Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You’re on to something here, but the phrase “talent dilution” doesn’t quite cover it.

What if, and I know this is crazy, a team actually had to beat other teams in order to show that they belong at a certain level or in a certain league?

So, in the context of this thread, what if there was a system through which membership in the ECNL/MLSNext/EDP National league actually had to be earned and—wait for it—could also be lost if warranted by poor results?

Having A, B, C, etc teams doesn’t “dilute” talent. I don’t even understand how that would work. Anointing clubs/teams with top-tier status, regardless of results, all but ensures mediocrity will prevail.

But that’s how American sports work, right? Lose every game and you are in no danger of getting kicked out of the league—hey, we’ll even give you first choice of up-and-coming talent, no matter whether they prefer to avoid your shit organization.

If Arlington, BA, and Bethesda (for example) all beat DCU’s academy in a given age group, would they be in the higher league? Of course not—this is America!

My son plays at one of the new members, but I've long thought that EDP has it right on pro/rel, and that membership in elite tier should be earned over time on a team-by-team basis. The most realistic alternative in the short term would be a system where DCU, Bethesda, Armour and other core MLSNext members would face top local teams who be promoted or relegated season over season. You would need a fallback for teams that don't make it (again EDP seems pretty logical).

NCSL has the same pro/rel.

To me, I think you only need two leagues. One that is pro/rel and one for all the clubs that are afraid of pro/rel and hide behind club centric development. Looking at you CCL. : ) However, for all of us pro/rel people, the problem that NCSL would have to address is area of coverage. I believe EDP took off because the top MD teams in NCSL wanted to compete with the better PA and NJ teams. EDP was able to attract those teams from MD and a few from VA. Now they have 2nd and 3rd divisions in EDP that are weaker than or comparable to 1st and 2nd divisions in NCSL. EDP has several geographic divisions so it's not like VA teams in EDP are playing NJ teams or PA teams. But yes, it makes total sense for the top division of a league be Bethesda, Alexandria, Pipeline, SAC, Baltimore Armour, Arlington, Achilles, Springfield, VDA, Loudoun and start there and let Pro-Rel take care of the rest. Yes, I understand that that the big clubs don't want to risk losing to a small club or get relegated but that's what makes it all exciting. Plus, this way, being in the top division of the league would actually mean something. The Baltimore teams would have to decide on whether or not to go with the PA/NJ division of the DMV division.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You’re on to something here, but the phrase “talent dilution” doesn’t quite cover it.

What if, and I know this is crazy, a team actually had to beat other teams in order to show that they belong at a certain level or in a certain league?

So, in the context of this thread, what if there was a system through which membership in the ECNL/MLSNext/EDP National league actually had to be earned and—wait for it—could also be lost if warranted by poor results?

Having A, B, C, etc teams doesn’t “dilute” talent. I don’t even understand how that would work. Anointing clubs/teams with top-tier status, regardless of results, all but ensures mediocrity will prevail.

But that’s how American sports work, right? Lose every game and you are in no danger of getting kicked out of the league—hey, we’ll even give you first choice of up-and-coming talent, no matter whether they prefer to avoid your shit organization.

If Arlington, BA, and Bethesda (for example) all beat DCU’s academy in a given age group, would they be in the higher league? Of course not—this is America!

My son plays at one of the new members, but I've long thought that EDP has it right on pro/rel, and that membership in elite tier should be earned over time on a team-by-team basis. The most realistic alternative in the short term would be a system where DCU, Bethesda, Armour and other core MLSNext members would face top local teams who be promoted or relegated season over season. You would need a fallback for teams that don't make it (again EDP seems pretty logical).

NCSL has the same pro/rel.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You’re on to something here, but the phrase “talent dilution” doesn’t quite cover it.

What if, and I know this is crazy, a team actually had to beat other teams in order to show that they belong at a certain level or in a certain league?

So, in the context of this thread, what if there was a system through which membership in the ECNL/MLSNext/EDP National league actually had to be earned and—wait for it—could also be lost if warranted by poor results?

Having A, B, C, etc teams doesn’t “dilute” talent. I don’t even understand how that would work. Anointing clubs/teams with top-tier status, regardless of results, all but ensures mediocrity will prevail.

But that’s how American sports work, right? Lose every game and you are in no danger of getting kicked out of the league—hey, we’ll even give you first choice of up-and-coming talent, no matter whether they prefer to avoid your shit organization.

If Arlington, BA, and Bethesda (for example) all beat DCU’s academy in a given age group, would they be in the higher league? Of course not—this is America!

My son plays at one of the new members, but I've long thought that EDP has it right on pro/rel, and that membership in elite tier should be earned over time on a team-by-team basis. The most realistic alternative in the short term would be a system where DCU, Bethesda, Armour and other core MLSNext members would face top local teams who be promoted or relegated season over season. You would need a fallback for teams that don't make it (again EDP seems pretty logical).

Anonymous wrote:You’re on to something here, but the phrase “talent dilution” doesn’t quite cover it.

What if, and I know this is crazy, a team actually had to beat other teams in order to show that they belong at a certain level or in a certain league?

So, in the context of this thread, what if there was a system through which membership in the ECNL/MLSNext/EDP National league actually had to be earned and—wait for it—could also be lost if warranted by poor results?

Having A, B, C, etc teams doesn’t “dilute” talent. I don’t even understand how that would work. Anointing clubs/teams with top-tier status, regardless of results, all but ensures mediocrity will prevail.

But that’s how American sports work, right? Lose every game and you are in no danger of getting kicked out of the league—hey, we’ll even give you first choice of up-and-coming talent, no matter whether they prefer to avoid your shit organization.

If Arlington, BA, and Bethesda (for example) all beat DCU’s academy in a given age group, would they be in the higher league? Of course not—this is America!