Do you know if the NAL is shaping up to be a closed or open circuit? Meaning can non-MLS Next Clubs compete in the NAL or is it only MLS Next second teams and pre MLS youngers teams? If the former, it's just a replacement for the EA...especially since the academy teams (excluding affiliates like LAFC or Houston) have decided they pretty much don't want to get into the administration of anything outside their academies. If it's the latter, it would seem to insulate the 2nd teams from those rogue upstarts that can put their best players into the 1st teams because they don't have MLS Next squads taking the first pick of players, and can implement some roster flexibility to get non dressing MLS Next players play time, which was one of the justifications cited for all this. The biggest obstacle, however, is that the MLS itself and the academies don't seem to care very much about anything under the academy level.
ECNL Expansion and Contraction? MLS2?
- Thread starter Barca2021
- Start date
Do you know if the NAL is shaping up to be a closed or open circuit? Meaning can non-MLS Next Clubs compete in the NAL or is it only MLS Next second teams and pre MLS youngers teams? If the former, it's just a replacement for the EA...especially since the academy teams (excluding affiliates like LAFC or Houston) have decided they pretty much don't want to get into the administration of anything outside their academies. If it's the latter, it would seem to insulate the 2nd teams from those rogue upstarts that can put their best players into the 1st teams because they don't have MLS Next squads taking the first pick of players, and can implement some roster flexibility to get non dressing MLS Next players play time, which was one of the justifications cited for all this. The biggest obstacle, however, is that the MLS itself and the academies don't seem to care very much about anything under the academy level.
No idea. I am only formulating this opinion from the information online. I would look through the NAL club list to see if there are any non-MLS clubs committed. The CalNorth announcement of non-MLS clubs (who field premier and NPL level teams) was a bit of a surprise and concern.
That’s very curious and concerning. I know at least 2 norcal teams recruiting players for mls2, but with no official notice of an actual league or any idea what teams/levels/age groups that’s a big leap of faith that it will all work out…
Most of them listed on the site looked like MLS Next. The one I questioned were mostly in NY: Long Island Slammers, the NY Alleycats, Dowtown United, Syracuse, Barsca in NY.
I agree, but has there been ANY whisper of a MLSTier2 league in SoCal starting this fall (2023)?
I heard they will continue to explore MLS2 but it's not happening right now. Looks like ECNL-RL is starting instead
RandomSoccerFan
PREMIER
That page has been showing that for awhile about RL, but no public details yet. If it really is happening for the fall, we should see brackets in 2-3 weeks for all NPL divisions, which would evidently include ECNL-RL as the top one. As a side note, there still are kids at Bay Area Surf who believe they are on a MLS2 team.
It's happening.....here is what is probably the ECNL-RL division. https://norcalpremier.com/club/11069/team/76972/tab/24601/
RandomSoccerFan
PREMIER
Thanks for that. On mobile now, so can't as easily poke around that site - but does it look like the ECNL-RL just replaced what was the "Champions" division on top of NPL1, or is it an additional one?
RandomSoccerFan
PREMIER
OK - on desktop browser now; it appears pretty clear. It's just a renaming of Champions league - it's now just called ECNL-RL. The ECNL-RL bracket for U17 23/24, is almost identical to the Champions league bracket for the 07B 2023 season.
RandomSoccerFan
PREMIER
Clicking through the brackets makes it clear, all of the MLS2 teams (at least with Bay Area Surf) that show as registered with Norcal so far are just playing in NPL brackets for this season. (link) In those specific brackets, there are no other teams, at least so far, that are also using the MLS2 naming.
Code
GOLD
I heard from someone who attended the ECNL conference this year that USClubSoccer (governing organization for ECNL, ECRL, and NPL) was clear that they are actively aligning and shaping the thier leagues into a three tiered pyramid program. They intend on making ECRL the undisputed Tier 2 National League under the ECNL. It appears they may be moving toward a promotion/relegation system between ECRL and NPL , as many regions are already structured that way this past season.
