MLS NEXT no longer tracking standings for U13 and U14 - WHY?

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soccerdad247

BRONZE
I originally had this post in a different forum, but this is probably the correct one.

Does anyone know why the standings for U13 & U14 are no longer tracked by MLSN? They have always been there since the league started, and were there for the first few weeks of this season..but were then were taken down. There's been no updates from MLS on why.
 
My understanding is that this was a conscious decision to allow clubs to focus on development and not playing for results. I know a few parents who have their own spreadsheets.
 
Isn't MLS Next going to get totally revamped or something? I feel like I heard that they're dropping younger ages and changing membership structure or something. Not sure where I heard this....so take it with a grain of salt.
 
NorCalDad said:
Isn't MLS Next going to get totally revamped or something? I feel like I heard that they're dropping younger ages and changing membership structure or something. Not sure where I heard this....so take it with a grain of salt.
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Not sure, but it seems weird to take them away without any explanation. They have always been there since MLSN started in 2020.
 
So the new MLS Tier 2 regional tournaments and tournaments at the big MLS Next events. But the U13/U14 MLS Next teams don't even have standings...never mind any tournaments or regional events, and aren't invited to any of the MLS Next events outside of pointless friendlies at MLS Next Cup showcase in June. How does this make any sense...
 
soccerdad247 said:
So the new MLS Tier 2 regional tournaments and tournaments at the big MLS Next events. But the U13/U14 MLS Next teams don't even have standings...never mind any tournaments or regional events, and aren't invited to any of the MLS Next events outside of pointless friendlies at MLS Next Cup showcase in June. How does this make any sense...
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I suspect they want U13/U14 to be mostly focused on development. I actually don't think this is terrible. All these younger teams spending tons of money for all these events seems pretty silly to me. Nothing really matters that much until U15 anyway.
 
NorCalDad said:
I suspect they want U13/U14 to be mostly focused on development. I actually don't think this is terrible. All these younger teams spending tons of money for all these events seems pretty silly to me. Nothing really matters that much until U15 anyway.
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I'm not sold that "nothing matters". I think by u13 and U14 they need to learn to compete - for a win, playing time, etc. No other sports league operates with no standings, tournaments, etc. Especially in EU, SA, et where they seem to know what they are doing when it comes to development. Not sure why MLSN seems to think they have discovered some new magical formula.
 
soccerdad247 said:
I'm not sold that "nothing matters". I think by u13 and U14 they need to learn to compete - for a win, playing time, etc. No other sports league operates with no standings, tournaments, etc. Especially in EU, SA, et where they seem to know what they are doing when it comes to development. Not sure why MLSN seems to think they have discovered some new magical formula.
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Well to be fair, someone is keeping track of those scores as they're still showing up in the Soccer Rankings app. I think kids still want to go out there and win regardless of standings -- they're probably keeping track themselves I'd bet. Maybe not officially doing it is just performative.
 
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