Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"How do leagues "fragment" teams?"

Clubs decide what teams they put in what leagues. Then based on prior records teams either move up or down within leagues. This is for leagues with promotion/relegation such as NCSL and ODSL. I'm pretty certain that CCL does not have this. A club that is CCL may have 2 there, 2 NCSL, and another 2 in ODSL. All depends on the clubs size and the team's playing ability. A smaller club not in CCL may do 2 NCSL 1 ODSLor various combinations. At the moment, I believe that NCSL does not allow a club to have more than 2 or 3 teams in their league.

I still don't see how that fragments teams.

If the only league was NCSL then the teams would simply be put in different divisions. I guess I just don't understand what you actually mean by fragment then.

CCL or NPL allow player passes so that clubs can do academy style training, mostly beneficial at U12 and younger, so that kids all train together and in theory kids can be moved up or down based on player development needs. If by fragmentation, NCSL does not allow this type of movement and "teams" become the main focus then I can see that as causing fragmentation.

Incorrect. Kids can be moved up and down between NCSL teams in the same club.

I'd need to double-check on guesting between ODSL and NCSL. I know ODSL allows guests from rec league, which is terrific.

If kids can moved around in NCSL that would explain the 2 team minimum for a club. But all of that is designed to allow academy style and does not lead to fragmentation.

But, to address a prior post about the negative affect of multiple leagues, without CCL, NPL and other Club based leagues coming onto the scene and bringing some different approaches NCSL would not have adopted a club based model that allowed for player movement within the club. The WAGS team centric model would still rule the land

Certainly some truth to that.

So now that NCSL has adopted some CCL/VPL practices, do we still need so many leagues?

When is a monopoly ever good?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So now that NCSL has adopted some CCL/VPL practices, do we still need so many leagues?

While NCSL has incorporated one aspect of the CCL/VPL club-centric model, the big difference remains the different emphasis on promotion/relegation. Some coaches and posters in this thread think it's critical in order to make sure teams play the appropriate level of competition. The disadvantage is it places more emphasis on winning to ensure the team stays in a higher division. This is the NCSL/WAGS approach. Others find the absence of Pro/Rel concerns allows teams to focus more on development such as giving weaker players more playing time, trying players at different positions, trying new formations, etc. These teams tend to seek more competitive games in tournaments, state cup competitions, etc. This is the CCL approach and to a much lesser extent, the VPL approach as those teams are still playing for a chance to make the NPL Finals.

All teams want to win at some level; it's just a question of whether the focus is on the league games, or tournaments and state cups, or both. But if the team is focused on winning all the time, then there's never any focus on real player development.

But because there is a legitimate difference of opinion of what is the right approach, the different leagues are needed to fulfill different requirements. And until there are enough clubs in your local area to fulfill those needs - be it having good but varied competition, or having more developmentally favorable league games - then teams/clubs will continue to have to travel to meet their needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So now that NCSL has adopted some CCL/VPL practices, do we still need so many leagues?

While NCSL has incorporated one aspect of the CCL/VPL club-centric model, the big difference remains the different emphasis on promotion/relegation. Some coaches and posters in this thread think it's critical in order to make sure teams play the appropriate level of competition. The disadvantage is it places more emphasis on winning to ensure the team stays in a higher division. This is the NCSL/WAGS approach. Others find the absence of Pro/Rel concerns allows teams to focus more on development such as giving weaker players more playing time, trying players at different positions, trying new formations, etc. These teams tend to seek more competitive games in tournaments, state cup competitions, etc. This is the CCL approach and to a much lesser extent, the VPL approach as those teams are still playing for a chance to make the NPL Finals.

All teams want to win at some level; it's just a question of whether the focus is on the league games, or tournaments and state cups, or both. But if the team is focused on winning all the time, then there's never any focus on real player development.

But because there is a legitimate difference of opinion of what is the right approach, the different leagues are needed to fulfill different requirements. And until there are enough clubs in your local area to fulfill those needs - be it having good but varied competition, or having more developmentally favorable league games - then teams/clubs will continue to have to travel to meet their needs.

This is a great summary. Remember, your millage may vary based on your club, team or coach but that is not the particular leagues fault. The main thing is, and I know this offends some of you, but this point cant be driven home enough, educate yourself about the club, team and league your kid will play for and you will likely be happier with your overall experience. There are enough choices out there to satisfy your soccer needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"How do leagues "fragment" teams?"

