MLS Next is making more moves. This seems to be a new regional league, "operated" by existing leagues such as EAL and NAL. I wonder if those leagues will still exist, or are they simply being folded into MLS Next? https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-next-announces-new-competition-tier
EAL had some teams that were relegated out of MLS Next among them. The are maybe creating pro/rel in youth. I saw Bavarians 2009's go out and then back in. NAL, i thought was one tournament at IMG with MLS Next non academy teams. Maybe it is beyond that tournament, but those leagues can be for smaller clubs that can not field MLS Next level teams at every age group. U think this is a good thing. I do think MLS and USSF are too bound together. I just wish the MLS would buy USL and NPSL and create a true pro/rel league. Nut wishes are wishes and with how much has been paid for franchise fees recently, I doubt that would or could ever happen.
A few questions... 1) If a non academy program is already in MLS Next, but struggling, will they be moved to the second tier in Sept. 2025? I know a good number of teams have been uncompetitive 2) Do you think the quality of competition will be high or really watered down? 3) For older players, do you think this will be an attractive platform for college coaches, academy scouts, etc? 4) Will this make ECNL boys teams obsolete, or do you think ECNL Boys will be the more attractive platform then a second tier MLS Next team?
What exactly is this on 6th grader terms? Because I don't get what this really does. I'm also an idiot though, so there's that.
It’s just another way for MLS to try to monopolize soccer. They’re directly going at USYS, US Club, AYSO, etc. The MLS billionaires need every dime they can get from the US soccer community because they’ve been losing so much through the years.
I have already seen struggling teams dropped out. I think the level will be lower than MLS Next No scouts have limited resources and time, it will be similar to ECNL RL which has a hard time drawing scouts I think this could be the beginning of the end for ECNL. In a few years the good teams will be leaving for MLS Next. This with the GA deal a month back is indicators of their intentions to rule youth soccer.
The boys side has struggled for years, no matter what alphabet league exists. It's also clearly evident that US Club's boy's ECNL venture is nowhere close to their girls side at the same level -- even including the RL level. No one coming to save or fix anything. USSF failed with the USSDA. USYS is in shambles right now. Disorganization all over and zero leadership coming through either. Plenty of horror stories with how MLS NEXT operates as well.
Youth soccer in general is a disaster, but yes, the boys side is ridiculous. All of these closed club v club leagues are doing nothing but funneling players from top teams at clubs that can't get into the leagues into their own system rather than developing players that can compete there on their own. My son's team applied for this, they also had applied for NAL next year as a single team. Our club doesn't have teams at every age that are competitive at that level, but my son's age group would do very well (the much loved or maligned Rankings app always has us between 1-3 in the state and above every ECNL team) . We are basically forced into playing USYS NL, which isn't competitive enough for us until we get to the NL PRO/Playoffs/whatever they're calling it now. We're trying to get more info on how it's actually going to work, and if I get something I can post to add here, I will. There just has to be a better way to do this instead of the wild west we have now. It's too late for my kid, but not for the kids who are younger. USSF really needs to step in, but we all know they won't.
The latest ECNL Podcast episode was very interesting. The president of US Club and the president of ECNL talked about the history of the US Soccer Federation and why everything is so fragmented. They mentioned how things are starting to consolidate, and that US Club now has open conversations with USYS and other orgs. I'm only speculating, but I wouldn't be surprised if a merger or partnership happens between US Club, USYS, AYSO, etc. in response to these MLS Next moves. A big part of this is also birth year vs. school year registration. US Club and USYS will most likely be changing to school year, while MLS is probably staying with birth year. The dream for many is for the federation to manage the entire youth system in one consolidated pyramid. Unfortunately that simply isn't going to happen. However, it might happen organically with MLS taking hold of all these leagues under their umbrella.
Does MLS Next still have the no playing high school rule? If this becomes MLS Next but without that piece (if it exists) and allows for individual teams to jump to the main MLS Next (or at least play crossover events with them), then I could see boys teams leaving ECNL for it and having individual teams within a club play at the level they belong.
Yes. Still the restriction. Can find out if Tier 2 will include it as well. EDIT: confirmed, HS participation for Tier 2 is permitted.