Anonymous
06/05/2025 09:17
Subject: MLSNext watered down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Pay attention to the percentage of committed players per MLSNext team and ECNL team. That will show you where the talent is concentrated.
This is a DMV forum--not a Texas forum. The point was made about ECNL and Next teams IN THIS AREA. The facts show that ECNL clubs are more successful in placing college players than Next teams. All you have to do to check this is compare Arlington Richmond and Pipeline to SYC, Achilles and Alexandria as a starting point.
Bethesda does a strong job-- but is the exception in this area. I don't really care about next vs. MLS outside of this area if my player is not going to play in those states.
Whines that this is DMV forum...claims Richmond. Keep your ECNL bub.
Does Richmond make you nervous about comparisons for college placement for some reason? So sensitive. Kids from Northern VA play for Richmond- yes they drive an hour or more to do so. Same way that players from DC play for Baltimore.
I didn't think when I woke up today that someone would ask me if Richmond makes me nervous. No...I'm ok...thank you. No area or club makes me nervous. My son's success is dependent on him and how hard he works...not a club or area. Top players can come out of any club and go to academies/D1...if you are banking on better percentages at a club/area/league then your kid ain't gonna be the one.
But I do think your response makes you look "so sensitive". League fanboys are the worst...the worst. You ain't helping your kid mate.
Anonymous
06/05/2025 08:33
Subject: MLSNext watered down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Pay attention to the percentage of committed players per MLSNext team and ECNL team. That will show you where the talent is concentrated.
This is a DMV forum--not a Texas forum. The point was made about ECNL and Next teams IN THIS AREA. The facts show that ECNL clubs are more successful in placing college players than Next teams. All you have to do to check this is compare Arlington Richmond and Pipeline to SYC, Achilles and Alexandria as a starting point.
Bethesda does a strong job-- but is the exception in this area. I don't really care about next vs. MLS outside of this area if my player is not going to play in those states.
Whines that this is DMV forum...claims Richmond. Keep your ECNL bub.
Does Richmond make you nervous about comparisons for college placement for some reason? So sensitive. Kids from Northern VA play for Richmond- yes they drive an hour or more to do so. Same way that players from DC play for Baltimore.
Anonymous
06/05/2025 08:31
Subject: MLSNext watered down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Pay attention to the percentage of committed players per MLSNext team and ECNL team. That will show you where the talent is concentrated.
This is a DMV forum--not a Texas forum. The point was made about ECNL and Next teams IN THIS AREA. The facts show that ECNL clubs are more successful in placing college players than Next teams. All you have to do to check this is compare Arlington Richmond and Pipeline to SYC, Achilles and Alexandria as a starting point.
Bethesda does a strong job-- but is the exception in this area. I don't really care about next vs. MLS outside of this area if my player is not going to play in those states.
Some of this may be partly explained by the players' socioeconomic status. Arlington and Pipeline tend to have a lot of players from well-off families who go to private schools. SYC and Alexandria have a more diverse pool of players.
Anonymous
06/05/2025 08:22
Subject: MLSNext watered down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Pay attention to the percentage of committed players per MLSNext team and ECNL team. That will show you where the talent is concentrated.
This is a DMV forum--not a Texas forum. The point was made about ECNL and Next teams IN THIS AREA. The facts show that ECNL clubs are more successful in placing college players than Next teams. All you have to do to check this is compare Arlington Richmond and Pipeline to SYC, Achilles and Alexandria as a starting point.
Bethesda does a strong job-- but is the exception in this area. I don't really care about next vs. MLS outside of this area if my player is not going to play in those states.
Whines that this is DMV forum...claims Richmond. Keep your ECNL bub.
Anonymous
06/05/2025 07:50
Subject: MLSNext watered down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Pay attention to the percentage of committed players per MLSNext team and ECNL team. That will show you where the talent is concentrated.