Clubs decide what teams they put in what leagues. Then based on prior records teams either move up or down within leagues. This is for leagues with promotion/relegation such as NCSL and ODSL. I'm pretty certain that CCL does not have this. A club that is CCL may have 2 there, 2 NCSL, and another 2 in ODSL. All depends on the clubs size and the team's playing ability. A smaller club not in CCL may do 2 NCSL 1 ODSLor various combinations. At the moment, I believe that NCSL does not allow a club to have more than 2 or 3 teams in their league.

I still don't see how that fragments teams.

If the only league was NCSL then the teams would simply be put in different divisions. I guess I just don't understand what you actually mean by fragment then.

CCL or NPL allow player passes so that clubs can do academy style training, mostly beneficial at U12 and younger, so that kids all train together and in theory kids can be moved up or down based on player development needs. If by fragmentation, NCSL does not allow this type of movement and "teams" become the main focus then I can see that as causing fragmentation.

Incorrect. Kids can be moved up and down between NCSL teams in the same club.

I'd need to double-check on guesting between ODSL and NCSL. I know ODSL allows guests from rec league, which is terrific.

If kids can moved around in NCSL that would explain the 2 team minimum for a club. But all of that is designed to allow academy style and does not lead to fragmentation.

But, to address a prior post about the negative affect of multiple leagues, without CCL, NPL and other Club based leagues coming onto the scene and bringing some different approaches NCSL would not have adopted a club based model that allowed for player movement within the club. The WAGS team centric model would still rule the land

Certainly some truth to that.

So now that NCSL has adopted some CCL/VPL practices, do we still need so many leagues?

When is a monopoly ever good?

NFL?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"How do leagues "fragment" teams?"

Clubs decide what teams they put in what leagues. Then based on prior records teams either move up or down within leagues. This is for leagues with promotion/relegation such as NCSL and ODSL. I'm pretty certain that CCL does not have this. A club that is CCL may have 2 there, 2 NCSL, and another 2 in ODSL. All depends on the clubs size and the team's playing ability. A smaller club not in CCL may do 2 NCSL 1 ODSLor various combinations. At the moment, I believe that NCSL does not allow a club to have more than 2 or 3 teams in their league.

I still don't see how that fragments teams.

If the only league was NCSL then the teams would simply be put in different divisions. I guess I just don't understand what you actually mean by fragment then.

CCL or NPL allow player passes so that clubs can do academy style training, mostly beneficial at U12 and younger, so that kids all train together and in theory kids can be moved up or down based on player development needs. If by fragmentation, NCSL does not allow this type of movement and "teams" become the main focus then I can see that as causing fragmentation.

Incorrect. Kids can be moved up and down between NCSL teams in the same club.

I'd need to double-check on guesting between ODSL and NCSL. I know ODSL allows guests from rec league, which is terrific.

If kids can moved around in NCSL that would explain the 2 team minimum for a club. But all of that is designed to allow academy style and does not lead to fragmentation.

But, to address a prior post about the negative affect of multiple leagues, without CCL, NPL and other Club based leagues coming onto the scene and bringing some different approaches NCSL would not have adopted a club based model that allowed for player movement within the club. The WAGS team centric model would still rule the land

Certainly some truth to that.

So now that NCSL has adopted some CCL/VPL practices, do we still need so many leagues?

When is a monopoly ever good?

NFL?

Is the NFL really good for fans or players? Local government subsidized stadiums for Billionaire owners, questionable health regulation in regards to concussions, terrible player rights before unionization, seat of the pants commissioner justice, high ticket prices, licensing lock in with single companies like DirecTV and EA Sports which can yield sub par products with little NFL oversight etc.

But it is hard to call the Super Bowl winner the "world champions" when nobody beyond our borders care and we don't play any teams from other nations.

Soccer on the other hand has many leagues and lots of true international and interleague play and shockingly, on a international scale is not only more popular world wide but soccer's stars are truly internationally famous. I'm pretty sure Peyton Manning could walk through Spain and never be bothered.

The NFL is a wealthy and successful league but it has not been terribly successful at growing the sport beyond our borders.

