Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 14:22     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club MVLA out of California has told families grade has nothing to do with it.
We have 3 Aug-Nov players that are going to be 9th graders next year on a team that is mostly 8th graders. Doesn’t matter we will have tryouts and coaches will pick the best players for the age group. Only players who are nationally team level will have an option of playing up. But even then the club very rarely lets players play up.

Its good to see that MLVA is prioritizing youngers wins over olders development and recruitability.

Just an FYI the 3 HS players on an 8th grade team will want to play HS soccer during the season. Which basically negates the advantage of having them on an 8th grade team.
Rosters are deep, they'll most likely only miss a few games. So much better than being trapped. Take a deep breath, clubs will be fine, players will be fine.

This is not true.

In BY clubs stopped playing games during the HS season. This is because 90% of the team was in HS while the 10% were not. This is the entire reason for calling them "trapped" players. Though no fault of their own they have to stop playing soccer because everyone else on team is playing HS soccer.

SY is different because leagues wont stop playing games for 8th grade teams during HS season. Which will translate into 3-4 months of HS Aug birthday Freshman play downs not available for the league or any events while HS sesson is occurring.

Starting to make sense?

4 months = 1/3 of the season Freshman playing on 8th grade teams wont be able to play club.


Really depends on your region, California Clubs make sure to finish their fall games before thanksgiving and start up spring late March. U13-19 play the same number of games and play all on the same days no extra games for U13/14.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 14:19     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club MVLA out of California has told families grade has nothing to do with it.
We have 3 Aug-Nov players that are going to be 9th graders next year on a team that is mostly 8th graders. Doesn’t matter we will have tryouts and coaches will pick the best players for the age group. Only players who are nationally team level will have an option of playing up. But even then the club very rarely lets players play up.

Its good to see that MLVA is prioritizing youngers wins over olders development and recruitability.

Just an FYI the 3 HS players on an 8th grade team will want to play HS soccer during the season. Which basically negates the advantage of having them on an 8th grade team.


California does not offer ECNL games at any level during the high school season.


I guess that's where the regional/national showcases come in?


I don’t believe ECNL offers west coast showcases Dec-February. Probably because of school soccer.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 14:19     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club MVLA out of California has told families grade has nothing to do with it.
We have 3 Aug-Nov players that are going to be 9th graders next year on a team that is mostly 8th graders. Doesn’t matter we will have tryouts and coaches will pick the best players for the age group. Only players who are nationally team level will have an option of playing up. But even then the club very rarely lets players play up.

Its good to see that MLVA is prioritizing youngers wins over olders development and recruitability.

Just an FYI the 3 HS players on an 8th grade team will want to play HS soccer during the season. Which basically negates the advantage of having them on an 8th grade team.
Rosters are deep, they'll most likely only miss a few games. So much better than being trapped. Take a deep breath, clubs will be fine, players will be fine.

This is not true.

In BY clubs stopped playing games during the HS season. This is because 90% of the team was in HS while the 10% were not. This is the entire reason for calling them "trapped" players. Though no fault of their own they have to stop playing soccer because everyone else on team is playing HS soccer.

SY is different because leagues wont stop playing games for 8th grade teams during HS season. Which will translate into 3-4 months of HS Aug birthday Freshman play downs not available for the league or any events while HS sesson is occurring.

Starting to make sense?

4 months = 1/3 of the season Freshman playing on 8th grade teams wont be able to play club.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 14:16     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club MVLA out of California has told families grade has nothing to do with it.
We have 3 Aug-Nov players that are going to be 9th graders next year on a team that is mostly 8th graders. Doesn’t matter we will have tryouts and coaches will pick the best players for the age group. Only players who are nationally team level will have an option of playing up. But even then the club very rarely lets players play up.

Its good to see that MLVA is prioritizing youngers wins over olders development and recruitability.

Just an FYI the 3 HS players on an 8th grade team will want to play HS soccer during the season. Which basically negates the advantage of having them on an 8th grade team.


California does not offer ECNL games at any level during the high school season.


Correct U13-19 ECNL clubs stop playing games during HS and only practice and scrimmage. Not the end of the world for a few girls to miss club practice if they want to play HS.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 14:15     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:This is the winner


