National League

[FSM]

4) There's no true pyramid structure...because the kids aren't going to be professional players. We still develop players for college level soccer, and once they get there, they are pretty much done. If they come back and play amateur soccer at the adult level in a club, great. But they aren't being developed for that. If the kids do play professionally, they are going to be playing for teams unrelated to MPS or any Massachusetts club, considering none of us have professional teams. This was succinctly put by Bolts DOC at a meeting of the clubs at MYSA about the USYS National League, in that the national league as well as other national league proposals are trying to replace the college showcase tournament structure...when really this is the reason players play in clubs like Bolts/Stars/Scorpions, to get that exposure.



Suzy Soccer had also mentioned the meeting. I probably know more of the opinions of other parts of the country than of those in Mass. on the subject of the National League, so I'm curious what was said at the meeting. Coach Marino were you there? Anybody else have any info?

[FSM]

I perhaps have developed a sense of the position of Mass Youth Soccer regarding the National League, having read the article by Mike Singleton in the Mass. Youth Soccer News (no longer the Baystater). Here are a few excerpts from "Singleton: Seeking fair expectations for our youth soccer players" concerning the National League(s):

The word "expectations" in the soccer world seem as if it is a swear word these days. With mounting pressures on youth players, and colleges recruiting earlier and earlier, expectations are creeping lower and lower into the age ranks. Talks are abuzz throughout the nation about the growing list of national leagues. Can you imagine a national league in this large country for 14 year olds? You better, because it is on its way. In fact, multiple such leagues are on their way.

Why?

Why do young players need to fly across the country to play a game when they can get a game of the same quality in their own state or region? Why do we see U12 and even U10 club teams traveling thousands of miles to play in high-pressure tournaments that are nothing more than over-hyped games of exaggerated and misrepresented importance? Why are parents paying thousands of dollars for soccer travel at these young ages when the same money could go into a college fund?

It's a pretty good article, but that's just my opinion - having gotten drunk on the Singleton Kool Aid over the years.

I don't think this is the USYSA National League but it will certainly impact that age group:

http://www.pdasoccer.org/RedBullNLGirlsPressRelease.htm

[Susy Soccer]

August, March and Labor Day - them's the dates (if I read correctly). I'm not sure it will change much at all. I guess they won't be part of the regular Vegas tournament, or part of the regular PDA Showcase. Theoretically this could impact the competition of teams attending those tournaments not in the Red Bull group. On the other hand, it might increase the attendance by college coaches.
I think this sort of thing was what the USYSA was planning to do - maybe I misunderstood though.