Reply to Virginia Union FC

Forum Index » Soccer

Reply to "Virginia Union FC"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]DA =/= MLS Next

Maybe in a few years. For now, if you're going to try to tell me that SYC is at a higher level than Arlington or Bethesda...well, I could use a good laugh.

[quote]If there's anything that comes from this alliance is that it allows the ECNL players to understand the level of quality, quickness and technical skills necessary to play in MLS Next.[/quote]

PM and EM have always been good at finding fast, physical players who are good at running with and kicking the ball and recruiting them to their teams. That doesn't translate to winning at this age anymore.

A team that did OK in the EDP South Atlantic Conference Premier II Red and was near the bottom of the table of the 4th division at the Jefferson Cup last year isn't a "step above" by virtue of their league. They'd be lucky to be a step above where they were last spring.[/quote]

Exactly.

All the DA teams in Virginia went to ECNL, along with  the DA teams from the Carolinas.  Maryland DA teams went to MLS Next.  MLS Next admitted clubs from Virginia which were not as good as the clubs which went to ECNL, although they were probably better than some clubs which were already in ECNL.

The players didn't switch teams as a result, nor did the coaches.

The result is that, at least in this area, the strongest teams are currently split between MLS Next and ECNL.

Whether that remains the case will depend on whether MLS Next can market themselves as better because of the participation by MLS clubs, and consequently attract the better players - and just as importantly the better coaches.  This definitely could happen.

Equally the opposite could happen too - if the MLS clubs move to separate themselves further from the other MLS Next clubs - as they are already doing - then MLS Next could struggle.

There are reasons why the ex-DA clubs in this area did not move to MLS Next when it was offered (and re-offered again this year).  It's not a slam dunk that MLS Next wins this beauty contest.  Richmond, Arlington, VDA and Loudoun will always have strong teams.  And SYC will struggle in MLS Next and may continue to do so for a long time - just as many clubs struggled in DA and never really made the necessary jump in level to compete with the better DA teams even after many years in that league.

In the end only time will tell.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics