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Post by soccerfutbolfam on May 30, 2020 6:51:59 GMT -5
I've been around the GA Soccer fields for several years now. I remember the days when the RPL/NPL meant a LOT, DA was King and if you weren't on those teams - Athena A/Classic I = top dog If memory serves me correctly, parents became irate when the travel with RPL became - well, stupid. In all honesty, traveling to another state to play a team whose main facility is within your close proximity is just that. So, parents railed and after a few other hiccups with GA Soccer: SCCL was born. On the outside, it is an answer to parents concerns. Good play, no crazy crazy travel and there seems to be uniformity and collaboration between clubs. And, if clubs don't collaborate, well, they can be kicked out. .....but stay with me before anyone starts going off on some details I may be incorrect about because this is going somewhere I think everyone needs to consider.
side note: My 'skin' in this game at any level from U4-U19 is dwindling quickly. My thoughts below - won't really impact me much because I think some of these changes will not occur over the next year or two and by then, I won't have to be concerned with any of this - but for most reading this board - these are all questions you should be asking - REGARDLESS of league or play or club. ALWAYS make decisions with the most information you possibly can because soccer does become a huge part of your life First - Tryouts. (let's start here) In all honesty, tryouts happened and are happening with every club that posted: NO TRYOUTS. and if you look at the ones who started this - they are all in SCCL. Not having tryouts really helped the clubs who were losing programs - gave them control over their players just leaving. It also gave clubs he ability to hide who is/is not on a team, eliminating the ability for a player to 'see' who is on the team (as with normal tryouts, you get a visual of how the team is forming. In essence, you'll be asked to pay for a position, without knowing the team and because this is soccer and we love the sport, almost every single parent will do just that because 'what choice do we have'. Second - ALLIANCE Is the SCCL Alliance one that can benefit players? As we are all seeing with tryouts - that are club based and leaving players completely out of the equation in making decisions (because in order to make a decision, you really need more information that: Club, Coach and Fees - You need the fourth piece: Who are the players?) - what other information is not visible to parents and players. Example: Who is the board behind SCCL? What do clubs really have to agree to? What is the end game of SCCL? What happens if any of the top 5 decide they don't want to follow along - does it start to crumble? If it crumbles, what happens to the clubs and players? Most importantly, the players because they're the ones playing soccer AND paying for it.
Third - FEES What happens to club fees as GA Soccer crumbles? Can clubs begin charging what they want? Does this mean that if the 'alliance' of SCCL can vote and dictate on something like tryouts, they can do the same with club fees and place a 'no ceiling' fee policy? We all know if one club increases their fees, others will fall into line and if they are part of the alliance, they will have to. So, what's the limit you're willing to pay: What if for ECNL, your club fee is $4k and your additional ECNL Fees are $1k, add travel of $3k - are you willing to pay it - especially on the boys side where Colleges are dropping their Soccer programs left and right? And what about on the SCCL side - are you willing to pay $3k for club fees and another $1k for travel/tournaments?
Fourth: ODP OK - this may seem out of place, but this is an outright confusing part for me: If GA Soccer folds, what happens to ODP? Seems like the parents of the DA Kids would really be interested int his program now because they 'can' play in ODP (now). Without DA - seems like we'll need ODP to become stronger so that GA can continue participating (more hopefully) in our national teams... OR - Is it the hope that the National Players will only be selected from ECNL teams?
Fifth: WHO Is in Charge of SCCL - and what else do they run? If you look at the 'person/s" to contact, and seek more information, you find similar leagues with their name. Each of those leagues is 'associated' with US Club Soccer, But, if you go to US Club Soccer you only see the ECNL/ENPL/Premier, etc. AND you don't see any of the names associated with SCCL. So, who are the people/board behind SCCL? Are the 'contacts' just the front peole you can see to hide who is really running it (like a few club DOC's) why consider any of this - because if you read between the lines of the SCCL Club requirements - You HAVE to fall in line with the other clubs - You Have to do what everyone else is doing (or look like you are) or you can't join. And if you can't join, you have to be in GA soccer. And if you are in GA Soccer, "you're not a big top club with quality players" and if that's the case then......what happens if GA Soccer folds? Because someone has to be in charge. Someone has to be regulating things - regardless of the topic - because human vanity and greed will take over. If a few local DOC's are running things, and they have no unbiased person to help them maintain integrity, parents and players will lose even more ability to truly make decisions that are best for their kids. I'm not knocking SCCL. I'm not knocking the thought process behind it. I'm not saying change is not necessary. But, I am saying - there is a curtain blocking some truth that parents should know and clubs should be transparent about. Once the curtain is pulled back, I'm not sure you're going to really see what you expect and I may have a little inside information - so rather than just blast off, maybe take some time to consider all of this.... because we're at a tipping point and if what I have been told is behind that curtain.... let's just say the rich kid club is going to become smaller and the rest of us will be paying the price in ways we never imagined - and not just with our $ |
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Post by ga3v3 on May 30, 2020 8:03:52 GMT -5
Great points.
