(quoted from the ECNL website) Teams in the National League can qualify directly to the US Youth Soccer National Championships without going through the Regional Championships. On the girls side, about 1/3 of the former DA clubs have jumped over to ECNL, while most of the remaining former DA clubs have joined the newly formed Girls Academy League (GA). U13 & U18/U19 ECNL National Finals; U14-U17 Champions League Playoffs Starting at about the U13 age group, high level soccer players will likely be faced with a number of options to choose from for continuing their accelerated soccer development. ECNL vs. GA and MLS Next – Which Soccer League is the Best? WHYFC has been accepted into the ECNL (Elite Clubs National League). ECNL Regional Leagues are still fairly new, but with the same governing organization, there will likely be significant college exposure at that level as well. Again, the competition level is extremely high, and high level college coaches and scouts scour DA events. The next tier consists of the United Soccer League (USL) for men and the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) for women. The US Soccer Federation is the governing body for soccer in the United States. Youth soccer programs are divided into four primary categories: Let’s start at the youngest ages and work our way up. But, determining which of these options is best for a particular player can be very difficult and confusing. For the updated version of this post click on ECNL vs. GA and MLS Next – Which Soccer League is the Best? Since the DA is run directly by US Soccer, the DA events are heavily scouted by national team talent identification personnel. Date: May 7, 2020 From: Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) MISSION . I’m your guide — a 48 year old soccer has-been (probably never was) with a wonderful wife and two spectacular kids — a 16 year old boy and a 14 year old girl. The league is divided into 3 regional conferences and further subdivided into divisions – up to 13 total divisions in some age groups. Both of those organizations are partnered with US Youth Soccer and the relationship between US Youth Soccer and the US Soccer Federation appears to be a bit tighter than the relationship between US Club Soccer and the US Soccer Federation. Beginning in the fall of 2018, both the boys and the girls sides of the club will be participating in this elite league. The Complete Guide. link to Do 5-Year-Olds Need Cleats for Soccer? If I believe in a product, I will occasionally provide a link, allowing you to purchase that item if you choose. In modern soccer, no youth platform has sent more players to college, had more alums earn collegiate honors, and had more impact on the collegiate game. If you and your child share a love of soccer, it might seem like a logical step to channel your child’s passion into playing competitively. National Team - Both leagues have ID programs that allow players to be identified by US Soccer, but it is expected that more players will come from DA for the national team. Competitions:. Each Conference will have a top (Premier I) Division and will likely have additional Divisions (Premier II Division, First Division). Like the previous structures, there are three conferences (and two or three divisions within each conference) to make travel somewhat easier. While the ECNL event attracted a very large number of college scouts, the National League event was, unfortunately, sparsely attended. link to Do 5-Year-Olds Need Cleats for Soccer? In comparison to the National League or the NPL, the level of commitment is much higher and the rules are a little more strict in the ECNL, but the competition level is higher and the women’s ECNL events are well-attended by top college scouts and coaches. Like the top teams in Premier I, the top teams in the club vs. club division will qualify for the Regional Championships. Beginning with age U13, regional and national competitive opportunities become available for the highest level players. In 2018, at least 2.2 million kids regularly played soccer outdoors. As of 4/15/2020, US Soccer terminated the Development Academy for both boys and girls. As of 5/16/2020, the post-DA youth soccer landscape is starting to come into focus. Finally, there is also a higher tier of competition which is called the Elite National Premier League (ENPL) – which mirrors the National League mentioned above – with a more national scope with respect to competition and travel. Beginning with age U9 (approximately), you will likely have access to local competitive leagues (see When to Start Formal Soccer Training for a discussion of the differences between recreational and competitive soccer). If the ultimate goal is to play in college, the answer is fairly clear on the female side — ECNL. Stay tuned as the landscape continues to change. I’m Jason. Through a collaboration with the NPL and ECNL Boys, the ENPL provided local and national regular-season competition, national showcase events and postseason playoff competition for top teams across the country. Interestingly, if you look at the mission statement of each of these organizations, you will find that they’re nearly identical. Youth soccer programs are divided into four primary categories: Let’s start at the youngest ages and work our way up. In comparison to the National League or the NPL, the level of commitment is much higher and the rules are a little more strict in the ECNL, but the competition level is higher and the women’s ECNL events are well-attended by top college scouts and coaches. The league comprises 94 of the strongest female youth soccer teams in the nation, with eight distinct conferences for regional play. The GA has partnered with MLS Next and USYS with the intent of becoming the highest level of youth soccer for girls. The NPL is a club commitment. You will not pay more for the products through my link. Good stuff! DISCLOSURE: BoxtoBoxSoccerLife.