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Post by socceristhebest on Aug 16, 2021 10:30:56 GMT -5
in my opinion, boys ECNL clearly seems to take a back seat to girls ECNL. It could be a misconception on my part, but it's also comparing a matured platform to a relatively new one. (and covid caused issues obviously as well)
a few things that need to improve this year:
* Boys ECNL twitter account needs to up their promotional game.
* More if any at all games need to be live streamed at ECNL events
* Season starts this weekend for many teams, yet no official schedule has been released
* when playing local atlanta teams, spread those games out to multiple weekends if possible vs always playing Sat and Sunday
* the showcases and playoffs just felt like a normal weekend, nothing truly special. Maybe was different for older age groups
* the team travel hotel's haven't been optimal, given multiple options and the team has been spread out across multiple hotels.
* app is buggy and slow, the new consolidated boys/girls ecnl app is better, but still can't set preferences for your own team
* boys ecnl website is terrible when viewed on an iphone
* video from games don't seem to be shared with other clubs. Maybe its our club.
this last one is a big one.
ECNL is a huge at this point, and make more money than God.
They should be a one stop shop
- game video platform
-college recruiting platform
-player registration platform
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Post by offside on Aug 18, 2021 14:42:34 GMT -5
I believe the top boys league is MLS, whereas the top girl's league is ECNL . . . so yeah, boy's ECNL would take a back seat to girl's ECNL
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Post by soccerparentx on Aug 19, 2021 9:04:14 GMT -5
I believe the top boys league is MLS, whereas the top girl's league is ECNL . . . so yeah, boy's ECNL would take a back seat to girl's ECNL See MLS Next thread. I think there is some debate on which boys league is the top. Marketing aside, what makes one better than the other in terms of player development and competition? |
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Post by bogan on Aug 19, 2021 9:16:04 GMT -5
I believe the top boys league is MLS, whereas the top girl's league is ECNL . . . so yeah, boy's ECNL would take a back seat to girl's ECNL See MLS Next thread. I think there is some debate on which boys league is the top. Marketing aside, what makes one better than the other in terms of player development and competition? Outside of the MLS club academies, ECNL is stronger at the moment. In 3 years, who knows. |
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Post by mightydawg on Aug 19, 2021 9:40:15 GMT -5
Since it was the 3rd post for offside, I took it as more a troll attempt. At this point, there is not really a serious debate that ECNL is the top boys league. ECNL boys has been in place since the 17-18 season and was ready to step in when DA folded. It picked up most of the non-MLS DA teams. MLS Next has existed for 1 season, which was abbreviated. Currently, it is the MLS clubs and then largely mid tier lambs for the slaughter. Also, it is just a matter of time before the MLS teams break into their own division just like they did in DA. Until clubs are leaving ECNL for MLS Next, it cannot be considered the best boys league.
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Post by datrain on Aug 19, 2021 9:49:01 GMT -5
Outside of Georgia that is just not true. I know for a fact there are prominent Men's D1 programs that won't scout Boys ECNL. Check the sidelines for the MLS Next playoffs....every D1 and D3 school is there with staff. The D1 college coaches talk about it all of the time. There is a material difference between the two. Once Concorde decides to make the move to MLS, everyone else will make the move as well.
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Post by mightydawg on Aug 19, 2021 10:15:41 GMT -5
I have no doubt that there were tons of college coaches at MLS Next Playoffs TO WATCH THE MLS ACADEMY PLAYERS. In U15, 7 of the 8 quarterfinalist and all of the final 4 were MLS Academy teams. In U 17, 6 or 8 and 3 of 4 MLS Academy teams.
