SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Club Soccer & ODP CSC/NECSA merger

any more on the merger? progress?

Benp, you are absolutely right about the U16 Boys from CSC/NECSA/LCSC that would be one hell of a team.

Benp,

Have you heard of the Dallas Texans Red record? Check out their site and come back and tell me how CSC/NECSA is going to compete with them.

http://www.dallastexans.com/

Heck, you can even throw in Lexington and you'll still get demolished. Face the facts, unless you form teams from the entire state you will continue to get destroyed on a regular basis in RIII.

Cesa couldn't do any better...and that is the point. I know enough about the Texans...I know that they aren't regarded nationally as the top club in our region (boys side) nor as even the top club in Texas. Watch out for Solar. Necsa might not fare well against the team from Texas if they play one, but I think that a CSC/Necsa team has the same chance of beating them as a Cesa team. And certainly at the u16 level.

Mikensc/benp: Soccer America Top 20 Clubs (Boys) for 2005

And so we're not totally mysognistic: Soccer America Top 20 Clubs (Girls) for 2005

I think you guys are arguing at cross-purposes. "Mikensc" wants to restrict competition among clubs in the state so that there's only one "state team." "Benp" is arguing that a "Columbia team" can do as well or better than a "CESA team." Both have a point, and each points doesn't cancel out the other point.

Personally, I think that business models that restrict competition are almost always (not always, but almost always) bad. The CSC/NECSA merger announcement stated that its purpose was to increase opportunities for Columbia-area players. That's a good thing; we in the Columbia-area need more soccer players and more opportunities.

At the same time, we need a South Carolina club which is not only a "state team" but also a "region team" -- one which draws players from not only SC but from NC (Charlotte, Ashville, etc.), from GA, from TN, and so on.

On this message board, there is this continuing navel-gazing singular focus on intra-club competition in South Carolina. Bluntly, that's where most of South Carolina soccer has been stuck since its beginnings. It's not a healthy place to be -- if you desire to offer South Carolina soccer players the level of competition that many of our neighbor states enjoy.

>>[2004striker] Maybe that is CESA's long range goal............to establish a base in Cola. in hopes of being located more central to all areas in SC. If that is the case, then the lowcountry or beach players would not have to travel 3 to 4 hours to upstate. Since SC is such a small state there is no reason why a 'state team' would not work and be attractive to all the best players throughout the state. CESA probably did not make a move to Cola. to solely be a further outlet for players at all levels. Its location, location, location......... They also have probably realized that to get the best possible teams that can compete favorably at regionals and nationally,you must become more accessible beyond just offering training in Cola. as they did last year. [...]<<

Here's a thought: perhaps there isn't a dichotomy between offering more opportunities to more players at more levels and fielding the most competitive teams possible. Maybe the only way to field the most competitive teams possible is to offer more opportunities to more players at more levels. Just a thought...

>>[futbol(soccer)] Benp, you are absolutely right about the U16 Boys from CSC/NECSA/LCSC that would be one hell of a team.<<

That begs the most obvious question of all: as the second-largest select club in the Columbia metropolitan area, why isn't LCSC part of this merger? Were they asked and just said "no" or is it something else?

Only LCSC can answer.... I understand from CSC side that it was directed strictly at NECSA, no one else. Geographically it makes more sense, but now we are rehashing old threads.

Why can only LCSC answer? Wouldn't CSC and NECSA know?

I wasn't trying to advocate excluding NECSA in favor of LCSC; I was asking why if the stated mission is to provide better services to Columbia-area players, why wouldn't you want to attempt to include all of the clubs?

I agree....It would make more sense to do all 3. Benp's comment on the U16 could be carried over to other ages. For example the u15s already are "merged" at CSC as the Necsa team folded. Add to that team quality LCSC players and again you have a strong team. Ditto on the girls side at U17 and U16.

My question still remains, I know this was tried before and it failed, does anyone know how it is progressing?

Unoffically all clubs have been talked too and are in the loop. The discussions right now are just between the two clubs more for exploring all the work needed to complete the process and to make sure that the kids will benefit from the merger.

I personally know all the parties involved in the talks and have known them for at 6-7 years now. And I can say with complete confidence that the merger will take place if it is in the best interest on the kids. None of the people involved have any ill will towards eachother and all egos have been checked in at the door. There will not be a lot of info until have the new year. As much as we love soccer the family obiligations will come first over the next few weeks.