Anonymous wrote:Nice try, but no.

But we both can agree it sucks being on the outside looking in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MLSNext is MUCH higher competition. But probably better for your son to start and play most of the game with ECNL team than play sparingly with MLSN team (not saying that is the case, obviously). If he can crack a starting lineup, make the switch.

Unless you’re with a MLS Academy, the levels are about the same. The coaching is the same.

MLSNext teams play 40% more regular season games, with the caliber of teams flat out better. In the Region, MLSNext teams play a number of MLS Academies twice a year. Coaching is also better.

ECNL is a solid league with a few good teams (VDA comes to mind), but competition drops off quickly.

Right, MLS Next is much, mich higher competition playing donkeys like West Virginia and Achilles. Good luck with that. Unless you play on an academy team like DCU or Philly Union, all the other mediocre teams in MLS Next used to play in the exact same league as the ECNL teams.

Sure the caliber of teams in MLS Next differs but the fact is, MLSN slowly pulled away from ECNL and is the top league to be in. Sorry.

Facts. Sorry, ECNL dad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MLSNext is MUCH higher competition. But probably better for your son to start and play most of the game with ECNL team than play sparingly with MLSN team (not saying that is the case, obviously). If he can crack a starting lineup, make the switch.

Unless you’re with a MLS Academy, the levels are about the same. The coaching is the same.

MLSNext teams play 40% more regular season games, with the caliber of teams flat out better. In the Region, MLSNext teams play a number of MLS Academies twice a year. Coaching is also better.

ECNL is a solid league with a few good teams (VDA comes to mind), but competition drops off quickly.

Right, MLS Next is much, mich higher competition playing donkeys like West Virginia and Achilles. Good luck with that. Unless you play on an academy team like DCU or Philly Union, all the other mediocre teams in MLS Next used to play in the exact same league as the ECNL teams.

Sure the caliber of teams in MLS Next differs but the fact is, MLSN slowly pulled away from ECNL and is the top league to be in. Sorry.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MLSNext is MUCH higher competition. But probably better for your son to start and play most of the game with ECNL team than play sparingly with MLSN team (not saying that is the case, obviously). If he can crack a starting lineup, make the switch.

Unless you’re with a MLS Academy, the levels are about the same. The coaching is the same.

MLSNext teams play 40% more regular season games, with the caliber of teams flat out better. In the Region, MLSNext teams play a number of MLS Academies twice a year. Coaching is also better.

ECNL is a solid league with a few good teams (VDA comes to mind), but competition drops off quickly.

Right, MLS Next is much, mich higher competition playing donkeys like West Virginia and Achilles. Good luck with that. Unless you play on an academy team like DCU or Philly Union, all the other mediocre teams in MLS Next used to play in the exact same league as the ECNL teams.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MLSNext is MUCH higher competition. But probably better for your son to start and play most of the game with ECNL team than play sparingly with MLSN team (not saying that is the case, obviously). If he can crack a starting lineup, make the switch.

Unless you’re with a MLS Academy, the levels are about the same. The coaching is the same.

MLSNext teams play 40% more regular season games, with the caliber of teams flat out better. In the Region, MLSNext teams play a number of MLS Academies twice a year. Coaching is also better.

ECNL is a solid league with a few good teams (VDA comes to mind), but competition drops off quickly.

Right, MLS Next is much, mich higher competition playing donkeys like West Virginia and Achilles. Good luck with that. Unless you play on an academy team like DCU or Philly Union, all the other mediocre teams in MLS Next used to play in the exact same league as the ECNL teams.

Lay off the crack pipe.

Anonymous wrote:Pipeline (ECNL),Bethesda (MLS Next), and DC United are your best bets, and I say that as a Potomac parent that's really happy with our program. Our ECNL is new, and still needs a few more years to catch with the ones I mentioned.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MLSNext is MUCH higher competition. But probably better for your son to start and play most of the game with ECNL team than play sparingly with MLSN team (not saying that is the case, obviously). If he can crack a starting lineup, make the switch.