I will disagree that SCCL was started as an alternative to the SRPL. The year it was started there were no teams that were in RPL that moved into SCCL. This was only an excuse to hide the real purpose- control and money.
Having said that, we are now in an era where GA soccer is done and the big 5 are running a league with the majority of teams in the state. We are back to basically where we were with classic 1 and Athena A 4 years ago except GA soccer executives don’t control it anymore and there is no promotion to a regional league- which is fine by me as there are plenty of quality teams right here in the metro
There were definitely problems with ga soccer and how it was run by I totally agree that it will most likely be worse over time with the big 5s cartel running it with absolutely no one to answer to except the parents(consumers). Unfortunately I’ve completely lost faith in parents and the willingness to push back against the clubs for rights of their players and families which leads me to my conclusion that it will likely decline. But time will tell
All in all not much has changed except who’s running the show. And if the majority of families don’t care about that than its all just a moot point.
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Post by soccerfutbolfam on May 30, 2020 8:16:35 GMT -5
Great points. I will disagree that SCCL was started as an opposition to the SRPL. The year it was started there were no teams that were in RPL that moved into SCCL. This was only an excuse to hide the real purpose- control and money. Having said that, we are now in an era where GA soccer is done and the big 5 are running a league with the majority of teams in the state. We are back to basically where we were with classic 1 and Athena A 4 years ago except GA soccer executives don’t control it anymore and there is no promotion to a regional league- which is fine by me as thawed are plenty of quality teams right here in the metro There were definitely problems with ga soccer and how it was run by I totally agree that it will most likely be worse over time with the big 5s cartel running it with absolutely no one to answer to except the parents(consumers). Unfortunately I’ve completely lost faith in parents and the willingness to push back against the clubs for rights of their players and families which leads me to my conclusion that it will likely decline. But time will tell All in all not much has changed except who’s running the show. And if the majority of families don’t care about that than its all just a moot point. 1) I'm not sure where you read "SCCL was started as an opposition to the SRPL." - that was not my intent - not opposition, but part of the 'railing' on the parent's sides 2) These two sentences in what you have stated are KEY: "All in all not much has changed except who’s running the show. And if the majority of families don’t care about that than its all just a moot point." - Having an unbias'd party who doesn't 'win' regardless of club is a HUGE factor people need to consider
- Not caring who is running the show is what lead down the rabbit hole for GA Soccer - parents need to care and advocate for ALL kids or the chaos will continue
- If DOC's are running the show - people have to know, this will fall apart faster and messier than GA Soccer did and the kids/parents will be the ones left 'holding the ball'
3) THIS IS SPOT ON: - "There were definitely problems with ga soccer and how it was run by I totally agree that it will most likely be worse over time with the big 5s cartel running it with absolutely no one to answer to except the parents(consumers). Unfortunately I’ve completely lost faith in parents and the willingness to push back against the clubs for rights of their players and families which leads me to my conclusion that it will likely decline.
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Post by rifle on May 30, 2020 9:15:33 GMT -5
Consolidation of power to a cartel is an interesting (and I believe appropriate) description. Now the big five leadership have wrestled the bank keys away from GA Soccer. Wait until they find out the vault is empty...
Don’t hold your breath that the competitive soccer “order” will be better in two-four-six years. But remember: an open pyramid is better than a caste system.
