SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Club Soccer & ODP Bridge FA

Striker,

Just to get back to your question/statement. Yes the Ohio model (can't beleive I'm using that term) was structured for regional premier level play and national level tournaments (Dallas, Richmond, etc). And just so everyone knows, I'm not a native Buckeye ("this is how we did it back home"), I was sentenced there for a few years.....

LPAF,

I enjoy the sidetracks also. Further, I know your personal situation, in that I had the opportunity to speak to Stella last night. (Happened to be "working" over there) Yes, the Bridge group would like CUSC to be involved. There are issues there that aren't suited for this forum. However, within the current arrangement, JIYSC, is now ready to move into the competitive girls area. Maybe we should have an off line discussion. Missionaries have been sent east. The 3 teams that have played under Bridge FA to date, have all had eastern players.

CornerFlag,
You are correct on most of your points. Geographically similar, and somewhat equal distance. I happen to hail from the same locale as the Dude, so I'm familiar with the geographics/demographics of the 3 clubs you mention. Further, I think this model would work up there also.

Hammer,
As stated previously, Bridge FA is attempting to unite the low country's top players, and coaches. If this new club fits what players/parents desire, then the players will migrate to the Bridge. The word "lure" is very much like that "R" word that we need to stay away from. Open tryouts are in May, on several days, at several locations.

OPG,
Sorry if you don't like the tag I put on it, but we had to use something to distinguish between all of the various things. I understood what you were saying, and the point I'm trying to make is that there is enough dispersed talent in the low country to unite and not only compete in local leagues but travel to these other prestegious regional and possibly national tournaments, and be successful. Some SC teams have already been successful at the Columbus Cup in Va Beach, the Jefferson Cup, Richmond, and CASL Shootout in Raleigh, and I'm sure there are others. And this was with dispersed talent. Just imagine the potential if we pool the talent.

Has anyone seen or heard from MC? I miss his profound wisdom. He may still be in a drunken stupor from the CESA Lovefest!

Bear,

No problem with the model name, I actually got a chuckle out of it! I think what you are doing is great and I hope the program is a success.

Just a brief comment on this post from Bear:
'Yes this requires the blessings of the clubs, hence, the term throughout "alliance club member". Additionally, yes it requires the DOC's. In the low country, as probably was the case in CESA, it was the DOC's that began the push to get it done. Once the DOC's thought they had something that would work, others were brought in to assist with the "implementation planning". It was the implementation planning that really brought this to fruition.'

This alliance concept or any other type or fashion of merger, semi-merger or club collaboration will not work in Cola. because only one DOC (at CSC) was interested, at one point, in any discussions of any joint efforts to improve Cola. soccer. I went back and found this post from 2 years ago. One of my too many rants here in the forum. This one was in response to my friend, Shearer who said to just relax after the CESA merger:
'Once again........Shearer my friend............too much brown ale!!
Relax? Relax?
That is all they have been doing in Cola. for 4-5 years while GFC and St Giles dominated state club soccer. And now they are continuing it with CESA -only better and stronger! Relax? Are you one of the many in the midlands area that want convenient, social soccer, in which everyone (parents & youth)play in their neat little clubs, as long as its not too serious and doesnt interfere too much with the social life. Columbia is a large enough area that serious soccer players should not have to drive to Greenville or Low-country for serious soccer. (A word here about MPSC and CSC - with CESA winning all championships, I believe that MPSC had more runnersup (4)in state challenge cup than all other state clubs combined. MPSC went from 1 premier team to 4. I believe CSC had 3 teams in premier this past season, and now has none. MPSC, therefore, may be considered the 2nd best overall club in SC.) I said it almost 2 yrs ago in this forum -that if Cola. area clubs do not act and merge, then St. Giles & GFC will merge one day and dominate; and next it will be low country teams with maybe Myrtle Beach merging into a super power. But thats ok Cola., just relax and have fun as Shearer says. Can ANYONE offer a plausible explanation as to why Cola area clubs don't desire to merge??

As Bear stated Bridge FA began because the DOCs wanted it. Why don't we want it here?

MC last seen on the girls board analyzing the relative strength of some NC HS programs.

lpaf

Can't help but think that the OSSOC boys 88 team that was essentially a "district" team got this whole trend started in the low country. They were a blend of Myrtle Beach, McClellanville, Mt. Pleasant and Summerville players. They are in fact the team that has been to State Challenge Cup final for four years in a row and are now registered with MPSC. Five years of success speaks for itself...I applaud the powers that be for finally seeing the light...Bridge FA is a great concept!!

As I write this I know it's risky, because the last thing I want to do is argue with a supporter. You're right about several things in your post, and most importantly Bridge FA is a great concept!!!!!!

One of the things that Bridge FA will do as I said earlier is provide stability in the low country soccer landscape. Perhaps some saw your team and realized that this was the way to go. But if I understand the history correctly, this team was primarily a MPSC team that went to OSSOC, and last year came back to MPSC. Kind of like what I said about players hopping club to club in search of the right environment.

Given the success that this team has had, it would be great for them to become a part of Bridge FA, since they already demonstrate the district nature. With what you have read up to this point, is there anything that would prevent this team/these players, from trying out for Bridge FA?

The team that went to Va Beach last weekend, was also a "district" team, and as I said, had players from various clubs but lived in the Mrytle Beach area, McClellanville, Mt. Pleasant, James Island, Summerville, Beaufort and Aiken. Within this pool was 12 ODP participants. The low country has always had the talent, and now they have the structure to pull it together.

Bear, I have no arguement with you. But I do want to clear something up. My son played with the OSSOC 88's from the time he was U-9 thru U15. This was a team comprised originally entirely of MB players. At U-10 we incorporated some McClellanville players with much success..even tho we trained separately. At U12, with MB and McClellanville players, we were still having much success and were in final four at State Cup. At U13, 2 players fom MPSC joined our team..we made finals at State Cup. At U14...another MPSC player joined us as well as a Summerville player...by this time we were training in McClellanville twice a week...a 1 1/2 hour drive for MB players.. We won State Cup and had a fabulous time at Regionals. Now we're playing in Premier league. At U15..more players from MPSC, and another player from Summerville...still training at McClellanville, MB players have dwindled to 4. Make State Finals, playing in Premier league again. U16...the team makes a move to MPSC...My son drops off the team...Traveling for premier league is hard enough...having to travel 2 hours to practice for a 15 year old is over the top. All this to say...no..it was not a MPSC team gone awry...it was an effort on the part of many people to bring together the best talent on the coast where the 88's were concerned. Parents with serious players recognized where the best coaching and development was happening. My personal opinion is that we should look at what is best for our kids..regardless of club loyalty. You ask me if there is anything preventing this team from trying out for Bridge FA...well...anything I would say would be purely speculation. So I'll leave it at that. Best of luck...I think you are on the right track. The Coast definately has the talent...we just have to pull it together!!

Bear - I personally commend thsoe that are working on the Bridge FA concept and development! I wish you the best of luck in this endeavor.

It reminds me of CMSA (Columbia Metropolitan Soccer Association) that was started back in the early-mid 90s with the intent of offering a separate entity for the elite players via working with the existing clubs in the Midlands.

Unfortunately, there was not enough interest from a couple of key clubs to keep the momentum, but in the 2-3 years of CMSA's true existence, it proved to be a great development tool for Columbia area kids.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that Bridge FA will be a success!