That would make sense for USClubSoccer. Unfortunately they are not the only governing body. NAL is taking off (on the east coast) with the support of USyouthsoccer, which is connected to CalNorth/South. I suspect NorCal has more political weight around here which is why NAL (MLS2) isn't happening. They probably told clubs that they would have to leave the platform if they started NAL out here.
Further division of youth soccer.
Highlander
SILVER ELITE
They already do this in NorCal. That said, its still a scam when the top level is open only to specific clubs on the girls side. Take Pleasanton ECNL Girls for example...they make the DeAnza ENCL Boys teams records look good. Pleasanton is a good NPL club at best. But they are guaranteed ECNL? If ECNL was really about being a true pyramid they would promote/relegate deserving teams to and from ECNL.
BTW - if you haven't read this article that came out last week:
How the USWNT’s pipeline got fractured by a youth soccer turf war
The USWNT team has continued to win. But beneath the surface, cracks are crystalizing. With European powers investing and improving, the vulnerable balance of power in international women’s soccer is shifting.
The money line from it:
“Ultimately,” Robertson concludes, “and I'll get a lot of people that hate me for saying this, but 95% of clubs rely on, ‘Hey, we have this patch, so we have an exclusive pathway.’ So they don't have to really focus on actually developing players.”
RandomSoccerFan
PREMIER
They are clearly stating that there will be promotion/relegation from ECRL to/from NPL, as ECRL is now the top division for NPL (at least in NorCal Premier Boys). Teams will be bumped up and down from NPL to ECRL, just like it has been happening within the different NPL divisions. What I haven't seen as clearly, is that ECNL teams can be expected to be bumped to ECRL or vice-versa based on performance.
Highlander
SILVER ELITE
Right - all that is already happening in NorCal on both the girls and boys side. And no surprise they don't mention pro/rel between ECNL and ECNL RL, because they won't let it happen. They know if they bumped an ECNL club out that it would destroy that club. And back to what I said above on what a scam that is...it's just a way for them to capture more $$$ is their pyramid.
That said, don't hate the player hate the game. Reality is if you have a player who wants a chance to go highlevel D1 on the girls side they pretty much have to play ECNL as it stands today. Youth soccer changes quick though...I expect the landscape to be totally different in 3-5 years.
Code
GOLD
They already do this in NorCal. That said, its still a scam when the top level is open only to specific clubs on the girls side. Take Pleasanton ECNL Girls for example...they make the DeAnza ENCL Boys teams records look good. Pleasanton is a good NPL club at best. But they are guaranteed ECNL? If ECNL was really about being a true pyramid they would promote/relegate deserving teams to and from ECNL.
BTW - if you haven't read this article that came out last week:
How the USWNT’s pipeline got fractured by a youth soccer turf war
The USWNT team has continued to win. But beneath the surface, cracks are crystalizing. With European powers investing and improving, the vulnerable balance of power in international women’s soccer is shifting.sports.yahoo.com
The money line from it:
“Ultimately,” Robertson concludes, “and I'll get a lot of people that hate me for saying this, but 95% of clubs rely on, ‘Hey, we have this patch, so we have an exclusive pathway.’ So they don't have to really focus on actually developing players.”
Here is what I got from the article. A socialized structured soccer league (DA) didn't succeed against a free market structured soccer league (ECNL) in the U.S.. Big shocker. Another mind blowing concept is that higher registration fees allow clubs to hire quality coaches, which in turn results in higher quality teams.
Clubs do get dropped from ECNL if they are not performing well enough. I do agree that promotion/relegation is the best tool for keeping quality teams in a top league.
Highlander
SILVER ELITE
Agreed - honestly, just add Pro/Rel at the ECNL level then I would be happy. Until then, it's a scam and not "Player First" as the like to market on shit. Player last if anything.