Anonymous
02/10/2026 11:19
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Anonymous wrote:Nobody cares what some random club in some random place is doing.
Every time the FC Copa person posts I will remind you that they have a -78 GD in 10 games at my kids AG and just as bad in others. This is not the club setting the standard for the rest of us.
Anonymous
02/10/2026 11:17
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Nobody cares what some random club in some random place is doing.
Anonymous
02/10/2026 11:16
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Anonymous wrote:Nobody advocating for biobanding here, not that there's anything wrong with that. FYI, the PP didn't mention college recruiting and college coaches actually told teams that they don't care what age group you are in. You just have to reach out to colleges to let them know you are interested. Close to every club is not forcing grade year on anyone.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
Every league announcement said it wouldn't be perfect. Deal with it. There's no playing down unless it's biobanding. Not everyone cares about playing with their grade.
Fewer recruiters OR families are interested in B OR C teams. They get less experienced coaches and less support from there clubs. So, kids forced there will likely quit earlier. Being the youngest means that's more likely. This is why you give more choice and flexibility for parents and clubs.
So dumb just to think there's one path and to create loopholes for playing up.
In all of my years playing soccer and having kids who play soccer, I've never once met a kid who is interested in playing with a younger grade. I've certainly met plenty of kids who are interested in playing with a higher grade. What you are saying is nonsense and sounds ridiculous - just so you know.
You are correct.
The play down troll has been advocating for playing down a grade for over a year on this and other threads.
Unfortunately hes just going to need to experience SY and Aug birthdays playing with their grade before reality settles in. Even then he'll shop around looking for a loser club that will let him play his kid down. You're also correct in that college coaches will ignore the play downs when recruiting.
Keep lieing...
FC Copa
https://youtu.be/H_MCwT85SKY?
"So we will look to ensure that players are in their correct graduation year going into their high school years."
Since you're too dumb to understand what this means I'll spell it out for you. FC Copa will play Aug and Sept birthdays (they're in New Jeresy who's school start date is in Sept) with their correct graduation year (grade in school team) team. This was decided after speaking with several college coaches and getting their feedback on aligned vs misaligned players.
Anonymous
02/10/2026 11:14
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
So many Aug-Dec are going to stay up on their current team and about 10-15 percent of kids don't match their schools start year and a bunch of Aug and Sept went to school on time. Overall, so many going to be off grade for the first 2-4 years that this grade thing isn't going to get noticed just like it isn't now under BY.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
Every league announcement said it wouldn't be perfect. Deal with it. There's no playing down unless it's biobanding. Not everyone cares about playing with their grade.
Fewer recruiters OR families are interested in B OR C teams. They get less experienced coaches and less support from there clubs. So, kids forced there will likely quit earlier. Being the youngest means that's more likely. This is why you give more choice and flexibility for parents and clubs.
So dumb just to think there's one path and to create loopholes for playing up.
In all of my years playing soccer and having kids who play soccer, I've never once met a kid who is interested in playing with a younger grade. I've certainly met plenty of kids who are interested in playing with a higher grade. What you are saying is nonsense and sounds ridiculous - just so you know.
You are correct.
The play down troll has been advocating for playing down a grade for over a year on this and other threads.
Unfortunately hes just going to need to experience SY and Aug birthdays playing with their grade before reality settles in. Even then he'll shop around looking for a loser club that will let him play his kid down. You're also correct in that college coaches will ignore the play downs when recruiting.
Experience ... 5% of kids "played down" last time, averaging 1 per team. How states have different school start times means no matter what you do, you'll have this. You just choose to ignore it.
Also, people aren't advocating for anything, except for these kids to have flexibility to do what's best for them, because sometimes playing up to play on grade isn't a good idea.
Anonymous
02/10/2026 11:10
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Nobody advocating for biobanding here, not that there's anything wrong with that. FYI, the PP didn't mention college recruiting and college coaches actually told teams that they don't care what age group you are in. You just have to reach out to colleges to let them know you are interested. Close to every club is not forcing grade year on anyone.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
Every league announcement said it wouldn't be perfect. Deal with it. There's no playing down unless it's biobanding. Not everyone cares about playing with their grade.
Fewer recruiters OR families are interested in B OR C teams. They get less experienced coaches and less support from there clubs. So, kids forced there will likely quit earlier. Being the youngest means that's more likely. This is why you give more choice and flexibility for parents and clubs.
So dumb just to think there's one path and to create loopholes for playing up.
In all of my years playing soccer and having kids who play soccer, I've never once met a kid who is interested in playing with a younger grade. I've certainly met plenty of kids who are interested in playing with a higher grade. What you are saying is nonsense and sounds ridiculous - just so you know.
You are correct.
The play down troll has been advocating for playing down a grade for over a year on this and other threads.
