Trivia Question: How many boy's soccer teams in Cincinnati are currently playing a Premier Division of the Midwest Regional League (U14-U18)? Answer below.
I'm in the process of putting together our literature for the 2008-2009 US Soccer Development Academy teams and ran across some information that startled me and for which all of us are responsible. As a city we are failing in our responsibility to develop boys who want to play soccer at the highest level!
Why? I don't have the answer, but I'll throw out a couple theories. These are theories, not opinions (ok, some of them are).
- Instability. If you look at the "big three" (yes, I'm a Boston fan - go ahead and hate) in Cincinnati each has made a major change in leadership on the boy's side (at least one multiple times) while none have done so at the high school ages on the girl's side in the past three years.
- Social. Girls tend to be more social in their decision to participate in sports. They are much more likely to stay with a team or transfer in numbers because they want to play with their friends. Boys on the otherhand move with greater frequency and therefore receive a lack of consistent coaching.
- Too many clubs. We just don't have the level of commitment or skill necessary to have a need for three plus some independent teams. Not sure the girls do either.
- "A" team ego. Players would rather play on a bad "A" team than play on a "B" team, thus sustaining more teams that can compete locally, but very few that can compete Regionally or Nationally.
- Coaching. List the top coaches in Ohio South and undoubtedly the list will be heavily weighted with girl's coaches. In addition, let's face it, coaching girl's soccer is easier than coaching boy's. The game is faster and the players are tougher to manage. Because the money is the same, the top coaches tend to go to the girls side.
- Emphasis. Clubs in Cincinnati, or at least their board of directors, tend to have a greater focus on the girl's side due to more of them having daughters that play in their club.
- High School Soccer. Because 12 of the 14 boys teams play high school in the fall, the best play the best. Ohio South plays against Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri in boy's soccer, but generally don't on the girl's side (except a few Eclipse teams). To prove the point, how many teams in Ohio South advance out of their group at Regionals last year? And, how many truly have a chance to do so this year? Plus, their are 20 teams in MRL Premier on the girl's side and only 16 on the boy's. So, while the boys are playing Chicago Magic, Vardar, and Scott Gallagher, on the girl's side there are 4 additional spots and they don't have to play Eclipse, Wolves, or St. Louis Soccer Club once they get to U15.
- College Soccer. Twice as many schools with more than twice as much money on the girl's side, leads to greater opportunity.
I am unapologetic in my bias; however, for the good of the game, the Cincinnati-based US Soccer Development Academy must be successful with Cincinnati-based players. I'm happy to work with anyone in the city, regardless of club affiliation, that wants to make it happen.
Btw, the answer is 1! As a city, we have 1 boy's soccer team - a U18 team that will be in college next year - playing in a Premier Division of MRL. (Our U17 boy's team would also be a Premier team if they were not in the USSDA and 3 teams in the city are in a reasonably good position to be promoted for next year.)
On the girl's side there are 12 teams playing in a Premier Division of MRL including 2 age groups with 3 teams. (OESA has a team in every age group except U14, which is positioned for promotion. We could also have 2 teams at U18 next year. In total, citywide there are 3 teams in a reasonably good position to be promoted for next year and 2 that look to be relegated.)