Unless you’re with a MLS Academy, the levels are about the same. The coaching is the same.

MLSNext teams play 40% more regular season games, with the caliber of teams flat out better. In the Region, MLSNext teams play a number of MLS Academies twice a year. Coaching is also better.

ECNL is a solid league with a few good teams (VDA comes to mind), but competition drops off quickly.

Right, MLS Next is much, mich higher competition playing donkeys like West Virginia and Achilles. Good luck with that. Unless you play on an academy team like DCU or Philly Union, all the other mediocre teams in MLS Next used to play in the exact same league as the ECNL teams.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if someone had the choice of BSC or Achilles MLSNext versus MD United or Potomac ECNL it’s basically comparable? Only reason to really switch would be to go to DC United?

You also play 40% more games a year with MLSnext team over ECNL. Players are faster.

You play 40% more LEAGUE games. How many tournaments do the Bethesda MLS Next teams play in? Almost none. Not even their own tournament...because they think they are too good for it. Meanwhile, the ECNL teams are playing MLS Next and ECNL teams from all over the country in tournaments. Look at the entire house before you make a purchase. Some have great front rooms and rotted foundations. Some just have alot of cosmetics and no bones.

Outside of VDA, Richmond and maybe Arlington, Mid-Atlantic ECNL isn’t very strong. It just isn’t.

Uhm- ok. NVA made the national championship last year but they are no good. Let me respond in kind…. Outside of Bethesda and Armour, mid Atlantic MLS Next isn’t very strong. It just isn’t.

Um, you are forgetting Philadelphia Union, SYC, FC Delco, New York Red Bulls…should I continue?

Nobody would agree with you that Philly Union, NY etc are 'in this area.' You gonna drive 4 hours each way for practice? Uhm. No.
OP wanted to know about picking ECNL or MLS NEXT IN THIS AREA (MD) specifically.



Nobody would agree with you that Philly Union, NY etc are in this area.

Resending for context:

If you play MLSNext in this area you, are playing those teams twice a year…

Speaking to the prior point on the talent you play against in ECNL vs. MLSNext (not traveling 4 hours to practice…) It absolutely matters, and it isn’t in ECNL.

The poster asked for advice on what club to join- MLS N or ECNL in MD / DMV for a kid who wants to play in college.

Philly Union isn’t a factor here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MLSNext is MUCH higher competition. But probably better for your son to start and play most of the game with ECNL team than play sparingly with MLSN team (not saying that is the case, obviously). If he can crack a starting lineup, make the switch.

Unless you’re with a MLS Academy, the levels are about the same. The coaching is the same.

MLSNext teams play 40% more regular season games, with the caliber of teams flat out better. In the Region, MLSNext teams play a number of MLS Academies twice a year. Coaching is also better.

ECNL is a solid league with a few good teams (VDA comes to mind), but competition drops off quickly.

Right, MLS Next is much, mich higher competition playing donkeys like West Virginia and Achilles. Good luck with that. Unless you play on an academy team like DCU or Philly Union, all the other mediocre teams in MLS Next used to play in the exact same league as the ECNL teams.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MLSNext is MUCH higher competition. But probably better for your son to start and play most of the game with ECNL team than play sparingly with MLSN team (not saying that is the case, obviously). If he can crack a starting lineup, make the switch.

Unless you’re with a MLS Academy, the levels are about the same. The coaching is the same.

MLSNext teams play 40% more regular season games, with the caliber of teams flat out better. In the Region, MLSNext teams play a number of MLS Academies twice a year. Coaching is also better.

ECNL is a solid league with a few good teams (VDA comes to mind), but competition drops off quickly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if someone had the choice of BSC or Achilles MLSNext versus MD United or Potomac ECNL it’s basically comparable? Only reason to really switch would be to go to DC United?

You also play 40% more games a year with MLSnext team over ECNL. Players are faster.