[Anonymous]

It was never suggested that there are no teams in the NCSL that play beautiful possession soccer. The point was that the fear of relegation may cause coaches to be risk averse and force kids to specialize early and ultimately hinder development because a loss may send you down to the lower tiers of the NCSL where the competition is more likely the "boot and chase" team and not the Restons and Alexandrias.

My comment about the mid-level NCSL team giving my DS's team a close game (not beating them-- giving them a close game) was that despite the score being close, the teams were not equivalent in where they were in their development. The relative success that the coach of the other team found with this style. coupled with a fear of relegation, would discourage actually teaching the game of soccer and the required technical skills appropriate for travel level players. When the kids move to a big field where raw athleticism is less important and technique matters more, they will not be giving my son's team as close a game.

There are a lot of options in this area. and that is a good thing. There are options for the families who think winning is paramount at this age, and those that do not care as much as long as the training is good and their own child is improving. There are options for families who want to travel no more than an hour, and those who are okay with spending an entire weekend on the road. There are options when the current options no longer make sense or work for whatever reason (rec! house! lower level team in lower league!) It really is a beautiful thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been around club soccer for many years with multiple kids go through, and the only thing that the proliferation of leagues with ever changing names has done is fragment both the teams and the leagues. League play in all of the "competitive" leagues like CCL is a joke - half the games are competitive, the other half are blow outs. And the soccer powers that be keep piling on more and more leagues - EDP, VPL, DA, CCL, R1, ECNL - and that's all on top of existing NCSL, ODSL, and WAGS. It's crazy.

+1,000,000

I started playing in WAGs in the late 70s. I have two male siblings that were top in this area in the 80s with a father that coached travel, VA State team.

It's gotten so bad.

I was amazed now that I am here navigating this world with my own kids. Things certainly aren't better---just a lot more shit to sort through to find legitimate, good people/trainers.

They have capitalized on the yuppie population where $ isn't an option and they don't have enough knowledge/experience in the sport to realize they are being sold snake oil. If it's 'elite' or a coach has a certain license its got to be good, right?

The Yuppie reference is as out of date as the "good old days of WAGS" is. Here is the thing, there has been a lot of positive changes to the soccer landscape over the years but with that there have come some negative changes as well.

Pay to play and marketing and calling everything Elite is a problem. But soccer is no longer a fringe sport and all popular sports are going through similar changes. baseball, basketball, LAX volleyball etc..

But there is plenty of choice and there is a team for just about every level of player. I don't think parents of kids on the fifth team of their club is being sold any "snake oil". Perhaps the need for "travel" soccer to have teams that are that far down isn't necessary but who are we to tell kids and parents that they should just play rec and accept that.

But, when you were in WAGS, simply playing travel soccer was considered "elite" and now with the proliferation of leagues and clubs that field up to 6 teams we now view travel soccer as something that is merely something that you can simply buy like peanut butter.

Add to this the potential for a college scholarship and some parents can feel that travel sports is a path to college. A quick look at the books will immediately reveal that not only are the odds of a scholarship poor but the amount any quality travel program will cost would be better spent on tutors in support of a academic scholarship. But these people I believe are pretty rare. That doesn't make the clubs or leagues snake oil salesmen any more than buying a power ball ticket. But unlike a powerball ticket most kids will have a positive experience to look book on regardless of where they end up.

Turn the cynicism dial back a notch, put your own kids potential, personal finances, and family lifestyle into perspective and you will be fine and realize that we are likely to make it far more complicated than it really is.

Nope. Now with 6 teams per age group and a pay develomeal league--there ain't nobody left in our Rec league by 3rd grade (even more so now that they limit 2 'select players". Hence, people now pay big $ for what used to be rec level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been around club soccer for many years with multiple kids go through, and the only thing that the proliferation of leagues with ever changing names has done is fragment both the teams and the leagues. League play in all of the "competitive" leagues like CCL is a joke - half the games are competitive, the other half are blow outs. And the soccer powers that be keep piling on more and more leagues - EDP, VPL, DA, CCL, R1, ECNL - and that's all on top of existing NCSL, ODSL, and WAGS. It's crazy.

+1,000,000

I started playing in WAGs in the late 70s. I have two male siblings that were top in this area in the 80s with a father that coached travel, VA State team.

It's gotten so bad.

