Get ready folks

[rainbow_unicorn]

We'll see what happens you never know.

If ECNL changes to an Aug 1 cutoff date by themself Surf Cup will only be ECNL teams. Assuming it also follows the Aug 1 cutoff. Leagues that stick with calender year would be at a 5-6 month disadvantage and won't attend ECNL tournaments.

You speak in absolutes without anything to back it up other than saying "ECNL". This change could dramatically affect the amount of money Surf makes with tournaments at the polo fields. Again this is assuming ECNL switched to a Aug 1 cutoff date but everyone else stayed with Jan 1.

If all the other leagues switched to Aug 1 with ECNL then no big deal and everything works out

Surf Cup has been declining for years now. The top ECNL clubs don't even go to Surf Cup anymore (maybe with U13 being an exception). Tournaments are not factoring into this decision. Change to grade year does simplify the recruiting process and trapped players...can you agree to that?

 

[whatithink]

We'll see what happens you never know.

If ECNL changes to an Aug 1 cutoff date by themself Surf Cup will only be ECNL teams. Assuming it also follows the Aug 1 cutoff. Leagues that stick with calender year would be at a 5-6 month disadvantage and won't attend ECNL tournaments.

You speak in absolutes without anything to back it up other than saying "ECNL". This change could dramatically affect the amount of money Surf makes with tournaments at the polo fields. Again this is assuming ECNL switched to a Aug 1 cutoff date but everyone else stayed with Jan 1.

If all the other leagues switched to Aug 1 with ECNL then no big deal and everything works out

Surf Cup is predominantly non-ECNL teams. The ECNL teams commit to their league games and minimum number of ECNL showcases. Every other tournament is up to them. The parents players are in it for college, with the maximum exposure to coaches being playing in the ECNL league and ECNL showcases.

Surf sports, who run the tournaments, is separate to Surf the club. They are entangled, but the former runs a host of tournaments and is expanding all the time. There is zero chance the club pulls from ECNL. Yes, that's an absolute, and anyone with a clue would agree.

 

[Thatonedad]

We'll see what happens you never know.

If ECNL changes to an Aug 1 cutoff date by themself Surf Cup will only be ECNL teams. Assuming it also follows the Aug 1 cutoff. Leagues that stick with calender year would be at a 5-6 month disadvantage and won't attend ECNL tournaments.

You speak in absolutes without anything to back it up other than saying "ECNL". This change could dramatically affect the amount of money Surf makes with tournaments at the polo fields. Again this is assuming ECNL switched to a Aug 1 cutoff date but everyone else stayed with Jan 1.

If all the other leagues switched to Aug 1 with ECNL then no big deal and everything works out

You are assuming Surf could not host an ECNL only bracket. I’m sure surf has thought of their tournament money and surf and ecnl have worked through it to get to this point.

ECNL president thinks it will happen but nothing final until the deal is done.

 

[Scrub It Kook]

It is still within a year. They change it from 1/1 to 12/31 to 8/1 to 7/31. This will better align school grades, so it is easy for college recruiting, which is ECNL's main selling point.

I believe this is how travel baseball works today. Instead of U14 (Under 14) it will be 14U (14 and Under). Some of the parents I know with kids in travel ball said the cut off is 9/1. Parents still hold their kids back in baseball despite not impacting club too much because they are trying to make the Varsity HS team as a freshman. A Freshman who makes (and starts) Varsity catches college scouts attention.

 

[crush]

RIP Pete

 

[Carlsbad7]

Surf Cup is predominantly non-ECNL teams. The ECNL teams commit to their league games and minimum number of ECNL showcases. Every other tournament is up to them. The parents players are in it for college, with the maximum exposure to coaches being playing in the ECNL league and ECNL showcases.

Surf sports, who run the tournaments, is separate to Surf the club. They are entangled, but the former runs a host of tournaments and is expanding all the time. There is zero chance the club pulls from ECNL. Yes, that's an absolute, and anyone with a clue would agree.

You think Surf Cup and associated Surf tournaments potentially losing half their attendees because of a single decision by ECNL won't be discussed by Surf?

