Graduated Entry to MLSN/ECNL/GA
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Anonymous
| I am no expert except on DCUM soccer forums, but would it not be wiser for all these leagues expanding to graduate/step their expansions? Expecting teams to be promoted and be able to compete U15-19 teams is myopic. Why can MLSN, GA, ECNL/ R/ NL/ Aspire and all the other alpahbet soup leagues not do stepped entry. U13/14. You do well, you get to build from the bottom. |
Anonymous
Because clubs have multiple age groups and it doesn't work with only one or two age groups participating in a league. You need to be all in or nothing. |
Anonymous
| All about the $$$. Reason why US doesnt compete on mens side. And reason why womens side is less dominate |
Anonymous
Why does it not work? Because business? Who stands up for development? |
Anonymous
It doesn't work because for every club standing up for development there's 3-4 clubs that could care less about development that are recruiting their developed players away. To be successful clubs need to stike a balance between development and recruiting. |
Anonymous
USYS tried it and still sorta does it with its state leagues feeding into its National League BUT found it, too, to compete had to offer an elite club pathway (E64) -- which hurt the depth/competitiveness of the promotion-based league and made the whole structure pretty confusing. Also, in youth soccer, players get a chance to switch clubs every year, a rising team, especially in USYS, not only can't afford to lose over several seasons to get to the highest leagues but also has to fend off recruiting opportunities for their best players. Maybe it would work better now the top elite leagues are building out enough of a footprint to do it, such as ECNL/ECRL, but the problem is ECNL is very political and also takes geographical considerations in who they promote/demote. Top clubs historically kept rival clubs from joining so they could essentially form regional superteams. With expansion, that's lessened considerably but it remains a factor where clubs aren't promoted but need to apply. |
Anonymous
| It would never work as long as players are allowed to switch clubs whenever they want. Take that away and clubs will focus more on development. |