Chasing after the wind (MLS Next, ECNL, USYS Elite 24, ETC)
There is this thing about human beings. We have this desire to distinguish ourselves as better. It is an innate human desire. It can be both a blessing and a curse depending on how it is applied. Some soccer organizations such as MLS and US Club Soccer have capitalized on this desire to build successful financial businesses. The goal of this article is to focus on the most powerful selling points of these organizations, which are development opportunity of elite youth soccer players, and pathway opportunities to the next level.
For historic purposes, United Stated Soccer Federation (USSF) founded a Development Academy League (now defunct and also known as DA) on the boy's side to address the need for development of elite soccer players. US Club Soccer filled the need on the girl's side and formed ECNL. Later, USSF started DA on the girl's side which resulted in competition with ECNL. USSF DA disbanded a while after that, and MLS filled in the void with MLS Next on the boys side. So here we are. This article primarily addresses the boy's side, but the main problems apply on the girl's side as well.
We can all agree that in general, it is good for player development when players of the same level are grouped together. However, that is only true if the coaching is good as well. A good player can fail to develop with bad coaching. It is therefore important for any elite league soccer organization to create a structure that enforces and develops a standard of coaching in line with that expected for the development of an elite soccer player. Unfortunately, none of the elite leagues; MLS Next, ECNL and USYS Elite 64 among others, have the necessary coaching infrastructure. MLS Next has something, but fall way short, while the rest are leagues that merely provide a platform for teams to play. The same coaches just move their teams to these leagues and claim the elite status.
The "Elite" leagues have done a great job successfully selling two points; The first is that the leagues are elite and playing for them means you are an elite player. The second is that they are the ones that offer pathway to next level opportunities. Unfortunately, a lot of coaches, players and parents are buying into it.