SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Club Soccer & ODP CESA-Columbia

Both St. Giles and GFC were quality clubs prior to the merger and brought in the top players in the area.

The coaching staff are also quality coaches who know the game and most importantly teach it. Why they continue to be succesful, not barring the aforementioned. They have the base (i.e. rec players) and the credentials (which CUFC is trying to buy with marketing).

To the credentials, there is no better marketing program than to show the results.

Now there are many clubs nipping at the giant in the upstate, CFC comes to mind where they are fielding competitive teams with CESA. It is a mystery to me why these two do not merge (talk about a behemoth).
The best view is to separate the myriads of clubs associated with SCYSA and concentrate on the challenge level only.

No disrespect to anyone, IMO these come down to the following

CESA, Bridge, CUFC, Lexington, CFC and MPSC with a couple other ones here and there. Probably in that order (although Coast FC may be in the mix with MPSC).

Ironically you have two from the Upstate, two from the midlands and two from the lower state. In each region arguably one stronger and one weaker, you can decide which is which.

SO what does CESA gain from offering training, etc. far away from home? Players... the quality players already playing for the Bridges and CUFCs.
The number of quality players is finite and CESA needs them to be regionally and nationally competitive (as is their desire) but unlike the Atlanta area where there is the same number of people within 1hr drive as there is in the whole state of SC, they have to try to do it state wide, thus the expansion.

Will they succeed? maybe... maybe not. But Johnny or Sally's parents will have to vote with their wallets with gas at $3/gallon and the possibility of local team being just as well coached and competitive as the one in gville.

Choices are what parents/players make, therefore services and pedigree are important...somewhere in the mix is cost. I would have to be convinced that CESA team A is a better fit than Bridge team A to make the choice to go to the upstate. If my child is playing in a competitive team, with a quality coach, in quality environment at an acceptable cost why change?

All I am saying is there are quality coaches and teams in the other areas of the state not with the same club pedigree for sure. CESA has created a beneficial push....forcing the others in the state to keep up or step aside. This will make the state as a whole stronger.