I've been following this thread with interest and, on occasion, confusion. My "take" on it all: First, from whence I come - my son has played Rec, Classic, Challenge, Premier League, SC ODP, Region III ODP, and USSF Development Academy. I'm currently the President of SCUFC Development Academy. The cost to participate has been greater with each step "up the ladder." However, the difference between Rec/Classic/Challenge is marginal. There is very little (if any) travel involved at those levels and what travel does occur is for tournaments that are nearly always within the immediate area (SC, GA, NC). Otherwise, the fixed costs are similar: club fees in the $400-600 range, a "team fee" in the $200-400 range, and uniforms in the $150-300 range (usually biannually). That seems quite reasonable to me.
When one gets into the Premier League and ODP, the costs increase more than marginally, due almost entirely to travel expenses. One starts having weekend trips for league games and the tournament expenses are greater due to further travel and higher entrance fees for Disney, Score at Shore, Jefferson Cup, etc. ODP can involve week-long camp, weekend sub-regionals, multiple training sessions... that costs additional money. If one's team qualifies for Regionals, that's another 5-7 day travel expense. The Development Academy is an entirely different kettle of fish, involving multiple weekend trips for league games and a minimum of two 4-5 night Showcase trips, usually to Florida and somewhere further than that. While I can't speak for other DA clubs, I can say that our coaching and administrative costs are, per player, on par with a Premier League team. Travel costs are the big difference.
So, what does it all mean? It means, in my view, that one can have an emminently satisfying youth soccer experience without spending a lot of money. But, and it's a big "but," if one wants to, and is good enough to, play the highest levels of the sport, one has to pay to go where the competition is. It would be nice if one could stay in SC and play against the best players in the region and country, but that isn't how things work.
I don't know who it is that some of you seem to think is making a bunch of money off of youth soccer, but it isn't anyone I know. Of the thousands of dollars we've spent over the years, I'd guess that 75-80% of it has been for travel. If you have a suggestion for persuading the teams from Texas, Florida, Illinois, Washington, Pennsylvania... to always come here to play, I'm sure those coming up behind us would be most grateful!
