Is ecnl better than mls next
ECNL vs MLS next
NWSL leadership is focused on opening new franchise locations + getting cities to foot the bill for stadiums. Which while annoying makes sense because this is how investors (current NWSL club owners) make the most $$$.Grace T. said:
So is it definitive that ECNL will switch to school years? Last I heard the MLS Academies are still a no go for switching back because it will cause too many problems with internationals and too much blow back from Europe. If so it is unlikely they'll let the regular MLS Next change. If so it's unlikely MLS2 will change given that one of the reason for closer integration is to allow the MLS Reserve players to have some place to play and to have more flexibility in moving people up and down. One of two scenarios might develop. Late birthday but high talent players drift to ECNL, while CY birthdays to MLS (at least until U18 when it becomes less of an issue for the boys). Or the girls are all on SY but the boys on CY (which would be funny) if ECNL becomes purely a girls thing and GA crashes and burns (a big assumption...as others have said depends on NWSL)
Click to expand...
Something to watch is what Gotham is doing wi
Navigating the Alphabet Soup of Youth Soccer: ECNL, GA, NPL, MLS NEXT, MLS NEXT Pro, etc.
Youth soccer in the U.S. can feel like an alphabet soup of leagues and acronyms. Parents hear terms like ECNL, GA, NPL, MLS NEXT, and MLS NEXT Pro and wonder which is “best” for their child. As someone who’s spent decades developing youth players, I’ve seen firsthand how confusing this landscape can be. In this article, we’ll break down the major youth soccer leagues, their history, structure, and purpose, and compare their prestige, competition level, college recruiting impact, and ties to the pros. We’ll also discuss why no single league stands absolutely at the top in every scenario, and why factors like coaching quality, club culture, and playing time matter more than the league label. Finally, I’ll offer practical advice for families on finding the right environment for a player’s development. Let’s dive in.
Major Youth Soccer Leagues: History and Structure
To make sense of the landscape, let’s briefly explore the major U.S. youth soccer leagues for boys and girls, how they formed and how they operate today.
Elite Clubs National League (ECNL)
The Elite Clubs National Leagu
Before You Chase ECNL or MLS Next, Read This: A Manual For Parents
If you’re a parent trying to help your kid reach the highest levels in youth soccer, chances are you’ve already heard all of the buzzwords. MLS Next, ECNL, ECRL, Development Academy... it’s a lot, and it can be confusing.
We’ve talked to a ton of families at Spark Player Training who’ve felt overwhelmed by the options. Everyone wants what’s optimal for their kid, but when you are dealing with clubs that are built around selling the dream for profit, how do you know what’s real? And more importantly, what’s right for your player?
Let’s break it all down in plain English because at SPD, we are all about the real chat parents deserve when they’re trying to help their kids mature through the game.
What Exactly Is the “Youth Soccer Pyramid”?
When people talk about the pyramid, they’re usually referring to the levels of competitive soccer in the U.S. It’s not a matchless system, but here’s the general shape of it:
- Recreational soccer — community-based, for fun, minimal travel
- Travel or club soccer — more competitive, usually town or region-based
- Regional and national leagues — ECNL, ECRL, USYS, NPL,
by Adam Wood
Writer, researcher and soccer coach. Devotee of The Beautiful Game. Lifelong learner and community-building advocate.
U13 is the magic number. At U13, the youth soccer landscape is transformed by the introduction of three top-level competitions. The Girls Academy (GA) only includes (you guessed it) girls. Only boys teams can play inMLS NEXT. And the Elite Clubs National League(ECNL) has both boys and girls teams competing for the title. So how do you choose when the time comes to decide? What is best between MLS NEXT vs. ECNL vs. GA?
Any of these organizations offer top-tier competition (and competitions). They all feature fast, technical and tactical soccer. And all of them provide access to a platform built for accelerated soccer development. That’s the goal, after all: these programs are each designed to raise the bar for youth soccer and help the United States compete on a global level.
But there are some important differences to keep in mind when deciding the right next step for your player. Let’s walk through those: first in a brief chart, then in more detail below.
What is the ECNL?
The Elite Clubs National League formed in 2009 and
Breaking Down the Maze of Youth Soccer: ECNL, GA, NPL, MLS NEXT & MLS NEXT Pro
Introduction: Making Sense of Youth Soccer’s Alphabet Soup
If you’re a parent trying to navigate youth soccer in the U.S., you’ve probably felt overwhelmed. Between acronyms like ECNL, GA, MLS NEXT, and NPL, it can feel like you’re learning a new language—and the truth is, the landscape changes depending on where you live.
In one region, ECNL might dominate the conversation, while in another, the top local team could play in GA, NPL, or even a strong regional league. Some parents assume there’s a “best” league nationwide, but in reality, youth soccer is highly regionalized, and the “right” option often comes down to the quality of the club, not just the league patch on the jersey.
This guide is designed to help you step through the noise and focus on what really matters:
- How do the leagues actually work?
- What’s the difference between them?
- How does this affect your player’s path to development and recruiting?
- And what role do things like player cards play?
Why Parents Find This So Confusing
You’re not alone. U.S. youth socc