This is a DMV forum--not a Texas forum. The point was made about ECNL and Next teams IN THIS AREA. The facts show that ECNL clubs are more successful in placing college players than Next teams. All you have to do to check this is compare Arlington Richmond and Pipeline to SYC, Achilles and Alexandria as a starting point.
Bethesda does a strong job-- but is the exception in this area. I don't really care about next vs. MLS outside of this area if my player is not going to play in those states.
Joke comment of the week
Can you find even one college coach that agrees with this fantasy
Anonymous
06/05/2025 00:02
Subject: MLSNext watered down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Pay attention to the percentage of committed players per MLSNext team and ECNL team. That will show you where the talent is concentrated.
This is a DMV forum--not a Texas forum. The point was made about ECNL and Next teams IN THIS AREA. The facts show that ECNL clubs are more successful in placing college players than Next teams. All you have to do to check this is compare Arlington Richmond and Pipeline to SYC, Achilles and Alexandria as a starting point.
Bethesda does a strong job-- but is the exception in this area. I don't really care about next vs. MLS outside of this area if my player is not going to play in those states.
You're swimming upstream my friend.
Anonymous
06/04/2025 23:52
Subject: MLSNext watered down
Anonymous wrote:Pay attention to the percentage of committed players per MLSNext team and ECNL team. That will show you where the talent is concentrated.
This is a DMV forum--not a Texas forum. The point was made about ECNL and Next teams IN THIS AREA. The facts show that ECNL clubs are more successful in placing college players than Next teams. All you have to do to check this is compare Arlington Richmond and Pipeline to SYC, Achilles and Alexandria as a starting point.
Bethesda does a strong job-- but is the exception in this area. I don't really care about next vs. MLS outside of this area if my player is not going to play in those states.
Anonymous
06/03/2025 22:32
Subject: MLSNext watered down
Pay attention to the percentage of committed players per MLSNext team and ECNL team. That will show you where the talent is concentrated.
Anonymous
06/03/2025 18:32
Subject: MLSNext watered down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:came w reciptsAnonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Seems like the MLSNext talent pool gets watered down as the top talent goes to the academies. So tier 1 and tier 2 are really tier 2 and tier 3. How is this supposed to be better quality than ECNL?
I don’t think one or two academies per metro area or region can absorb all top talent in their areas. Some top talent with EU or other passports are probably avoiding MLS academies as well and hoping to jump abroad.
Also random comparison with ECNL. ECNL would be tier 2 behind MLSNext 1.
Eh- not really. They sort of serve different audiences. The best Next teams might be better overall but the best ECNL clubs are better than the middling and low tier next clubs. Let's take VDA, Pipeline, and Richmond vs. WVA and Alexandria Achilles as just a few local examples
Looking at QoP rankings for Mid-Atlantic for U13 and out of 18 teams, Alexandria is #5 and Achilles #9. In front of them are MLS academies NY Red Bulls and Phili Union, along with FC Delco and SYC.
So no, VDA, Pipeline and Richmond would not have a walk in the park against Alexandria or Achilles — at least in the age bracket I saw. The quality of teams and players are stronger across the board at MLSNext.
Many of these clubs faced off in the Copa Rayados last fall. ECNL did well against MLSN in the U13/14 age group.
https://system.gotsport.com/org_event/events/33570
Looks like Richmond beat Alexandria 6-0 at the U15 level. Not sure where the idea that the local MLSN teams are better than ECNL comes from but the facts don't seem to support that. Pipeline, VDA, Arlington, Richmond, NCFC are all very competitive with MLSN teams.
NCFC, VDA and Richmond, yes. That leaves 12 mid to dumpster fire teams.
Let's see what the only head to head game results show about how bad ECNL teams in DMV suck compared to Next teams.
U-16
SYC Next lost to VDA ECNL
SYC Next TIED Arlington's 3rd team
Alexandra Next lost to Celtic ECNL
Alexandria Next lost to Skyline ECNL
Bethesda Next lost to Pipeline ECNL
Bethesda Next lost to VDA ECNL
U-17
SYC U-17 lost to VDA by 10 goals, lost to SUSA ECNL, and barely beat a EC Regional league team in head to head.