I was amazed now that I am here navigating this world with my own kids. Things certainly aren't better---just a lot more shit to sort through to find legitimate, good people/trainers.

They have capitalized on the yuppie population where $ isn't an option and they don't have enough knowledge/experience in the sport to realize they are being sold snake oil. If it's 'elite' or a coach has a certain license its got to be good, right?

The Yuppie reference is as out of date as the "good old days of WAGS" is. Here is the thing, there has been a lot of positive changes to the soccer landscape over the years but with that there have come some negative changes as well.

Pay to play and marketing and calling everything Elite is a problem. But soccer is no longer a fringe sport and all popular sports are going through similar changes. baseball, basketball, LAX volleyball etc..

But there is plenty of choice and there is a team for just about every level of player. I don't think parents of kids on the fifth team of their club is being sold any "snake oil". Perhaps the need for "travel" soccer to have teams that are that far down isn't necessary but who are we to tell kids and parents that they should just play rec and accept that.

But, when you were in WAGS, simply playing travel soccer was considered "elite" and now with the proliferation of leagues and clubs that field up to 6 teams we now view travel soccer as something that is merely something that you can simply buy like peanut butter.

Add to this the potential for a college scholarship and some parents can feel that travel sports is a path to college. A quick look at the books will immediately reveal that not only are the odds of a scholarship poor but the amount any quality travel program will cost would be better spent on tutors in support of a academic scholarship. But these people I believe are pretty rare. That doesn't make the clubs or leagues snake oil salesmen any more than buying a power ball ticket. But unlike a powerball ticket most kids will have a positive experience to look book on regardless of where they end up.

Turn the cynicism dial back a notch, put your own kids potential, personal finances, and family lifestyle into perspective and you will be fine and realize that we are likely to make it far more complicated than it really is.

Nope. Now with 6 teams per age group and a pay develomeal league--there ain't nobody left in our Rec league by 3rd grade (even more so now that they limit 2 'select players". Hence, people now pay big $ for what used to be rec level.

Maybe ODSL and SFL should merge and become the new "rec level"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been around club soccer for many years with multiple kids go through, and the only thing that the proliferation of leagues with ever changing names has done is fragment both the teams and the leagues. League play in all of the "competitive" leagues like CCL is a joke - half the games are competitive, the other half are blow outs. And the soccer powers that be keep piling on more and more leagues - EDP, VPL, DA, CCL, R1, ECNL - and that's all on top of existing NCSL, ODSL, and WAGS. It's crazy.

How do leagues "fragment" teams?

10 years ago for boys, NCSL Division 1 was THE place to be for boys. In the summer maybe you played Super Y. The talent did not have that many places to go, and there is probably not that much more high quality talent now than there was 10 years ago. But now they can go to DA, or a team that plays in CCL, or EDP. So many more teams to play on, each with a coach that promises an 'Elite' team.

Take a look at the Region 1 Champions League from this spring for this area (which of course renamed itself for the fall). It's NCSL Division 1 from 10 years ago!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was never suggested that there are no teams in the NCSL that play beautiful possession soccer. The point was that the fear of relegation may cause coaches to be risk averse and force kids to specialize early and ultimately hinder development because a loss may send you down to the lower tiers of the NCSL where the competition is more likely the "boot and chase" team and not the Restons and Alexandrias.

My comment about the mid-level NCSL team giving my DS's team a close game (not beating them-- giving them a close game) was that despite the score being close, the teams were not equivalent in where they were in their development. The relative success that the coach of the other team found with this style. coupled with a fear of relegation, would discourage actually teaching the game of soccer and the required technical skills appropriate for travel level players. When the kids move to a big field where raw athleticism is less important and technique matters more, they will not be giving my son's team as close a game.

There are a lot of options in this area. and that is a good thing. There are options for the families who think winning is paramount at this age, and those that do not care as much as long as the training is good and their own child is improving. There are options for families who want to travel no more than an hour, and those who are okay with spending an entire weekend on the road. There are options when the current options no longer make sense or work for whatever reason (rec! house! lower level team in lower league!) It really is a beautiful thing.

