MLS Next

[SoccerMommingIt]

Forgive my naivety about this but, my kid has the opportunity to play MLS Next for next season. All I know is that there will be out of town games during the teams "regular season". As well as MLSNext Fest in Dec/Mar.
Anyone in San Diego specifically have insight on how far we will have to travel? Or any examples if your kids played last year on the travel schedule?

TIA

 

[East County Soccer Dad]

Forgive my naivety about this but, my kid has the opportunity to play MLS Next for next season. All I know is that there will be out of town games during the teams "regular season". As well as MLSNext Fest in Dec/Mar.
Anyone in San Diego specifically have insight on how far we will have to travel? Or any examples if your kids played last year on the travel schedule?

TIA

MLSN AD or HD?
HD will travel Nevada and Arizona and all of so-cal
AD will stick to so-cal if it’s the same as this year

 

[sigmabody]

MLSN AD or HD?
HD will travel Nevada and Arizona and all of so-cal
AD will stick to so-cal if it’s the same as this year

To expand on this, just to give more context/info:

MLSN HD is what the league is calling the high-level academy program now. This will require significant travel and commitment (including out of state), and is considered the highest level of competitive youth soccer atm.

MLSN AD is their newer, "addon", lower-tier, development league (aka MLSN 2). These teams generally play more locally, and are not as strong (on average, maybe slightly below ECNL, and slightly above NPL, as far as I can tell, but it varies quite a bit). This might still have more travel than, say, just SoCal League (unsure).

Keep in mind, though: MLSN AD is not the top-tier league, and if you're being asked to travel a lot for it (and/or pay significantly more money, etc.), then this is somewhat just deceptive marketing based on the league and naming. It sounds like you're being invited to HD (in which case, congrats), but this is a distinction certainly worth knowing as a parent.

 

[Jamisfoes]

To expand on this, just to give more context/info:

MLSN HD is what the league is calling the high-level academy program now. This will require significant travel and commitment (including out of state), and is considered the highest level of competitive youth soccer atm.

MLSN AD is their newer, "addon", lower-tier, development league (aka MLSN 2). These teams generally play more locally, and are not as strong (on average, maybe slightly below ECNL, and slightly above NPL, as far as I can tell, but it varies quite a bit). This might still have more travel than, say, just SoCal League (unsure).

Keep in mind, though: MLSN AD is not the top-tier league, and if you're being asked to travel a lot for it (and/or pay significantly more money, etc.), then this is somewhat just deceptive marketing based on the league and naming. It sounds like you're being invited to HD (in which case, congrats), but this is a distinction certainly worth knowing as a parent.

MLS next HD is actually lower level than ECNL. Why? Because the kids on those teams are 5 month younger than kids on ECNL teams.

 

[CAZZZ]

To expand on this, just to give more context/info:

MLSN HD is what the league is calling the high-level academy program now. This will require significant travel and commitment (including out of state), and is considered the highest level of competitive youth soccer atm.

MLSN AD is their newer, "addon", lower-tier, development league (aka MLSN 2). These teams generally play more locally, and are not as strong (on average, maybe slightly below ECNL, and slightly above NPL, as far as I can tell, but it varies quite a bit). This might still have more travel than, say, just SoCal League (unsure).

Keep in mind, though: MLSN AD is not the top-tier league, and if you're being asked to travel a lot for it (and/or pay significantly more money, etc.), then this is somewhat just deceptive marketing based on the league and naming. It sounds like you're being invited to HD (in which case, congrats), but this is a distinction certainly worth knowing as a parent.

Unfortunately, as MLSN and ECNL start to target lower-tier teams with MLSN2, EA, EA2, RL, and RL2, there are fewer teams that can play in SoCal in 11x11. So if you want to play some decent teams (not top-level), you have to join those leagues and travel.

 

[sigmabody]

MLS next HD is actually lower level than ECNL. Why? Because the kids on those teams are 5 month younger than kids on ECNL teams.

Probably debatable, but not worth getting into here (and I don't have a strong opinion; I was just going on average rankings before the age transition).

