This has been discussed in another topic but I didn't know if I was just getting info and opinions from Cincinnati area.? I am curious with CUP Gold moving to MLS NEXT and boys can not play High school what how bad will that damage Ohio Soccer ?What top teams around the state are assuming they will be losing a good amount of players and what is everyones opinion of this ? I am sure there aren't a lot of varsity coaches on Yappi but if there is I would love to know what you think this will do this year to the usual top HS programs in the State ?
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MLS Next affect on Ohio HS Soccer
- Thread starter MTO80
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belied dat
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People said the same thing back in 2008 or so when the USSDA did the same mandate. HS soccer didn't change much. Certain areas have the same with their ECNL girls programs, minimal impact overall. Plenty of numbers to go around and kids get to play.
belied dat
Active member
A recent girl's/women's recruiting resource posted that there are 44 GAL/ECNL clubs that have 7+ 2026 commitments from their clubs. Of the 44, there are ZERO from Greater Cincinnati area and ZERO from Ohio in general.
Obviously, this will probably change. But, the initial recruiting window wasn't all that favorable for local girls OR Ohio girls. There are two clubs (Indy Eleven and Indy Premier) from Indianapolis and two from Michigan (Nationals and Hawks), one from Kentucky (Racing Louisville), and one from Western Pennsylvania (Riverhounds). Adding those clubs because it's general proximity.
This is only one graduating class, I also understand that. The list only totals 404 recruits from the 2026 class.
Doing some quick math, DI rosters will be down a total of ~914 due to the 28-player roster mandate (factoring in all programs). That means there could be a rough estimate of ~2436 players PER YEAR recruited. So, 404/2436 is nearly 20% of all recruits are in these 44 clubs currently for the 2026 class. None from Cincinnati or Ohio (obviously, some are recruited already and committed but not in these top 44 clubs).
Obviously, this will probably change. But, the initial recruiting window wasn't all that favorable for local girls OR Ohio girls. There are two clubs (Indy Eleven and Indy Premier) from Indianapolis and two from Michigan (Nationals and Hawks), one from Kentucky (Racing Louisville), and one from Western Pennsylvania (Riverhounds). Adding those clubs because it's general proximity.
This is only one graduating class, I also understand that. The list only totals 404 recruits from the 2026 class.
Doing some quick math, DI rosters will be down a total of ~914 due to the 28-player roster mandate (factoring in all programs). That means there could be a rough estimate of ~2436 players PER YEAR recruited. So, 404/2436 is nearly 20% of all recruits are in these 44 clubs currently for the 2026 class. None from Cincinnati or Ohio (obviously, some are recruited already and committed but not in these top 44 clubs).
OhioBobcatFan06
Well-known member
No impact. Ignatius will win again
LOL you are probably correct. I have since been told that it will affect mainly in the Southwest District mostly Cincinnati area, It seems from the chatter that quite a few school in Cincy Area will be losing some top players to CUP top team going MLS Next route. I was just curious if any other area was hit by this or just the Cincy Area. It should make it an interesting year at least for the D1 Region as for who advances to Final Four. My guess is if what I am hearing it would most likely be someone from Dayton District since most of top schools in Cincy will be losing some of their top players. That being said Centerville and Beavercreek are both very capable of representing Southwest Ohio. I do realize it belongs to St Ignatius until someone takes it from them. I don't see that happening anytime soon unless something changes.
belied dat
Active member
As of right now, haven't seen too many other MLSN clubs in the state. Not many also chase the notoriety like CU does either. Can guarantee they are one that will chase whatever they can to try get an upper-hand on anyone else.
That is what they've chosen to do as a club. Much like OE has chosen to stay a little smaller and focus on their 1-2 teams per age group and control ECNL. Then, KH trying their best to be Rush while gobbling up small, no-nothing clubs. TFA trying to stay relevant and afloat.
In the end, it's not about soccer. It's a moneygrab. While it may be the same across many areas, take a look at Indianapolis. They have some strong clubs, 2-3 of them in top leagues. Nearly all of them have indoor space and/or their own space to operate. And, it's paying off for how they are producing players and maintaining competitiveness.
I don't like the effect it has on high school teams . I personally just enjoy high school sports more than the pay for play or money dominated aspect of sports. I feel the same about HS basketball that AAU is ruining HS basketball. I understand every parent and athlete wanting to do whatever they can to play college sports but don't think you should have to go this route to get there. Now especially with soccer and one outside group , CUP, controlling it. Locally in Southwest Ohio it most likely ruin any chance of any Cincy school winning a state championship if they are losing top players and other schools around the state are not. It is early in the process and I hope it doesn't turn out that way but what I have been hearing and reading it doesn't sound good for Cincy teams. There may just end up being more players and parents getting their feelings hurt when they get replaced on their CUP team when they start recruiting other top players to fill their roster. Time will tell.
belied dat
Active member
It will have minimal impact. Just like when Crew began their academy in central Ohio, we still see very strong HS teams out of Columbus.