Alexandria U-17 lost to Skyline ECNL
Bethesda tied FVU ECNL
U-18
SYC Next lost to Arlington ECNL
Arlington ECNL lost to Alexandria ECNL
Common sense tells us that if the ECNL teams in this area suck, then the Next teams must suck worse since they can't beat them head to head....Now can we stop telling tall tales and just agree that the data suggests that both Next and ECNL in this area aren't that much different in the end.
When did these imaginary games take place?
These are all recent games in the past 12-24 months.
I mean all you need to do is look at the app if you want proof. it’s right there in Black and white unless you think it’s all a conspiracy and we are making this data up? Next teams suck worse than ECNL around DMV apparently.
I know some of these so-called results are 100% fake since one club for sure didn't play against opponents listed
Nice try...google is your friend. How about I list them for you...this time with dates.
U-16 Next vs. ECNL at Best of the East
January 25, 2025: SYC played VDA and lost
January 25th 2025 Bethesda played Pipeline and lost
U16 Next vs. ECNL at the Bethesda Showcase
November 23, 2024: Bethesda played VDA and lost
U-16 Next vs. ECNL at the Feature Weekend Showcase
February 2, 2025, Alexandria played Celtic and lost
U-16 Next vs. ECNL at Copa Reyados
August 25, 2024 Alexandria played Skyline and lost
August 24th, 2024 Armour played VDA and lost
August 25 2024, Bethesda played Arlington and won
U16- Next vs. ECNL at the VA Elite Soccer Tournament:
May 26, 2025- SYC played Arlington's U-17 3rd team and tied
I can continue across each age group...but you get the point. No matter how loud you shout, it cant change posted results. This isn't that complicated to be honest. #waterdown
Scary that anyone would put in the time and effort to research and compile this
literally took about 2 minutes to cut and paste out of the app but you already know that But you don't care to operate with facts anyway. The post indicated that ECNL teams in DMV suck compared to MLS next teams in DMV. Either back your statements up with facts or move on. the facts would suggest that in ecnl and mls next equally suck in the DMV.
And if we care to rely on facts even further--ECNL also has more college placements from the DMV than next. you can also find that info in about 3 minutes via TDS and google.
ECNL Homer. Makes us chuckle. Sorry your league is festering.
Anonymous
06/03/2025 18:15
Subject: MLSNext watered down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:came w reciptsAnonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Seems like the MLSNext talent pool gets watered down as the top talent goes to the academies. So tier 1 and tier 2 are really tier 2 and tier 3. How is this supposed to be better quality than ECNL?
I don’t think one or two academies per metro area or region can absorb all top talent in their areas. Some top talent with EU or other passports are probably avoiding MLS academies as well and hoping to jump abroad.
Also random comparison with ECNL. ECNL would be tier 2 behind MLSNext 1.
Eh- not really. They sort of serve different audiences. The best Next teams might be better overall but the best ECNL clubs are better than the middling and low tier next clubs. Let's take VDA, Pipeline, and Richmond vs. WVA and Alexandria Achilles as just a few local examples
Looking at QoP rankings for Mid-Atlantic for U13 and out of 18 teams, Alexandria is #5 and Achilles #9. In front of them are MLS academies NY Red Bulls and Phili Union, along with FC Delco and SYC.
So no, VDA, Pipeline and Richmond would not have a walk in the park against Alexandria or Achilles — at least in the age bracket I saw. The quality of teams and players are stronger across the board at MLSNext.
Many of these clubs faced off in the Copa Rayados last fall. ECNL did well against MLSN in the U13/14 age group.
https://system.gotsport.com/org_event/events/33570
Looks like Richmond beat Alexandria 6-0 at the U15 level. Not sure where the idea that the local MLSN teams are better than ECNL comes from but the facts don't seem to support that. Pipeline, VDA, Arlington, Richmond, NCFC are all very competitive with MLSN teams.