Sy Fall 26

11v11 = U18/U19 = 8/1/2007 + younger (May include Senior/Junior)
11v11 = U17 = 8/1/2009 + younger (May include Senior/Junior/Sophomore)
11v11 = U16 = 8/1/2010 + younger (May include Junior/Sophomore/Freshman)
11v11 = U15 = 8/1/2011 + younger (May include Sophomore/Freshman/8th grade)
11v11 = U14 = 8/1/2012 + younger (May include Freshman/8th grade/7th grade)
11v11 = U13 = 8/1/2013 + younger (May include 8th grade/7th grade/6th grade)
11v11 = U12 = 8/1/2014 + younger (May include 7th grade/6th grade/5th grade)
9v9 = U11 = 8/1/2015 + younger (May include 6th grade/5th grade/4th grade)
9v9 = U10 = 8/1/2016 + younger (May include 5th grade/4th grade/3rd grade)
7v7 = U9 = 8/1/2017 + younger (May include 4th grade/3rd grade/2nd grade
7v7 = U8 = 8/1/2018 + younger (May include 3rd grade/2nd grade/1st grade
4v4 = U7 = 8/1/2019 + younger (May include 2nd/grade/1st grade/kindergarten)
4v4 = U6 = 8/1/2020 + younger (May include 1st grade/kindergarten/Pre-school)


Sounds like this is California (for 1 club anyway).
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 14:13     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club MVLA out of California has told families grade has nothing to do with it.
We have 3 Aug-Nov players that are going to be 9th graders next year on a team that is mostly 8th graders. Doesn’t matter we will have tryouts and coaches will pick the best players for the age group. Only players who are nationally team level will have an option of playing up. But even then the club very rarely lets players play up.

Its good to see that MLVA is prioritizing youngers wins over olders development and recruitability.

Just an FYI the 3 HS players on an 8th grade team will want to play HS soccer during the season. Which basically negates the advantage of having them on an 8th grade team.


California does not offer ECNL games at any level during the high school season.


I guess that's where the regional/national showcases come in?
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 14:13     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club MVLA out of California has told families grade has nothing to do with it.
We have 3 Aug-Nov players that are going to be 9th graders next year on a team that is mostly 8th graders. Doesn’t matter we will have tryouts and coaches will pick the best players for the age group. Only players who are nationally team level will have an option of playing up. But even then the club very rarely lets players play up.

Its good to see that MLVA is prioritizing youngers wins over olders development and recruitability.

Just an FYI the 3 HS players on an 8th grade team will want to play HS soccer during the season. Which basically negates the advantage of having them on an 8th grade team.
Well, it's over ..again. No force ups, playing up mostly blocked.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 14:11     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club MVLA out of California has told families grade has nothing to do with it.
We have 3 Aug-Nov players that are going to be 9th graders next year on a team that is mostly 8th graders. Doesn’t matter we will have tryouts and coaches will pick the best players for the age group. Only players who are nationally team level will have an option of playing up. But even then the club very rarely lets players play up.

Its good to see that MLVA is prioritizing youngers wins over olders development and recruitability.

Just an FYI the 3 HS players on an 8th grade team will want to play HS soccer during the season. Which basically negates the advantage of having them on an 8th grade team.


California does not offer ECNL games at any level during the high school season.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 14:09     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is pretty dumb to be arguing about age group cut offs. It is done and set going forward. Player will play were teams put them.
Move on….

Are there any real news or rumors out there?? This is what made this thread worth opening
Been over for months and months.

One person won't except this and keeps trying to make grades matter so his kid becomes the oldest. Nice guy.

Only rumor is on showcases going graduation year. Smoke but no fire.

Nothing is over rosters for Fall haven't even been announced yet.

Nobody wants play downs at showcases but you. There is no smoke or fire on this topic.

Agreed, age guy is super determined to get older players playing against 36 month younger players.
Who wants anything more than a 12 month window, best of best play up? You?
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 14:09     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club MVLA out of California has told families grade has nothing to do with it.
We have 3 Aug-Nov players that are going to be 9th graders next year on a team that is mostly 8th graders. Doesn’t matter we will have tryouts and coaches will pick the best players for the age group. Only players who are nationally team level will have an option of playing up. But even then the club very rarely lets players play up.


Thanks for some reality from an ECNL club. Sorry there's someone with an agenda on here that attacks anyone against his preferred worldview.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 14:04     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is pretty dumb to be arguing about age group cut offs. It is done and set going forward. Player will play were teams put them.
Move on….

Are there any real news or rumors out there?? This is what made this thread worth opening
Been over for months and months.

One person won't except this and keeps trying to make grades matter so his kid becomes the oldest. Nice guy.

Only rumor is on showcases going graduation year. Smoke but no fire.

Nothing is over rosters for Fall haven't even been announced yet.

Nobody wants play downs at showcases but you. There is no smoke or fire on this topic.
Top teams rosters are set. They are down to lower teams now.