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Post by ga3v3 on May 30, 2020 9:42:20 GMT -5
Great points. I will disagree that SCCL was started as an opposition to the SRPL. The year it was started there were no teams that were in RPL that moved into SCCL. This was only an excuse to hide the real purpose- control and money. Having said that, we are now in an era where GA soccer is done and the big 5 are running a league with the majority of teams in the state. We are back to basically where we were with classic 1 and Athena A 4 years ago except GA soccer executives don’t control it anymore and there is no promotion to a regional league- which is fine by me as thawed are plenty of quality teams right here in the metro There were definitely problems with ga soccer and how it was run by I totally agree that it will most likely be worse over time with the big 5s cartel running it with absolutely no one to answer to except the parents(consumers). Unfortunately I’ve completely lost faith in parents and the willingness to push back against the clubs for rights of their players and families which leads me to my conclusion that it will likely decline. But time will tell All in all not much has changed except who’s running the show. And if the majority of families don’t care about that than its all just a moot point. 1) I'm not sure where you read "SCCL was started as an opposition to the SRPL." - that was not my intent - not opposition, but part of the 'railing' on the parent's sides 2) These two sentences in what you have stated are KEY: "All in all not much has changed except who’s running the show. And if the majority of families don’t care about that than its all just a moot point." - Having an unbias'd party who doesn't 'win' regardless of club is a HUGE factor people need to consider
- Not caring who is running the show is what lead down the rabbit hole for GA Soccer - parents need to care and advocate for ALL kids or the chaos will continue
- If DOC's are running the show - people have to know, this will fall apart faster and messier than GA Soccer did and the kids/parents will be the ones left 'holding the ball'
3) THIS IS SPOT ON: - "There were definitely problems with ga soccer and how it was run by I totally agree that it will most likely be worse over time with the big 5s cartel running it with absolutely no one to answer to except the parents(consumers). Unfortunately I’ve completely lost faith in parents and the willingness to push back against the clubs for rights of their players and families which leads me to my conclusion that it will likely decline.
You are correct that the docs and their interests will have an effect on the decision for the league and therefore all of the teams that are now associated. What you may not realize is that GA soccer was run by other clubs DOCs and their cronies and their decisions were also affected by their self interest which is why I feel it’s really not that much different. ODP for example was completely influenced by the club coaches that were employed by GA soccer making decisions and illegally recruiting players to suit their best interests |
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Post by kidsocceruber on May 30, 2020 9:42:22 GMT -5
I really hate to bring real life into a youth soccer discussion because there's just no comparison to the urgency and importance of it, but just look at what's going on in the world all across America this week(and in most of our back yard). Change does not happen unless people organize, unite and show solidarity. If there's enough people together with one voice it gets heard. If you're not happy with transparency or plans(or lack thereof) organize and unite and get in front of the people that are in control and make a change.
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Post by soccerfutbolfam on May 30, 2020 11:24:57 GMT -5
1) I'm not sure where you read "SCCL was started as an opposition to the SRPL." - that was not my intent - not opposition, but part of the 'railing' on the parent's sides 2) These two sentences in what you have stated are KEY: "All in all not much has changed except who’s running the show. And if the majority of families don’t care about that than its all just a moot point." - Having an unbias'd party who doesn't 'win' regardless of club is a HUGE factor people need to consider
- Not caring who is running the show is what lead down the rabbit hole for GA Soccer - parents need to care and advocate for ALL kids or the chaos will continue
- If DOC's are running the show - people have to know, this will fall apart faster and messier than GA Soccer did and the kids/parents will be the ones left 'holding the ball'
3) THIS IS SPOT ON: - "There were definitely problems with ga soccer and how it was run by I totally agree that it will most likely be worse over time with the big 5s cartel running it with absolutely no one to answer to except the parents(consumers). Unfortunately I’ve completely lost faith in parents and the willingness to push back against the clubs for rights of their players and families which leads me to my conclusion that it will likely decline.