NCFC, VDA and Richmond, yes. That leaves 12 mid to dumpster fire teams.
Let's see what the only head to head game results show about how bad ECNL teams in DMV suck compared to Next teams.
U-16
SYC Next lost to VDA ECNL
SYC Next TIED Arlington's 3rd team
Alexandra Next lost to Celtic ECNL
Alexandria Next lost to Skyline ECNL
Bethesda Next lost to Pipeline ECNL
Bethesda Next lost to VDA ECNL
U-17
SYC U-17 lost to VDA by 10 goals, lost to SUSA ECNL, and barely beat a EC Regional league team in head to head.
Alexandria U-17 lost to Skyline ECNL
Bethesda tied FVU ECNL
U-18
SYC Next lost to Arlington ECNL
Arlington ECNL lost to Alexandria ECNL
Common sense tells us that if the ECNL teams in this area suck, then the Next teams must suck worse since they can't beat them head to head....Now can we stop telling tall tales and just agree that the data suggests that both Next and ECNL in this area aren't that much different in the end.
When did these imaginary games take place?
These are all recent games in the past 12-24 months.
I mean all you need to do is look at the app if you want proof. it’s right there in Black and white unless you think it’s all a conspiracy and we are making this data up? Next teams suck worse than ECNL around DMV apparently.
I know some of these so-called results are 100% fake since one club for sure didn't play against opponents listed
Nice try...google is your friend. How about I list them for you...this time with dates.
U-16 Next vs. ECNL at Best of the East
January 25, 2025: SYC played VDA and lost
January 25th 2025 Bethesda played Pipeline and lost
U16 Next vs. ECNL at the Bethesda Showcase
November 23, 2024: Bethesda played VDA and lost
U-16 Next vs. ECNL at the Feature Weekend Showcase
February 2, 2025, Alexandria played Celtic and lost
U-16 Next vs. ECNL at Copa Reyados
August 25, 2024 Alexandria played Skyline and lost
August 24th, 2024 Armour played VDA and lost
August 25 2024, Bethesda played Arlington and won
U16- Next vs. ECNL at the VA Elite Soccer Tournament:
May 26, 2025- SYC played Arlington's U-17 3rd team and tied
I can continue across each age group...but you get the point. No matter how loud you shout, it cant change posted results. This isn't that complicated to be honest. #waterdown
Copa Rayados is a joke. New season, new players, coaches use it as an exercise and tinker with lineup ideas. The rest appear imaginary.
Anonymous
06/03/2025 15:45
Subject: MLSNext watered down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:came w reciptsAnonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Seems like the MLSNext talent pool gets watered down as the top talent goes to the academies. So tier 1 and tier 2 are really tier 2 and tier 3. How is this supposed to be better quality than ECNL?
I don’t think one or two academies per metro area or region can absorb all top talent in their areas. Some top talent with EU or other passports are probably avoiding MLS academies as well and hoping to jump abroad.
Also random comparison with ECNL. ECNL would be tier 2 behind MLSNext 1.
Eh- not really. They sort of serve different audiences. The best Next teams might be better overall but the best ECNL clubs are better than the middling and low tier next clubs. Let's take VDA, Pipeline, and Richmond vs. WVA and Alexandria Achilles as just a few local examples
Looking at QoP rankings for Mid-Atlantic for U13 and out of 18 teams, Alexandria is #5 and Achilles #9. In front of them are MLS academies NY Red Bulls and Phili Union, along with FC Delco and SYC.
So no, VDA, Pipeline and Richmond would not have a walk in the park against Alexandria or Achilles — at least in the age bracket I saw. The quality of teams and players are stronger across the board at MLSNext.
Many of these clubs faced off in the Copa Rayados last fall. ECNL did well against MLSN in the U13/14 age group.
https://system.gotsport.com/org_event/events/33570
Looks like Richmond beat Alexandria 6-0 at the U15 level. Not sure where the idea that the local MLSN teams are better than ECNL comes from but the facts don't seem to support that. Pipeline, VDA, Arlington, Richmond, NCFC are all very competitive with MLSN teams.