Again, as long as all the rest of the leagues decide to go along with the change there's no issue. If ECNL chooses to go it alone there will be a ripple effect and there will be less cross league play.

From what I've seen Surf somehow seems to get a bunch of $$$ from the tournaments Surf Cup Sports run. This allows them to hire the best of the best coaches and go after the best of the best players.

 

[whatithink]

You think Surf Cup and associated Surf tournaments potentially losing half their attendees because of a single decision by ECNL won't be discussed by Surf?

Again, as long as all the rest of the leagues decide to go along with the change there's no issue. If ECNL chooses to go it alone there will be a ripple effect and there will be less cross league play.

From what I've seen Surf somehow seems to get a bunch of $$$ from the tournaments Surf Cup Sports run. This allows them to hire the best of the best coaches and go after the best of the best players.

Sure, Surf will talk about it, but whatever ... ECNL will make the choice for themselves and all the ECNL clubs will comply and be happy to still be in ECNL.

 

[Carlsbad7]

The truth is starting to come out. ECNL wants the change other groups specifically US Soccer are disinterested.

As I said before everyone needs to make the change or it doesnt work.

x.com

x.com

What we’ve been told recently:

ECNL seems to be the one pushing this the hardest. As of now they are voting to go back to School Year but ECNL cannot stand alone with this rule change.

They need U.S Soccer Approval and the other club leagues to be behind it too.

A survey has been sent out and meetings are being held and for what we have gathered, a lot of Club Directors don’t believe it will be approved as there is no real desire from U.S Club soccer to change it again.

 

[Thatonedad]

The truth is starting to come out. ECNL wants the change other groups specifically US Soccer are disinterested.

As I said before everyone needs to make the change or it doesnt work.

x.com

x.com

What we’ve been told recently:

ECNL seems to be the one pushing this the hardest. As of now they are voting to go back to School Year but ECNL cannot stand alone with this rule change.

They need U.S Soccer Approval and the other club leagues to be behind it too.

A survey has been sent out and meetings are being held and for what we have gathered, a lot of Club Directors don’t believe it will be approved as there is no real desire from U.S Club soccer to change it again.

I will just say I do get some insider info. I’m not sure who this director was but this X post is right and wrong at the same time. If you talk to anyone from the governing leagues from us club they will tell you it’s definitely a possibility and US Club and its affiliates are majority on board. Also as of last month USYS is considering and working to align with us club which was told to me weeks before any podcast.

I’m not going to say it’s happening because I won’t know that for another few weeks but I would say I would be highly surprised if it isn’t approved for Fall 25. Lots going on behind the scenes to get the majority on board.

What USSF thinks has never been communicated to me.

 

[Carlsbad7]

I will just say I do get some insider info. I’m not sure who this director was but this X post is right and wrong at the same time. If you talk to anyone from the governing leagues from us club they will tell you it’s definitely a possibility and US Club and its affiliates are majority on board. Also as of last month USYS is considering and working to align with us club which was told to me weeks before any podcast.

I’m not going to say it’s happening because I won’t know that for another few weeks but I would say I would be highly surprised if it isn’t approved for Fall 25. Lots going on behind the scenes to get the majority on board.

What USSF thinks has never been communicated to me.

 

[Thatonedad]

View attachment 23417

I’ve already posted screenshots on this forum with emails directly from ECNL higher ups. Emails had the info before the recent ECNL podcast. Go back and check them out.

Again not saying this is happening 100% but it’s definitely leaning towards happening. Especially if USYS and US Club decide to align. Which they are in discussions.

 

[Carlsbad7]

I’ve already posted screenshots on this forum with emails directly from ECNL higher ups. Emails had the info before the recent ECNL podcast. Go back and check them out.

Again not saying this is happening 100% but it’s definitely leaning towards happening. Especially if USYS and US Club decide to align. Which they are in discussions.

Yea, I posted a link to where ECNL was begging/asking for support.

At least you're being honest and saying that this is a coin flip.

ECNLs issue is that they've been so aggressive expanding that other leagues generally discount anything they say.

However I recognize girls ECNL's current clout. Which means that there could be all kinds of non ECNL clubs that suddenly "water down" ie become ECNL that weren't ECNL before to make the change happen.