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Post by flix on Aug 19, 2021 10:37:27 GMT -5
Outside of Georgia that is just not true. I know for a fact there are prominent Men's D1 programs that won't scout Boys ECNL. Check the sidelines for the MLS Next playoffs....every D1 and D3 school is there with staff. The D1 college coaches talk about it all of the time. There is a material difference between the two. Once Concorde decides to make the move to MLS, everyone else will make the move as well. I agree with your point about it just taking Concorde to leave to create a domino effect. I could be wrong but didn’t Concorde have their best teams in DA and second teams in ECNL for boys? Now I understand going with ECNL because MLS Next was new but it’s the same thing as DA was, so why would NASA, UFA, GSA and Concorde not eventually join as they were in DA before? You can’t just say ECNL boys is better than MLS Next simply because the MLS academies are there, not saying they would beat everybody but I would say they would beat the majority of ECNL teams. I read where a couple ECNL players are moving to MLS academies but I haven’t read where top MLS Next players are leaving for ECNL. It would be nice to have showcases between the leagues to see them play. |
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Post by datrain on Aug 19, 2021 10:43:31 GMT -5
I have no doubt that there were tons of college coaches at MLS Next Playoffs TO WATCH THE MLS ACADEMY PLAYERS. In U15, 7 of the 8 quarterfinalist and all of the final 4 were MLS Academy teams. In U 17, 6 or 8 and 3 of 4 MLS Academy teams. My best friend's son starts for Cedar Stars Bergen U17. There were literally hundreds of coaches at the game and they lost to a non-MLS team. |
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Post by newposter on Aug 19, 2021 12:08:17 GMT -5
Kids team played multiple DA teams in the U15 and above years including one that was north of town. Lost 1 game 1-0 when they had 5 starters out in those gsmes. Currently ECNL is best girl's and boy's league. As someone pointed out MLS Next has old MLS DA teams and the rest are mid-level or below clubs who were not in ECNL. Until there is a true promotio/relegation system this debate will continue. DA used to protect teams by only allow playing of other DA teams. Seems this trend may be continuing. Perhaps all leagues do this.
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Post by datrain on Aug 19, 2021 12:31:47 GMT -5
I can't speak to the history of ECNL here in Georgia as I moved here from NY in Fall 2018. I will say this....in the Northeast, there is a massive difference in the quality player and quality of team. Simply put, if you are a top flight player, the only reason you are playing ECNL Boys is because you did not make a MLS Next team or chose not to tryout for a MLS Next team.
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Post by oraclesfriend on Aug 19, 2021 12:42:59 GMT -5
Since it was the 3rd post for offside, I took it as more a troll attempt. At this point, there is not really a serious debate that ECNL is the top boys league. ECNL boys has been in place since the 17-18 season and was ready to step in when DA folded. It picked up most of the non-MLS DA teams. MLS Next has existed for 1 season, which was abbreviated. Currently, it is the MLS clubs and then largely mid tier lambs for the slaughter. Also, it is just a matter of time before the MLS teams break into their own division just like they did in DA. Until clubs are leaving ECNL for MLS Next, it cannot be considered the best boys league. I would not automatically assume troll just due to 3 posts. You gotta start somewhere. |
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Post by 0507coop23dad on Aug 19, 2021 14:01:26 GMT -5
I can't speak to the history of ECNL here in Georgia as I moved here from NY in Fall 2018. I will say this....in the Northeast, there is a massive difference in the quality player and quality of team. Simply put, if you are a top flight player, the only reason you are playing ECNL Boys is because you did not make a MLS Next team or chose not to tryout for a MLS Next team. In Georgia, the players themselves will have to migrate to MLS Next clubs over the next few years to put pressure on the top clubs to change if it reaches a critical mass. As it stands now, there are a handful of former Atlanta area DA players on non-AU MLS Next rosters - mostly at SSA. Remember, the top clubs, teams, and players went straight to ECNL because the formation of MLS Next was way later after DA collapsed. |
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Post by mightydawg on Aug 19, 2021 14:25:41 GMT -5