Unfortunately hes just going to need to experience SY and Aug birthdays playing with their grade before reality settles in. Even then he'll shop around looking for a loser club that will let him play his kid down. You're also correct in that college coaches will ignore the play downs when recruiting.
Anonymous
02/10/2026 11:07
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
Every league announcement said it wouldn't be perfect. Deal with it. There's no playing down unless it's biobanding. Not everyone cares about playing with their grade.
Fewer recruiters OR families are interested in B OR C teams. They get less experienced coaches and less support from there clubs. So, kids forced there will likely quit earlier. Being the youngest means that's more likely. This is why you give more choice and flexibility for parents and clubs.
So dumb just to think there's one path and to create loopholes for playing up.
In all of my years playing soccer and having kids who play soccer, I've never once met a kid who is interested in playing with a younger grade. I've certainly met plenty of kids who are interested in playing with a higher grade. What you are saying is nonsense and sounds ridiculous - just so you know.
You are correct.
The play down troll has been advocating for playing down a grade for over a year on this and other threads.
Unfortunately hes just going to need to experience SY and Aug birthdays playing with their grade before reality settles in. Even then he'll shop around looking for a loser club that will let him play his kid down. You're also correct in that college coaches will ignore the play downs when recruiting.
Experience ... 5% of kids "played down" last time, averaging 1 per team. How states have different school start times means no matter what you do, you'll have this. You just choose to ignore it.
Also, people aren't advocating for anything, except for these kids to have flexibility to do what's best for them, because sometimes playing up to play on grade isn't a good idea.
Anonymous
02/10/2026 11:06
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Stay tuned for the next version of this thread
Red Lights vs green lights. Do you stop on red or go based on your car
AugSep is the yellow light in your analogy.
Yellow wasn't in the analogy though
8/1 - 7/31 isn't optional based on your kid or team or club
Anonymous
02/10/2026 10:59
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Anonymous wrote:
Every league announcement said it wouldn't be perfect. Deal with it. There's no playing down unless it's biobanding. Not everyone cares about playing with their grade.
Fewer recruiters OR families are interested in B OR C teams. They get less experienced coaches and less support from there clubs. So, kids forced there will likely quit earlier. Being the youngest means that's more likely. This is why you give more choice and flexibility for parents and clubs.
So dumb just to think there's one path and to create loopholes for playing up.
In all of my years playing soccer and having kids who play soccer, I've never once met a kid who is interested in playing with a younger grade. I've certainly met plenty of kids who are interested in playing with a higher grade. What you are saying is nonsense and sounds ridiculous - just so you know.
You are correct.
The play down troll has been advocating for playing down a grade for over a year on this and other threads.
Unfortunately hes just going to need to experience SY and Aug birthdays playing with their grade before reality settles in. Even then he'll shop around looking for a loser club that will let him play his kid down. You're also correct in that college coaches will ignore the play downs when recruiting.
Anonymous
02/10/2026 10:44
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Anonymous wrote:Stay tuned for the next version of this thread
Red Lights vs green lights. Do you stop on red or go based on your car
AugSep is the yellow light in your analogy.
Anonymous
02/10/2026 10:35
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Stay tuned for the next version of this thread
Red Lights vs green lights. Do you stop on red or go based on your car
Red Lights vs green lights. Do you stop on red or go based on your car
Anonymous
02/10/2026 10:32
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Well i guess my september on grade kid will be the oldest...
Aug People will just hold their kids back.
Aug People will just hold their kids back.
Anonymous
02/10/2026 10:32
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Anonymous wrote:What's the point of the club making a team based on school grade when the league goes by birth date?
To appease neurotic parents who aren't serious about soccer?
Because the "league" told everyone to play kids by school grade. Did anyone actually read the guidance on the age group change? What's your agenda on pushing kids down a grade - does it somehow benefit your kid? There is no circumstance where a kid playing a grade below is positive for player development or for recruiting (not to mention longevity in the sport). The only benefit for that might be for a kid who is smaller and needs the time to develop. By high school, any player playing down is wasting their time, and no recruiter is interested in a kid that can't even handle playing with their grade. Clubs know this even if dumb parents don't get it.
The league told clubs to group kids by grade and also set the cutoff by month/year?
this madness has no end
Anonymous
02/10/2026 10:29
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Anonymous wrote:"A: School grade may be considered as part of the evaluation, but the decision to allow a player to play up is ultimately based on technical criteria including the player’s skill, maturity, and readiness for the older age group. Grade alone does not guarantee that a player will play up."
This is boilerplate CYA language for when kids get pushed to a B team or C team because they aren't as good as the kids coming down. It's fine and to be expected. The language to focus on is "school grade may be considered".
Except if they were just going to do Aug-Sep by grade, they'd just say that. They didn't. They say it's a case-by-case evaluation with age and soccer skill as determinative. One club said those who really value grade have to specifically apply to tryout in that group.
