GA/MLS/USYSA Partnership

[Unregistered]

So now GA, MLS and USYS are partnering to recognize GA as the top of the pyramid on the girls side. A bit awkward for all of the clubs that are otherwise USYS clubs but are now in US Club-backed ECNL. Could create opportunities for GA to grow with USYS clubs, but who knows. Too much alphabet soup, too little soccer at the moment.

https://girlsacademyleague.com/3d-flip-book/6325/

[Unregistered]

GA is clearly inferior to ECNL, much like Girls DA was previously and the ECNL picked up the clubs they wanted post Girls DA. I don't see this changing. ECNL is a great produce for the girls and focuses on being a positive college exposure platform. I wish US Soccer/USYSA would just put their support behind a program that works.

As for boys, the MLSNext platform will be the top tier. Even with the striation of MLS clubs in a "higher division". Would like to see this incorporate the USL based youth academies as well to make this a true professional pathway. ECNL will ultimately be a lower level.

The primary goal for girls is the college game (and it should be as the pay for the women's game is poor relative to other occupations). ECNL works for this goal. This may change, but right now most girls that play competitive would be happy to play in college.

For the boys the goal is the professional game with college being secondary (here the pay for the high-end professional is ridiculous even when compared to other occupations, so the dream exists). But a male player would take the college opportunity if the professional game is off the table. MLSNext will be this platform. The top tier MLSNext teams will snatch up the best ECNL boys players making the MLSNext the top tier.

I can't think of another country that allows this mishmash of organizations to run the development of youth players. One of the reasons (and there are many more) is that we don't have an organized approach to development run by professional organizations and controlled by US Soccer. In other countries, the clubs work together at the youth level as their realize the future of the game requires a cohesive structure to support the competition.