Since it was the 3rd post for offside, I took it as more a troll attempt. At this point, there is not really a serious debate that ECNL is the top boys league. ECNL boys has been in place since the 17-18 season and was ready to step in when DA folded. It picked up most of the non-MLS DA teams. MLS Next has existed for 1 season, which was abbreviated. Currently, it is the MLS clubs and then largely mid tier lambs for the slaughter. Also, it is just a matter of time before the MLS teams break into their own division just like they did in DA. Until clubs are leaving ECNL for MLS Next, it cannot be considered the best boys league. I would not automatically assume troll just due to 3 posts. You gotta start somewhere. Agreed on the number of posts. However, it was the number of posts combined with the statement that MLS Next is the best league for boys. I don't know of anyone who could make a straight faced argument that AFC, Inter Atlanta, KSA, and LSA have better teams than UFA, NASA, GSA, Concorde and AFU. If you continue around the SE, most people would agree that Alabama FC is better than Hoover-Vestavia; Chattanooga, FC Alliance and Tennessee are the best clubs in TN; and CESA, SC United and SC Surf are the best clubs in South Carolina. |
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Post by mightydawg on Aug 19, 2021 14:27:13 GMT -5
I can't speak to the history of ECNL here in Georgia as I moved here from NY in Fall 2018. I will say this....in the Northeast, there is a massive difference in the quality player and quality of team. Simply put, if you are a top flight player, the only reason you are playing ECNL Boys is because you did not make a MLS Next team or chose not to tryout for a MLS Next team. In Georgia, the players themselves will have to migrate to MLS Next clubs over the next few years to put pressure on the top clubs to change if it reaches a critical mass. As it stands now, there are a handful of former Atlanta area DA players on non-AU MLS Next rosters - mostly at SSA. Remember, the top clubs, teams, and players went straight to ECNL because the formation of MLS Next was way later after DA collapsed. What I am seeing is the opposite. I know of quite a few players that have left SSA for ECNL clubs because the MLS Next travel and exclusion from any other activities is too much. |
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Post by soccerparent02 on Aug 19, 2021 16:39:24 GMT -5
Oraclesfriend is 100% correct regarding their team analysis. There is no argument that can be made to contradict this post. NONE!
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Post by Keeperkeeper on Aug 19, 2021 16:44:23 GMT -5
Outside of Georgia that is just not true. I know for a fact there are prominent Men's D1 programs that won't scout Boys ECNL. Check the sidelines for the MLS Next playoffs....every D1 and D3 school is there with staff. The D1 college coaches talk about it all of the time. There is a material difference between the two. Once Concorde decides to make the move to MLS, everyone else will make the move as well. What prominent D1 programs won’t scout ECNL? I was at National Playoffs for ECNL. Every major program (D1) was there actively scouting players. They don’t always register on the ECNL portal, but we saw plenty of top coaches (and staff). Also, in the older age groups, many ECNL players are former DA players (because their clubs changed names and became ECNL rather than DA). Also, several big ECNL (former DA) clubs were offered MLSNext for this year. They are choosing to “wait and see” what happens with completion and cost. A number of DOCs feel that travel is too expensive. So, yes, MLSNext may be the better option in a few years, but not right now. It’s just too early to tell! |
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Post by 0507coop23dad on Aug 19, 2021 16:46:23 GMT -5
In Georgia, the players themselves will have to migrate to MLS Next clubs over the next few years to put pressure on the top clubs to change if it reaches a critical mass. As it stands now, there are a handful of former Atlanta area DA players on non-AU MLS Next rosters - mostly at SSA. Remember, the top clubs, teams, and players went straight to ECNL because the formation of MLS Next was way later after DA collapsed. What I am seeing is the opposite. I know of quite a few players that have left SSA for ECNL clubs because the MLS Next travel and exclusion from any other activities is too much. You could certainly be right - I’m speaking specifically about most of the 05 team that went back to SSA from CF because the league has MLS in the name! Hahahahaha! |
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Post by onekickpop on Aug 19, 2021 16:49:21 GMT -5
MLSNEXT is definitely building, but right now there is very strong competition and a wide range of teams in ECNL - this is why most of the big clubs in the SE are still in ECNL and have not yet jumped ship. There were also a good amount of scouts in both NC for playoffs and MO for ECNL finals. I am also aware that many ECNL U18/19 boys have received offers and will attend many Div 1 and 2 programs.
