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Post by soccerparentx on Jul 29, 2021 15:48:46 GMT -5
For boys, which path do you take? An ECNL club or MLS Next club that isn't an MLS Academy.
A bonus question to that is whether UFA, GSA, AFU, or Concorde will make the move to MLS Next in the near future.
Soccer is about opinions. Discussion welcome.
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Post by mightydawg on Jul 29, 2021 16:03:01 GMT -5
ECNL. for the following reasons:
1. In the SE, the travel is better than MLS Next. I know of several kids who switched from MLS NEXT to ECNL this year for that very reason.
2. Level of competition is higher on a game to game basis. Outside of the MLS clubs, the other clubs whose standings were reported really struggled in MLS NEXT.
3. MLS teams are likely to form their own division like they did with DA so the draw of playing MLS clubs (and getting noticed) is likely to disappear.
4. Can play other sports in middle school and high school. MLS Next rules ban you from doing anything other than MLS Next.
I do not see UFA, GSA, AFU or Concorde (or NASA for that matter even though you did not list them) moving to MLS NEXT. MLS Next has no platform for 2nd teams. All of these clubs just started with ECNL Regional league to house their 2nd team and MLS Next offers no such alternative. 2nd teams for MLS Next clubs will be NPL or SCCL-Club.
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Post by onekickpop on Jul 29, 2021 16:07:55 GMT -5
There was some decent ECNL soccer in Greensboro, NC for playoffs as well as in the Championship games at all age levels. While ‘22 teams are likely set I’d say ECNL for now simply due to the variety of teams/games available. There was also (allegedly) 600+ scouts at the ECNL events, and if you care playing ECNL allows for the HS soccer experience as well. There are some pros. Not quite sure how many teams in the SE are a part of MLS Next or how many quality games are played but I don’t think any big club in the SE will jump any time soon or from surrounding area clubs (CESA, NCFC, etc).
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Post by Keeper on Jul 29, 2021 18:24:15 GMT -5
ECNL all the way. Have an 08 in it and short of AUFC giving him a free ride he won’t leave. He already knows ECNL is the way to a top notch college program.
The only way the ECNL clubs add mls next is as 2nd/3rd teams, ECNL will always be the top team.
Honestly I see MLSNext folding in five years tops. It’s just a badly recycled DA program.
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Post by Brinker on Jul 29, 2021 20:05:22 GMT -5
The competition at ECNL is much better in the Southeast region. If you are not on an MLS academy, then I see little value to MLSNEXT for all the reasons other posters stated. The big programs in GA and surrounding states play ECNL and ECRL.
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Post by footyfan on Jul 29, 2021 20:23:35 GMT -5
Though I'd like to think MLS and MLS...Next? will fold in 5 years, they've got a bunch of billionaires, SUM and USSF in their back pocket, so they will both stay around. ODP will likely become a secondary ID for MLS too, unfortunately.
That said, if your kid is good, and you have a camera, scouts will find them. Find a coach you like at a club you can deal with and you are fine.
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Post by soccerparentx on Jul 30, 2021 11:55:22 GMT -5
All makes sense to me. Sorry for leaving out NTH NASA. I know they did well in the Atlanta Unite Youth Cup. The discussion is appreciated. Don't really see any Pros or Pluses for MLS Next other than they are financially supported. A lot of their games were also streamed, so it was good to see what kind of talent was playing.
I guess we'll know more when these added clubs that are not Atlanta United get a good full year in as part of MLS Next.
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Post by 04gparent on Jul 30, 2021 12:23:43 GMT -5
All makes sense to me. Sorry for leaving out NTH NASA. I know they did well in the Atlanta Unite Youth Cup. The discussion is appreciated. Don't really see any Pros or Pluses for MLS Next other than they are financially supported. A lot of their games were also streamed, so it was good to see what kind of talent was playing. I guess we'll know more when these added clubs that are not Atlanta United get a good full year in as part of MLS Next. Guys I disagree. Yes it is the unknown. This is similar to the discussion on the girls side when GA was first created. Many people on this forum said it wouldnt work or wouldnt be competive. They were wrong. Yes ECNL is top league on boys side. In America no league has the monopoly on talent. The talent evaluators (college coaches) go where they can find talent. Will they go to MLS Next games for talent? YES? Of course this is one mans opinion, but I saw this play out this year with GA for girls... |
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Post by flix on Jul 30, 2021 15:19:58 GMT -5
ECNL is great if you want to play the same 4 to 5 clubs twice that you have played since u9 academy. ECNL is “top” for boys because DA folded last year? But was ECNL top for boys prior, NO. Some people will argue Wendy’s is better while some say McDonald’s. In the end it doesn’t matter.
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Post by Keeper on Jul 30, 2021 16:00:00 GMT -5
A couple of you are missing the point of what the original poster is asking.
They didn’t ask which is better, they asked which path do you take. Yes there are MLSNext, NL, NPL and anything else teams that are better then some ECNL teams.
But in whole and on average is their a better path then ECNL? Nope.
They are the best organized and give you the best exposure for what you pay and commit to. Yeah you may play the same teams each year but then you’re also not having to travel to DC, Dallas, Miami or all these other places constantly either. Plus iron sharpens iron, so just like the USMNT always playing Mexico and the USWNT playing Canada, they’re both always interesting matches.
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Post by mightydawg on Jul 30, 2021 16:29:50 GMT -5
All makes sense to me. Sorry for leaving out NTH NASA. I know they did well in the Atlanta Unite Youth Cup. The discussion is appreciated. Don't really see any Pros or Pluses for MLS Next other than they are financially supported. A lot of their games were also streamed, so it was good to see what kind of talent was playing. I guess we'll know more when these added clubs that are not Atlanta United get a good full year in as part of MLS Next. Guys I disagree. Yes it is the unknown. This is similar to the discussion on the girls side when GA was first created. Many people on this forum said it wouldnt work or wouldnt be competive. They were wrong. Yes ECNL is top league on boys side. In America no league has the monopoly on talent. The talent evaluators (college coaches) go where they can find talent. Will they go to MLS Next games for talent? YES? Of course this is one mans opinion, but I saw this play out this year with GA for girls... Other than hope and pray, can you give us reasons why you would select the MLS Next pathway? |
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Post by 0507coop23dad on Jul 30, 2021 16:32:40 GMT -5
Take the ECNL path unless at MLS academy, IMO. The MLS Next path will not progress the way you think. I don’t think I’m alone in having been told the MLS will separate their older age groups away and a lot of non-MLS clubs will end their participation at U14 or in the very best scenario have to skip a few age groups thereafter. So it can become a dead-end if you’re not careful. I’ve also heard college coaches & scouts are nonplussed about their treatment or the overall quality of play at MLS Next vs ECNL events, unless it’s a top team super small invitational.
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Post by allthingsoccer on Aug 1, 2021 19:59:10 GMT -5
Both will have solid games. Both will have lots of eyeballs.
If you are good it doesnt really matter. It will boil down who the coaches are.
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