Summit still wins a lot out of Cincinnati. While the main conversation started with the impact on Moeller, there's plenty of other talent at other HS programs in Cincinnati that aren't part of the CU MLSN conversations. Same for the girls' side and what ECNL or GAL has had an impact with.
Plenty of talent to go around, and in all realities, it could be even more positive because it opens roster spots from kids who may not normally be involved in the programs.
Plus, MLSN groups end up recruiting from outside the area to fill roster spots anyway. Just look at FCC, they do not care about any local talent -- much like the rest of MLS academies.
Summit still wins a lot out of Cincinnati. While the main conversation started with the impact on Moeller, there's plenty of other talent at other HS programs in Cincinnati that aren't part of the CU MLSN conversations. Same for the girls' side and what ECNL or GAL has had an impact with.
Plenty of talent to go around, and in all realities, it could be even more positive because it opens roster spots from kids who may not normally be involved in the programs.
Plus, MLSN groups end up recruiting from outside the area to fill roster spots anyway. Just look at FCC, they do not care about any local talent -- much like the rest of MLS academies.
I hope you are correct . As I have stated before my original thought was the effect on Moeller because of my interest their for one more season. The rumor there is losing 5 to 6 kids that would be returning starters but IMO like you said some of those boys who play for CUP / Moeller wont make the cut at MLS and may be back at Moeller once MLS starts filling out their roster.
belied dat
Active member
At one point, OE had ~35 girls foregoing HS soccer and training with their club during the fall season. I'm sure a couple of programs took a hit by having some of those players not with them, but it wasn't like it was talked about all that much in this area.
With CUP doing this, it will be interesting to see how much of a broader reach they could have. There has always been a few Columbus-based players playing in the system, so they could continue to tap into it. Or, the costs begin to be so high that people finally put their foot down and refuse to pay even more for the MLSN gimmick.
I know some subpar MLSN are upwards of $4000+ for it. Then, add on all the travel involved. This bubble has to burst soon enough. Complete bastardization of the sport and youth athletics.
With CUP doing this, it will be interesting to see how much of a broader reach they could have. There has always been a few Columbus-based players playing in the system, so they could continue to tap into it. Or, the costs begin to be so high that people finally put their foot down and refuse to pay even more for the MLSN gimmick.
I know some subpar MLSN are upwards of $4000+ for it. Then, add on all the travel involved. This bubble has to burst soon enough. Complete bastardization of the sport and youth athletics.
TO be fair, it was not talked about because none of those OE girls were impactful for their HS programs, if were being honest. If players choose MLS Next, they are most likely very impactful for HS programs.
belied dat
Active member
It's hard to say "none of those OE girls were impactful" when through the years many have had pretty decent college careers.
Good majority of the girls who choose to play OE fall, would not make a impact in HS. In fact most have played HS, and either had a bad experience or did not make their HS program. Look at their ECNL teams, how many of their ECNL players play club ball instead of HS in Cincinnati? 0? 1? RL girls? Or is it mostly girls from other clubs just looking for a place to play club in the fall because they don't play HS.
belied dat
Active member
So, you went from "none" to "good majority" to now saying they "have played..."
What is it? Yes, there is a wide range of reasons why some kids never played HS ball. In the end, HS soccer didn't cease to exist. Programs still were competitive. Kids still played (club or HS). And, some kids still had a future with the sport (college -- fall club OR fall high school). That's exactly what I was stating. Some may have been impact. Some may not. It doesn't matter. It happens all over.
Heck, one of the top 10 players in the last 10 years to come out of NKY on the girls side never played HS soccer and ended up playing ACC/SEC soccer. She played with KH and they barely had anything in the fall to offer her, so she kicked for the football team (maybe just 1 year?).
My point was not many of the top players play club fall in Cincinnati, on the girls side. As you mentioned in your comments that nobody really talked about it. Nobody talked about it because it was not a big deal. Yes SD from Ryle (NKY--KH player) decided not to do HS.
The top players in Cincinnati will more than likely play MLS Next. The girls v boys side when it comes to this pathway, is night and day difference.
The top Girls play high school in the fall.
The top Boys play club in the fall.
Was all I was saying..
But lets get back to MLS Next.
belied dat
Active member
Rumors are there may be another MLSN club in Ohio, as Club Ohio -- the main one in Columbus -- is exploring that avenue.
belied dat
Active member
Kings Hammer now in MLSN (and GAL). Minimal impact there though, one would think.
They could barely compete in ECNL -- especially on the girls' side -- and now they're going third tier MLSN.
Nothing like a good reactionary move to try to stay relevant in the greater Cincinnati-area.
They could barely compete in ECNL -- especially on the girls' side -- and now they're going third tier MLSN.
Nothing like a good reactionary move to try to stay relevant in the greater Cincinnati-area.