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Post by ecnlquestions on Feb 5, 2021 9:11:44 GMT -5
Has anybody heard anything regarding teams joining for the 2021-22 season? Who would be the likely candidates to join this league on a full-time basis? I don’t see any of the big clubs joining if they were not offered teams throughout every age group.
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Feb 5, 2021 10:36:55 GMT -5
Currently, local clubs are going through the application process for the MLS Next, ECNL and GAL. Some have already been turned down while others are being "evaluated" Out of respect for the integrity and process I am not at liberty to name names. But most of you can guess some who are applying...
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Post by justwatching on Feb 5, 2021 11:00:51 GMT -5
Currently, local clubs are going through the application process for the MLS Next, ECNL and GAL. Some have already been turned down while others are being "evaluated" Out of respect for the integrity and process I am not at liberty to name names. But most of you can guess some who are applying... Is it really that obvious who would be applying? It is not to me at least  . I would think MLS Next would be the eventual Boys league winner since the MLS is backing it. If that is the case is it safe to assume your big clubs in the area would want to move that way? I'm not sure? Lots of short sighted people (parents) in youth sports that don't want to deal with start-ups so I am interested to see who the club additions are and what's MLS' strategy to grow this league. Also interested to see what if anything comes from the alliance they have with Girls Academy League. Do they push all the MLS Next club's girls to GAL once MLS Next is better established? If so that could change the girls' landscape significantly and ECNL would need to make quick moves to mitigate that risk. Could all be very interesting and a very different landscape in another 2 years. |
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Post by bogan on Feb 5, 2021 11:10:43 GMT -5
“ Out of respect for the integrity and process ...”
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤔😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😉
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Post by mightydawg on Feb 5, 2021 11:51:26 GMT -5
Currently, local clubs are going through the application process for the MLS Next, ECNL and GAL. Some have already been turned down while others are being "evaluated" Out of respect for the integrity and process I am not at liberty to name names. But most of you can guess some who are applying... Is it really that obvious who would be applying? It is not to me at least . I would think MLS Next would be the eventual Boys league winner since the MLS is backing it. If that is the case is it safe to assume your big clubs in the area would want to move that way? I'm not sure? Lots of short sighted people (parents) in youth sports that don't want to deal with start-ups so I am interested to see who the club additions are and what's MLS' strategy to grow this league. Also interested to see what if anything comes from the alliance they have with Girls Academy League. Do they push all the MLS Next club's girls to GAL once MLS Next is better established? If so that could change the girls' landscape significantly and ECNL would need to make quick moves to mitigate that risk. Could all be very interesting and a very different landscape in another 2 years. I don't see MLS Next changing the landscape for girls soccer unless MLS is going to start a women's league. Currently, the only clubs in MLS Next with girls team in the state are Inter, SSA, and LSA. SSA also has access to ECNL through Concorde. I do not see the big clubs leaving ECNL for MLS Next. I think what futsal gawdess was pointing to was NTH still trying to get ECNL. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Feb 5, 2021 11:56:24 GMT -5
“ Out of respect for the integrity and process ...” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤔😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😉 I figured most would luv that line bhahahaha |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Feb 5, 2021 12:00:07 GMT -5
I don't see MLS Next changing the landscape for girls soccer unless MLS is going to start a women's league. Currently, the only clubs in MLS Next with girls team in the state are Inter, SSA, and LSA. SSA also has access to ECNL through Concorde. I do not see the big clubs leaving ECNL for MLS Next. I think what futsal gawdess was pointing to was NTH still trying to get ECNL. Funny thing is, at least 2 local clubs are going thru the process of trying to join GAL because of NTH... |
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Post by oraclesfriend on Feb 5, 2021 12:25:41 GMT -5
Funny thing is, at least 2 local clubs are going thru the process of trying to join GAL because of NTH... But are they strong clubs? The southeast does need more teams so they can play more games total and more games close by. And will NTH and the southeast teams let them in or will it be another situation like ECNL where the local clubs prevent other teams from getting in? |
