You're right, every league has a few top teams, but the majority tend to struggle. I was just responding to the comment that MLS Next teams are the "crème de la crème," which isn't really accurate. In some age groups, around 11 teams didn’t even win 10 games out of 30+ this season. Until clubs like Legends, Pats, Sporting CA, and Beach are included in MLS Next, it’s hard to consider it the top league.
I feel like there are A LOT of teams in letter leagues that meet this definition. Some are even closer to Flight 2.
Sarcasm (in my post) aside, they have to play up assuming they have Aug-Dec aged kids. I've seen ECNL teams beaten by state league teams. The league acronym does not a good team make.
Sure, but my point is, the College pathway into the Pro's is not required. In fact, we will probably see less and less of NWSL pick up coming from College, but being picked straight out of the Club teams. We don't need yet another league for the NWSL, ECNL and GA are already creating players that can mix it up on the field with the Pro's. I also think we will see a big shift in the Women's game here in the U.S.. There was a clear difference in the way 2006 and older girls teams played (Over the top, and mostly kickballish) to how the 2007 and younger girls play (possession and strategic direct). As the 07's and youngers start to filter into the Pros, and College teams, I think we are going to see a shift to better soccer.
ECNL and NPL fall under US Club Soccer. 8/1 will be the date.
They will switch. It will cause too many unnecessary problems with admin and management.
How many bio-banded players do they have? I know EA Teams that are bio banding this year and simply shifting the players to an older team for tournaments. But this is also just a couple of players on each team.
Wouldn't the team just leave out the bio-banded player for the weekend tournament? If my son were bio-banded, I’d completely understand and just find him another team to guest-play with that weekend.
You’d be surprised, for example, there were Galaxy players guest-playing for other F1 teams in tournaments during the winter break in December last year. Saw many other MLSN players doing the same, it really depends on whether the coach approves it or just isn’t aware.
They only do a handful of tournaments like surf. The more difficult problem will be for the mls2 teams since they don’t have year round play and for ea it’s going to be a real dilemma.
Are you saying ECNL/ RL Girls will switch to 8/1 cutoff? I thought they would make the cut off 8/1/2026 to give clubs enough time to adjust. No?
It's for the 26/27 season. So by the time we get to 8/1/2026, yes, it will be in effect for ECNL (and RL, and every other league that rolls up to USYS, AYSO, or USCLUB).
