Congrats, to CESA on their dominance at this years Challege Cup; it looks like logistics of sending teams to Dallas for regionals will be easy for SCYSA as they will only have to deal with one club. As can be seen on this message board, the hue and cry has already gone out for the mergers of Columbia and Low-Country clubs to be able to compete with CESA. I will admit this certainly was the first reaction that crossed my mind, but upon further refelction I have to ask the question if the rise of the "super club" will actually help youth soccer in the state of South Carolina? Certainly large clubs like CESA can offer players better coaching, top facilities, and a venue where the talent can be seen in one spot by coaches at the next level. Mergers of clubs in Columbia and the Charleston-Summerville area will certainly do the same, but are we making the sport the domain of the suburban, upper middle class, white players(I may be mistaken, but on the girls side, I did not see a single minority player involved in a finals matchs that I observed.) located in one of three parts of the state. Will clubs in Aiken, Hartsville, Anderson,Florence, Greenwood, Rock Hill, and Mrytle Beach be able to survive, or will youth soccer in South Carolina become Major Leauge Baseball where the large market teams dominate, and the small market teams cannot compete? What happens to the talented player from a poor family not living in one of the areas with one of the "super clubs"?