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Post by justwatching on Feb 5, 2021 12:27:19 GMT -5
Is it really that obvious who would be applying? It is not to me at least . I would think MLS Next would be the eventual Boys league winner since the MLS is backing it. If that is the case is it safe to assume your big clubs in the area would want to move that way? I'm not sure? Lots of short sighted people (parents) in youth sports that don't want to deal with start-ups so I am interested to see who the club additions are and what's MLS' strategy to grow this league. Also interested to see what if anything comes from the alliance they have with Girls Academy League. Do they push all the MLS Next club's girls to GAL once MLS Next is better established? If so that could change the girls' landscape significantly and ECNL would need to make quick moves to mitigate that risk. Could all be very interesting and a very different landscape in another 2 years. I don't see MLS Next changing the landscape for girls soccer unless MLS is going to start a women's league. Currently, the only clubs in MLS Next with girls team in the state are Inter, SSA, and LSA. SSA also has access to ECNL through Concorde. I do not see the big clubs leaving ECNL for MLS Next. I think what futsal gawdess was pointing to was NTH still trying to get ECNL. Curious what do you think the future of MLS Next looks like and do you think the alignment of MLS Next and GAL will transpire into anything? What role will MLS have in making either one successful? |
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Post by footyfan on Feb 5, 2021 15:25:57 GMT -5
MLS can't even manage their own league. Will that discourage clubs from joining their youth league?
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Post by mightydawg on Feb 5, 2021 15:40:33 GMT -5
I don't see MLS Next changing the landscape for girls soccer unless MLS is going to start a women's league. Currently, the only clubs in MLS Next with girls team in the state are Inter, SSA, and LSA. SSA also has access to ECNL through Concorde. I do not see the big clubs leaving ECNL for MLS Next. I think what futsal gawdess was pointing to was NTH still trying to get ECNL. Curious what do you think the future of MLS Next looks like and do you think the alignment of MLS Next and GAL will transpire into anything? What role will MLS have in making either one successful? I am not really sure what the future looks like because it is not clear what the MLS wants out of it. After watching the interactions between MLS and DA and then the founding of MLS Next, it seems that MLS really wants to have its own league where the academies for the various clubs play each other. That was the way that DA was headed before it folded. Then MLS Next is founded as an MLS only league. They quickly realize that is not practical with covid and travel costs so they add a few local teams. My impression is that MLS is not really committed to local team involvement and development but want to make sure that its teams have someone to play. |
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Post by Keeper on Feb 5, 2021 16:08:11 GMT -5
Funny thing is, at least 2 local clubs are going thru the process of trying to join GAL because of NTH... Wild guess but I’m thinking Inter Atlanta (or the Alliance of Inter & Impact), AFC Lightning or SSA since technically they aren’t in Ecnl. |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 5, 2021 16:14:56 GMT -5
The tiered DA system showed MLS cards - they wanted only a select few non-mls clubs in their tier.
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Post by bogan on Feb 5, 2021 16:27:04 GMT -5
I am guessing but at the older ages (U-17 and up) they may play the USL-A teams.
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Post by hattrick07 on Feb 5, 2021 17:31:38 GMT -5
Currently, local clubs are going through the application process for the MLS Next, ECNL and GAL. Some have already been turned down while others are being "evaluated" Out of respect for the integrity and process I am not at liberty to name names. But most of you can guess some who are applying... Is it really that obvious who would be applying? It is not to me at least . I would think MLS Next would be the eventual Boys league winner since the MLS is backing it. If that is the case is it safe to assume your big clubs in the area would want to move that way? I'm not sure? Lots of short sighted people (parents) in youth sports that don't want to deal with start-ups so I am interested to see who the club additions are and what's MLS' strategy to grow this league. Also interested to see what if anything comes from the alliance they have with Girls Academy League. Do they push all the MLS Next club's girls to GAL once MLS Next is better established? If so that could change the girls' landscape significantly and ECNL would need to make quick moves to mitigate that risk. Could all be very interesting and a very different landscape in another 2 years. |
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Post by hattrick07 on Feb 5, 2021 17:35:42 GMT -5
Is there ever a year when there aren't crazy changes that makes everyone scramble and overthink the hell out of youth soccer? There's gotta be a better way...
