SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Club Soccer & ODP State Cup

I can't remember. Something Italian. I should have put a cap in his &%* when I had a chance.

Why does anyone think CSC U18 boys will be state champs? People have been saying that for years, they have come close a couple of times. The old St. Giles Celtic team and with the merger now this team (which still has many of the same players) has never lost a state championship starting at age eleven. This could be 8 state championships for Parky and some of the players.

Notreblahblah,
I looked back thru the thread here and I did not see a prediction of CSC U18? CESA are too strong in that group.

Page 2 futbol(soccer) picked CSC 18b's to win with a maybe for NECSA Ambush.
Page 4 benp picked CESA, but liked CSC's chances of winning.

If I understand the opening thread question, futbol and benp lippen were listing who would challenge for state cup, not win state cup. Futbol said NECSA and CSC may challenge, Benp said CSC may be a possibility. Again, the evil CESA Red Machine will march to the championship.

>> [futbol(soccer)] I would argue that it would be far better for CESA, DSC and Bridge to play in the state cup than CASL for this age group. Bigger stakes

The showcase becomes a big issue when they become 16 and 17 as they are at the prime recruiting years for boys. 17 and 18 for girls.<<

Until this thread, I didn't realize that there was a conflict for the U15 boys between the SC challenge cup and CASL. I don't disagree that Bridge/CESA/DSC's U15B should play in the state challenge cup; however, I respectfully disagree that CASL and other premier/platinum tournaments aren't an issue for younger teams. I'll make the argument both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Quantitatively, if you look at the gotSoccer.com rating/ranking system, you'll see that being the state champion of a smaller state earns you 200 points -- versus 500 points for winning a premier tournament and 400 points for a platinum tournament. Qualitatively, I've never met anyone who was more impressed by a South Carolina state title than a Disney, Surf, CASL, etc. top-level championship.

The trouble is, of course, that it's pretty difficult to get into the top flight in these tournaments. You have to have a team that's done some amazing things. One of these amazing things is competing and winning at various brackets in these top tournaments.

Now...I understand why Bridge/CESA/DSC's U15B teams will compete in state -- it's their chance to go to regionals and even with these three strong teams it's easier to win than a premier tournament.

The SCYSA not allowing these teams to compete at CASL through a scheduling conflict means that these teams have yet another obstacle to overcome in getting into the highest level tournaments -- over and above the obstacle of being from South Carolina, a state renowned in many areas of our region for uncompetitive high-level soccer.

The SCYSA should be figuring out ways to help South Carolina teams compete better against other teams from other states instead of raising obstacles to the success of our best teams.

One further consideration in this conflict is the exposure to college coaches. It sounds as if some of the Bridge/DSC/CESA U15 players have exceptional skills/abilities that will make them candidates for college ball. I may be mistaken, but I doubt any college reps will observe this group at all during state cup. It is also a rare sighting to see a college rep at the U17/18 state finals. In order that the exceptional players in the state receive maximum regional/national exposure, it is essential that SCYSA consider the high profile tournaments dates when setting the 1st round and final dates. I have not yet seen any desire or intent by SCYSA to recognize or acknowledge that SC does have numerous high caliber players and teams that can excel on the regional/national level. Every effort must be made to coordinate the dates of our state playoffs with national tournaments. The end result will be that SC soccer may be held in higher regard in future years.
Also, look at the extensive coverage given to a NC team from the NC website. SCYSA needs to do more of this:
http://www.ncsoccer.org/News/sideline_8_04_05_page2.shtml

One thing that you cannot forget is that winning a state Championship, or at least getting second place and playing in the Premier league is very important for getting into the top level tournaments and showcases in the first place. Sure, there might be a direct conflict with Raleigh, which is a large and very prominant tourney, but it is not the only one in which the top college scouts go to. If you don't win state cup or at least place high, then you sacrifice the exposure to get in other top tournaments such as Jefferson Cup, Surf Cup, Disney Showcase and others.

Cornerflag: You're arguing that the State Challenge Cup is important. No one is arguing with you, as far as I can tell. What I'm arguing is that the SCYSA shouldn't cripple our best teams by forcing them to make a choice between the state title and one of the relatively few premier/platinum tournaments within several hundred miles of our state.

I can also tell you, from direct and recent experience, that winning a South Carolina state championship isn't enough to get you into the top flights of these top tournaments.

Corner,
I totally agree. And I would not for a sec. consider going to Raleigh and forsaking the state tournament. I just think the scheduling could be adjusted to consider those high level tournaments, and allow all state teams to participate with no conflict with state cup. As you stated, winning state and/or getting to premier level is your ticket into the top tournaments. Yet, to get to the top flights in the top tournaments you must be fairly succesful as a younger team in that tournament, to move up.
In this instance with Raleigh, the U15 teams mentioned - DSC/CESA/Bridge- will miss out on an opportunity to play and possibly move up in flights for next year.