Last comment: don’t confuse a cherry-picked MLS Academy with MLS NEXT teams. It will take a few years for MLSNEXT to build out a strong enough program that players truly benefit from the high level games they play. The last MLS Academy vs MLSNEXT game I watched was an exhibition and of little benefit to the MLSNEXT team outside of bragging rights for playing the game. If MLSNEXT can figure out how to limit travel and guarantee high quality games they will attract the big clubs. Until then, I think many kids in the SE are happy with the competition in ECNL while maintaining the ability to play for their HS in front of their friends to develop lasting memories and relationships.
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Post by cantgetright on Aug 19, 2021 18:04:19 GMT -5
My son was begged to come to MLS next team. He stuck with ECNl. My son also turned down Atlanta United Academy. He is his own person. Saying MLS next is better than ECNL is laughable. The only good teams are MLS academy teams. Outside of them are 2nd rate teams.
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Post by flix on Aug 19, 2021 19:49:05 GMT -5
My son was begged to come to MLS next team. He stuck with ECNl. My son also turned down Atlanta United Academy. He is his own person. Saying MLS next is better than ECNL is laughable. The only good teams are MLS academy teams. Outside of them are 2nd rate teams. Didn’t your kid play DA before and you were saying DA was the best, don’t kid yourself that ECNL is better? Isn’t the reason you are at an ECNL club now is because DA folded and your club just went with ECNL because they already had it for their second best boys teams? I remember you making comments that AU never picked your kid when he was younger but then wanted him at the last moment now that he is older. Your story kinda sounds like sour grapes that he wasn’t chosen earlier.I don’t get what being his own person has to do with turning down AU as everyone is their own person. The only good teams are MLS academy teams isn’t true. I have yet to see anyone post this exhaustive list of superior boys soccer clubs in ECNL that makes it heads and shoulders above the rest. Funny thing is last season was the first season where there was no DA and in that time span boys ECNL has become the best? I saw posts where people said the ECNL playoffs felt like just a regular match, so what’s the magic? Also, if your kid is that good, you don’t have to boast. |
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Post by collegesoccer on Aug 20, 2021 6:01:26 GMT -5
in my opinion, boys ECNL clearly seems to take a back seat to girls ECNL. It could be a misconception on my part, but it's also comparing a matured platform to a relatively new one. (and covid caused issues obviously as well) a few things that need to improve this year: * Boys ECNL twitter account needs to up their promotional game. * More if any at all games need to be live streamed at ECNL events * Season starts this weekend for many teams, yet no official schedule has been released * when playing local atlanta teams, spread those games out to multiple weekends if possible vs always playing Sat and Sunday * the showcases and playoffs just felt like a normal weekend, nothing truly special. Maybe was different for older age groups * the team travel hotel's haven't been optimal, given multiple options and the team has been spread out across multiple hotels. * app is buggy and slow, the new consolidated boys/girls ecnl app is better, but still can't set preferences for your own team * boys ecnl website is terrible when viewed on an iphone * video from games don't seem to be shared with other clubs. Maybe its our club. this last one is a big one. ECNL is a huge at this point, and make more money than God. They should be a one stop shop - game video platform -college recruiting platform -player registration platform Girls ECNL is the exactly the same. People have just become used to these things and ECNL does a good job of marketing which masks the challenges. |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Aug 20, 2021 9:36:27 GMT -5
South Carolina just got a verbal commitment from a NASA ecnl player as well.
