For ECNL hats questioning whether GA is gaining ground on ECNL, look at the U15 USYNT numbers:

23 Girls Academy call-ups in 2025-26 — 33.8% of the U15 pool, up from 9.5% last year. That’s not a small bump… that’s a major jump.

14 players from 11 GA clubs earned spots. That kind of club diversity also says something important: talent identification in GA is broadening, not concentrated.

The gap between GA and ECNL is continuing to narrow and arguably shifting at younger age groups.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whoever said IHS guy was pro ECNL he seems to be calling them out?…

Maybe IHS guy saw he was being questioned and called out and wants to be taken seriously now

You have to assume the guy wants to be successful. His audience will be a lot bigger if he remains neutral in the ECNL / GA conversation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So far 3 MLSN teams moving to ECNL - probably a combination of losing a lot of games plus the fact that a lot of these kids really just want to play HS soccer. The reality is now that most MLSN HG kids do not play D1 anymore - because of the transfer portal and int'l recruits. So why skip HS soccer just to end up playing D3 or not at all?

If I’m MLSN I’m pushing the ncaa to allow minimal international scholarships players on D1-2. American University Scholarships should be for Americans.

What happened to believing in meritocracy? Presumably if the US players were better colleges would take them. Man up.

Anonymous wrote:Whoever said IHS guy was pro ECNL he seems to be calling them out?…

Maybe IHS guy saw he was being questioned and called out and wants to be taken seriously now

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So far 3 MLSN teams moving to ECNL - probably a combination of losing a lot of games plus the fact that a lot of these kids really just want to play HS soccer. The reality is now that most MLSN HG kids do not play D1 anymore - because of the transfer portal and int'l recruits. So why skip HS soccer just to end up playing D3 or not at all?

If I’m MLSN I’m pushing the ncaa to allow minimal international scholarships players on D1-2. American University Scholarships should be for Americans.

That would make sense if MLSNs primary goal was to place players in college.

But MLSNs primary goal is to place players on MLS teams.

Whoever said IHS guy was pro ECNL he seems to be calling them out?…

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So far 3 MLSN teams moving to ECNL - probably a combination of losing a lot of games plus the fact that a lot of these kids really just want to play HS soccer. The reality is now that most MLSN HG kids do not play D1 anymore - because of the transfer portal and int'l recruits. So why skip HS soccer just to end up playing D3 or not at all?

Has there been an indication that MLS Next is going to be more strict with the no HS rule? I thought people here said that kids cheat and do it anyway? So why is that a reason to leave MLS Next?

Yes - rules have changed for 2026/27 - no HS players can play in any MLSN games during HS season (scholarship or not). Some players will have a special designation to be on the roster and practice, but can't play games. I'm sure rules will be broken, but they are making it harder starting next season.

More info - https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2026/04/how-new-rule-is-tearing-apart-hs-soccer-teams-across-america-ahead-of-2026-world-cup.html

Anonymous wrote:So far 3 MLSN teams moving to ECNL - probably a combination of losing a lot of games plus the fact that a lot of these kids really just want to play HS soccer. The reality is now that most MLSN HG kids do not play D1 anymore - because of the transfer portal and int'l recruits. So why skip HS soccer just to end up playing D3 or not at all?

If I’m MLSN I’m pushing the ncaa to allow minimal international scholarships players on D1-2. American University Scholarships should be for Americans.

Anonymous wrote:So far 3 MLSN teams moving to ECNL - probably a combination of losing a lot of games plus the fact that a lot of these kids really just want to play HS soccer. The reality is now that most MLSN HG kids do not play D1 anymore - because of the transfer portal and int'l recruits. So why skip HS soccer just to end up playing D3 or not at all?

Has there been an indication that MLS Next is going to be more strict with the no HS rule? I thought people here said that kids cheat and do it anyway? So why is that a reason to leave MLS Next?

So far 3 MLSN teams moving to ECNL - probably a combination of losing a lot of games plus the fact that a lot of these kids really just want to play HS soccer. The reality is now that most MLSN HG kids do not play D1 anymore - because of the transfer portal and int'l recruits. So why skip HS soccer just to end up playing D3 or not at all?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RNY FC moving from MLS NEXT to ECNL B

They're probably getting the boot like Oakwood did. RNY FC is pretty bad across all age groups

Whats interesting is some team's are choosing to go ECNL for Boys and vs MLSN 2. Trend or anecdote?

Given the teams we're talking about, I would use the word "choosing" lightly. These teams have not been doing well

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RNY FC moving from MLS NEXT to ECNL B

They're probably getting the boot like Oakwood did. RNY FC is pretty bad across all age groups

Whats interesting is some team's are choosing to go ECNL for Boys and vs MLSN 2. Trend or anecdote?

That club is getting pounded in MLSN 2. I think they can read the writing on the wall and chose an easier league for them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RNY FC moving from MLS NEXT to ECNL B

They're probably getting the boot like Oakwood did. RNY FC is pretty bad across all age groups

Whats interesting is some team's are choosing to go ECNL for Boys and vs MLSN 2. Trend or anecdote?

Anonymous wrote:RNY FC moving from MLS NEXT to ECNL B

They're probably getting the boot like Oakwood did. RNY FC is pretty bad across all age groups

Anonymous wrote:RNY FC moving from MLS NEXT to ECNL B

Girls side they aren't strong in GA. Maybe girls go ECRL? Definitely doesn't fit the dominate description from the rumor..