It depends on what you are looking for. If you have aspirations of playing in a higher level like MLS Next - Galaxy has never produced anything. It's a money grabbing club with zero devolpment. Bottom line - go to any of the other Naper clubs.
I would not say that is accurate. From research I have done it looks like Galaxy has produced more High School All Americans and College athletes than all the other clubs in Naperville combined.
I am not sure of what your personal experience has been with Galaxy, but your statement just doesn't hold up to any level of scrutiny. They have won 5 national championships (boys and girls) 15 state titles, and if you look at local varsity soccer teams they are loaded with Galaxy players. No other Naperville club has a resume even close to Galaxy's. Sorry Evolution, Super Y championships don't move the dial.
They are essentially the largest club in Naperville, by sheer volume of players they should have more on high school teams, etc… I suspect the original poster was commenting on an approach of just taking everyone that shows up to field multiple teams, with no real intention of player development. However, many clubs take that approach.
I wouldn't say no other Naperville Club. From what I have been told, the Eclipse West Boys has 7 National Championships between ECNL and NPL. They have had 26 players go to MLS Academies and another handful go to MLS Next Academies with 4 kids in the National Team pool.
What other clubs are Naperville based other than Evolution? I always thought Galaxy and Evo boys teams were both pretty good but neither produced MLS caliber players. There was an 08 boy on Galaxy who played on the Men’s Youth National team- I think he still does.
Yes and he is great. He also ended up at Eclipse toward the end of his time here but was with Galaxy all other years. I assume it was a platform decision (ECNL).
The player you are speaking of played for Galaxy his entire career before heading to Crew, only guest played with his older brother team at Eclipse once in a while
Is NPL any better than Super Y league? winning an ECNL title is certainly an accomplishment. My issue is that all the money whether from boys or girls side all ends up in RD’s pockets. Not sure I could stomach supporting a guy who is so toxic that he has a life time ban from coach adult pros. With all the options to access ECNL, GA, MLS Next, ….. no reason not to demand good soccer, AND ethical behavior!
I stumbled across this thread because I was thinking about taking my son to Eclipse. I saw that Lou Reina is leaving - does anyone know if he's moving to another club?
Don’t know about Lou Reina but Cleo Huittron runs ECNL boys at Eclipse out of the West. I heard most of the Eclipse coaches are being pushed out for the Rampage coaches.
So it's a Rampage buy out then? That would make sense. - "Partnership" to keep families from leaving ($) - Dames stays on to manage ($) Shame they did not merge with Evolution - at least then 80% of the rif raf would have been isolated at one club.
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Ricky Hill packed his bags and prepared to uproot his life again. Next stop: Chicago. The former England international soccer player is accustomed to making sacrifices and traveling far to build his coaching career, an effort he says has been stymied because he is Black. “It is something that I hate to do because home is where the heart is,” Hill said of leaving behind his wife of 38 years and his 99-year-old mother to chase a rare management opportunity. Hill had a four-month spell as manager of Luton, then in the third tier of English soccer, and has struggled to find work in England ever since. He has just taken a position as executive director of Evolution Soccer in suburban Chicago. https://apnews.com/article/black-soccer-coaches-premier-league-eddf17b8063762a5ee26232e97966c1d
Based upon the number of girls who are posting new club affiliations on twitter and insta, I wonder how many Evo girls will be left when his plane lands.