 

[Thatonedad]

Yea, I posted a link to where ECNL was begging/asking for support.

At least you're being honest and saying that this is a coin flip.

ECNLs issue is that they've been so aggressive expanding that other leagues generally discount anything they say.

However I recognize girls ECNL's current clout. Which means that there could be all kinds of non ECNL clubs that suddenly "water down" ie become ECNL that weren't ECNL before to make the change happen.

I would say it sounds like a coin flip but ECNL and us club get two chances to guess right. USYS is discussing this with us club it sounds like it will happen. But I don’t guarantee anything until after the October meeting with US club. But with USYS on board that would heavily favor a change to new cut offs.

 

[crush]

 

[Thatonedad]

From a USSF Youth Council Member regarding changing back to school year.

 

[Carlsbad7]

From a USSF Youth Council Member regarding changing back to school year.

Your marketing campaign for school grade groupings is strong.

But it's annoying that you keep dropping vague hints that could be from anyone. Then you try to blow them up like they're decrees from US Soccer.

I also like how you constantly associate back to your vague statements trying to make them sound like definitive truths.

Put another way... "Where's the Beef?"

 

[Brav520]

For - this will be much easier for college recruiting , and trapped players are at a disadvantage in the current system

Against - this will be a logistical nightmare for clubs /associations even if you give them 9 months to prepare . Trapped players aren’t at a disadvantage at well run clubs during high school


Not sure I see the compelling argument for ECNL when the majority of youth soccer players aren’t going be playing college ball , but again I’ve been around long enough to know that’s not how things work . My guess is ECNL gets their way

I do understand the pain clubs /associations would have to go through to make these changes from an administrative standpoint , especially since these clubs have a lot of help on volunteer basis . I’m not sure that’s a compelling enough argument to not make the change back

 

[SuperSoccerStar]

Against - this will be a logistical nightmare for clubs /associations even if you give them 9 months to prepare . Trapped players aren’t at a disadvantage at well run clubs during high school

This is what I've been trying to say. If your good and your at a good club on a good team its an advantage to be a trapped player. Total advantage.

 

[Thatonedad]

Your marketing campaign for school grade groupings is strong.

But it's annoying that you keep dropping vague hints that could be from anyone. Then you try to blow them up like they're decrees from US Soccer.

I also like how you constantly associate back to your vague statements trying to make them sound like definitive truths.

Put another way... "Where's the Beef?"

Just putting out the information I get from people. With some context. That is all.

 

[Thatonedad]

Your marketing campaign for school grade groupings is strong.

But it's annoying that you keep dropping vague hints that could be from anyone. Then you try to blow them up like they're decrees from US Soccer.

I also like how you constantly associate back to your vague statements trying to make them sound like definitive truths.

Put another way... "Where's the Beef?"

If I ever get info that is on the not wanting to switch back side I will post that as well. So far everything I’m hearing it’s leaning more towards yes. Still some hoops to jump through before it’s finalized.

 

[Larzby]

For - this will be much easier for college recruiting , and trapped players are at a disadvantage in the current system

Against - this will be a logistical nightmare for clubs /associations even if you give them 9 months to prepare . Trapped players aren’t at a disadvantage at well run clubs during high school


Not sure I see the compelling argument for ECNL when the majority of youth soccer players aren’t going be playing college ball , but again I’ve been around long enough to know that’s not how things work . My guess is ECNL gets their way

I do understand the pain clubs /associations would have to go through to make these changes from an administrative standpoint , especially since these clubs have a lot of help on volunteer basis . I’m not sure that’s a compelling enough argument to not make the change back

Perhaps they could revert to grade year for girls and stay with calendar year for boys? Olders can use a cutoff of October 1st, and youngers can use a cutoff of April 9th. Teams east of the Mississippi can rotate birth year/calendar on a 3 year cycle.

I was so naive thinking that youth soccer was just going thru growing pains 10 years ago and that things would sort out It's clear that those with the power at the moment benefit from the complexity and constant changes - making it difficult for all but the most diligent and economically blessed parents to navigate the systemt for the benefit their kids.