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Finally, regardless of cost, the level of commitment for both will be extremely high. If the ultimate goal is to play professionally, ECNL on the girls side and DA on the boys side are probably still the best choices. That is not to say that college/professional/national team players cannot or will not come from National League or NPL teams — or even local competitive or high school teams. Here are the regional and national league options at this age: Let’s look at these leagues individually. The GA is, essentially, the replacement for the Girls DA, although about 1/3 of the former girls DA clubs actually jumped over to the ECNL rather than joining the GA. Teams in Premier I can qualify for the four US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. Like the NPL, the ECNL is a club commitment and each club must maintain fairly high standards with respect to facilities and coaching. The GA has about 69 clubs divided into 7 regional conferences. Welcome to Box to Box Soccer Life. If I believe in a product, I will occasionally provide a link, allowing you to purchase that item if you choose. Additionally, there are a couple of different levels of end of year playoffs for which teams may qualify. In other words, if a club wants to participate in the NPL, they must put a team in at every age group. The NPL is a club commitment. Unfortunately, as mentioned, the restrictive rules do not allow players to play high school soccer, which can be a deal breaker for some. On the male side, the best option is less clear. Beginning with age U13, regional and national competitive opportunities become available for the highest level players. Club standards are generally a bit lower for qualification into ECNL Regional Leagues. Recently, the ECNL has expanded to include ECNL Regional Leagues. Details about the Girls Academy League are still somewhat scarce, but it will have 7 regional conferences. It's one of the top sports in terms of participation, along with , basketball, and baseball. Male players may still be able to make it through the college level to professional, but the preference for a direct route is becoming more and more pronounced. The organization of the league is top notch and exposure is assured. There are 19 somewhat regional member leagues in the NPL. Some of the powers that be in the MLS believe that the pathway does not run through college soccer, so it’s unclear if college soccer will be promoted by MLS Next. To sort out this somewhat tangled web of possible pathways to soccer greatness, let’s start at the top of the American soccer pyramid – the US Soccer Federation. The ultimate effect of the COVID-19 shut down remains to be seen. Like most local competitive leagues, the National League ultimately falls under USYS, so there is a natural flow from local competition to regional competition. On the male side, the best option is probably the DA. The standards for being accepted as a club into the Development Academy are very high. Should he/she pick DA or ECNL (click here to jump to a summary chart comparing DA vs. ECNL)? While MLS has solidified itself as a going concern over the past several years. Like the top teams in Premier I, the top teams in the club vs. club division will qualify for the Regional Championships. Good stuff! DISCLOSURE: I may be an affiliate for the products that I recommend. MLS Next is also carrying over perhaps the most impactful and controversial rule of the DA – as long as a player is in MLS Next, the player cannot play high school soccer. ABOUT THE ECNL The ECNL was founded in 2009 as a challenge to the status quo of youth soccer, with a vision to be better. Signup for notices of new posts and updates! The National League has 13 regional Conferences. Promotion and relegation will occur among the Divisions based on records at the end of each soccer season. In 2009 the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) was formed to improve the competitive environment through the creation of a true national league for female players U15 - U17. If your player is not able to make an ECNL or MLS Next team, don’t give up! The intent is to create a single pathway for all players (boys and girls) through the gauntlet of youth soccer. The US Soccer Federation is the governing body for soccer in the United States. Recreational leagues are usually organized locally (meaning they are not within any of the 4 centralized categories above). From about ages U5 to U8, soccer players will likely only have recreational league opportunities. Unlike the individual Conferences in which travel is regional, the locations for the National League events can involve significant travel. The ECNL Girls is a US Club Soccer-sanctioned league founded in 2009 to enhance the developmental experience of the female youth soccer players in the United States through:. Lavers discusses the boys ECNL, the future of the