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Post by hammertime on Aug 20, 2021 9:56:18 GMT -5
South Carolina just got a verbal commitment from a NASA ecnl player as well. Yeah but they aren't a "prominent Men's D1 program" "outside of Georgia."  |
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Post by datrain on Aug 20, 2021 10:00:54 GMT -5
Outside of Georgia that is just not true. I know for a fact there are prominent Men's D1 programs that won't scout Boys ECNL. Check the sidelines for the MLS Next playoffs....every D1 and D3 school is there with staff. The D1 college coaches talk about it all of the time. There is a material difference between the two. Once Concorde decides to make the move to MLS, everyone else will make the move as well. This is just wrong. We had Duke, UNC, Georgetown, Clemson, Penn State, Marquette, Syracuse, Davidson, UAB, Penn, Harvard, UNCG, High Point and probably several others that weren't recognized at our ECNL games in Greensboro, NC. If it is a car ride away, they will come and take a look. But this is not football or basketball with unlimited recruiting budgets. Dollars are limited and most are only getting on flights to get to the most talent rich environments with high concentrations of college level players. The vast majority are prioritizing their time away at the MLS Next games and showcases Let's use Duke for an example: They had last year's #1 recruiting class on the men's side..8 MLS Next, 2 International, 1 other. This year's freshman class is 4 MLS Next, 2 International. Next year's class to date: 3 MLS Next Clemson's current freshman class is not much different: 3 MLS Next, 2 International, 1 ECNL |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Aug 20, 2021 10:15:28 GMT -5
South Carolina just got a verbal commitment from a NASA ecnl player as well. Yeah but they aren't a "prominent Men's D1 program" "outside of Georgia." true!! speaking of which did you see the d II champs beat the dI champs! |
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Post by oraclesfriend on Aug 20, 2021 11:40:18 GMT -5
This is just wrong. We had Duke, UNC, Georgetown, Clemson, Penn State, Marquette, Syracuse, Davidson, UAB, Penn, Harvard, UNCG, High Point and probably several others that weren't recognized at our ECNL games in Greensboro, NC. If it is a car ride away, they will come and take a look. But this is not football or basketball with unlimited recruiting budgets. Dollars are limited and most are only getting on flights to get to the most talent rich environments with high concentrations of college level players. The vast majority are prioritizing their time away at the MLS Next games and showcases Let's use Duke for an example: They had last year's #1 recruiting class on the men's side..8 MLS Next, 2 International, 1 other. This year's freshman class is 4 MLS Next, 2 International. Next year's class to date: 3 MLS Next Clemson's current freshman class is not much different: 3 MLS Next, 2 International, 1 ECNL Well I don't want to open the debate more but current recruits 2021 and 2022 grads are not a good comparison. There has not been enough time and many of those MLS Next kids played DA. Give it a couple of years 2023 and 2024 might be more relevant |
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Post by 0507coop23dad on Aug 20, 2021 11:46:55 GMT -5
This is just wrong. We had Duke, UNC, Georgetown, Clemson, Penn State, Marquette, Syracuse, Davidson, UAB, Penn, Harvard, UNCG, High Point and probably several others that weren't recognized at our ECNL games in Greensboro, NC. If it is a car ride away, they will come and take a look. But this is not football or basketball with unlimited recruiting budgets. Dollars are limited and most are only getting on flights to get to the most talent rich environments with high concentrations of college level players. The vast majority are prioritizing their time away at the MLS Next games and showcases Let's use Duke for an example: They had last year's #1 recruiting class on the men's side..8 MLS Next, 2 International, 1 other. This year's freshman class is 4 MLS Next, 2 International. Next year's class to date: 3 MLS Next Clemson's current freshman class is not much different: 3 MLS Next, 2 International, 1 ECNL I’m sorry but my experience and information is the direct opposite. Schools are flush with cash having had to sit on the sidelines for 2 years. You really need to differentiate between MLS academy and MLS Next. Coaches are coming to our games this weekend and it’s just the regular season opener(s) for rising juniors! I just have no idea what in the world you’re talking about. |
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Post by 0507coop23dad on Aug 20, 2021 11:49:51 GMT -5
South Carolina just got a verbal commitment from a NASA ecnl player as well. Remember South Carolina was a top program until about 10 years ago when they started to fade. The only Coach they ever had finally retired and TA should be able to bring it back quickly. Is the NASA commit public info? Do you know who it is/can you share? That’s awesome! |
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Post by datrain on Aug 20, 2021 11:53:18 GMT -5
South Carolina just got a verbal commitment from a NASA ecnl player as well. Remember South Carolina was a top program until about 10 years ago when they started to fade. The only Coach they ever had finally retired and TA should be able to bring it back quickly. Is the NASA commit public info? Do you know who it is/can you share? That’s awesome! |
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