging are you referring to? The likely fake screenshot posted to reddit?

Yes, that screenshot. It is definitely not fake.

If they don't plan on changing from BY (which is completely fine) then they need to just come out and tell their own damn member clubs who have no clue what is going on or what is going to happen. You don't see how that might be a problem?

I dont see the problem. Eventually MLS Next will need to release its 2026/27 season rules. When they do this everything will be clear. Until then or if they release a statement, BY.

Ok, that will certainly make their member clubs feel good. All of whom are telling parents all kinds of different things because they don't know what is going to happen! The 26/27 rules won't come out until August... Great way to run an organization.

Doesnt this tell you that they intend to stay BY?

If they intend to stay BY why not just come out and say it? Then no guessing is needed. Their own clubs don't know. Should they all just base their tryout season plans on guesses and tea-leaves?

Not saying anything clearly means something is up. It would take 10 seconds to put out an official message that they are staying BY. Then their clubs all know and can plan accordingly.

I'm good friends with the director and an MLSN2 club. The rest of the club is USYS and going to SY. His main competitors in the small-city market are ECRL and NPL. He is pulling his hair out because he has to field questions about this from parents constantly and has heard absolutely nothing from MLSN. How is he going to recruit players over from his competitors if he doesn't even know what the age brackets will be? It is a shit show. But that is cool, I'll just tell him he needs to read between the lines and figure it out for himself.

Likely MLSN is just slow to announce and just waits for prompts from clubs to pile up and/or they were thinking BY all along until complaints from clubs started piling up.

This.

I’m hoping we don’t get announcement that there is no change for 26/27 but they will continue to monitor and make a decision about 27/28 later.

I’m hoping they don’t overthink this change, should be a no brainer to simplify what’s in the best combined interest for them and their clubs.

I hope they stay BY to maintain international Academy relevance and integrity.

Right! that way US can have even more integrity than England and Germany, who do not use Jan 1. And when MLSN plays all those international matches and sells all those players…

Both England and Germany Acadmies use BY groupings

Lol. No.

Lol yes
https://www.bvb.de/de/en/teams/football/youth/academy/youth-teams.html

post the same for England please.

Southampton Youth Acadamies...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southampton_F.C._Under-21s_and_Academy

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So….will mls next 2 announce they are going SY? GA did….

I think the suspicion now is both MLSN 1 and 2 will announce SY soon but still close to a coin toss chance if I had to guess

If that screenshot is real (it is real by the way), there is no way they come back in a few weeks and say "Sorry for the long wait and massive confusion for our member clubs, but we're not changing anything even though that will be hugely problematic for you as a partner club".

They are obviously debating what and how much to change. So there will 100% be a change in their current BY system. No doubt about that now, but to what extent is the question. Possible scenarios:

1- Total change to SY across the board (still seems unlikely to me but maybe not)
2- Partial SY change (just the P2P clubs at MLSN1 and MLSN2).
3- Just MLSN2 changes to SY
4- Enhanced biobanding allowing Q4 SY players to play 'down'.
5- ? Something else ?

6. All mlsn platforms go 8/1 for the 27/28 season and announce end of summer 26. I don’t see the advantage of changing a year later, but I’ve heard this from multiple people over the past 2 months.

Interesting. That is not power move at all. If true, it means they were unprepared for this, had to change course/strategy and are now going to lame duck an entire year while everyone else acclimates.

"announce end of summer 26". They just posted that they are reviewing this now and how important it is for their member clubs in the 26/27 season. I know they are slow but waiting well over a year (from the messaging they just put out) to make an announcement seems far fetched even for them. There is no way they let their member clubs hang without a decision in the next two months. And once the member clubs know, it will get out so they might as well announce...

Its almost like they dont plan to change from BY.

What messaging are you referring to? The likely fake screenshot posted to reddit?

Yes, that screenshot. It is definitely not fake.

If they don't plan on changing from BY (which is completely fine) then they need to just come out and tell their own damn member clubs who have no clue what is going on or what is going to happen. You don't see how that might be a problem?

I dont see the problem. Eventually MLS Next will need to release its 2026/27 season rules. When they do this everything will be clear. Until then or if they release a statement, BY.

Ok, that will certainly make their member clubs feel good. All of whom are telling parents all kinds of different things because they don't know what is going to happen! The 26/27 rules won't come out until August... Great way to run an organization.

Doesnt this tell you that they intend to stay BY?

If they intend to stay BY why not just come out and say it? Then no guessing is needed. Their own clubs don't know. Should they all just base their tryout season plans on guesses and tea-leaves?

Not saying anything clearly means something is up. It would take 10 seconds to put out an official message that they are staying BY. Then their clubs all know and can plan accordingly.

