MLS youth league

MLS teams will have U15, 17 and 19. The younger teams will be optional for the MLS clubs.
 
Kante said:
JP, is your understanding that non-MLS clubs can opt-in to play u15, u17 and u19, at their own discretion? (somewhat loaded question... most of the socal clubs listed were only allowed by USSF to field u13 and u14 teams, despite multiple requests to USSF to field older teams)
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Yes and the age groups I've heard about so far are:
U13,U14, U15,and U16 for Non-MLS. Some clubs like Albion, City, TFA will take the option and field U17, U19 teams.

U15, U17,U19 for MLS optional U18 reserve.

Some MLS clubs may offer U13, U14 but kind of doubt U16. All this costs so intially may not take some of those options.
 
MacDre said:
After U15, they sign a pro contract, move up to U17 or get cut. Everyone is not the same age in the pro’s
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I think the point is that kids at 14 and 15 years of age are goijg through huge growth spurts, catching up to and surpassing kids who benefitted from early growth, etc. A very poor time to whittle the pool.
 
Husky13 said:
I think the point is that kids at 14 and 15 years of age are goijg through huge growth spurts, catching up to and surpassing kids who benefitted from early growth, etc. A very poor time to whittle the pool.
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Don’t kill the messenger. I’m just reporting how it goes at Club Tijuana. However, I think it’s ridiculous when people push the late bloomer theory because by 14 or 15 it’s kinda obvious who has the athleticism and technical ability. Are you suggesting that athleticism automatically appears for some around 16 or 17?
 
messy said:
I'm shocked that SD Surf isn't in here.
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The six So Cal clubs that defected to the ECNL were some of the stronger non MLS DAs. SD Surf had top ranked boys teams in several age brackets.

Another surprise is Crossfire. Crossfire was one of the strongest teams in several age brackets. There are no teams in the Pacific Northwest outside the three MLS teams (Seattle, Portland, Vancouver).
 
I can't imagine the older MLS teams are going to play Murietta Surf, Chula Vista, Santa Barbara SC, etc. It would be completely pointless unless they had the MLS u17's play the u19 teams of those clubs.
 
messy said:
I'm shocked that SD Surf isn't in here.
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Part of the reason is they want to WIN championships something they were never able to do in the da boys, same could be said for some of the others that couldn't have or may still but haven't optioned in. That and the whole economic side of things.
 
Banana Hammock said:
Where is Rebels Soccer Club (boys)? I don't see them in the ECNL or MLS. Do they play some other league?
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Still curious myself, based on results they deserve a spot in one of the two. However, I've heard rumors they're disorganized (which club isnt?), but girls are in ECNL...something isn't adding up for the boys.

messy said:
I'm shocked that SD Surf isn't in here.
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They jumped early to ECNL, I'm sure the girls side had a lot of influence in that regard and my suspicion is they feel they would have more influence in ECNL than MLS.

Eagle33 said:
I didn't see new Liverpool on this list or ECNL list.
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Noticed that too. So what we were told was either incorrect or it hasn't officially happened.
 
Patandpats said:
I can't imagine the older MLS teams are going to play Murietta Surf, Chula Vista, Santa Barbara SC, etc. It would be completely pointless unless they had the MLS u17's play the u19 teams of those clubs.
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Yes it would be a waste of time for the MLS teams to play some of the teams on that list.

The DA recognized that last year and separated the U19s into a weaker bracket and a stronger bracket.
 
Patandpats said:
I can't imagine the older MLS teams are going to play Murietta Surf, Chula Vista, Santa Barbara SC, etc. It would be completely pointless unless they had the MLS u17's play the u19 teams of those clubs.
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Will take some time for things to shake out but those clubs want to play MLS clubs so they will get a chance.
 
MacDre said:
Don’t kill the messenger. I’m just reporting how it goes at Club Tijuana. However, I think it’s ridiculous when people push the late bloomer theory because by 14 or 15 it’s kinda obvious who has the athleticism and technical ability. Are you suggesting that athleticism automatically appears for some around 16 or 17?
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You start by saying "don't kill the messenger", but then you make clear that this is also your own personal view. ???

There are NUMEROUS players on the U15 YNT that thrive almost entirely because they hit puberty at age 11 or 12. A few players who are simply huge and are good at taking up space, but they are expected to be done growing while many others are just hitting growth spurts now. A few players who have thrived based on speed, but likewise they are done growing and their speed advantage is disappearing because as other kids are growing their strength and stride are increasing.

I personally grew from 5'7" to 6'3" during my age 15 year, and I don't think that is all that unusual. My son was barely over 5' last year and is now 5'8" and still has lots of room to grow. He is 9-10 mos. younger than many of the players on his team (one of the top MLS academies) - having 9-10 mos. left to grow relative to others is a pretty significant growth upside over other players at this age.

It isn't that "athleticism" magically appears. Rather, the issue is that many kids look good because they have an early size and/or speed advantage, and when that advantage disappears as other kids grow, then the rankings of players can change pretty dramatically.
 
watfly said:
They jumped early to ECNL, I'm sure the girls side had a lot of influence in that regard and my suspicion is they feel they would have more influence in ECNL than MLS.
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I think we would be shocked by the number of clubs turning this league down. If I had to guess, it far outnumbers clubs that the league has turned down.
 
If there is limited travel next season, then LAFC and Galaxy will only be challenged the one time or two times they play one another.
 
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