Take home is just MLSN HD is/was generally considered the highest level of competitive youth soccer, MLSN AD is not that, and probably a tier or two below that.

 

[sigmabody]

Unfortunately, as MLSN and ECNL start to target lower-tier teams with MLSN2, EA, EA2, RL, and RL2, there are fewer teams that can play in SoCal in 11x11. So if you want to play some decent teams (not top-level), you have to join those leagues and travel.

I don't agree with this take; I think it's certainly possible to find good teams to play relatively locally. You'll just be playing them more in tournaments and scrimmages than in league play (due to the various leagues). But at least as far as I have seen, through NPL the competition level is fairly strong in SoCal League locally, and when you're playing tournaments (and showcases, etc.), you can always find reasonably good and reasonably local strong competition in southern California, and still not need to travel much.

 

[CAZZZ]

Probably debatable, but not worth getting into here (and I don't have a strong opinion; I was just going on average rankings before the age transition).

Take home is just MLSN HD is/was generally considered the highest level of competitive youth soccer, MLSN AD is not that, and probably a tier or two below that.

I think for Sophomores and older, the average ECNL team is stronger than MLSN, as some good players want to play HS Varsity soccer.

 

[Jamisfoes]

Probably debatable, but not worth getting into here (and I don't have a strong opinion; I was just going on average rankings before the age transition).

Take home is just MLSN HD is/was generally considered the highest level of competitive youth soccer, MLSN AD is not that, and probably a tier or two below that.

If you throw out the mls next academy outliers, mls next HD pay to play and ECNL pay to play are not much different.

 

[KiloOne]

Forgive my naivety about this but, my kid has the opportunity to play MLS Next for next season. All I know is that there will be out of town games during the teams "regular season". As well as MLSNext Fest in Dec/Mar.
Anyone in San Diego specifically have insight on how far we will have to travel? Or any examples if your kids played last year on the travel schedule?

TIA

For MLS Next Homegrown Division, you'll travel to Phoenix twice for matches (4 teams in AZ) and you'll go to Vegas once (2 teams). Plus you'll likely go as far as Santa Barbara/Ventura and everywhere in between for league/Flex matches. MLS Next Fest is in December and has been in Phoenix or Indio the past few years. MLS Next Flex is April/May and be anywhere (TX and Maryland most recently). Playoffs are in June and are in Salt Lake this year and were in Nashville last year. Needless to say, there will be travel, especially if the team qualifies for Flex and/or playoffs.

 

[SuckItTrebek]

I don't agree with this take; I think it's certainly possible to find good teams to play relatively locally. You'll just be playing them more in tournaments and scrimmages than in league play (due to the various leagues). But at least as far as I have seen, through NPL the competition level is fairly strong in SoCal League locally, and when you're playing tournaments (and showcases, etc.), you can always find reasonably good and reasonably local strong competition in southern California, and still not need to travel much.

I think you misunderstood the use of "SoCal" in CAZZZ' post. SoCal as in the league, not the geographic area. And in so, CAZZZ is correct. As the other letter leagues start to poach, that leaves less clubs and teams still playing 11v11 in the SoCal league, which includes NPL. But since NPL also cannibalizes teams within SoCal's league, that leaves even fewer Flight1/2 teams to play. This means that players who do not find themselves on a very good team by the time they are in the 11v11 age group (7th grade or so?), will have a very hard time making a team outside of rec. There will simply be fewer 11v11 teams to be on and coaches are less likely to be interested in a Flight 3/4 team at the 11v11 age group.

 

[sigmabody]

I think you misunderstood the use of "SoCal" in CAZZZ' post. SoCal as in the league, not the geographic area. And in so, CAZZZ is correct. As the other letter leagues start to poach, that leaves less clubs and teams still playing 11v11 in the SoCal league, which includes NPL. But since NPL also cannibalizes teams within SoCal's league, that leaves even fewer Flight1/2 teams to play. This means that players who do not find themselves on a very good team by the time they are in the 11v11 age group (7th grade or so?), will have a very hard time making a team outside of rec. There will simply be fewer 11v11 teams to be on and coaches are less likely to be interested in a Flight 3/4 team at the 11v11 age group.

