Originally posted by Guest
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I know the general consensus is that ECNL wouldn't make the switch alone, and it depends on US Soccer changing it for everyone uniformly. But if we were starting from scratch, and I were soccer dictator, I would have a couple different cutoffs in the landscape. It would mitigate RAE, and allow more kids to get what they personally want out of the sport.
MLS and NWSL academies would use BY. Their fees would be heavily subsidized by pro teams and US Soccer, so they retain the best of the best athletes even if poor. Teams would be limited in number, because only the very best should be here (kids who expect to have a career in soccer). They would be the only leagues with regular national travel and any international play. The travel and practice schedule would of course be heavy enough that it may negatively impact your grades at school. But that's OK because the only people in this league should be aspiring pros and national team players. Of course, the ones who don't make it to the pros might settle for college teams.
Below that, throw in the towel for all the other leagues and give it all to ECNL. They would use GY. These are players who still care about school grades and having fun. Add some "national" teams to the mix so they travel over a smaller area for league play. They would be "national" in that they play one national tournament per year. The expectation at this tier would be that only the top half of each team are future D1 players. Below that, make RL a promotion/relegation system all the way down. Everyone is in, pay your dues to ECNL, they are now in charge. Sorry everyone else. Consolidate. Again, these kids just want to have fun, not be a pro. But many of them would like to be good high school players.
Prior to U13, everyone is in this new RL (pre-ECNL-RL), but there are two age groups for each class: GY1 8/1-1/31 and GY2 2/1-7/31. This combats RAE in the way that every study suggests (even though no one ever listens to them). There is no promo/rel before U13 to lessen the need to win. Recognize winners for the competitive spirit, but clubs get to select their flight.
US Soccer wants to grow the game, have better national teams, and better serve underprivileged kids. I think this would do all that. Why treat all the kids like they want to be a pro when 99% don't want to be? But offer the pro path to the 1% that want it. The age cutoff should match the goal of your team/league.
MLS and NWSL academies would use BY. Their fees would be heavily subsidized by pro teams and US Soccer, so they retain the best of the best athletes even if poor. Teams would be limited in number, because only the very best should be here (kids who expect to have a career in soccer). They would be the only leagues with regular national travel and any international play. The travel and practice schedule would of course be heavy enough that it may negatively impact your grades at school. But that's OK because the only people in this league should be aspiring pros and national team players. Of course, the ones who don't make it to the pros might settle for college teams.
Below that, throw in the towel for all the other leagues and give it all to ECNL. They would use GY. These are players who still care about school grades and having fun. Add some "national" teams to the mix so they travel over a smaller area for league play. They would be "national" in that they play one national tournament per year. The expectation at this tier would be that only the top half of each team are future D1 players. Below that, make RL a promotion/relegation system all the way down. Everyone is in, pay your dues to ECNL, they are now in charge. Sorry everyone else. Consolidate. Again, these kids just want to have fun, not be a pro. But many of them would like to be good high school players.
Prior to U13, everyone is in this new RL (pre-ECNL-RL), but there are two age groups for each class: GY1 8/1-1/31 and GY2 2/1-7/31. This combats RAE in the way that every study suggests (even though no one ever listens to them). There is no promo/rel before U13 to lessen the need to win. Recognize winners for the competitive spirit, but clubs get to select their flight.
US Soccer wants to grow the game, have better national teams, and better serve underprivileged kids. I think this would do all that. Why treat all the kids like they want to be a pro when 99% don't want to be? But offer the pro path to the 1% that want it. The age cutoff should match the goal of your team/league.
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