Shearer - I like the proposal and think you may have hit on something. Let USC, since they are in the middle of downtown Columbia, assume a developmental role with the clubs and invite each club to have a representative to voice their opinions on matters pertaining to soccer as a whole, but also on their regional/local/community level. The real trick though is for the egos at CSC/NECSA to shelve their mentality and let soccer move forward in the area without their "holding" their players out. CMSA (Columbia Metropolitan Soccer Association) attempted this in the early-mid 90s, but never got the backing/support from NECSA and it faded away. Columbia clubs are so fragmented now, that it will be hard to mend the separation -- but it can be done. Perhaps USC could offer use of their practice fields or the joint clubs could pool resources to develop a city-wide soccer facility to be used not only by the Premier club (city-wide club), but also the feeder/local clubs.