I guess that makes sense, but in my experience there are enough F1/F2 teams within SoCal League that teams do not need to travel far to play that level of competition (at least where we are). It seems probable that travel needs (to find competitive teams) ramp up as one goes higher than that, particularly above NPL, but at least so far it doesn't seem that the letter leagues have cannibalized F1/F2 in SoCal League to that extent (in my observations, at least). It may be different in different areas, though, to be sure.

That said, as teams move into HS age (U16+ now), it seems that F3/F4 team are somewhat dwindling away, which also makes sense (if you're not above that level by then, then you're effectively playing rec anyway, and might as well save the money).

 

[Lou789]

For MLS Next Homegrown Division, you'll travel to Phoenix twice for matches (4 teams in AZ) and you'll go to Vegas once (2 teams). Plus you'll likely go as far as Santa Barbara/Ventura and everywhere in between for league/Flex matches. MLS Next Fest is in December and has been in Phoenix or Indio the past few years. MLS Next Flex is April/May and be anywhere (TX and Maryland most recently). Playoffs are in June and are in Salt Lake this year and were in Nashville last year. Needless to say, there will be travel, especially if the team qualifies for Flex and/or playoffs.

Do yo travel to Phoenix twice and play 2 teams each time? And Vegas you play both teams same weekend?

What is MLS next flex? What is difference between league and flex matches ?

HD goes to these not AD?

 

[KiloOne]

Do yo travel to Phoenix twice and play 2 teams each time? And Vegas you play both teams same weekend?

What is MLS next flex? What is difference between league and flex matches ?

HD goes to these not AD?

Yes, each trip to Phoenix or Vegas has 2 matches to play

The season schedule is divided into League matches and Flex matches. You can qualify for playoffs by winning your division in League play, or you can also qualify via the Flex "tournament". Teams qualify for Flex by their results in Flex matches (usually top half of the table qualifies), and winning their group at Flex would secure a playoff berth. League standings and Flex standings are separate and those matches run concurrently throughout the season.

I don't follow what AD does, but I did see AD teams were included at MLS Next Fest in AZ this year.

 

[Lou789]

For MLS Next Homegrown Division, you'll travel to Phoenix twice for matches (4 teams in AZ) and you'll go to Vegas once (2 teams). Plus you'll likely go as far as Santa Barbara/Ventura and everywhere in between for league/Flex matches. MLS Next Fest is in December and has been in Phoenix or Indio the past few years. MLS Next Flex is April/May and be anywhere (TX and Maryland most recently). Playoffs are in June and are in Salt Lake this year and were in Nashville last year. Needless to say, there will be travel, especially if the team qualifies for Flex and/or playoffs.

Arizona twice
Vegas once
MLS next fest phoenix/indio recently
MLS next flex TX/MD recently
Playoffs Salt Lake City

So roughly 6 times a year you’re traveling out of state? Is this the same for AD? What about ECNL?

What is the benefit of playing on this high-level team and going out of state so much? Exposure ?

 

[sigmabody]

Subjective take incoming: The main benefit for MLSn HD is that it's billed as the best path to professional soccer (vs ECNL, which is trying to be the best path to college soccer, but currently trails MLSn HD in terms of quality of players and play). So you're nominally getting better expose to professional scouts, better changes to get scouted for overseas academy teams, a more streamlined path to MLS, etc.

Beyond that, I cannot really say, as I don't have any first-hand experience with those leagues and/or that level. I also don't know if MLSn AD has the same (or similar) travel schedule and nominal exposure, although I can say that there are some AD teams which are pretty marginal (like, weaker than high SoCal F1 teams). But that "wide spread" thing seems to be general across all of the letter leagues, especially within the lower tier ones.

