Chantman is correct that the Bridge is attracting players from Mt. Pleasant as well as other clubs in the area. The U14G & U15G teams are predominantly made up of girls not from Summerville or James Island, but from Mt. Pleasant and Charleston United.
The question is can the Bridge continue to grow in order to compete with CESA and Columbia United. I would argue that the decision to form an alliance instead of a single club (like CESA) will hinder it. In this current set up, the Bridge is depending on other clubs to develop young talent and feed it to them. These clubs own their own facilities, whereas the Bridge is in the position of depending on these clubs for fields to use. As long as there is the us against them mentality that being in an alliance brings, there will always be this issue. CESA and Columbia United offer recreation level (2000+ kids in CESA rec),the academies as well as classic level teams. It is the ideal set up to develop challenge/premier teams and grow a club.
In my humble opinion, the Bridge, Summerville and James Island should use this time of evaluating how to move forward to rethink the alliance concept. Why not form the Bridge Futbol Club? James Island and Summerville could stay at there respective facilities for recreation teams. The classic and challenge teams could pull from both, as well as others that come over from other clubs. This would also help with the current situation of the DOC for the Bridge also being the DOC for Summerville (You can not serve two masters). Most Summerville parents feel the DOC focues most attention and resources to the Bridge. A DOC over all of this would help with this perception.
Do I seriously think all will get together to form a club? I think not; however, it definitely an option that should be considered.
