Hi. I'm stupid. Therefore, I need someone to help me figure something out. What I'm wondering is this: how would you basically summarize the soccer system in place in this country? Specifically, I'm talking about what elements are in place for the men. I know, for example, that MLS is the big pro league that the USMNT program mostly feeds off these days, and that the A-league is a sort of minor league to MLS (and I don't know if players in that get paid anything or not). I'm also vaguely aware of the youth programs run out of Bradenton (U-17, U-20, and all that), and of course, that soccer is available at the junior high and high school level of some of the larger public schools and colleges. I know that there's something called a Super-Y league that fits in here somewhere, and that non-school-related K-6 soccer programs are run all over the country. I know about Nike Project 40, though some aspects of it kind of confuse me, and that some MLS teams are moving in the general direction of having reserve teams, though I'm not sure as to whether or not any of them actually have something like that yet. I've also heard of some high-school age kids in club soccer programs such as Reston FC, though I'm not sure what official classification those teams would fall under. That's about what I know. If anyone would be so kind as to just sort of list all the elements you know or have heard of, and include a brief sentence or two describing each element, I would be infinitely in gratitude. Paco Joe
PreK - 6 Programs - Recreation Soccer Commonly called "Rec". This is an everyone plays situation. Usually at U10 or U11 select teams start up. These are tryout based and up the ante on commitment. These are broken up into "Challenge" and "Classic" leagues. Challenge is less competitive with less travel involved (usually about an hour)."Classic" is more competitive with longer travel time.Classic usually has three divisions B, A, and Premiere.Movement in these divisions is through promotion and relegation. In NC Premiere would be the top 8 teams in the State, with A and B divisions broken up by regions. These teams are also referred to as "travel", "select" or "club" teams. These programs generally fall under the umbrella of the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) or the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO). Generally these teams have a Spring and a Fall season. As the kids hit High School the club teams generally drop one season, which ever the High School team plays. However as the Washington Post article in another thread here indicates some are deciding not to play for their High School. Seperate from this is ODP and Super Y which I'll let somebody else explain.
Check out the USLSoccer site and wander through the site, it gives a brief description of each league here: http://www.uslsoccer.com/aboutusl/leagues/index_E.html
Well, this isn't really the right forum for it, but I'll do a quick run-down on the top end of things. MLS - the top division of American pro soccer. Separate from the MLS is the USL (United Soccer Leagues) which consists of the A-League - American "second division" . Not a minor league in the baseball sense since teams are not affiliated with MLS teams. Yes, players are paid. Better than MLS players, in a few cases, since MLS has very strict salary cap limitations. Pro Select League - American third division. Also a pro league, but really semi-pro. Players generally have "real jobs" and play under one-season contracts. The PSL (formerly D3 Pro League) has shrunk to 13 teams in recent years. Premier Development League - an amateur league which lets college and H.S. players play summer soccer and still retain their collegiate eligibility. Older players also play in this league but are not paid to play (though they are often paid to help with youth camps, etc). This league has 50+ teams. The USL also runs the W-League (women's amateur league) and the Super Y League. The Super Y League was formed a few years ago for elite youth clubs to get extra competition. It's pretty much in direct competition with the well-established US Youth Soccer Association, which has been around forever and runs the national Snickers Cups, etc etc. The USYSA has a well-established ODP setup with organized systems of identifying players, state and regional tryout camps, national tournaments, etc. The Super Y League has just this year set up its own ODP system based on scouting of players in league games rather than in tryout camps. Right now, there seems to be a big power struggle between the USYSA and the Super Y League for the future of elite youth soccer in this country. That's my take. Anybody feel free to correct any of my mistakes ....