 

[KiloOne]

Arizona twice
Vegas once
MLS next fest phoenix/indio recently
MLS next flex TX/MD recently
Playoffs Salt Lake City

So roughly 6 times a year you’re traveling out of state? Is this the same for AD? What about ECNL?

What is the benefit of playing on this high-level team and going out of state so much? Exposure ?

Again, I can't speak for AD as they're in the first season and my boys don't play AD. I know they traveled to MLS Next Fest in AZ though.

At least 3 of the out of state trips are for "regular" league matches, the others are for Fest and Flex/Playoffs (if you qualify). Some clubs will attend Flex or Playoffs in the showcase division for the exposure (which is separate from the Flex or Playoff tournament).

From my viewpoint, playing at this level allows my sons to play against many of the best players in their age groups. It gets them in front of the pro academy scouts, US Youth National Team scouts and college scouts. You definitely get the college exposure in ECNL, but the exposure potential in MLS Next HD is higher and draws more scouts. My boys will almost certainly never play professionally, but at least they're getting very good competition playing at this level and they enjoy the challenge.

My experience with ECNL was that the travel is very similar. Couple of mandatory showcases each season which usually are not local and playoff first round and finals are in different locations. League match in Vegas once a year, none in AZ.

With both leagues being a nationwide league, you're going to have to travel. We're kind of lucky in SoCal that the majority of our matches are within an hour or so drive-time. Not so much in other conferences around the country.

 

[Jamisfoes]

Again, I can't speak for AD as they're in the first season and my boys don't play AD. I know they traveled to MLS Next Fest in AZ though.

At least 3 of the out of state trips are for "regular" league matches, the others are for Fest and Flex/Playoffs (if you qualify). Some clubs will attend Flex or Playoffs in the showcase division for the exposure (which is separate from the Flex or Playoff tournament).

From my viewpoint, playing at this level allows my sons to play against many of the best players in their age groups. It gets them in front of the pro academy scouts, US Youth National Team scouts and college scouts. You definitely get the college exposure in ECNL, but the exposure potential in MLS Next HD is higher and draws more scouts. My boys will almost certainly never play professionally, but at least they're getting very good competition playing at this level and they enjoy the challenge.

My experience with ECNL was that the travel is very similar. Couple of mandatory showcases each season which usually are not local and playoff first round and finals are in different locations. League match in Vegas once a year, none in AZ.

With both leagues being a nationwide league, you're going to have to travel. We're kind of lucky in SoCal that the majority of our matches are within an hour or so drive-time. Not so much in other conferences around the country.

Three teams in SoCal MLS next HD are head and shoulders above everyone else: LA Galaxy, LAFC and Strikers. The rest of pay to play MLS next HD are just like any ECNL teams but with the added restriction to not be able to play high school soccer and also having kids 5 months younger. We will see who the better teams are this summer when all these pay to play MLS next HD teams go up against 5 months older ECNL kids in tournaments.

 

[RandomSoccerFan]

MLS N primarily exists to support the Academy teams. The rest of the league was developed so the Academies would have teams to train and play against - as otherwise there just aren't nearly enough of them country-wide to have a full schedule without flying every week or two. It intuitively makes sense that they'd attempt to recruit and retain the very strongest players available, and ultimately have the strongest teams.

But in pretty much every age group they compete in CA, there are also a handful of other non-Academy teams that compete with them quite well at the top:



There are plenty of average, or even poor-performing, teams as part of MLS N HG - and membership of that league alone (nor any league) certainly doesn't guarantee a minimum team quality / performance.

 

[pitchplease]

There is a really good stats guy on a website called up next analytics. Breaks everything down to the T. so you can get a broad view of what is looks like across the board. Good enough that Stanford Soccer follows them.
Up Next Analytics
Independent coverage of MLS NEXT
Stats • Standings • Rankings • Scorers

 

[RandomSoccerFan]

Would be interesting to know how he's coming up with the Power Rankings over time. For some age groups there's a ton of commonality and alignment with SR for the top 20 teams. For others there appears less - with some teams having a very strong power ranking, yet not reflecting that in their SR.