What I want is immaterial and I don't bother a forum with that

Showcases going graduation year rumors are rumors, not some grand wish.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 13:57     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What will happen

For SY

11v11 = U18/U19 = 8/1/2007 + younger (May include Senior/Junior)
11v11 = U17 = 8/1/2009 + younger (May include Senior/Junior/Sophomore)
11v11 = U16 = 8/1/2010 + younger (May include Junior/Sophomore/Freshman)
11v11 = U15 = 8/1/2011 + younger (May include Sophomore/Freshman/8th grade)
11v11 = U14 = 8/1/2012 + younger (May include Freshman/8th grade/7th grade)
11v11 = U13 = 8/1/2013 + younger (May include 8th grade/7th grade/6th grade)
11v11 = U12 = 8/1/2014 + younger (May include 7th grade/6th grade/5th grade)
9v9 = U11 = 8/1/2015 + younger (May include 6th grade/5th grade/4th grade)
9v9 = U10 = 8/1/2016 + younger (May include 5th grade/4th grade/3rd grade)
7v7 = U9 = 8/1/2017 + younger (May include 4th grade/3rd grade/2nd grade
7v7 = U8 = 8/1/2018 + younger (May include 3rd grade/2nd grade/1st grade
4v4 = U7 = 8/1/2019 + younger (May include 2nd/grade/1st grade/kindergarten)
4v4 = U6 = 8/1/2020 + younger (May include 1st grade/kindergarten/Pre-school)


Messy but most clear. I appreciate those with the symbols BUT not everyone will know what they mean. I guess add a key?

Yea the weird symbols are annoying. Unfortunately theres no other way. But once you know what they mean its easier to quickly glance at the matrix when everything is condensed and close together.

This is for next fall when SY starts.

11v11 = U18/U19 = ≤ 8/1/2007 ≈ Senior
11v11 = U17 = ≤ 8/1/2009 ≈ Junior
11v11 = U16 = ≤ 8/1/2010 ≈ Sophmore
11v11 = U15 = ≤ 8/1/2011 ≈ Freshman
11v11 = U14 = ≤ 8/1/2012 ≈ 8th grade
11v11 = U13 = ≤ 8/1/2013 ≈ 7th grade
9v9/11v11 = U12 = ≤ 8/1/2014 ≈ 6th grade
9v9 = U11 = ≤ 8/1/2015 ≈ 5th grade
9v9 = U10 = ≤ 8/1/2016 ≈ 4th grade
7v7 = U9 = ≤ 8/1/2017 ≈ 3rd grade
7v7 = U8 = ≤ 8/1/2018 ≈ 2nd grade
4v4 = U7 = ≤ 8/1/2019 ≈ 1st grade
4v4 = U6 = ≤ 8/1/2020 ≈ Kindergarten

Using U14 as an example what this is saying is...

1. They play 11v11
2. Players turn 14 after Aug 1
3. Players are younger than or equal to 8/1/2012
4. Players are most likely in 8th grade


If you are saying these are the 'most likely ' grades, which means grades will not be exact, then why bring grades into it? Again, it's not going to be the aligned grade 100% of the time.

Because its matters when you get to recruiting age groups. Being misaligned either way is a HUGE issue. It makes recruitment much harder. Being misaligned up is 1000% better than being misaligned down. But both situations cause challenges that dont exist if your kid is playing on the correct grade in school team.

My kid is a November birthday in BY currently and this is absolutely correct. Everything we participate in reguarding recruiting feels weird because we're out of sync with everyone else because of grade in school.


Do you mind providing specifics? I think that would be very insightful. Thank you.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 13:56     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club MVLA out of California has told families grade has nothing to do with it.
We have 3 Aug-Nov players that are going to be 9th graders next year on a team that is mostly 8th graders. Doesn’t matter we will have tryouts and coaches will pick the best players for the age group. Only players who are nationally team level will have an option of playing up. But even then the club very rarely lets players play up.

Its good to see that MLVA is prioritizing youngers wins over olders development and recruitability.

Just an FYI the 3 HS players on an 8th grade team will want to play HS soccer during the season. Which basically negates the advantage of having them on an 8th grade team.
Rosters are deep, they'll most likely only miss a few games. So much better than being trapped. Take a deep breath, clubs will be fine, players will be fine.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 13:54     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club MVLA out of California has told families grade has nothing to do with it.
We have 3 Aug-Nov players that are going to be 9th graders next year on a team that is mostly 8th graders. Doesn’t matter we will have tryouts and coaches will pick the best players for the age group. Only players who are nationally team level will have an option of playing up. But even then the club very rarely lets players play up.
That's matching what is happening in NOVA.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 13:32     Subject: ECNL moving to school year part 2

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club MVLA out of California has told families grade has nothing to do with it.
We have 3 Aug-Nov players that are going to be 9th graders next year on a team that is mostly 8th graders. Doesn’t matter we will have tryouts and coaches will pick the best players for the age group. Only players who are nationally team level will have an option of playing up. But even then the club very rarely lets players play up.

Its good to see that MLVA is prioritizing youngers wins over olders development and recruitability.

Just an FYI the 3 HS players on an 8th grade team will want to play HS soccer during the season. Which basically negates the advantage of having them on an 8th grade team.