ECNL in general and why he thinks the structure is the best in youth soccer. The purpose of BoxtoBoxSoccerLife.com is to give you advice and opinions on my journey through the youth soccer world. However, the step up National League and the ENPL probably do not offer much more than the Conferences or the NPL, so the benefits of making those leagues is marginal while the increased investment is substantial. The next tier consists of the United Soccer League (USL) for men and the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) for women. link to Should Your Child Play Competitive Soccer? This is different than the National League in which individual teams qualify. Both MLS Next and the male division of ECNL are still relatively new. 2003-99/00 ECNL Girls - only play in US Club/ECNL because enough competitive games. I’ve played the beautiful game since I was about 5 (and still do, when I’m not injured — getting old stinks). DISCLOSURE: BoxtoBoxSoccerLife.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Originally, ECNL was formed specifically for the elite female players, but now ECNL has a boys side as well. Please keep in mind that I’ve presented the “best” options for the various goals above. Which youth soccer league is the best in the US? The DA is well-established while the male division of the ECNL is still relatively new. Welcome to Box to Box Soccer Life. Originally, ECNL was formed specifically for the elite female players, but now ECNL has a boys side as well. Recently, the ECNL has expanded to include ECNL Regional Leagues (ECRL). MLS Next provides a platform for the highest level of boys soccer starting at the U13 age group and is organized by MLS. ECNL BOYS NATIONAL PLAYOFFS. I’m your guide — a 48 year old soccer has-been (probably never was) with a wonderful wife and two spectacular kids — a 16 year old boy and a 14 year old girl. Each Conference will have a top (Premier I) Division and will likely have additional Divisions (Premier II Division, First Division). Signup for notices of new posts and updates! There are no inaccuracies in the message above. The NPL offers Showcase events and a playoff system for the top teams in each NPL member league. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. What Should Youth Soccer Players Eat? MLS intends to subsidize regional events to eliminate cost considerations and counteract the pay for play model. DISCLOSURE: I may be an affiliate for the products that I recommend. The Wilmington Hammerheads were accepted into the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) in 2018 and will be entering our 4th full season in the league in 2021-22. While the GA may rival the ECNL at some point with respect to a college pathway for girls, the GA is too new to get a good read on. Directly under the US Soccer Federation are the following tier 1 programs: (1) Major League Soccer (MLS); (2) National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL); (3) US Men’s National Team (USMNT); and (4) US Women’s National Team (USWNT). The answer really depends on your ultimate goal with respect to soccer. Check out this interview on Top Drawer Soccer with Christian Lavers, the President of ECNL (starting at the 6:36 mark). Also, given the high standards that must be maintained by member clubs, the DA can be prohibitively expensive. What about GA (Girls Academy League) for girls or MLS Next for boys? Jason is an E-licensed soccer coach and has coached youth soccer at various clubs for over 10 years. The ECNL also offers (and, in some cases, requires) several Showcase events throughout the year. Further, I will only give you my honest, genuine opinion about a product. However, the boys ECNL does not yet have a track record like the girls ECNL. MLS will leverage the infrastructure of USYS for its MLS Academy, while USYS will benefit from the reputation (and money) of MLS. The National League has 13 regional Conferences. There are 19 somewhat regional member leagues in the NPL. Like the NPL, the ECNL is a club commitment and each club must maintain fairly high standards with respect to facilities and coaching. The intent is to match the best clubs (as opposed to just the best teams) against each other across multiple age groups. At this point, the youth soccer world remains in flux. As an example, a friend of mine who has a daughter playing at the step-up National League level related a story to me recently of their experience at a National League event in Florida. If you and your child share a love of soccer, it might seem like a logical step to channel your child’s passion into playing competitively. The GA is also addressing two of the biggest complaints about the DA in that they have stated their intention to allow high school play and include a more lenient substitution policy. ECNL Regional League After a small but tremendously successful pilot program during the 2018-2019 season, the ECNL Girls Regional League platform expanded to include 6 leagues in the 2019-20 season which was suspended due to COVID-19. In its first years, the league supported only girls programming, but that was to change.As a result of grassroots collaboration and innovation driven by youth Teams earn their way into their Conferences based on success in competitive opportunities within their respective US Youth Soccer State Associations. Please keep in mind that I’ve presented the “best” options for the various goals above. Since then the