Anonymous
10/01/2025 12:16
Subject: Does Herndon still have a Pre-ECNL program or ECNL-RL?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:So kids train and "play" for Sterling but any official game they are playing for Herndon and West Virginia?
What does Sterling get out of this?
Shitty Herndon capelli uniforms that never come in and losing 0-10+ every single game since they belong in NCSL.
Supposedly, they felt it would help them get accepted to GA/Aspire/MLSN if they already had ECNL. But, it's an absolutely terrible decision. Pretty soon there won't be a single club in the area that isn't GA/ECNL for girls. That was a nice distinguishing factor for Sterling. Now there's only ODFC and Leesburg FC. It's quite difficult to find a travel team in Loudoun who isn't chasing GA/ECNL. Not everyone cares about that or wants to pay that when they don't care about it. The only other option is rec, but that level of skill/competition is completely boring for a child who has been playing travel for 4+ years.
But can’t you just play for a Loudoun team that is in NCSL? Or are you saying Loudouns 3rd team is equivalent to the Herndon RL team?
Anonymous
10/01/2025 11:27
Subject: Does Herndon still have a Pre-ECNL program or ECNL-RL?
I agree, NCSL travel is a great and convenient option for many families. Clubs need to focus on what their local customers want. Everyone doesn't want to lose 0-10 every week and drive to Richmond or Williamsburg for a game.
Anonymous
10/01/2025 11:18
Subject: Does Herndon still have a Pre-ECNL program or ECNL-RL?
Anonymous wrote:So kids train and "play" for Sterling but any official game they are playing for Herndon and West Virginia?
What does Sterling get out of this?
Shitty Herndon capelli uniforms that never come in and losing 0-10+ every single game since they belong in NCSL.
Supposedly, they felt it would help them get accepted to GA/Aspire/MLSN if they already had ECNL. But, it's an absolutely terrible decision. Pretty soon there won't be a single club in the area that isn't GA/ECNL for girls. That was a nice distinguishing factor for Sterling. Now there's only ODFC and Leesburg FC. It's quite difficult to find a travel team in Loudoun who isn't chasing GA/ECNL. Not everyone cares about that or wants to pay that when they don't care about it. The only other option is rec, but that level of skill/competition is completely boring for a child who has been playing travel for 4+ years.
Anonymous
09/30/2025 13:35
Subject: Does Herndon still have a Pre-ECNL program or ECNL-RL?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Every club gets 2 years to show progress. Herdon will be around next year. Keep an eye on LMVSC. This is their second year. If they are not kicked out then Herndon won’t be.
2 years specifically for the girls? The boys have been there longer than 2 years.
2 years on the boys and/or girls side for each new club to show “progress”. There is no formal definition of what progress means though.
Last year RL added LMVSC AND DCSC. This year they added Herndon and Villarreal. Those moves suggest RL is trying to expand their footprint rather than trying to only have the “best” teams.
Certainly can debate what the “purpose” of RL should be.
No club is getting kicked out. ECNL is going to 2 teams next year in NOVA and they need to keep this RL alive as long as possible so they will continue to collect the checks of the member clubs for as long as possible. RL is basically going to be the partner clubs of the remaining 2 ECNL teams + GFR + Stafford + DCSC. meh...
NOVA currently has 3 ECNL clubs — Arlington, VDA and FVU. Why is it going down to 2 next year? Is there something you know? Please share.
Some people on here are saying Arlington is going to go MLSNext/GA. And other people have said VDA is going to merge with VRSC or something so they can have MLSNext. Who knows.
I said the above because I have heard from various sources that Arlington has applied for MLSNext/GA. I hadn't heard about the VDA/VRSC merger and don't really think they need a merger to get MLSNext. They are strong enough on the boys side and girls side that they would get it. Don't know the past history of VDA with GA before they were full ECNL so not sure if there is something impeding it from happening.
Are any of the sources not DCUM message boards?
Yes
Anonymous
09/30/2025 12:14
Subject: Does Herndon still have a Pre-ECNL program or ECNL-RL?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Every club gets 2 years to show progress. Herdon will be around next year. Keep an eye on LMVSC. This is their second year. If they are not kicked out then Herndon won’t be.
2 years specifically for the girls? The boys have been there longer than 2 years.
2 years on the boys and/or girls side for each new club to show “progress”. There is no formal definition of what progress means though.
Last year RL added LMVSC AND DCSC. This year they added Herndon and Villarreal. Those moves suggest RL is trying to expand their footprint rather than trying to only have the “best” teams.
Certainly can debate what the “purpose” of RL should be.