A lot of options for league is not a good thing. A lot of options for club is good thing, it is club who develop player, league does not develop player. This is why DA does not matter, they are not developing players in DA they are recruiting. One day there will be a club or two that become outstanding at developing players in USA, it's only a matter of time. When that happens no one will care what league that club plays in. No on cares what league La Masia plays in or if they have pro rel in that league or if the parents have to drive long ways to games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was never suggested that there are no teams in the NCSL that play beautiful possession soccer. The point was that the fear of relegation may cause coaches to be risk averse and force kids to specialize early and ultimately hinder development because a loss may send you down to the lower tiers of the NCSL where the competition is more likely the "boot and chase" team and not the Restons and Alexandrias.

My comment about the mid-level NCSL team giving my DS's team a close game (not beating them-- giving them a close game) was that despite the score being close, the teams were not equivalent in where they were in their development. The relative success that the coach of the other team found with this style. coupled with a fear of relegation, would discourage actually teaching the game of soccer and the required technical skills appropriate for travel level players. When the kids move to a big field where raw athleticism is less important and technique matters more, they will not be giving my son's team as close a game.

There are a lot of options in this area. and that is a good thing. There are options for the families who think winning is paramount at this age, and those that do not care as much as long as the training is good and their own child is improving. There are options for families who want to travel no more than an hour, and those who are okay with spending an entire weekend on the road. There are options when the current options no longer make sense or work for whatever reason (rec! house! lower level team in lower league!) It really is a beautiful thing.

A lot of options for league is not a good thing. A lot of options for club is good thing, it is club who develop player, league does not develop player. This is why DA does not matter, they are not developing players in DA they are recruiting. One day there will be a club or two that become outstanding at developing players in USA, it's only a matter of time. When that happens no one will care what league that club plays in. No on cares what league La Masia plays in or if they have pro rel in that league or if the parents have to drive long ways to games.

The reality is that we put to much emphasis on games and leagues and the truth is they don't really matter. So more leagues is the better of two evils because it at least give families choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been around club soccer for many years with multiple kids go through, and the only thing that the proliferation of leagues with ever changing names has done is fragment both the teams and the leagues. League play in all of the "competitive" leagues like CCL is a joke - half the games are competitive, the other half are blow outs. And the soccer powers that be keep piling on more and more leagues - EDP, VPL, DA, CCL, R1, ECNL - and that's all on top of existing NCSL, ODSL, and WAGS. It's crazy.

How do leagues "fragment" teams?

10 years ago for boys, NCSL Division 1 was THE place to be for boys. In the summer maybe you played Super Y. The talent did not have that many places to go, and there is probably not that much more high quality talent now than there was 10 years ago. But now they can go to DA, or a team that plays in CCL, or EDP. So many more teams to play on, each with a coach that promises an 'Elite' team.

Take a look at the Region 1 Champions League from this spring for this area (which of course renamed itself for the fall). It's NCSL Division 1 from 10 years ago!

Yep. +100. Things are so watered down now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was never suggested that there are no teams in the NCSL that play beautiful possession soccer. The point was that the fear of relegation may cause coaches to be risk averse and force kids to specialize early and ultimately hinder development because a loss may send you down to the lower tiers of the NCSL where the competition is more likely the "boot and chase" team and not the Restons and Alexandrias.

My comment about the mid-level NCSL team giving my DS's team a close game (not beating them-- giving them a close game) was that despite the score being close, the teams were not equivalent in where they were in their development. The relative success that the coach of the other team found with this style. coupled with a fear of relegation, would discourage actually teaching the game of soccer and the required technical skills appropriate for travel level players. When the kids move to a big field where raw athleticism is less important and technique matters more, they will not be giving my son's team as close a game.

There are a lot of options in this area. and that is a good thing. There are options for the families who think winning is paramount at this age, and those that do not care as much as long as the training is good and their own child is improving. There are options for families who want to travel no more than an hour, and those who are okay with spending an entire weekend on the road. There are options when the current options no longer make sense or work for whatever reason (rec! house! lower level team in lower league!) It really is a beautiful thing.

A lot of options for league is not a good thing. A lot of options for club is good thing, it is club who develop player, league does not develop player. This is why DA does not matter, they are not developing players in DA they are recruiting. One day there will be a club or two that become outstanding at developing players in USA, it's only a matter of time. When that happens no one will care what league that club plays in. No on cares what league La Masia plays in or if they have pro rel in that league or if the parents have to drive long ways to games.