You are correct that the docs and their interests will have an effect on the decision for the league and therefore all of the teams that are now associated. What you may not realize is that GA soccer was run by other clubs DOCs and their cronies and their decisions were also affected by their self interest which is why I feel it’s really not that much different. ODP for example was completely influenced by the club coaches that were employed by GA soccer making decisions and illegally recruiting players to suit their best interests Yes - absolutely spot on. The Club DOCs also ran GA Soccer. Which brings more irony to the whole "GA Soccer must die" mentality. Similar to the Super Y is Bad and Summer SCCL is going to rock thought process: still the same local people running and same kids playing - and yes - again spot on for ODP. Should be interesting to see how that shakes up this year with the DA players now being able to play. I can't help but wonder how many parents are already making calls to make sure their kid stays on the team and threatening to leave their club and billy and susie are not picked. |
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Post by soccerfutbolfam on May 30, 2020 11:29:16 GMT -5
I really hate to bring real life into a youth soccer discussion because there's just no comparison to the urgency and importance of it, but just look at what's going on in the world all across America this week(and in most of our back yard). Change does not happen unless people organize, unite and show solidarity. If there's enough people together with one voice it gets heard. If you're not happy with transparency or plans(or lack thereof) organize and unite and get in front of the people that are in control and make a change. You make an excellent point. Based on what I have seen - the parents who could help spearhead change: won't. They won't because of the political impact and fear that their child won't be selected for the team they want. So, people who could make change either don't see how bad the system is: because their kid is that good or they don't care because their kid is getting what they want and they don't see the kids who really are better but don't have the money or community voice to impact a club. And here we are at why our NTs struggle - very few clubs remain true to players and maintain a budget that allows kids with true natural talent and no check book to play and grow their skill. That is part of the American way, so I can't say that it doesn't make sense. But true change - comes with a price. Unfortunately, there aren't enough parents who will stand up and voice their opinions. MAYBE the Big 5 will read this, ponder the words in every thread on this forum and turn the new ship they are building toward one that really is for the kids. BUT for now, the curtain that keeps the true leaders of the ship hidden is also hiding their agenda for their pockets - and in a few years, unless they change the direction, it will be too late |
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Post by atlutd17 on May 30, 2020 12:12:22 GMT -5
You are correct that the docs and their interests will have an effect on the decision for the league and therefore all of the teams that are now associated. What you may not realize is that GA soccer was run by other clubs DOCs and their cronies and their decisions were also affected by their self interest which is why I feel it’s really not that much different. ODP for example was completely influenced by the club coaches that were employed by GA soccer making decisions and illegally recruiting players to suit their best interests Yes - absolutely spot on. The Club DOCs also ran GA Soccer. Which brings more irony to the whole "GA Soccer must die" mentality. Similar to the Super Y is Bad and Summer SCCL is going to rock thought process: still the same local people running and same kids playing - and yes - again spot on for ODP. Should be interesting to see how that shakes up this year with the DA players now being able to play. I can't help but wonder how many parents are already making calls to make sure their kid stays on the team and threatening to leave their club and billy and susie are not picked. You want the biggest irony? The downfall of GA Soccer started the moment they started to fix the root of the problem and saying no to the big boys. Too late. Go figure ... At the end of the day there is an election process in GA Soccer and USYS. Clubs vote. You can even run for office yourself if you want to make a difference. Compare that to SCCL and its process if you don't like how things are done, and the options you will have then to push back in that scenario, if you dare. |
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Post by bogan on May 30, 2020 12:31:16 GMT -5
“What you may not realize is that GA soccer was run by other clubs DOCs and their cronies and their decisions were also affected by their self interest which is why I feel it’s really not that much different. ODP for example was completely influenced by the club coaches that were employed by GA soccer making decisions and illegally recruiting players...”
I will say that ODP does state on its website that it can add players without notice. However, I felt like ODP was a big waste of time and money. After regionals this year all the practices were rained out and then the virus hit-we got an obligatory email saying “thanks for playing, see you next year.” So, we have a uniform, practice jersey, backpack that will sit in the closet collecting dust. Not sure we are going to travel down that road again.
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Post by atlfutboldad on May 30, 2020 12:37:34 GMT -5
We enjoyed the ODP experience this year. Mine uses the ODP bag for practice and school soccer and the club bag for games. We practiced a couple times after regionals. Well do it for U15 also, after that will see.
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Post by bogan on May 30, 2020 12:45:27 GMT -5
We enjoyed the ODP experience this year. Mine uses the ODP bag for practice and school soccer and the club bag for games. We practiced a couple times after regionals. Well do it for U15 also, after that will see. Glad you had a good experience. We aren’t in the Atlanta area so with club it was a bit much. Good luck to your player this year! |
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Post by bogan on May 30, 2020 17:41:51 GMT -5
“You want the biggest irony? The downfall of GA Soccer started the moment they started to fix the root of the problem and saying no to the big boys. Too late. Go figure ...
At the end of the day there is an election process in GA Soccer and USYS. Clubs vote. You can even run for office yourself if you want to make a difference.
Compare that to SCCL and its process if you don't like how things are done, and the options you will have then to push back in that scenario, if you dare.”
I agree; however, I would add that I think GA Soccers current predicament was exacerbated by the way they dealt with the Big5/6. They issued hollow threats that they couldn’t enforce which made them look flaccid.
I believe all but one are gone from the board. One that beat the drum the loudest one the west side of town is part of the CCL debacle if I’m not mistaken.
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Post by atlutd17 on May 30, 2020 19:56:00 GMT -5
“You want the biggest irony? The downfall of GA Soccer started the moment they started to fix the root of the problem and saying no to the big boys. Too late. Go figure ... At the end of the day there is an election process in GA Soccer and USYS. Clubs vote. You can even run for office yourself if you want to make a difference. Compare that to SCCL and its process if you don't like how things are done, and the options you will have then to push back in that scenario, if you dare.” I agree; however, I would add that I think GA Soccers current predicament was exacerbated by the way they dealt with the Big5/6. They issued hollow threats that they couldn’t enforce which made them look flaccid. I believe all but one are gone from the board. One that beat the drum the loudest one the west side of town is part of the CCL debacle if I’m not mistaken. Not just Ga Soccer, check out the neighboring associations and beyond. Fragmented and weak. Bigger problem was higher than Ga Soccer. USSF as leader should have stepped in, hit the rest button by overhauling USYS to fix the association major issues in its roots, instead of recognizing another competing governing body (US Club) and another. A quick fix to solve a problem then, created multiple problems down the road. And the unintended consequences of those decisions have led to today's mess. Let me put it another way: Some things should not be for sale... |
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Post by atlfutboldad on May 30, 2020 20:36:24 GMT -5
The one thing GA Soccer couldn't fix that SCCL solved...club based league. The big clubs wanted a consistent platform which they could count on logistically for scheduling and costs. Most of them already had it with their first teams (DA, ECNL and NPL). They wanted that model of stability for their 2nd teams (3rd for some clubs). They even did it for 3rd/4th teams last year with SCCL-Premier last year, and I'm sure they would continue it if they could have.
USYS finally decided to do a club-based league but they are now 4 years behind the curve. Even that has an issue..."how do you be fair about who gets in?"
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Post by atlutd17 on May 31, 2020 9:45:43 GMT -5
The one thing GA Soccer couldn't fix that SCCL solved...club based league. The big clubs wanted a consistent platform which they could count on logistically for scheduling and costs. Most of them already had it with their first teams (DA, ECNL and NPL). They wanted that model of stability for their 2nd teams (3rd for some clubs). They even did it for 3rd/4th teams last year with SCCL-Premier last year, and I'm sure they would continue it if they could have. USYS finally decided to do a club-based league but they are now 4 years behind the curve. Even that has an issue..."how do you be fair about who gets in?" True. Big clubs did what they felt they had to do for their business and customers. When looking to solve a problem as complex as this, we should also take the time to identify and consider all unintended consequences of our solutions. It was not the big clubs' role to solve US Soccer issues or look after the smaller clubs or areas without soccer. There is a lot more to it, not just league structure flexibility, also State competitions based on merit in general, role of rec/select vs soccer as one, ODP selections, coaching and its administration, college/pro ID programs by college and pro coaching staff, club development, coaching education, growth of the sport in rural/remote areas (other states also), and the list goes on, are the type of things USSF should have recognized and fix. USSF is the main governing body of US Soccer recognized by FIFA. USSF is the US Soccer leader from the grassroots in the streets to the top and the USNTs, and they have not led, just passed the buck to USYS, US Club etc. USSF's focus had been at the top, how to make one team (USNT) better. Ask the press why. And when they led, they did so with the top few % only (in some regions was closer to 10% in others was 0%), and we saw where that has led. Working exclusively with the best 10,000 kids and a fraction of clubs in the country (DA/ECNL or whatever), no matter how talented and forget the rest, would never get you as far as finding ways to be working on 1,000,000+ kids and keep their doors open (always based on merit, current ability and commitment). Assuming they wanted to fix things, not knowing what to do (USSF/USYS) would have been one of the reasons to prolong solving the issues, but worse than that, they actually thought they knew what they were doing. And here we are. Do they get it now at least? Look at the other issues. How do we define success or failure? National staff will talk about you either have mental toughness or you don't. Without mental toughness you never make it to the top. They