Girls' ECNL has grown from 40 clubs to 79 clubs on and in 2017 the Boys' ECNL will premier with 55 clubs. There are certain fairly low minimum standards that must be maintained to qualify as a member club. For the 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, the Elite National Premier League (ENPL) offered postseason opportunities for US Club Soccer's top boys teams. Can a Youth Soccer Team Play Without a Goalkeeper? Teams earn their way into their Conferences based on success in competitive opportunities within their respective US Youth Soccer State Associations. Beginning with age U9 (approximately), you will likely have access to local competitive leagues (see When to Start Formal Soccer Training for a discussion of the differences between recreational and competitive soccer). Both MLS Next and ECNL will have an extremely high level of competition, so either option will likely be good for general soccer development, but, given the high standards that must be maintained by member clubs, they may be prohibitively expensive. One of the big questions with respect to the new partnership is whether MLS will have the money to realize their lofty goals. ECNL is clearly the preferred format for top colleges. Then, there are a myriad of pro and semi-pro leagues. Finally, there is also a higher tier of competition which is called the Elite National Premier League (ENPL) – which mirrors the National League mentioned above – with a more national scope with respect to competition and travel. (click here to read about the Development Academy and its demise). While, in comparison to the National League or the NPL, the level of commitment is much higher and the rules are a little more strict, the competition level is extremely high and the women’s ECNL events are well-attended by top college scouts and coaches. Lavers discusses the boys ECNL, the future of the ECNL in general and why he thinks the structure is better than the Development Academy. Local competitive leagues will likely have divisions all the way up through high school as well. How to Know. KC Athletics joined the Girls' Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) in 2018 with the goal of providing the highest level of national and regional competition for our Academy Elite teams. So if your five-year-old is showing... Should Your Child Play Competitive Soccer? The organization of the league is top notch and exposure is assured. RICHMOND, VA – The ECNL Girls will be adding a new league to its growing platform of Regional Leagues, as the ECNL Girls Regional League – Carolinas will … As the league continues to grow, so has our ECNL program as we will now offer a second level of ECNL play within our club. Club standards are generally a bit lower for qualification into ECRL. Can a Youth Soccer Team Play Without a Goalkeeper? Elite Clubs National League is also sanctioned by US Club Soccer. He has also played soccer for over 40 years and remains active in the Kansas City soccer community. Promotion and relegation will occur among the Divisions based on records at the end of each soccer season. Apparently, there was an ECNL event also in Florida at the same time. If the ultimate goal is to play high school soccer, but there is no intent to play at the collegiate level or higher, the Conferences of the National League or the NPL would likely be sufficient. The intent is to match the best clubs (as opposed to just the best teams) against each other across multiple age groups. There are currently 8 regionally based conferences. The MLS Next structure is still evolving, but it appears that it will have strict rules about the types and amounts of tournaments allowed as well as participation in sports outside of MLS Next. But, the focus of this post will be on the youth soccer programs below all of the pro and semi-pro leagues. Hopefully you will find things you can apply on your journey. The ECNL programs provide a national platform for development and competition for the nation’s top youth soccer players, coaches and referees by emphasizing development through quality training and limited, meaningful competition. Starting at the U14 age group, teams in Premier I can also qualify for participation in the next season’s National League — which is a higher tier than the individual Conferences. With respect to those leagues, the competition level is sufficiently high, but the commitment is much more manageable as far as time and travel. We are talking about the DA of today vs ECNL, not the DA of 2007. One of the goals of the partnership is to ensure that every player has equal opportunity. The GA is also addressing two of the biggest complaints about DA in that they have stated their intention to allow high school play and include a more lenient substitution policy. As an example, a friend of mine who has a daughter playing at the step-up National League level related a story to me recently of his experience at a National League event in Florida. In the past two years alone, the ECNL has sent more than2,500 graduating seniors to play women’s collegiate soccer, with 2,028 in NCAA Division I programs alone. MLS Next is partnering with USYS and is essentially a replacement for the now defunct Development Academy (click here to read about the Development Academy and its demise). How to Know. Further, I will only give you my honest, genuine opinion about a product.
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