Thatonedad
SILVER
I wouldn’t be surprised if we see an ECNL bracket only at surf cup or they just run their own summer showcase lol makes it so only way you can play ECNL teams is to be on one.
Get ready folks
- Thread starter soccer4us
- Start date
I would argue on the girls side that most trapped players are ECRL level not ECNL level. There does seem to be an advantage for kids born early in the year over late. My kid is a Sept 2010 birthday. No doubt this move would have her likely playing 2011 NL if it happens. What’s unique in her situation is she’s class of 2028 not 29 because she went to a private school that let her stay with her birth year because of where she was academically and socially. So I’m curious how this change would affect her playing with class of 2029 but as a 2028.
rainbow_unicorn
PREMIER
ECNL does not need an additional advantage over competition. And there's nothing to stop other leagues to follow suit or at least send a comparable team to a tournament that might follow this new age division.
Scrub It Kook
SILVER
While most countries in Europe use birth year, I believe the UK uses school year. Just listened to a podcast on Project Footballer discussing this topic.
The thing is ECNL has multiple ways to address "trapped players". They could allow X number to play down. They could allow X number to play down only in Showcases. They could create a link on their website listing all trapped players and their commitment status. Etc etc etc...
However the solution that ECNL has floated is the one that benefits them the most. Just be honest and admit that if it happens trapped players aren't the only reason ECNL is considering the change.
I think everything will work out.... if you're a trapped player you were going to eventually play with the kids in your graduating class at some point regardless the league. Yes it's a bit confusing, annoying, etc. but honestly a lot of stuff is when it comes to club soccer. I think since you get recruited according to your graduation year, it makes sense but what do I know??? I have a kid who has benefited playing with an older class since the college exposure was earlier, but also we always looked at the team a year younger to see the dynamics, etc. knowing at some point that would be the new team.
outside!
DA
It is almost as if ECNL tries to artificially limit competition.
Wouldn't she be playing on a 2028 ECNL club team if the rule change happened? She's a 2028 in high school right now. I thought teams would be formed based on what high school graduation year you are?
Code
GOLD
That's not how it has worked for any trapped player I have known. They get screwed from U15 thru U19.
Code
GOLD
And those other 70% of trapped players will likely be starters when they return to playing with thier peers in Grade Year.
Code
GOLD
Until the players realize they now have twice as many options and start doing the club shuffle. The Clubs are going to want to keep their players, I'm sure they will move them as needed.
Code
GOLD
It does not matter where you make a cut off, there will always be kids older or younger. The age argument is a moot point from any perspective. There is no way to change that scenario. And we all know these Tournaments don't check player cards
.
Code
GOLD
Just give all Trapped Players the option to play down. Everyone can choose the scenario that works best for their situation.
Code
GOLD
I agree. It has been a shitshow since it started. Was never a good reason to change in the first place. The 0.05 or less of players who are going to be playing in Europe I'm sure can manage to figure out which team they need to play up onto if the age cutoff is a problem for them.
This wouldn't work for tournaments unless they had the same rules. (Which I'm all for) I think the whole age bound teams dynamic is stupid. I get why clubs do it (makes a lot more $$$) I'd rather clubs have a single team for say 3 age groups and start over every 3 years. This would make games much more exciting and players would get to experience working to be on the top team several times as a youth.
I guess its not the norm but all the 2029 or "trapped" players I'm around right now are in killer spots
Thatonedad
SILVER
These are all great ideas but none of it matters if US soccer doesn’t want the change to happen.
rainbow_unicorn
PREMIER
I think you need to let go of ECNL conspiracy theories. Grouping by grad class does make sense when you think of kids not having much to do between 8th/9th grade when most start playing HS soccer while others are still in 8th grade. And makes recruiting more straightforward.
My kid would be somewhat adversely impacted being one of the youngest in her grade. But by U14 all of the kids are catching up in growth so it's pretty much a wash at that point. Most clubs will prob give option for younger trapped players in an age group to continue on with their existing older teammates or to drop down to their grade level group. And those that choose to drop down probably are fighting for playing time on their existing team and no guarantee that they'll get that much of a leg up playing down for U14 or older age groups.
No, it would go by birthdays not but graduation year still. Only thing that would change would be calendar year dates versus school year dates.
This was exactly how it was in 2015/16 when I an AYSO Commisioner right before the birth year change happened.
So any player who is September 2010 but graduating 2028 would be be playing U15 instead of U16 when this rule takes affect. They do not look at class of 2028 or class of 2029 specifically. We assume kids who are in that birth range would be graduating those years just as we assume kids born in birth year are graduating certain class years
I like how you glossed over the facts and went strait to "conspiracy theory".
The truth is ECNL wouldn't care about trapped players if the change didn't benefit their league directly.
Sorry, I've been around all this too long and see the forest through the trees.