NCFC, VDA and Richmond, yes. That leaves 12 mid to dumpster fire teams.
Let's see what the only head to head game results show about how bad ECNL teams in DMV suck compared to Next teams.
U-16
SYC Next lost to VDA ECNL
SYC Next TIED Arlington's 3rd team
Alexandra Next lost to Celtic ECNL
Alexandria Next lost to Skyline ECNL
Bethesda Next lost to Pipeline ECNL
Bethesda Next lost to VDA ECNL
U-17
SYC U-17 lost to VDA by 10 goals, lost to SUSA ECNL, and barely beat a EC Regional league team in head to head.
Alexandria U-17 lost to Skyline ECNL
Bethesda tied FVU ECNL
U-18
SYC Next lost to Arlington ECNL
Arlington ECNL lost to Alexandria ECNL
Common sense tells us that if the ECNL teams in this area suck, then the Next teams must suck worse since they can't beat them head to head....Now can we stop telling tall tales and just agree that the data suggests that both Next and ECNL in this area aren't that much different in the end.
When did these imaginary games take place?
These are all recent games in the past 12-24 months.
I mean all you need to do is look at the app if you want proof. it’s right there in Black and white unless you think it’s all a conspiracy and we are making this data up? Next teams suck worse than ECNL around DMV apparently.
I know some of these so-called results are 100% fake since one club for sure didn't play against opponents listed
Nice try...google is your friend. How about I list them for you...this time with dates.
U-16 Next vs. ECNL at Best of the East
January 25, 2025: SYC played VDA and lost
January 25th 2025 Bethesda played Pipeline and lost
U16 Next vs. ECNL at the Bethesda Showcase
November 23, 2024: Bethesda played VDA and lost
U-16 Next vs. ECNL at the Feature Weekend Showcase
February 2, 2025, Alexandria played Celtic and lost
U-16 Next vs. ECNL at Copa Reyados
August 25, 2024 Alexandria played Skyline and lost
August 24th, 2024 Armour played VDA and lost
August 25 2024, Bethesda played Arlington and won
U16- Next vs. ECNL at the VA Elite Soccer Tournament:
May 26, 2025- SYC played Arlington's U-17 3rd team and tied
I can continue across each age group...but you get the point. No matter how loud you shout, it cant change posted results. This isn't that complicated to be honest. #waterdown
Scary that anyone would put in the time and effort to research and compile this
literally took about 2 minutes to cut and paste out of the app but you already know that But you don't care to operate with facts anyway. The post indicated that ECNL teams in DMV suck compared to MLS next teams in DMV. Either back your statements up with facts or move on. the facts would suggest that in ecnl and mls next equally suck in the DMV.
And if we care to rely on facts even further--ECNL also has more college placements from the DMV than next. you can also find that info in about 3 minutes via TDS and google.
Anonymous
06/03/2025 10:29
Subject: MLSNext watered down
Anonymous wrote:Seems like the MLSNext talent pool gets watered down as the top talent goes to the academies. So tier 1 and tier 2 are really tier 2 and tier 3. How is this supposed to be better quality than ECNL?
Best players from ECNL also go to academies...so what is your point? The overall talent that remains is still higher in MLS Next. MLS Next 2 is new and we can only judge it after it happens.
I'm sure there are some great ECNL teams that could do well against MLS Next competition. If that is in your local area than good for you! But being on an MLS Next team (1 and not 2) is still the best place for exposure and opportunities. Not even debatable.
Anonymous
06/03/2025 08:25
Subject: MLSNext watered down
Anonymous wrote:Seems like the MLSNext talent pool gets watered down as the top talent goes to the academies. So tier 1 and tier 2 are really tier 2 and tier 3. How is this supposed to be better quality than ECNL?
