MLS Next 2 and ECNL ARA are roughly equal, but MLS-affiliated teams tend to be stronger. What matters most: does the club offer guest play, pathways to higher levels, and access to showcase events like MLS Next Flex or ECNL playoffs. Compare how many events each club attends before deciding.
What is better, MLS Next 2 or ECNL ARA? So there's ECNL and there's MLS Next, and arguably they're very similar in level. I mean, if you talk about the MLS Next teams that are directly affiliated with a professional team, then no, those teams are better than ECNL teams pretty much across the board. Now it is too difficult to say right now between those levels which is better. I would probably argue level-wise they're pretty similar. Which ECNL ARA team and which MLS Next team is gonna let you either guest play or move up to the higher level team, or which one is going to go to the MLS Next or ECNL playoffs or showcase events. So if an ECNL team is going to more events than the MLS Next 2 team, then I would say goodbye MLS Next 2 team, go to the ECNL team. On the flip side, if it's the more MLS Next 2— and I will say this is still a brand new deal here— but they're going to be going to MLS Next Flex events, as it turns out, which are probably more popular than the ECNL events that it might make sense to move. But when you move, you don't just move because of the exposure only. You don't necessarily just jump ship for the name. So the short answer is I would probably say MLS Next 2 is better than Eastern RL, but it does depend. If you want to know every club in your state, comment your state initials, NJ club, in the comments, and I'll be sending you every club in your state. Make sure it's one word.