I'm good friends with the director and an MLSN2 club. The rest of the club is USYS and going to SY. His main competitors in the small-city market are ECRL and NPL. He is pulling his hair out because he has to field questions about this from parents constantly and has heard absolutely nothing from MLSN. How is he going to recruit players over from his competitors if he doesn't even know what the age brackets will be? It is a shit show. But that is cool, I'll just tell him he needs to read between the lines and figure it out for himself.

Likely MLSN is just slow to announce and just waits for prompts from clubs to pile up and/or they were thinking BY all along until complaints from clubs started piling up.

This.

I’m hoping we don’t get announcement that there is no change for 26/27 but they will continue to monitor and make a decision about 27/28 later.

I’m hoping they don’t overthink this change, should be a no brainer to simplify what’s in the best combined interest for them and their clubs.

I hope they stay BY to maintain international Academy relevance and integrity.

Right! that way US can have even more integrity than England and Germany, who do not use Jan 1. And when MLSN plays all those international matches and sells all those players…

Both England and Germany Acadmies use BY groupings

Lol. No.

Lol yes
https://www.bvb.de/de/en/teams/football/youth/academy/youth-teams.html

post the same for England please.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So….will mls next 2 announce they are going SY? GA did….

I think the suspicion now is both MLSN 1 and 2 will announce SY soon but still close to a coin toss chance if I had to guess

If that screenshot is real (it is real by the way), there is no way they come back in a few weeks and say "Sorry for the long wait and massive confusion for our member clubs, but we're not changing anything even though that will be hugely problematic for you as a partner club".

They are obviously debating what and how much to change. So there will 100% be a change in their current BY system. No doubt about that now, but to what extent is the question. Possible scenarios:

1- Total change to SY across the board (still seems unlikely to me but maybe not)
2- Partial SY change (just the P2P clubs at MLSN1 and MLSN2).
3- Just MLSN2 changes to SY
4- Enhanced biobanding allowing Q4 SY players to play 'down'.
5- ? Something else ?

6. All mlsn platforms go 8/1 for the 27/28 season and announce end of summer 26. I don’t see the advantage of changing a year later, but I’ve heard this from multiple people over the past 2 months.

Interesting. That is not power move at all. If true, it means they were unprepared for this, had to change course/strategy and are now going to lame duck an entire year while everyone else acclimates.

"announce end of summer 26". They just posted that they are reviewing this now and how important it is for their member clubs in the 26/27 season. I know they are slow but waiting well over a year (from the messaging they just put out) to make an announcement seems far fetched even for them. There is no way they let their member clubs hang without a decision in the next two months. And once the member clubs know, it will get out so they might as well announce...

Its almost like they dont plan to change from BY.

What messaging are you referring to? The likely fake screenshot posted to reddit?

Yes, that screenshot. It is definitely not fake.

If they don't plan on changing from BY (which is completely fine) then they need to just come out and tell their own damn member clubs who have no clue what is going on or what is going to happen. You don't see how that might be a problem?

I dont see the problem. Eventually MLS Next will need to release its 2026/27 season rules. When they do this everything will be clear. Until then or if they release a statement, BY.

Ok, that will certainly make their member clubs feel good. All of whom are telling parents all kinds of different things because they don't know what is going to happen! The 26/27 rules won't come out until August... Great way to run an organization.

Doesnt this tell you that they intend to stay BY?

If they intend to stay BY why not just come out and say it? Then no guessing is needed. Their own clubs don't know. Should they all just base their tryout season plans on guesses and tea-leaves?

Not saying anything clearly means something is up. It would take 10 seconds to put out an official message that they are staying BY. Then their clubs all know and can plan accordingly.

I'm good friends with the director and an MLSN2 club. The rest of the club is USYS and going to SY. His main competitors in the small-city market are ECRL and NPL. He is pulling his hair out because he has to field questions about this from parents constantly and has heard absolutely nothing from MLSN. How is he going to recruit players over from his competitors if he doesn't even know what the age brackets will be? It is a shit show. But that is cool, I'll just tell him he needs to read between the lines and figure it out for himself.

Likely MLSN is just slow to announce and just waits for prompts from clubs to pile up and/or they were thinking BY all along until complaints from clubs started piling up.

This.

I’m hoping we don’t get announcement that there is no change for 26/27 but they will continue to monitor and make a decision about 27/28 later.

I’m hoping they don’t overthink this change, should be a no brainer to simplify what’s in the best combined interest for them and their clubs.

I hope they stay BY to maintain international Academy relevance and integrity.

Right! that way US can have even more integrity than England and Germany, who do not use Jan 1. And when MLSN plays all those international matches and sells all those players…

Both England and Germany Acadmies use BY groupings

Lol. No.

Lol, Yes...
https://www.cpfc.co.uk/teams/under-18/