The DA was moving to a similar model with the red/blue tiers before it folded.
2007 DA
- Thread starter USC
- Start date
This could be happening with clubs trying to access MLS Next and we just don’t hear about it. They must have some criteria for entry otherwise it just becomes watered down league, no? Or perhaps they should just give access to any club that asks?
Not just local MLS academies. At least in the first MLS Next Cup in Frisco, the non-MLS teams definitely played MLS Academies from other regions in both the playoffs and the showcase.
RedDevilDad
GOLD
Yeah, if they make it. But even the teams that don't make the playoffs still get to play their local MLS academy(s).
My point is there's a bit more balance of opponents. For example, LAFC's 2007s haven't lost a game against 2007s in over 3 years. Last year they had a goal differential of around 50 in the southwest. This year, they have two 1-0 victories over RSL and Portland. Sounds like, they're facing more comparable opponents. Granted, I heard they haven't given up a shot on target against either team so that's scary if they start scoring more. lol. I don't know if that stat is true or not...
I want to go watch LAG and LAFC play in like two weeks.
Conversely a team that is perennially near the bottom of the rankings only has to face LAG or LAFC once each rather than twice, getting drilled 8, 10, 12 to 0 multiple times a year. It is a bummer a bit for a team like TFA that can hang and could get some Ws against some MLS academies. But, in theory, if they could, then their option is to win locally and show up in the playoffs... like LA Surf 06s last year.
Early indications are that it could be a wide open battle for the best non-MLS teams in SoCal/AZ. I don't expect to see the blowouts we saw last year, but who knows.
At least last year, anyone in MLS Next could go to the showcases and that included MLS academies that didn't qualify for the playoffs. So, there were lower-level MLS Next teams playing similarly ranked MLS Academies (not all of them are very strong in every age group, especially in certain parts of the country and where they don't recruit nationally). That could change, of course, but that's how it operated last year. This year, with showcases apparently going to take place in the Winter and Spring in addition to the summer playoffs, I expect there will be more, not less, of that, but I could be wrong.
MLS-Next and even ECxx has little to offer past U17 unless it's just college exposure.
UPSL is taking off in Socal with LAFC academy, Pats, Golden State and others fielding U19s vs men since MLS-NEXT and ECXx just doesn't have the completion past U17 or any real paths forward unless you just going for college.
Past U17 the the numbers of truly competitive teams have a really big drop off and it's hard for most clubs to develop past that age, MLS-NEXT recognizes this and pretty much has thrown in the towel on playing those ages vs any regular clubs. The new MLS 2 league, USL, and UPSL will be taking over that space for the boys on the top end and these other letter youth league will be 2nd or no choice for them.
UPSL is taking off in Socal with LAFC academy, Pats, Golden State and others fielding U19s vs men since MLS-NEXT and ECXx just doesn't have the completion past U17 or any real paths forward unless you just going for college.
Past U17 the the numbers of truly competitive teams have a really big drop off and it's hard for most clubs to develop past that age, MLS-NEXT recognizes this and pretty much has thrown in the towel on playing those ages vs any regular clubs. The new MLS 2 league, USL, and UPSL will be taking over that space for the boys on the top end and these other letter youth league will be 2nd or no choice for them.
RedDevilDad
GOLD
Oh yeah, that's what you meant. Got it. I've heard rumors that there is a showcase in December in FL. We'll see.
How did the night turn out?
The overwhelming majority of MLS next players will not play beyond the college level, if even that.
Well they will find that out now younger on that potential dead end. U17 end of that for MLS locals. if you haven't been promoted out of NEXT or training with the men by U17 your chances would be gettng slimmer.
NEXT for non MLS is not that much different vs some of the other club leagues, lots of potential for exposure or recruiting but maybe not as big as ECNL with all the events they run. NEXT playoffs has some good numbers buts it's end of year so likely only prime for juniors or sophomores.
ML
This year, there will apparently be showcases in the winter and spring as well as the MLS Next playoffs (and maybe showcase too) in the summer. So, I don't think it will be any different in terms of number of showcases than any of the other so-called elite leagues.
Ctrl Alt de Ligt
BRONZE
FWIW.....Winter Showcase, Dec 3-7, Norco, CA.....
For MLS Next? Is it regional or for the whole country?Heard the winter one could be regionall
MLS Next. I’ve heard the same thing. And I think it will be regional, although I’m not positive about that.
RedDevilDad
GOLD
These are the dates and events calendared but not listed at https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/schedule/2021-2022/u15_mls-next-schedule
MLS Next Regional Winter Showcase, Dec 3-7, Silverlakes Complex, Norco, CA.
GA Cup: April 9-17. Location TBD.
Regional Event(s): May 14-15, 2022. Locations TBD
MLS Next Playoffs & Showcase: June 25-July 3rd. Location rumored to be Oceanside, CA
SOCCerJunKIE
BRONZE
Can anyone give any insight on Strikers 5-1 victory over LA Galaxy ? What is going on with Galaxy ? Are Strikers a team to watch ?
Well, the score was 1-0 Strikers at half. Two quick goals to start second half for Strikers and the fact that LAG has no defense who gave two penalties makes the Strikers look good. Overall, LAG had about 80% possession but Strikers had killer instinct when it attacked.
It looks like LAFC will win the conference again but the battle for second and third place should be fun between Strikers, TFA, LAG and Nomads who have ungraded and are undefeated. My money is on Strikers and TFA.
It looks like LAFC will win the conference again but the battle for second and third place should be fun between Strikers, TFA, LAG and Nomads who have ungraded and are undefeated. My money is on Strikers and TFA.
RedDevilDad
GOLD
I won't disparage LAG but I will say that Strikers was very cohesive as a team. Also, Strikers won many of the individual battles across the field. The result was not a fluke and Strikers earned their victory.
Based on what they did last year with the U15s and the loss to Strikers, I would expect to see some more Galaxy U16s bio-banded down to shore things up for the U15s against tougher opponents.