On the boys side, I have heard the rule is that boys can not play for a public HS soccer team and play MLSNext. I know this was a Boys DA thing as well. Why exactly is that though? Are there any exceptions?
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Players must agree to forgo participating simultaneously in both (1) MLS NEXT and (2) high school or middle school soccer.
Except as set forth herein, players who participate in high/middle school soccer are ineligible to participate in MLS NEXT Events.
Only Players who have been granted a waiver by PDev will be allowed to remain on their Club’s Roster during the high school soccer season (waivers are not available for middle school). This waiver must be granted by PDev before September 9, 2021, to be considered for the Roster exemption for the 2021–2022 MLS NEXT Season. The waiver eligibility guidelines are as follows and further information may be found in the MLS NEXT High School Waiver:
i. The Player received or will receive financial aid dependent on high school soccer participation; and/or
ii. The Player has been accepted into a private high school based on soccer participation.
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Although Clubs are not limited to a specific number of waivers, the number is naturally self-limiting to field a full Team throughout the MLS NEXT Season.
Full-time Players registered with a Club who do not meet waiver eligibility and choose to play with their high school team will not be allowed to re-enter the Program during the same MLS NEXT Season after participating in the high school season with their current or a different Club.
If a waiver is granted, the Player must comply with the disclosure requirement and provide a full injury and disciplinary report from their high school team to provide to their MLS NEXT Team. -
MLS makes exceptions for some of the private schools like MKA and Seton HallComment
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The general reason is that HS soccer isn't going to improve you much as a player. Debatable but that's the idea behind it.Originally posted by Guest View Post
The only exceptions are private school kids. Must have a waiver from the club. Benchwarmers need not apply - they're given to the studs the team wants to keep happy. Some pro clubs won't waiver no matter what.
Prior to the MLS change over (during BDA) some clubs would quietly not roster a player in August then add them after the HS season was over. Not really allowed but it seemed like there was much quality control happening. Not sure if clubs are trying that now but I wouldn't be surprised. Again. clubs will probably only do that if they want you a great deal
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Do you know if the ECNL has the same rule in place regarding the high school age players? Specifically on the boys side.Comment
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ECNL does not have a rule against playing HS.Comment
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no rule and the ECNL is more accomodating to HS as they don't start thier season in the North East conference for the older groups until December so there is no conflect with a HS schedule.Comment
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No, they don’t have the rule. In fact, the ECNL starts the fall season in late October for high school aged teams so the kids can play in their high school season.Originally posted by Guest View PostComment
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This is a major point of differentiation that Boys ECNL emphasizes - kids can have the experience of playing for their HS while also having a very competitive club environment. Also, MLS Next has quietly split into two tiers: "Elite Player Pathway" and "Pro Player Pathway". The teams that are not affiliated with an MLS club are in the "Elite" pathway and on par with high level Boys ECNL teams as evidenced by head-to-head competition at the recent PDA Showcase (https://events.gotsport.com/events/d...?EventID=85383).
The actual MLS affiliated "Pro Pathway" teams are on another level entirely and on the rare occasions that they play in open tournaments almost always play up a year or two.Comment
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That top u16 bracket had some lopsided results. +23 goal differential for PDA MLS!Originally posted by Guest View PostComment
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Bad example, some MLS teams, like U15 were in quarantine that weekend so younger teams played instead.Originally posted by Guest View PostComment
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Not the poster....MLS pro academy teams would crush ECNL teams nearly every single time. It's a completely different level, but granted some ECNL players may be good enough to play on an MLS team but don't want to, can't get to one etc.Originally posted by Guest View Post
Where there's overlap with is between higher ECNL teams and lower MLSN (non pro) teams. Some ECNL teams are quite good, some MLSN teams are not. At that point then pick the club in your area that has the better coaching and a league that works for you. MLS will get more college coach attention so if college is your goal it can help, but that;s not to say you can't get recruited in ECNL either. The overall competition in MLS is definitely better as a league vs ECNLComment
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