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Post by bogan on Feb 5, 2021 17:54:41 GMT -5
Is there ever a year when there aren't crazy changes that makes everyone scramble and overthink the hell out of youth soccer? There's gotta be a better way... I say the same thing this time every year and then sign the check in the summer... |
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Post by bogan on Feb 5, 2021 18:02:12 GMT -5
Funny thing is, at least 2 local clubs are going thru the process of trying to join GAL because of NTH... Wild guess but I’m thinking Inter Atlanta (or the Alliance of Inter & Impact), AFC Lightning or SSA since technically they aren’t in Ecnl. I’d say that s a good bet for U-14 and below. |
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Post by footyfan on Feb 5, 2021 19:23:39 GMT -5
I am guessing but at the older ages (U-17 and up) they may play the USL-A teams. It would not benefit USL-A to help MLS Next IMO. |
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Post by footyfan on Feb 5, 2021 19:30:10 GMT -5
What are the rules of this league as it pertains to high school soccer? I know the talent isn’t always there across the board but there is something to be said for playing high school soccer especially if you have a few good players on your team. USL-A has no rules RE High School play. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Feb 5, 2021 19:41:32 GMT -5
What are the rules of this league as it pertains to high school soccer? I know the talent isn’t always there across the board but there is something to be said for playing high school soccer especially if you have a few good players on your team. Here are the rules regarding MLS-Next MLS Next Rules and Regulations
Club territory is dead – “No Club has exclusive territory rights. Clubs may recruit players for participation on Clubs from any geographic region.” This has nothing to do with MLS Homegrown territories. This is about Academy to Academy recruiting. “These MLS NEXT Rules do not in any supersede or invalidate any other territorial restrictions to which a Club may be subject.” Once a year club application – “The MLS NEXT Program Staff will aim to review and evaluate each application by January 1 of each calendar year.” Clubs can play in outside tournaments – with permission and only in events that follow “the MLS NEXT Technical Framework and are in compliance with the standards outlined in the MLS NEXT Outside Competition Standards.” No high school – “Club Players must agree to forgo participating simultaneously in both (1) MLS NEXT and (2) high school or middle school soccer.” Exceptions for soccer school scholarship players. Full-Time players can only be added once a year (no date listed) – “Clubs will have one period during the MLS NEXT Season (September 1, 2020 through April 2, 2021) at which time Players may be added as full-time” 18 player on game-day roster – “For U-13 through U-19 MLS NEXT Games, only 18 Players from the Roster will be eligible to participate in each Game, and these Players must be placed on the Game Day Roster” Recommended starts and minutes – players “are recommended but not required to start in at least 25% of their Club’s MLS NEXT Games during the season. Additionally, we recommend that U-13, U-14 and U-15 players participate in 50% of the minutes played each season in their age group.” Division tiebreakers in order: Head to head, wins, GD, GF, Away GD, Away GF, Home GD, Home GF, coin toss Game Length – U16-U19 45s minute halves. U15-U15 40 minute halves, U13 35 minute halves. Limited subs moments and no re-entry – U14 to U19 “unlimited substitutions over three (3) moments in the game, plus half time with no re-entry after exiting the match.: U13 “Unlimited substitutions over three (3) moments per half, plus half time, with no re-entry per half.” |
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Post by Keeper on Feb 5, 2021 21:38:19 GMT -5
What are the rules of this league as it pertains to high school soccer? I know the talent isn’t always there across the board but there is something to be said for playing high school soccer especially if you have a few good players on your team. Don’t agree with that. The only reason to play HS/MS ball is the social aspect. The teams, players and competition is a drastic drop off for players that play at the highest level (ENCL, GAL, MLSNext or what was DA). There may be a game or two for a couple schools a year that are competitive but come on we still have playoff games in by Mercy rule. Hs should be for those mid level players that probably aren’t playing college, or going to small schools to specifically play college. |
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Post by soccerparent02 on Feb 5, 2021 23:14:24 GMT -5
HS soccer social aspect is the reason to play. Lots of players who play ECNL play high school to play with friends and represent their school. They also go on to play D1 and other college levels. MLS next likely will go the way of its predecessor. Lets revisit this in 3 yrs to see.
