Agreed on promotion/relegation. The problem is that new teams, even if they are really good, would have to start low and work up and that's hard to do at U16-U18 when the teams are just formed. Maybe have a qualifying tournament the first of August to determine what level they would play at in the fall?
As for college soccer, parents should focus on the academics first as there is a greater chance at financial aid that way, then through soccer. But, I agree on the over value of ODP, Academy, etc. That's all $$$ driven for someone to make money ultimately. I recently heard that SC Academy was going to cost $4,000 for this year! That's absurd!