Tell that to the college coaches who prioritize MLS Next over ECNL in recruiting
The rosters don't lie
Anonymous
06/03/2025 08:22
Subject: MLSNext watered down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:came w reciptsAnonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Seems like the MLSNext talent pool gets watered down as the top talent goes to the academies. So tier 1 and tier 2 are really tier 2 and tier 3. How is this supposed to be better quality than ECNL?
I don’t think one or two academies per metro area or region can absorb all top talent in their areas. Some top talent with EU or other passports are probably avoiding MLS academies as well and hoping to jump abroad.
Also random comparison with ECNL. ECNL would be tier 2 behind MLSNext 1.
Eh- not really. They sort of serve different audiences. The best Next teams might be better overall but the best ECNL clubs are better than the middling and low tier next clubs. Let's take VDA, Pipeline, and Richmond vs. WVA and Alexandria Achilles as just a few local examples
Looking at QoP rankings for Mid-Atlantic for U13 and out of 18 teams, Alexandria is #5 and Achilles #9. In front of them are MLS academies NY Red Bulls and Phili Union, along with FC Delco and SYC.
So no, VDA, Pipeline and Richmond would not have a walk in the park against Alexandria or Achilles — at least in the age bracket I saw. The quality of teams and players are stronger across the board at MLSNext.
Many of these clubs faced off in the Copa Rayados last fall. ECNL did well against MLSN in the U13/14 age group.
https://system.gotsport.com/org_event/events/33570
Looks like Richmond beat Alexandria 6-0 at the U15 level. Not sure where the idea that the local MLSN teams are better than ECNL comes from but the facts don't seem to support that. Pipeline, VDA, Arlington, Richmond, NCFC are all very competitive with MLSN teams.
NCFC, VDA and Richmond, yes. That leaves 12 mid to dumpster fire teams.
Let's see what the only head to head game results show about how bad ECNL teams in DMV suck compared to Next teams.
U-16
SYC Next lost to VDA ECNL
SYC Next TIED Arlington's 3rd team
Alexandra Next lost to Celtic ECNL
Alexandria Next lost to Skyline ECNL
Bethesda Next lost to Pipeline ECNL
Bethesda Next lost to VDA ECNL
U-17
SYC U-17 lost to VDA by 10 goals, lost to SUSA ECNL, and barely beat a EC Regional league team in head to head.
Alexandria U-17 lost to Skyline ECNL
Bethesda tied FVU ECNL
U-18
SYC Next lost to Arlington ECNL
Arlington ECNL lost to Alexandria ECNL
Common sense tells us that if the ECNL teams in this area suck, then the Next teams must suck worse since they can't beat them head to head....Now can we stop telling tall tales and just agree that the data suggests that both Next and ECNL in this area aren't that much different in the end.
When did these imaginary games take place?
These are all recent games in the past 12-24 months.
I mean all you need to do is look at the app if you want proof. it’s right there in Black and white unless you think it’s all a conspiracy and we are making this data up? Next teams suck worse than ECNL around DMV apparently.
I know some of these so-called results are 100% fake since one club for sure didn't play against opponents listed
Nice try...google is your friend. How about I list them for you...this time with dates.
U-16 Next vs. ECNL at Best of the East
January 25, 2025: SYC played VDA and lost
January 25th 2025 Bethesda played Pipeline and lost
U16 Next vs. ECNL at the Bethesda Showcase
November 23, 2024: Bethesda played VDA and lost
U-16 Next vs. ECNL at the Feature Weekend Showcase
February 2, 2025, Alexandria played Celtic and lost
U-16 Next vs. ECNL at Copa Reyados
August 25, 2024 Alexandria played Skyline and lost
August 24th, 2024 Armour played VDA and lost
August 25 2024, Bethesda played Arlington and won
U16- Next vs. ECNL at the VA Elite Soccer Tournament:
May 26, 2025- SYC played Arlington's U-17 3rd team and tied
I can continue across each age group...but you get the point. No matter how loud you shout, it cant change posted results. This isn't that complicated to be honest. #waterdown
Scary that anyone would put in the time and effort to research and compile this
Anonymous
06/03/2025 07:44
Subject: MLSNext watered down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:came w reciptsAnonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Seems like the MLSNext talent pool gets watered down as the top talent goes to the academies. So tier 1 and tier 2 are really tier 2 and tier 3. How is this supposed to be better quality than ECNL?