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Feb 7, 2021 0:02:35 GMT -5
Sounds like DA. How did that league work out? Well it began in 2007 and for over a decade plus, was the defacto top league for boys in the country. With US Soccer abdicating its responsibility towards youth soccer in this country, you do have the wild wild west within the landscape of soccer. So if the rules of MLS Next are not enticing enough, there is ECNL, Nat'l League, ECRL, SCCL and a bevy of other alphabet soup leagues you can join that fit what you may want out of soccer. Side not(soap box alert): I wish all the local clubs would get together and come up with one uniform naming system for their teams. We currently have clubs using the following names for the first, second, etc... teams. Platinum, Gold, Navy, Premier, Elite, Red, Black, Blue, and maybe Fucsia. May I suggest going with something simple like Platinum/Gold/Silver/Bronze across the board. Okay, rant over 🙌 |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 7, 2021 11:34:44 GMT -5
DA needed to be more flexible, allow slightly different styles of play, but the bigger issue, occasionally they should have allowed a team in the league vs an entire club. This makes for a scheduling nightmare, and that is probably one of the biggest obstacles along with the politics. US Soccer failed us, but US club isn't helping with all the regional, minor leagues they allow. to them its $$$, and that's it.
and typically the only thing clubs agree on is this -- how much to charge $$$ annually and the cost of a tourney $$$.
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Post by footyfan on Feb 7, 2021 19:27:36 GMT -5
DA needed to be more flexible, allow slightly different styles of play, but the bigger issue, occasionally they should have allowed a team in the league vs an entire club. This makes for a scheduling nightmare, and that is probably one of the biggest obstacles along with the politics. US Soccer failed us, but US club isn't helping with all the regional, minor leagues they allow. to them its $$$, and that's it. and typically the only thing clubs agree on is this -- how much to charge $$$ annually and the cost of a tourney $$$. Counting. The. Monies. |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Feb 7, 2021 20:29:34 GMT -5
Heard a rumor NCFC was making the jump to MLS next next season.
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Post by footyfan on Feb 8, 2021 8:44:52 GMT -5
Heard a rumor NCFC was making the jump to MLS next next season. How does MLS Next work with USL Academy league? Can they do both? |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Feb 8, 2021 11:03:21 GMT -5
I was curious about that too. I do know of folks who were playing both MLS Next and ECNL. Technically some of the AU teams are currently doing that, but there are other individual players doing the same thing also. When does the USL Academy season kick off? As a team in both as long as you're above board I don't see a problem with doing both. More games and more touches on the ball, unless or until the post season conflicts potentially arise...
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Post by soccernotfootball on Feb 8, 2021 11:07:47 GMT -5
I was curious about that too. I do know of folks who were playing both MLS Next and ECNL. Technically some of the AU teams are currently doing that, but there are other individual players doing the same thing also. When does the USL Academy season kick off? As a team in both as long as you're above board I don't see a problem with doing both. More games and more touches on the ball, unless or until the post season conflicts potentially arise... How does that work? I understand teams playing both (I think AU is the only one). From my understanding, that was done for more games since there wasn't going to be real travel with Covid and there wasn't a lot of local/regional teams to play a full(er) schedule. I've also heard that AU would be playing a full MLS schedule next year, with travel, and not playing in ECNL. But - how would an individual player play in two leagues? |
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. I would think MLS Next would be the eventual Boys league winner since the MLS is backing it. If that is the case is it safe to assume your big clubs in the area would want to move that way? I'm not sure? Lots of short sighted people (parents) in youth sports that don't want to deal with start-ups so I am interested to see who the club additions are and what's MLS' strategy to grow this league. Also interested to see what if anything comes from the alliance they have with Girls Academy League. Do they push all the MLS Next club's girls to GAL once MLS Next is better established? If so that could change the girls' landscape significantly and ECNL would need to make quick moves to mitigate that risk. Could all be very interesting and a very different landscape in another 2 years. 