Now, there are a number of other clubs who are doing Aug-Sept by grade but they are more from USYS vs. top tier ECNL/GA.
Anonymous
02/10/2026 10:24
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
We're dealing with individuals. Grade is a factor but not determinative. This west coast team gets into this nuance well:
1. Players already playing with their school classmates
In some cases, the new guidelines would place a player into a younger age group even though they are already in an older school grade and have been training and competing with that peer group. For these players, remaining with their classmates can support confidence, social comfort, and consistency in their development environment. This exception helps avoid unnecessary disruption for players who are already well-established within an older cohort.
2. Some top contributors/starters on A teams
Some players who are key contributors on A teams may be considered to play up when it is determined that the higher level of challenge better supports their development. These decisions are made thoughtfully, in consultation with the player and family, and are guided by our coaches based on performance, readiness, and long-term growth—not simply age or short-term results. Importantly, no player will be required to play with an older grade; top players may always choose to play in their newly defined age group if that is the best fit for them.
In all cases, exceptions are limited and handled individually. Our goal is to balance alignment with U.S. Soccer’s guidelines while making development-focused decisions that put players in the best environment to thrive. If you believe your child may fall outside of these two situations, we encourage you to reach out and start a conversation with our coaching staff. While exceptions are limited, we’re always open to thoughtful discussions centered on what’s best for a player’s development.
AND
The new two-year age group structure will not negatively impact college recruiting. College coaches evaluate players based on their performance, development, and potential—not the exact age grouping of their club team.
https://www.eastsidefc.org/agegroups
1. Players already playing with their school classmates
In some cases, the new guidelines would place a player into a younger age group even though they are already in an older school grade and have been training and competing with that peer group. For these players, remaining with their classmates can support confidence, social comfort, and consistency in their development environment. This exception helps avoid unnecessary disruption for players who are already well-established within an older cohort.
2. Some top contributors/starters on A teams
Some players who are key contributors on A teams may be considered to play up when it is determined that the higher level of challenge better supports their development. These decisions are made thoughtfully, in consultation with the player and family, and are guided by our coaches based on performance, readiness, and long-term growth—not simply age or short-term results. Importantly, no player will be required to play with an older grade; top players may always choose to play in their newly defined age group if that is the best fit for them.
In all cases, exceptions are limited and handled individually. Our goal is to balance alignment with U.S. Soccer’s guidelines while making development-focused decisions that put players in the best environment to thrive. If you believe your child may fall outside of these two situations, we encourage you to reach out and start a conversation with our coaching staff. While exceptions are limited, we’re always open to thoughtful discussions centered on what’s best for a player’s development.
AND
The new two-year age group structure will not negatively impact college recruiting. College coaches evaluate players based on their performance, development, and potential—not the exact age grouping of their club team.
https://www.eastsidefc.org/agegroups
Anonymous
02/10/2026 10:19
Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2
Where does it say kids should play on grade whenever possible? Your reading into it.Anonymous wrote:That's a big lashing out after the table is already set for next year.
No league said to play by grade. ECNL and NCSL said the opposite. Almost always best to be youngest in age group, RAE. College said they recruit players and don't care what team or age group you are on.
Here is the guidance on the age group change from US Club, USYS and AYSO - specifically noting that the goal here is for kids to play by school grade whenever possible. I really don't know how much clearer it can be said without there being consequences for clubs that specifically hold kids down from playing on grade level. People really love to twist around the rationale here. If a kid is relying on being the best/biggest in their age group by avoiding playing up because of the Aug 1 cut-off, there won't be a single recruiter that will be impressed by that.
Why is the age group cut-off changing from January 1 (birth year ages)?
There are multiple reasons for this change. First, the Aug. 1 age group cut-off most effectively reduces the number of “trapped players” in youth soccer and reduces negative impacts on these players at multiple stages of their career. “Trapped” players are those who, due to soccer age group cut-offs, are in an older soccer age group than their school year. Trapped players have significantly reduced competition opportunities and disrupted training experiences in 8th grade (when most of their team is in high school) and are similarly negatively impacted four years later when players from the older soccer age group, but who are still in high school, are moved down into the same soccer age group. Second, an Aug. 1 age group cut-off best aligns soccer age groups with school year ages, maximizing the number of players who participate in soccer programs with their school-year friends. This alignment has a positive correlation with increased numbers of youth players entering and staying in the sport.
Why is Aug. 1 a better age group cut-off than Sept. 1?
Initially, US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and AYSO had determined to use a Sept. 1 age group cut-off instead of Aug. 1. After receiving significant feedback and identifying missing information in Department of Education school year cut-off lists, it has been determined that the Aug. 1 cut-off best reduces misalignment between age and school year. The Aug. 1 cut-off reduces not only the trapped player effect, but it also reduces the number of “force-ups,” a term referring to players in a younger soccer age group but older school year who must play up an age group in order to be with their school-year friends.