Elite 64

[Guest]

That is what I was thinking, where are the talent outside of these leagues? How many D1 players are from ECNL vs outside ECNL?

Serious question, I don't know if this type of data is even easy to find.

This is really different between the genders:

For girls, ECNL is the best platform for placing players into D1 (particularly the high level D1 schools) and if the player wants to play outside their home region. You want to play at Stanford and you live in WA, you probably should be playing ECNL (and likely be on a youth National Team). Most female youth National Team members seem to hail from ECNL teams.

For boys, MLS/MLSNext is the highest level platform. Most of of the high level D1 programs are filling from MLS Academy Teams. The rest of D1 is pretty open as the landscape for male players isn't as consolidated as female. For example the ECNL league in WA is strong. The ECNL league in the Mountain West is weak. The ECNL league in Florida is weak. And the MLSNext league is SoCal is strong. So it really is variable. If you are a male player, who is not at an MLS academy, you have to find the right vehicle to put yourself in front of the staff for the school you want to attend.

[Guest]

Some great news. Valor was just selected to the Elite 64.

[Guest]

This is really different between the genders:

For girls, ECNL is the best platform for placing players into D1 (particularly the high level D1 schools) and if the player wants to play outside their home region. You want to play at Stanford and you live in WA, you probably should be playing ECNL (and likely be on a youth National Team). Most female youth National Team members seem to hail from ECNL teams.

For boys, MLS/MLSNext is the highest level platform. Most of of the high level D1 programs are filling from MLS Academy Teams. The rest of D1 is pretty open as the landscape for male players isn't as consolidated as female. For example the ECNL league in WA is strong. The ECNL league in the Mountain West is weak. The ECNL league in Florida is weak. And the MLSNext league is SoCal is strong. So it really is variable. If you are a male player, who is not at an MLS academy, you have to find the right vehicle to put yourself in front of the staff for the school you want to attend.

For the record this is completely wrong on the boys side. MLS next U-19 is not better than ECNL. The MLS teams are missing their best players and many of the non MLS teams are garbage. At U-17 MLS next is a better league, at U-19 not so.
On the West Coast I would argue ECNL is a much better college pathway, if you think you are going to be a Pro, stick with MLS next (if on an MLS club).

[Guest]

For the record this is completely wrong on the boys side. MLS next U-19 is not better than ECNL. The MLS teams are missing their best players and many of the non MLS teams are garbage. At U-17 MLS next is a better league, at U-19 not so.
On the West Coast I would argue ECNL is a much better college pathway, if you think you are going to be a Pro, stick with MLS next (if on an MLS club).

U-19 seems to be going away in MLS Next in favor of age-unrestricted adult development teams in MLS Next Pro or whatever they are calling it. In any case, after U17 the funnel narrows, with most U17s who age out getting cut.

That said, college recruiters do pay attention to MLS Next youth teams, as they know that most players on them will never get a pro contract, but many will be interested in college as a fallback. MLS Next doesn't hold college-focused showcase events like ECNL does, but college coaches tend to hold MLS Next teams (the ones actually associated with pro clubs at least) in high regard as a talent sourc.

[Guest]

Some great news. Valor was just selected to the Elite 64.

Lol, leave it to Valor to pick up the scraps no one else wants!

[Guest]

Lol, leave it to Valor to pick up the scraps no one else wants!

Valor selected after Seattle United dropped out. Six travel trips required for this great honor. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Guest]

Valor selected after Seattle United dropped out. Six travel trips required for this great honor. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

*Roars like a lion*

[Guest]

Lol, leave it to Valor to pick up the scraps no one else wants!

Didn’t WPFC drop out of the Elite 64 too?

[Guest]

Valor selected after Seattle United dropped out. Six travel trips required for this great honor. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Well, it’s not the CLUB’s money. Their parents will gladly find a way to pay for it, thinking it’s truly Elite level soccer.

[Guest]

Didn’t WPFC drop out of the Elite 64 too?

Parents were complaining about the travel, but I don't know what has ultimately happened with those teams

[Guest]

Didn’t WPFC drop out of the Elite 64 too?

I heard they dropped out after Seattle United dropped out. Wasn’t worth the time or effort.

[Guest]

But it says Elite??????

[Guest]

Parents were complaining about the travel, but I don't know what has ultimately happened with those teams

Can a club be in both ECNL and E64?

[Guest]

Can a club be in both ECNL and E64?

Yep, separate organizations (US Club vs USYS), and separate registration.

[Guest]

Yep, separate organizations (US Club vs USYS), and separate registration.

Thanks again for the confirm.