EA and DPL join forces. Press release from DPL: INTRODUCING THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: A NEW ERA CONNECTING LEAGUES, CLUBS & TEAMS IN YOUTH SOCCER LOS ANGELES, 04/02/2024 – In a landmark move that promises to reshape the youth soccer landscape, the Development Player League (DPL) and the Elite Academy League (EA) are proud to collaborate and announce the launch of the National Development League (NDL) for the 2024 season, creating a tier of innovation for leagues, clubs and teams. The National Development League is the first of its kind, a national team-based league born out of a vision to bring teams together, creating a cohesive network that fosters growth, development, and competition at the highest level while serving as a foundational platform for clubs to demonstrate their potential to advance within the Club vs Club ecosystem. "We're thrilled to join forces with the NDL to enhance opportunities for young female athletes. Incorporating a Team vs Team dynamic aligns perfectly with our mission of fostering Meaningful and Purposeful experiences. This marks another milestone in the DPL's journey as a pioneer and influencer in youth soccer. Importantly, this enhancement strengthens the DPL without altering the overall structure or intent of the league. It's a groundbreaking collaborative initiative within the youth soccer community." – Lee Hudson, DPL League Development Manager. The NDL is built on the foundation of inclusivity and opportunity. Its mission is to make the highest levels of the game accessible, allowing players, teams, and clubs to earn their place among the elite through merit and performance. By forging a dynamic National Development League Network, it ensures talent has the visibility and the opportunity to rise to the forefront. "The DPL and EA share in the desire to elevate clubs by helping them perform at higher levels and create clear player and club pathways. Working together to create an inclusive way for teams to work toward a club v club model was feedback that was consistently coming into our groups, which forced everyone to sit on the same side of the table and support the creation of the National Development League. Our desire is to create opportunity for more!” – Ryan Miller, EA commissioner. As a Pathway Alliance member, the NDL is committed to creating experiential opportunities that drive growth and development from the team versus team level upwards. This includes league play, event access with DPL and EA, talent ID pathways for individual players, and substantial investments in the players, coaches, and clubs that form the backbone of the league. The goal is to enrich our national soccer ecosystem, providing a ladder of opportunity that spans local, regional, and national competitions. At its core, the National Development League is a network of team versus team youth soccer leagues acting as a proving ground for clubs to access the National Club vs Club Leagues, the DPL and EA. This structure is designed to deliver superior experiences for all members, from players and coaches to players and their families, ensuring that the journey through youth soccer is both rewarding and transformative. The NDL invites leagues from across the nation to join this groundbreaking initiative as we embark on a journey to elevate youth soccer to new heights. This is more than just a league; it's a movement to champion the potential of every young athlete through competition, development, and opportunity. For more information on how to become a part of the National Development League or to learn more about the league's structure and benefits, please visit our website www.NationalDevelopmentLeague.com. -- ABOUT THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE The National Development League, created by the Development Player League (DPL) and the Elite Academy League (EA), is the only national youth soccer league designed to maximize opportunities for individual teams to compete at the highest levels with an objective to earn opportunities in the club vs club platforms, the DPL & EA. Through a transparent and accessible pathway, the NDL aims to revolutionize youth soccer in the United States, promoting growth, excellence, and the development of young talent.
So what clubs does this benefit? I assume those not in one of the top platforms (ECNL, GA, MLS, etc…).
So to me this sounds like two wannabe national leagues consolidating with the aspiration of taking on ECNL as a tier under MLS Next. Locally I know that Chicago Fire Youth Soccer Club is in the EA and the 2011 team is very strong, but I don't know of any other local teams in it.
I've read it a few times, and what I gather is this a new league, structured underneath/below both EA and DPL - where successful individual teams from that league get access to EA and DPL showcase events. So theoretically club history/connections/etc. shouldn't matter; any team that shows up in the new league and does well - gains a bit of access to the higher level leagues in terms of events & scouting. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't, but people have been hyping this up for days as the next big thing in soccer, and I'm not sure I'd interpret it as expecting to have such a large impact.
Safe Sport, Nays Concussion Training, Background Screening... Why did I let my kid talk me into coaching with her. I mean can't there just be a check box that says "I'm not Rory Dames"???
Just finishing - they have a scenario test. "Coach is having a pool party with the team" It's like they are pulling this content from this thread!
If you aren't good enough to make an MLS Next team, where would you send your son if playing in college is their aspiration?
Chicago City, if you can't get to Sockers. Every year it's improving. It has the coaching; I am hopeful that the talent will follow.