No club is getting kicked out. ECNL is going to 2 teams next year in NOVA and they need to keep this RL alive as long as possible so they will continue to collect the checks of the member clubs for as long as possible. RL is basically going to be the partner clubs of the remaining 2 ECNL teams + GFR + Stafford + DCSC. meh...
NOVA currently has 3 ECNL clubs — Arlington, VDA and FVU. Why is it going down to 2 next year? Is there something you know? Please share.
Some people on here are saying Arlington is going to go MLSNext/GA. And other people have said VDA is going to merge with VRSC or something so they can have MLSNext. Who knows.
I said the above because I have heard from various sources that Arlington has applied for MLSNext/GA. I hadn't heard about the VDA/VRSC merger and don't really think they need a merger to get MLSNext. They are strong enough on the boys side and girls side that they would get it. Don't know the past history of VDA with GA before they were full ECNL so not sure if there is something impeding it from happening.
Are any of the sources not DCUM message boards?
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:43
Subject: Does Herndon still have a Pre-ECNL program or ECNL-RL?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Every club gets 2 years to show progress. Herdon will be around next year. Keep an eye on LMVSC. This is their second year. If they are not kicked out then Herndon won’t be.
2 years specifically for the girls? The boys have been there longer than 2 years.
2 years on the boys and/or girls side for each new club to show “progress”. There is no formal definition of what progress means though.
Last year RL added LMVSC AND DCSC. This year they added Herndon and Villarreal. Those moves suggest RL is trying to expand their footprint rather than trying to only have the “best” teams.
Certainly can debate what the “purpose” of RL should be.
No club is getting kicked out. ECNL is going to 2 teams next year in NOVA and they need to keep this RL alive as long as possible so they will continue to collect the checks of the member clubs for as long as possible. RL is basically going to be the partner clubs of the remaining 2 ECNL teams + GFR + Stafford + DCSC. meh...
NOVA currently has 3 ECNL clubs — Arlington, VDA and FVU. Why is it going down to 2 next year? Is there something you know? Please share.
Some people on here are saying Arlington is going to go MLSNext/GA. And other people have said VDA is going to merge with VRSC or something so they can have MLSNext. Who knows.
I said the above because I have heard from various sources that Arlington has applied for MLSNext/GA. I hadn't heard about the VDA/VRSC merger and don't really think they need a merger to get MLSNext. They are strong enough on the boys side and girls side that they would get it. Don't know the past history of VDA with GA before they were full ECNL so not sure if there is something impeding it from happening.
Anonymous
09/30/2025 10:02
Subject: Does Herndon still have a Pre-ECNL program or ECNL-RL?
So kids train and "play" for Sterling but any official game they are playing for Herndon and West Virginia?
What does Sterling get out of this?
What does Sterling get out of this?
Anonymous
09/29/2025 11:41
Subject: Does Herndon still have a Pre-ECNL program or ECNL-RL?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:So Sterling as a club doesn't exist basically. Their girls play for HYS, their boys play for West VA. And to say Sterling is developing players has to be a joke right?
I have 2 kids, one at Sterling (playing for another club we just discussed) and one who plays for a different club entirely. I had the same reaction when all this went down. 2 girls teams play for Herndon, and 2 boys teams play for WV. They are still practicing with Sterling coaches, on Sterling fields, and using other clubs in name only to play games. It still FEELS like they are part of Sterling. The club was in a tough spot, they were losing a ton of their talent because they didn't have a real pathway, so they created one. Who knows how this whole thing will turn out for them, but I do see why they are trying it. For anyone looking for a decently priced club for a kid who wants to play soccer, it really is a good place to land.
Can you explain a bit how it works on the boys side? At what age(s) do Sterling boys play MLSNext 2 under the West Virginia name with Sterling coaches on Sterling fields? We can drive to Sterling pretty easily but definitely not West Virginia on a regular basis. Do boys who try out and make the top Sterling team at U13 play as West Virginia in whatever league MLSNext 2 is in?
Anonymous
09/29/2025 11:36
Subject: Does Herndon still have a Pre-ECNL program or ECNL-RL?
Anonymous wrote:So Sterling as a club doesn't exist basically. Their girls play for HYS, their boys play for West VA. And to say Sterling is developing players has to be a joke right?
I have 2 kids, one at Sterling (playing for another club we just discussed) and one who plays for a different club entirely. I had the same reaction when all this went down. 2 girls teams play for Herndon, and 2 boys teams play for WV. They are still practicing with Sterling coaches, on Sterling fields, and using other clubs in name only to play games. It still FEELS like they are part of Sterling. The club was in a tough spot, they were losing a ton of their talent because they didn't have a real pathway, so they created one. Who knows how this whole thing will turn out for them, but I do see why they are trying it. For anyone looking for a decently priced club for a kid who wants to play soccer, it really is a good place to land.