want to break you down to break you in, youth coaches without proper club direction hear that, and you have inexperienced staff pulling military style coaching on 10 year olds. You have to know when to apply what and how AND to whom! Ask psychologists what rejection, sense of failure, external pressure and verbal abuse can do to a 12 year old, or a young hormonal teen. We have been losing a generation of late bloomer soccer players and simple fans of the game who will be parents tomorrow as well. The drop out rates indicate the results of those emotions which lead to quitting from loss of passion/love for the sport (a big reason they seek other sports and avenues to find success or only play HS soccer with their lower level friends). They associate it with failure and reason they disappoint their families. I don't claim to know everything, quite the contrary. I'm trying to learn every day. I have simply seen and lived through what has and hasn't worked, here and elsewhere, cause and effect. You may also have noticed no mention of money, the best used excuse for some to justify business as usual in youth soccer. At some point, the right questions must be asked. If the soccer powers that be of the greatest country on the planet didn't know how, they should have hired the right groups of professionals to fix over a decade ago (not just few former USNT players or admins) through massive overhaul of a single self governing youth body under the USSF umbrella (call it US Club or USYS or AYSO or whatever you want), and be the natural connection with the pro and semi pro leagues network (USL/MLS). They still could or come up with something better than any of us can think of. ALL I KNOW IS, IT HAS TO BE BETTER THAT THIS. |
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Post by guest on May 31, 2020 16:49:14 GMT -5
“If memory serves me correctly, parents became irate when the travel with RPL became - well, stupid. In all honesty, traveling to another state to play a team whose main facility is within your close proximity is just that.“
R3PL: I never had that big a problem with traveling to Jacksonville to play Concorde. My biggest problem was driving down to Jacksonville to play Concorde, but finding no fields reserved or no refs booked, and having to drive back home and rescheduling with Concorde on our own. Happened multiple times. Plus a few other issues such as makeup game rescheduling, finding out late whether you made it in or not, etc.
And also to rebut someone else, several R3PL teams moved directly into SCCL.
Very pleased with what SCCL brought to the table. Fees went down, we had stability, we received berths to Disney (which we wanted at the time), the club vs club weekends were well run and exciting. I didn’t care really if that meant we couldn’t play AFC Lightning anymore (as an example). We didn’t play them in R3PL anyway. It was GSA, UFA, Concorde, TH and SSA plus a few FL teams in R3PL and all we did was swap BUSA, VH and CESA for the FL teams. We finished mid pack in R3PL and mid pack in SCCL.
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Post by lsagoalie on May 31, 2020 18:55:21 GMT -5
I find the RPL excuses hilarious as they season we played spring RPL we had NO issues with our Florida trip, we played games against Florida teams Saturday and Sunday.
Only thing I remember is the 2 smaller clubs finishing top 2 in RPL and Tophat finishing 9th...I think that was more of the motivation for the bigger clubs to leave if you all are being honest.
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Post by soccermaxx72 on May 31, 2020 18:57:19 GMT -5
I find the RPL excuses hilarious as they season we played spring RPL we had NO issues with our Florida trip, we played games against Florida teams Saturday and Sunday. Only thing I remember is the 2 smaller clubs finishing top 2 in RPL and Tophat finishing 9th...I think that was more of the motivation for the bigger clubs to leave if you all are being honest. So spot on, we were part of 1 of those smaller teams 3 springs ago. We had no issues with fields, refs or competition. |
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Post by soccerloafer on May 31, 2020 18:57:47 GMT -5
“If memory serves me correctly, parents became irate when the travel with RPL became - well, stupid. In all honesty, traveling to another state to play a team whose main facility is within your close proximity is just that.“ R3PL: I never had that big a problem with traveling to Jacksonville to play Concorde. My biggest problem was driving down to Jacksonville to play Concorde, but finding no fields reserved or no refs booked, and having to drive back home and rescheduling with Concorde on our own. Happened multiple times. Plus a few other issues such as makeup game rescheduling, finding out late whether you made it in or not, etc. And also to rebut someone else, several R3PL teams moved directly into SCCL. Very pleased with what SCCL brought to the table. Fees went down, we had stability, we received berths to Disney (which we wanted at the time), the club vs club weekends were well run and exciting. I didn’t care really if that meant we couldn’t play AFC Lightning anymore (as an example). We didn’t play them in R3PL anyway. It was GSA, UFA, Concorde, TH and SSA plus a few FL teams in R3PL and all we did was swap BUSA, VH and CESA for the FL teams. We finished mid pack in R3PL and mid pack in SCCL. Same. When RPL had ATL teams in travel pairs, it made sense. NASA would travel with TH, UFA with another club (forget). You'd go to Asheville and play Saturday afternoon and then Sunday morning against the two local teams, drive home - one night stay, two games. When it became 3 day weekends with all teams involved, it fell apart. It was like a badly organized tournament once a month with no staff on site to fix problems. That's when the travel became illogical. |