The reality is that we put to much emphasis on games and leagues and the truth is they don't really matter. So more leagues is the better of two evils because it at least give families choice.

But ... if the games and leagues don't really matter, why travel so much?

[Anonymous]

[guardian]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was never suggested that there are no teams in the NCSL that play beautiful possession soccer. The point was that the fear of relegation may cause coaches to be risk averse and force kids to specialize early and ultimately hinder development because a loss may send you down to the lower tiers of the NCSL where the competition is more likely the "boot and chase" team and not the Restons and Alexandrias.

My comment about the mid-level NCSL team giving my DS's team a close game (not beating them-- giving them a close game) was that despite the score being close, the teams were not equivalent in where they were in their development. The relative success that the coach of the other team found with this style. coupled with a fear of relegation, would discourage actually teaching the game of soccer and the required technical skills appropriate for travel level players. When the kids move to a big field where raw athleticism is less important and technique matters more, they will not be giving my son's team as close a game.

There are a lot of options in this area. and that is a good thing. There are options for the families who think winning is paramount at this age, and those that do not care as much as long as the training is good and their own child is improving. There are options for families who want to travel no more than an hour, and those who are okay with spending an entire weekend on the road. There are options when the current options no longer make sense or work for whatever reason (rec! house! lower level team in lower league!) It really is a beautiful thing.

A lot of options for league is not a good thing. A lot of options for club is good thing, it is club who develop player, league does not develop player. This is why DA does not matter, they are not developing players in DA they are recruiting. One day there will be a club or two that become outstanding at developing players in USA, it's only a matter of time. When that happens no one will care what league that club plays in. No on cares what league La Masia plays in or if they have pro rel in that league or if the parents have to drive long ways to games.

The reality is that we put to much emphasis on games and leagues and the truth is they don't really matter. So more leagues is the better of two evils because it at least give families choice.

But ... if the games and leagues don't really matter, why travel so much?

Because we are all cowards and don't exercise choice. When you have parents keeping score at U7 games and getting over involved you are simply paying for what you believe to be important. When winning a league game leads parents to think little Messi is "developing".

If you don't wish to travel you don't have to. Just worry about finding a good coach for your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So now that NCSL has adopted some CCL/VPL practices, do we still need so many leagues?

While NCSL has incorporated one aspect of the CCL/VPL club-centric model, the big difference remains the different emphasis on promotion/relegation. Some coaches and posters in this thread think it's critical in order to make sure teams play the appropriate level of competition. The disadvantage is it places more emphasis on winning to ensure the team stays in a higher division. This is the NCSL/WAGS approach. Others find the absence of Pro/Rel concerns allows teams to focus more on development such as giving weaker players more playing time, trying players at different positions, trying new formations, etc. These teams tend to seek more competitive games in tournaments, state cup competitions, etc. This is the CCL approach and to a much lesser extent, the VPL approach as those teams are still playing for a chance to make the NPL Finals.

All teams want to win at some level; it's just a question of whether the focus is on the league games, or tournaments and state cups, or both. But if the team is focused on winning all the time, then there's never any focus on real player development.

But because there is a legitimate difference of opinion of what is the right approach, the different leagues are needed to fulfill different requirements. And until there are enough clubs in your local area to fulfill those needs - be it having good but varied competition, or having more developmentally favorable league games - then teams/clubs will continue to have to travel to meet their needs.

This is a great summary. Remember, your millage may vary based on your club, team or coach but that is not the particular leagues fault. The main thing is, and I know this offends some of you, but this point cant be driven home enough, educate yourself about the club, team and league your kid will play for and you will likely be happier with your overall experience. There are enough choices out there to satisfy your soccer needs.

The two above posts are excellent. Our kid moved after U13 year from a competitive WAGS/NCSL team to a competitive CCL team and we have been very happy with the move and in particular happy with the reduced emphasis that CCL places on league games (since no promotion/relegation) and the greater emphasis on preparing for and playing in major tournaments and state cup. Of course your mileage may vary by club. League games for our CCL club is viewed as an opportunity to play more advanced kids up a year or two to get them exposure to stronger competition, to play kids in different positions, formations or player combinations, to get certain kids more game time then they receive in tournaments or state cup, etc. I think the CCL model, at the right club, is IN GENERAL a much better developmental model than WAGS/NCSL. Of course there are exceptions.