2010 B MLS teams in SoCal and surrounding areas

[Fastandcurious]

Guidance needed, please. My son recently got an offer from a top, 20 ECNL team in CA... only stating this to give an idea of his level. However, thinking MLS may be the better option since my son isn't interested in HS soccer. We are moving from a different state so trying to learn the main differences between ECNL and MLS in CA. MLS seems to train more days? He won't make LA Galaxy or the premier others...at least right now since he played multiple sports in the past . I do believe he has strong potential though. Do any of the top MLS teams have 2nd/reserve teams? If not, can anyone suggest other MLS clubs that can provide training & development? Trying to find an appropriate program for his dedication & skill level. Appreciate it!

 

[Grace T.]

Guidance needed, please. My son recently got an offer from a top, 20 ECNL team in CA... only stating this to give an idea of his level. However, thinking MLS may be the better option since my son isn't interested in HS soccer. We are moving from a different state so trying to learn the main differences between ECNL and MLS in CA. MLS seems to train more days? He won't make LA Galaxy or the premier others...at least right now since he played multiple sports in the past . I do believe he has strong potential though. Do any of the top MLS teams have 2nd/reserve teams? If not, can anyone suggest other MLS clubs that can provide training & development? Trying to find an appropriate program for his dedication & skill level. Appreciate it!

The situation is very different in Norcal v. Socal. They are essentially 2 different states. There are not 20 ECNL boys clubs in SoCal because MLS Next is just very dominant. Your MLS Next experience will greatly vary...some teams like TFA for example can be found training in grass public parks, while others like Strikers have more professional facilities and train more often. MLS players are divided into core, futures and reserve players. Many carry more than 18 but only 18 are allowed to dress. Futures players are allowed to play down into the second team for a certain number of games in order to get play time. Reserve players are not allowed to play for the first team unless the club burns its guest slot (usually used for a player that needs to try out or if they are bringing up a specific role like CB or GK due to injury). The second teams to MLS are a bit of a mess right now because MLS Next countrywide has not decided where to put them (so some are in EA esp. here in SoCal, some are NDA, some are MLS 2, etc.)...some of them are integrated for the reserve players, some require that you attend both practices, some of them are just practically separate.

If the goal isn't a pro academy (Galaxy/LAFC/San Diego) pick the offer that feels right, not the label. If it is an ECNL slot (as opposed to ECRL), unless your kid is the goat and could make a run for an academy, don't let the ECNL offer hang to long, especially if you are out of state. They could very easily move on if you aren't all in.

 

[Socal-Soccer-Dad]

Guidance needed, please. My son recently got an offer from a top, 20 ECNL team in CA... only stating this to give an idea of his level. However, thinking MLS may be the better option since my son isn't interested in HS soccer. We are moving from a different state so trying to learn the main differences between ECNL and MLS in CA. MLS seems to train more days? He won't make LA Galaxy or the premier others...at least right now since he played multiple sports in the past . I do believe he has strong potential though. Do any of the top MLS teams have 2nd/reserve teams? If not, can anyone suggest other MLS clubs that can provide training & development? Trying to find an appropriate program for his dedication & skill level. Appreciate it!

If not interested in playing HS soccer and he wants to play highest level possible, I'd recommend MLS Next. You did mention he has strong potential so it's nice to gauge that potential vs the actual top crop in the country which is MLS youth academies so it's nice to have opportunities to play vs them.

Having said that, subtract MLS youth teams (Galaxy, LAFC, SD FC) from MLS Next and I think ECNL and MLS Next are pretty much on par. And high end teams in both leagues offer excellent visibility for opportunities to play in college (if that was the goal).

So if I lived right by SD Surf or Beach FC ECNL teams, I wouldn't necessarily feel compelled to drive to Strikers, or Reds (aka Liverpool) or LASC just to play MLS Next. But if I'm in similar distance to an ECNL team and an MLS Next team and I had offers at both, I would probably just go with an MLS Next team.

At my kid's club, the 2nd team plays EA.

 

[Fastandcurious]

The situation is very different in Norcal v. Socal. They are essentially 2 different states. There are not 20 ECNL boys clubs in SoCal because MLS Next is just very dominant. Your MLS Next experience will greatly vary...some teams like TFA for example can be found training in grass public parks, while others like Strikers have more professional facilities and train more often. MLS players are divided into core, futures and reserve players. Many carry more than 18 but only 18 are allowed to dress. Futures players are allowed to play down into the second team for a certain number of games in order to get play time. Reserve players are not allowed to play for the first team unless the club burns its guest slot (usually used for a player that needs to try out or if they are bringing up a specific role like CB or GK due to injury). The second teams to MLS are a bit of a mess right now because MLS Next countrywide has not decided where to put them (so some are in EA esp. here in SoCal, some are NDA, some are MLS 2, etc.)...some of them are integrated for the reserve players, some require that you attend both practices, some of them are just practically separate.

If the goal isn't a pro academy (Galaxy/LAFC/San Diego) pick the offer that feels right, not the label. If it is an ECNL slot (as opposed to ECRL), unless your kid is the goat and could make a run for an academy, don't let the ECNL offer hang to long, especially if you are out of state. They could very easily move on if you aren't all in.

I meant it to read...top 20 team in CA. They are an ECNL team.
Appreciate your time and feedback.

 

[Fastandcurious]

If not interested in playing HS soccer and he wants to play highest level possible, I'd recommend MLS Next. You did mention he has strong potential so it's nice to gauge that potential vs the actual top crop in the country which is MLS youth academies so it's nice to have opportunities to play vs them.

Having said that, subtract MLS youth teams (Galaxy, LAFC, SD FC) from MLS Next and I think ECNL and MLS Next are pretty much on par. And high end teams in both leagues offer excellent visibility for opportunities to play in college (if that was the goal).

So if I lived right by SD Surf or Beach FC ECNL teams, I wouldn't necessarily feel compelled to drive to Strikers, or Reds (aka Liverpool) or LASC just to play MLS Next. But if I'm in similar distance to an ECNL team and an MLS Next team and I had offers at both, I would probably just go with an MLS Next team.

At my kid's club, the 2nd team plays EA.

In our current state, the 2nd team (MLS Next) plays in a weak league (NPL) so that was a factor.
Prefer him to be around like-minded, intense players who will challenge him.
Appreciate your insight...Thank you!

 

[asianautica]

I would add Strikers to the same group as Galaxy, LAFC, SDFC. I don't know how well their B10 perform, but at least for the B08, they made it to the final for the play offs, beating out LAFC and Galaxy. B11 Chula Vista FC is one of the top team in the nation. During last season, they were undefeated I think, beating out Galaxy, LAFC and Strikers.

If he has aspiration to go pro, with MLS Next, he gets to play against the true academy (LAFC and Galaxy). Then during Next Flex and Next Fest, he'll get to play against other true academies in other parts of the country (assuming his team are near the top). This will give him a lot of exposure and academy coaches will be watching and offer him to go tryout w/ the team. I know a B08 boy who moved from Surf to City. Then, w/in 1 season, he moved to a true academy team (don't remember if it was RSL or Colorado).