Anonymous
09/29/2025 10:49
Subject: Does Herndon still have a Pre-ECNL program or ECNL-RL?
So Sterling as a club doesn't exist basically. Their girls play for HYS, their boys play for West VA. And to say Sterling is developing players has to be a joke right?
Anonymous
09/28/2025 20:51
Subject: Does Herndon still have a Pre-ECNL program or ECNL-RL?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Every club gets 2 years to show progress. Herdon will be around next year. Keep an eye on LMVSC. This is their second year. If they are not kicked out then Herndon won’t be.
2 years specifically for the girls? The boys have been there longer than 2 years.
2 years on the boys and/or girls side for each new club to show “progress”. There is no formal definition of what progress means though.
Last year RL added LMVSC AND DCSC. This year they added Herndon and Villarreal. Those moves suggest RL is trying to expand their footprint rather than trying to only have the “best” teams.
Certainly can debate what the “purpose” of RL should be.
No club is getting kicked out. ECNL is going to 2 teams next year in NOVA and they need to keep this RL alive as long as possible so they will continue to collect the checks of the member clubs for as long as possible. RL is basically going to be the partner clubs of the remaining 2 ECNL teams + GFR + Stafford + DCSC. meh...
NOVA currently has 3 ECNL clubs — Arlington, VDA and FVU. Why is it going down to 2 next year? Is there something you know? Please share.
Some people on here are saying Arlington is going to go MLSNext/GA. And other people have said VDA is going to merge with VRSC or something so they can have MLSNext. Who knows.
Anonymous
09/28/2025 18:56
Subject: Does Herndon still have a Pre-ECNL program or ECNL-RL?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Every club gets 2 years to show progress. Herdon will be around next year. Keep an eye on LMVSC. This is their second year. If they are not kicked out then Herndon won’t be.
2 years specifically for the girls? The boys have been there longer than 2 years.
2 years on the boys and/or girls side for each new club to show “progress”. There is no formal definition of what progress means though.
Last year RL added LMVSC AND DCSC. This year they added Herndon and Villarreal. Those moves suggest RL is trying to expand their footprint rather than trying to only have the “best” teams.
Certainly can debate what the “purpose” of RL should be.
No club is getting kicked out. ECNL is going to 2 teams next year in NOVA and they need to keep this RL alive as long as possible so they will continue to collect the checks of the member clubs for as long as possible. RL is basically going to be the partner clubs of the remaining 2 ECNL teams + GFR + Stafford + DCSC. meh...
NOVA currently has 3 ECNL clubs — Arlington, VDA and FVU. Why is it going down to 2 next year? Is there something you know? Please share.
Anonymous
09/28/2025 17:47
Subject: Does Herndon still have a Pre-ECNL program or ECNL-RL?
Anonymous wrote:Kids are driving from Sterling to West Virginia for practice..to play MLS2?
They practice in Sterling
Anonymous
09/28/2025 16:47
Subject: Does Herndon still have a Pre-ECNL program or ECNL-RL?
Kids are driving from Sterling to West Virginia for practice..to play MLS2?
Anonymous
09/28/2025 16:35
Subject: Does Herndon still have a Pre-ECNL program or ECNL-RL?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The girls ECNL-RL teams that are missing are being filled by Sterling this year. They did a merger to fill their empty gaps.
My guess is that won't last past this year. First of all the Sterling teams are paying 1/2 of what the Herndon girls teams are paying. Next year when they charge them the full amount, they'll leave. Also, the Sterling teams are getting walloped in ECNL-R - probably bc they're nowhere near ready to be competitive in that league and also there is at least one Sterling team (2011s) that they're forcing to play up in ECNL-R with the 2010s because Herndon already had a 2011 team. It's a terrible deal for the Sterling teams other than the cost. The only purpose it serves is to keep Herndon from getting kicked out of ECNL-R.
Yes, only Herndon is getting a benefit out of the merger. And Sterling would be wise to get out of the arrangement for next year or they will have no players. The allure of Sterling is it is as close to a true soccer club we have in the area and it is still relatively affordable with a decent focus on player development compared to other area clubs. Not everyone in the area wants to chase ECNL/GA/MLS, but still wants some level of competition vs rec. It was a stupid business decision by Sterling and they will feel the pain of that next season no doubt. All girls are getting hammered in ECNL-RL, not just the couple of Sterling teams playing as Herndon.
Sterling did the same thing with the boys in West Virginia/MLSN2. The big difference is the boys are doing much better than the girls.