Great Blog Post on MLS Reserves and NASL-USL Integration with MLS.
  • fourfourtwofourfourtwo
    Posts: 737

    Part One Part Two

    Really fascinating and I am sure will still up conversation here. A couple high lights:

    ...has proposed numerous models that the MLS reserves teams or players could be incorporated into the second tier of soccer in the U.S. One would be to have the reserve league teams play their games in the NASL with a 28-game schedule. “For instance you would have the DC United reserves against the Carolina RailHawks,” says Downs.

    ...Much like Barcelona B,” states Downs. “But to play them in secondary markets near their original market as different but affiliated teams. So instead of the Philadelphia Union, you have the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Union. The players could train with their first team and drive the 60 miles to Bethlehem for home games

  • SeathanaichSeathanaich
    Posts: 3,403

    Wow. Thank you for sharing that.

    When I'm a billionaire I'll build a 10 team Canadian D2 league, complete with nice little stadiums. Until then, the speculation continues.

    Pronounced "shaw-neech", with the final 'ch' like that in 'loch'. http://juandefucaplate.ca/
    Vancouver Whitecaps 1978 - Aberdeen FC 1980 - Victoria Vistas 1989 - Victoria Highlanders 2009
  • PBandGPBandG
    Posts: 1,011

    I have mixed feelings about the B league. Two main concerns being: 1) This could create super clubs due to the fact that some reserves could make more than D2 teams who are not feeder clubs. Though I guess this would be negated by the salary cap. 2) Would the D2 league allow players to go back and forth. Can see there being huge discrepancies in using top players in D2. Really wondering if that would cause some sort of waiver system like the NHL. Nothing the MLS needs more than more complicated rules.

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  • MarkusMarkus
    Posts: 221

    Good article, very interesting.

    I think the biggest problem with player development right now is the lack of opportunities for the players 19-23 that have potential to be MLS starters, but either aren't at that level yet or are behind a very strong squad and unable to get any minutes. I'd feel the best way for the reserve system to work would MLS teams be able to field U-23 teams in the NASL/USL , with maybe 1 overage player allowed in the squad, instead of the PDL league as some teams do. This will allow those players, plus some of the stronger youth players at the club to get matches at a higher level more often. This would keep the div 2 leagues competitve and provide better match experience to the younger players than PDL or college or MLS reserve league.

    As the academy system gets stronger and more players choose club academies over college, there will have to be some place for these young players to develop, and I'd think that system would work the best. I believe thats how a lot of Germany's top clubs do it, their second team is predominantly U-23 teams who play in (and can't get promoted higher than) the 3rd league.

  • SAFC_YankSAFC_Yank
    Posts: 1,800

    Markus said: Good article, very interesting. As the academy system gets stronger and more players choose club academies over college, there will have to be some place for these young players to develop, and I'd think that system would work the best. I believe thats how a lot of Germany's top clubs do it, their second team is predominantly U-23 teams who play in (and can't get promoted higher than) the 3rd league.

    There seems to be a common misconception about the academies. Players do not choose the academies over college soccer, in fact, if the academies actually do produce better players, the college system will benefit. The academies end at U-18. After that, the vast majority of academy players will end up playing college soccer. Only a handful will go on to professional soccer.

    I think the confusion may come from the nature of the Whitecaps residency program. At the time it was introduced, Lenarduzzi said the players would be deemed professional by the NCAA. Even at the time, that was only partly true - it was true for Division I, but not Division II (and before somebody sniffs at DII, consider Chris Wondolowski, Kei Kamara and host of others, not to mention a Simon Fraser program that would be very competitive at the DI level). One of two things (maybe both) have happened since - most of the DA programs aren't residency and thus don't violate the Div. I professionalism rule, or, Div. I has loosened its rules.

    The NLI signing period kicked in a couple weeks ago and the Sounders put out a release about how 14 of its players signed NLIs, 11 with Div. I schools, the other three at Western Washington.

  • fourfourtwofourfourtwo
    Posts: 737

    PBandG said: I have mixed feelings about the B league. Two main concerns being: 1) This could create super clubs due to the fact that some reserves could make more than D2 teams who are not feeder clubs. Though I guess this would be negated by the salary cap. 2) Would the D2 league allow players to go back and forth. Can see there being huge discrepancies in using top players in D2. Really wondering if that would cause some sort of waiver system like the NHL. Nothing the MLS needs more than more complicated rules.

    I think that with your first concern we already know that a lot of guys make more in Div2 than the bottom roster guys are making in MLS so this might not be a problem. With your second point we could make it U-23 with three SR player at any given time so that guys like Thor could go down for a couple weeks if they were working back to fitness. It would also provide opportunities to sign DIV2 Veterans to play with and lead those clubs and provide leadership for our kids.

    The NHL and MLB do have interesting unique rules with waivers and options that I am sure we could adapt.

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