Girls Academy 2 Finally Coming!
- Thread starter soccerpalace
- Start date
Noticer
SILVER
Played your kids team and a couple of others with the same issue.
Multiple parent meetings + people were very close to calling it and walking away.
keeprunning
BRONZE
Here's what I think will happen over time based on the recent partnership announcements and adding 2nd tier leagues. And yes, AI helped organize my thoughts and write this.
1. MLS Absorbing the NWSL
MLS would take over the operations of the NWSL, using its established infrastructure—such as shared stadiums, the MLS Next platform, and commercial partnerships (e.g., with Apple TV)—to boost the women’s league. This model mirrors successful youth-to-pro pathways seen with clubs like LA Galaxy, potentially offering teams like Angel City FC a direct route from academy to first team.
2. Unified Academy Structure through GA Clubs
Building on the existing MLS Next–Girls Academy (GA) partnership, GA clubs would serve as feeder academies for the revamped NWSL teams. They would adopt MLS Next’s technical standards, scouting methods, and data-driven development tools, aligning closely with U.S. Soccer’s curriculum. Additionally, the model proposes that GA clubs transition their boys’ teams from competing networks (like ECNL/ECRL) to MLS Next, reinforcing a unified development pathway for all youth.
3. Centralized Governance Under U.S. Soccer
Both MLS Next and GA operate under U.S. Soccer’s umbrella, ensuring compliance with federation standards. This centralized structure is designed to streamline talent identification across genders for the U.S. Youth National Teams, echoing successful initiatives such as GA’s Aspire program.
Key Advantages and Considerations
This integration would place U.S. soccer under an MLS-led hierarchy—positioning GA as the cornerstone for girls’ development and MLS Next as the dominant pathway for boys. Although challenges such as potential gender equity gaps and issues around club stratification exist, the model offers a promising blueprint for creating a unified, globally competitive youth-to-professional system.
Analysis & Considerations:
1. MLS Absorbing the NWSL
MLS would take over the operations of the NWSL, using its established infrastructure—such as shared stadiums, the MLS Next platform, and commercial partnerships (e.g., with Apple TV)—to boost the women’s league. This model mirrors successful youth-to-pro pathways seen with clubs like LA Galaxy, potentially offering teams like Angel City FC a direct route from academy to first team.
2. Unified Academy Structure through GA Clubs
Building on the existing MLS Next–Girls Academy (GA) partnership, GA clubs would serve as feeder academies for the revamped NWSL teams. They would adopt MLS Next’s technical standards, scouting methods, and data-driven development tools, aligning closely with U.S. Soccer’s curriculum. Additionally, the model proposes that GA clubs transition their boys’ teams from competing networks (like ECNL/ECRL) to MLS Next, reinforcing a unified development pathway for all youth.
3. Centralized Governance Under U.S. Soccer
Both MLS Next and GA operate under U.S. Soccer’s umbrella, ensuring compliance with federation standards. This centralized structure is designed to streamline talent identification across genders for the U.S. Youth National Teams, echoing successful initiatives such as GA’s Aspire program.
Key Advantages and Considerations
- Resource Sharing & Synergy: MLS Next’s facilities and coaching combined with GA’s U.S. Soccer connections could generate powerful synergies, as evidenced by their 2024 alliance.
- Proven Development Models: The youth-to-pro pathways demonstrated by MLS academies (e.g., LA Galaxy) provide a replicable blueprint for success.
- Competitive Market Pressures: With MLS Next increasingly preferred over alternatives like ECNL, aligning both boys’ and girls’ development under one system may streamline competition and talent identification.
This integration would place U.S. soccer under an MLS-led hierarchy—positioning GA as the cornerstone for girls’ development and MLS Next as the dominant pathway for boys. Although challenges such as potential gender equity gaps and issues around club stratification exist, the model offers a promising blueprint for creating a unified, globally competitive youth-to-professional system.
Analysis & Considerations:
- Logical and Ambitious: The strategy is both logical and ambitious. By consolidating resources and unifying development pathways, the model promises efficiencies and a clear route from youth soccer to the professional level across genders.
- Resource Sharing & Synergies: Leveraging MLS Next’s facilities and coaching alongside GA’s strong ties with U.S. Soccer can create significant synergies, as highlighted in their 2024 alliance.
- Competitive Dynamics: With MLS Next increasingly recognized as the preferred platform over alternatives like ECNL, aligning both boys’ and girls’ development under one system may streamline competition and talent development.
- Potential Challenges: Successful implementation will depend on balancing stakeholder interests, maintaining gender equity, and preserving the unique identities of established clubs.
RSL-AZ is MLSN w/ Utah Royals (AZ) in ECNL. Same club, but not sure they are perceived that way. Phoenix Rising also has both.
yea both had MSLN and ECNL boys briefly until ENCL boys dropped them. Let them keep girls though
soccerpalace
BRONZE
That's a big pickup. Is it a sign of things to come?
Redforest1
BRONZE
rainbow_unicorn
PREMIER
Looks like NVA boys got accepted into MLS Next and they're making their girls go GA.
Duh, hence why everyone has been watching MLSN + Girls ECNL clubs to see what they do.
Noticer
SILVER
Not many clubs will choose ECNL-G over MLS-N. ECNL will lose this if they keep it up.
The weird thing is ECNL is the one picking the fight. MLS doesn’t care a bit about the girls side. But ECNL somehow got the idea that they’re the dog and not the flea.
Yes
Explain why legend and beach joined ECNL, instead of MLSN 4 years ago.
I think they did it because MLSN was new at the time and unproven.
When DA blew up a big group of clubs switched to or back to ECNL for their girls. Once this was solved they had a choice to do MLSN and Boys ECNL. MLSN and GA weren't working together at the time and MLSN likely was playing favorites on who they wanted in their league. ECNL was offering boys a home without any issues so this is where they went.
Now things are different MLSN has proven that it's the top boys league and GA has proven that it's not going anywhere any time soon.
"4 years ago" is the explanation. Different world now, at least on the boys side.
ECNL is in no position to dislodge MLS-N, and it is ridiculous of them to try.
Girls side, it's still 80% ECNL. They could make it 95% if they were willing to accept the top 10 GA clubs and drop the MLS-N requirement.
yes
Absolutely. Not sure why ECNL is hung up on trying to take top boys position too. They will not be able to compete with MLS. If ECNL continues down this path, they'll harm their girls program too and become irrelevant.
CoachReed68
BRONZE
Yay! More Alphabet Soup.
rainbow_unicorn
PREMIER
And this is why the current US soccer landscape is a mess. Clubs have to make a difficult choice whether to prioritize their boys (MLSN/GA) or girls (ECNL). Very few clubs have the option of having both MLSN for boys and ECNL for girls.
rainbow_unicorn
PREMIER
Which is unfortunate for the NVA girls as the club is basically telling them that the boys are a priority. I'm assuming that some of the better NVA girls will leave for other ECNL clubs in the area (NVA had a good ECNL team in our age group).