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Post by soccerloafer on May 31, 2020 18:59:45 GMT -5
I find the RPL excuses hilarious as they season we played spring RPL we had NO issues with our Florida trip, we played games against Florida teams Saturday and Sunday. Only thing I remember is the 2 smaller clubs finishing top 2 in RPL and Tophat finishing 9th...I think that was more of the motivation for the bigger clubs to leave if you all are being honest. They changed the format. The old format worked - the one they tried the last year or so didn't. Hence SCCL. Nothing to do with how bigger clubs finished. I talked to several DOCs before the fallout. The RPL organizer was not responsive to scheduling and location requests from the clubs and the travel schedule became just stupid. |
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Post by soccerloafer on May 31, 2020 19:00:41 GMT -5
I find the RPL excuses hilarious as they season we played spring RPL we had NO issues with our Florida trip, we played games against Florida teams Saturday and Sunday. Only thing I remember is the 2 smaller clubs finishing top 2 in RPL and Tophat finishing 9th...I think that was more of the motivation for the bigger clubs to leave if you all are being honest. So spot on, we were part of 1 of those smaller teams 3 springs ago. We had no issues with fields, refs or competition. We had a Florida weekend cancelled so late girls were already in the air. |
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Post by soccerworld1974 on May 31, 2020 19:25:04 GMT -5
I remember traveling to Jacksonville to play a two game weekend where one of our opponents was from metro ATL. End of story.
I like the club bases play dates where whole club visits other. Sorry but it just makes two much sense.
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Post by oraclesfriend on May 31, 2020 20:21:26 GMT -5
I find the RPL excuses hilarious as they season we played spring RPL we had NO issues with our Florida trip, we played games against Florida teams Saturday and Sunday. Only thing I remember is the 2 smaller clubs finishing top 2 in RPL and Tophat finishing 9th...I think that was more of the motivation for the bigger clubs to leave if you all are being honest. LSA played U13 Spring RPL. One half of one year. The Tophat team that finished 9th was a second team that did very well in Athena A and earned their spot. That same team promoted 2 players to their ECNL team from fall to spring. The Tophat team did play in state Cup final too. So I am not sure what you are implying. Also UFA premier that year also played in the semifinal of State Cup. SSA Elite won. So 3 big 5 clubs who did well at state Cup. So don't play like these teams were getting schooled. They weren't. They were good teams. |
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Post by soccerlegacy on May 31, 2020 21:15:13 GMT -5
I find the RPL excuses hilarious as they season we played spring RPL we had NO issues with our Florida trip, we played games against Florida teams Saturday and Sunday. Only thing I remember is the 2 smaller clubs finishing top 2 in RPL and Tophat finishing 9th...I think that was more of the motivation for the bigger clubs to leave if you all are being honest. LSA played U13 Spring RPL. One half of one year. The Tophat team that finished 9th was a second team that did very well in Athena A and earned their spot. That same team promoted 2 players to their ECNL team from fall to spring. The Tophat team did play in state Cup final too. So I am not sure what you are implying. Also UFA premier that year also played in the semifinal of State Cup. SSA Elite won. So 3 big 5 clubs who did well at state Cup. So don't play like these teams were getting schooled. They weren't. They were good teams. Come on, man! We all know the smaller clubs have stronger teams than the big clubs... come on!!! |
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Post by BubbleDad on May 31, 2020 22:43:40 GMT -5
My only complaint is giving the dates of the SCCL crossover weekends in the middle of the season instead of releasing the dates when they provide the Fall and Spring schedules.
Managers had to scramble to reschedule games b/c we had already agreed and paid for tourneys.
Now that damn near all the teams are in Atlanta I guess there's no need for a crossover weekend. I actually like the fact that there were two teams in Birmingham and one in South Carolina so you got at least a little bit of road travel.
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Post by atlfutboldad on Jun 1, 2020 1:09:40 GMT -5
I don't think Carolina teams are playing in SCCL at all this year. So no crossover worries.
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