National League...

Anyone familiar with the National league?  What's different about this league than ECNL?  How does a team or player get into it?

National League is the USYSA answer to ECNL.

National League is your Lake Highlands team, that wins state cup, wins regional, and makes nationals. -I believe that is the process. So this is all on the Lake Highlands level. The best of the rest that are in their local association. Great example of a really good Lake Highlands/National League team is Kicks 01.

ECNL is considered to currently be the best of best. Playing the best week in and week out. It is a league and showcase for the top tiered teams.

Feel free to correct/expound.

National league is basically 2 showcase events.   Teams play 2 out of 3 from the following:

CASL - NC
Disney showcase - FL
Players Showcase - Las Vegas

Winner from each division gets bye to USYSA National championship series.  

IMO national league is quality.  You have to earn your way into league by winning RPL, winning regionals or placing high in standings in NL the previous year (U15 - U19).  Several quality clubs that got DA played in National league.  National league has a lot of college and US Youth scouts.  This is how one of our players was identified who is currently on the youth national team.  

The big difference IMO between ECNL and National league is that National league is just two showcase events where as in ECNL you do 2/3 showcase events plus regular season play.

peace11 wrote:National league is basically 2 showcase events.   Teams play 2 out of 3 from the following:

CASL - NC
Disney showcase - FL
Players Showcase - Las Vegas

Winner from each division gets bye to USYSA National championship series.  

IMO national league is quality.  You have to earn your way into league by winning RPL, winning regionals or placing high in standings in NL the previous year (U15 - U19).  Several quality clubs that got DA played in National league.  National league has a lot of college and US Youth scouts.  This is how one of our players was identified who is currently on the youth national team.  

The big difference IMO between ECNL and National league is that National league is just two showcase events where as in ECNL you do 2/3 showcase events plus regular season play.

Agree, National league is quality.  While it is hosted along side the mentioned showcases, NL teams only play against other NL teams.  They do not mix or play against other teams signed up to play at these showcase events.  I would disagree with the other poster that NL teams are Lakehighlands quality.  Perhaps teams representing NTX also play LH but to conclude that teams represented by other states are of the same quality as today's LH level is just not right.  Any team having earned the right to play NL better come ready to play top level competition otherwise expect to be spanked.  I would say many NL teams have players that could easily be on any given ECNL team but for whatever reason choose not to play ECNL. If your team has what it takes to earn the right to play NL - Do it as the experience and exposure is a great experience.

Quality Lake Highlands level. Great opportunity for those teams not ECNL. If it was better than ECNL then why would USYSA create the girls DA?

Zizou wrote:Quality Lake Highlands level. Great opportunity for those teams not ECNL. If it was better than ECNL then why would USYSA create the girls DA?

I didn't claim that NL is better than ECNL, I stated that many players who play in NL could play at the ECNL level if they were to choose that route.  

If a player or team not part of the ECNL has an opportunity to earn a spot to play NL, all i am saying is take advantage of it.  It's a great experience.

My intent was not to make this an ECNL vs. non-ECNL argument.  There is already enough posts here every year regarding that subject.  While ECNL may draw the most opportunity for college coaches to seek recruits, it's not the only avenue.  Non-ECNL players across the country get recruited too.  Players and parents just need to do what's best for their own situation especially if they want to continue playing in college.  It's a myth that if you don't play ECNL nothing else matters. That is just not the case.

If your a lake highlands player NL is the place for you.

NL sounded like it was part of OPD at first...... all these leagues confuse me but Im getting it.