I don’t think one or two academies per metro area or region can absorb all top talent in their areas. Some top talent with EU or other passports are probably avoiding MLS academies as well and hoping to jump abroad.
Also random comparison with ECNL. ECNL would be tier 2 behind MLSNext 1.
Eh- not really. They sort of serve different audiences. The best Next teams might be better overall but the best ECNL clubs are better than the middling and low tier next clubs. Let's take VDA, Pipeline, and Richmond vs. WVA and Alexandria Achilles as just a few local examples
Looking at QoP rankings for Mid-Atlantic for U13 and out of 18 teams, Alexandria is #5 and Achilles #9. In front of them are MLS academies NY Red Bulls and Phili Union, along with FC Delco and SYC.
So no, VDA, Pipeline and Richmond would not have a walk in the park against Alexandria or Achilles — at least in the age bracket I saw. The quality of teams and players are stronger across the board at MLSNext.
Many of these clubs faced off in the Copa Rayados last fall. ECNL did well against MLSN in the U13/14 age group.
https://system.gotsport.com/org_event/events/33570
Looks like Richmond beat Alexandria 6-0 at the U15 level. Not sure where the idea that the local MLSN teams are better than ECNL comes from but the facts don't seem to support that. Pipeline, VDA, Arlington, Richmond, NCFC are all very competitive with MLSN teams.
NCFC, VDA and Richmond, yes. That leaves 12 mid to dumpster fire teams.
Let's see what the only head to head game results show about how bad ECNL teams in DMV suck compared to Next teams.
U-16
SYC Next lost to VDA ECNL
SYC Next TIED Arlington's 3rd team
Alexandra Next lost to Celtic ECNL
Alexandria Next lost to Skyline ECNL
Bethesda Next lost to Pipeline ECNL
Bethesda Next lost to VDA ECNL
U-17
SYC U-17 lost to VDA by 10 goals, lost to SUSA ECNL, and barely beat a EC Regional league team in head to head.
Alexandria U-17 lost to Skyline ECNL
Bethesda tied FVU ECNL
U-18
SYC Next lost to Arlington ECNL
Arlington ECNL lost to Alexandria ECNL
Common sense tells us that if the ECNL teams in this area suck, then the Next teams must suck worse since they can't beat them head to head....Now can we stop telling tall tales and just agree that the data suggests that both Next and ECNL in this area aren't that much different in the end.
When did these imaginary games take place?
These are all recent games in the past 12-24 months.
I mean all you need to do is look at the app if you want proof. it’s right there in Black and white unless you think it’s all a conspiracy and we are making this data up? Next teams suck worse than ECNL around DMV apparently.
I know some of these so-called results are 100% fake since one club for sure didn't play against opponents listed
Nice try...google is your friend. How about I list them for you...this time with dates.
U-16 Next vs. ECNL at Best of the East
January 25, 2025: SYC played VDA and lost
January 25th 2025 Bethesda played Pipeline and lost
U16 Next vs. ECNL at the Bethesda Showcase
November 23, 2024: Bethesda played VDA and lost
U-16 Next vs. ECNL at the Feature Weekend Showcase
February 2, 2025, Alexandria played Celtic and lost
U-16 Next vs. ECNL at Copa Reyados
August 25, 2024 Alexandria played Skyline and lost
August 24th, 2024 Armour played VDA and lost
August 25 2024, Bethesda played Arlington and won
U16- Next vs. ECNL at the VA Elite Soccer Tournament:
May 26, 2025- SYC played Arlington's U-17 3rd team and tied
I can continue across each age group...but you get the point. No matter how loud you shout, it cant change posted results. This isn't that complicated to be honest. #waterdown
Actually, sounds like MLSN teams are ID-ing recruits to poach for next season.