You play 40% more LEAGUE games. How many tournaments do the Bethesda MLS Next teams play in? Almost none. Not even their own tournament...because they think they are too good for it. Meanwhile, the ECNL teams are playing MLS Next and ECNL teams from all over the country in tournaments. Look at the entire house before you make a purchase. Some have great front rooms and rotted foundations. Some just have alot of cosmetics and no bones.

Outside of VDA, Richmond and maybe Arlington, Mid-Atlantic ECNL isn’t very strong. It just isn’t.

Uhm- ok. NVA made the national championship last year but they are no good. Let me respond in kind…. Outside of Bethesda and Armour, mid Atlantic MLS Next isn’t very strong. It just isn’t.

Um, you are forgetting Philadelphia Union, SYC, FC Delco, New York Red Bulls…should I continue?

Nobody would agree with you that Philly Union, NY etc are 'in this area.' You gonna drive 4 hours each way for practice? Uhm. No.
OP wanted to know about picking ECNL or MLS NEXT IN THIS AREA (MD) specifically.



Nobody would agree with you that Philly Union, NY etc are in this area.

Resending for context:

If you play MLSNext in this area you, are playing those teams twice a year…

Speaking to the prior point on the talent you play against in ECNL vs. MLSNext (not traveling 4 hours to practice…) It absolutely matters, and it isn’t in ECNL.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if someone had the choice of BSC or Achilles MLSNext versus MD United or Potomac ECNL it’s basically comparable? Only reason to really switch would be to go to DC United?

You also play 40% more games a year with MLSnext team over ECNL. Players are faster.

You play 40% more LEAGUE games. How many tournaments do the Bethesda MLS Next teams play in? Almost none. Not even their own tournament...because they think they are too good for it. Meanwhile, the ECNL teams are playing MLS Next and ECNL teams from all over the country in tournaments. Look at the entire house before you make a purchase. Some have great front rooms and rotted foundations. Some just have alot of cosmetics and no bones.

Outside of VDA, Richmond and maybe Arlington, Mid-Atlantic ECNL isn’t very strong. It just isn’t.

Uhm- ok. NVA made the national championship last year but they are no good. Let me respond in kind…. Outside of Bethesda and Armour, mid Atlantic MLS Next isn’t very strong. It just isn’t.

Um, you are forgetting Philadelphia Union, SYC, FC Delco, New York Red Bulls…should I continue?

Nobody would agree with you that Philly Union, NY etc are 'in this area.' You gonna drive 4 hours each way for practice? Uhm. No.
OP wanted to know about picking ECNL or MLS NEXT IN THIS AREA (MD) specifically.



Nobody would agree with you that Philly Union, NY etc are in this area.

Resending for context:

If you play MLSNext in this area you, are playing those teams twice a year…

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if someone had the choice of BSC or Achilles MLSNext versus MD United or Potomac ECNL it’s basically comparable? Only reason to really switch would be to go to DC United?

You also play 40% more games a year with MLSnext team over ECNL. Players are faster.

You play 40% more LEAGUE games. How many tournaments do the Bethesda MLS Next teams play in? Almost none. Not even their own tournament...because they think they are too good for it. Meanwhile, the ECNL teams are playing MLS Next and ECNL teams from all over the country in tournaments. Look at the entire house before you make a purchase. Some have great front rooms and rotted foundations. Some just have alot of cosmetics and no bones.

Outside of VDA, Richmond and maybe Arlington, Mid-Atlantic ECNL isn’t very strong. It just isn’t.

Uhm- ok. NVA made the national championship last year but they are no good. Let me respond in kind…. Outside of Bethesda and Armour, mid Atlantic MLS Next isn’t very strong. It just isn’t.

Um, you are forgetting Philadelphia Union, SYC, FC Delco, New York Red Bulls…should I continue?

Nobody would agree with you that Philly Union, NY etc are 'in this area.' You gonna drive 4 hours each way for practice? Uhm. No.
OP wanted to know about picking ECNL or MLS NEXT IN THIS AREA (MD) specifically.



Nobody would agree with you that Philly Union, NY etc are in this area.