Your IDEAS: Structuring the Reserve League

by Dave Clark on Mar 21, 2010 1:08 PM PDT

There were hints that a Reserve League is making a comeback during the CBA press conference. I have said in the past that I prefer an integrated system as is used in Spain and Germany, as opposed to the separate system of England.

There are really a few options within those spheres though and each has its advantages. With Academies participation in CIS (that's Canada) or in highly localized leagues with some regional and national tournaments it would seem that a Reserve League could be structured in a few ways.

It could be fully pro, semi-pro, or it could an "advanced academy" of U-23s that maintain amatuer status. There are also questions as to how it should exist within the USA/Canadian/PR soccer pyramid, and its participation in things like the US Open Cup and Voyageurs Cup up North.

So how would you like to see a Reserve League structured?

Here is the breakdown of the 2010 PDL divisions (Tier 4 for USSF), but without regard to whether they are "pro" or not. If MLS Reserve sides were added to those divisions here is how that would look in 2011

PDL Division	2011 MLS Clubs	Total
Great Lakes	Chicago, Toronto, Columbus	11
Heartland	Kansas City, Colorado	9
MidAtlantic	DC, Philly	10
NorthEast	New England, New York	11
MidSouth	Houston, Dallas	9
SouthEast	None	8
NorthWest	Seattle, Vancouver, Portland	11
SouthWest	LA, Chivas, San Jose, Salt Lake	13

Sure, some of these items listed in the poll would require competing organizations working together, but I guess after yesterday with the CBA announcement I expect Dogs and Cats, Sunni and Shi'a, Republican and Democrat, Timber and Sounder to all get along, so why not MLS/USL/NASL and USSF?

Poll

How would you prefer to see an MLS Reserve League to be structured?

Intergrated with 2nd Division (USSF 2, USL-1, NASL)

7 votes

Intergrated with 3rd Division (USL-2, perhaps with "Pro-PDL")

11 votes

Integrated with 4th Division (PDL, maintaining amatuer status)

5 votes

Fully Independent with Matches on same weekend as MLS

0 votes

Fully Independent but Regional in orgnazation

2 votes

25 votes | Poll has closed

FanPosts only represent the opinions of the poster, not of Sounder at Heart.

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Why not 4th Division, "PDL-Pro"?

I see the options for 3rd Division “Pro-PDL” and 4th Div “amateur” but what about just integrating with the PDL as your post discusses, but with a “Pro” setup a la Kitsap?

As you’ve illustrated (and I’ve previously researched as well), nearly all MLS markets have a local PDL division in relatively close proximity. I think “PDL-Pro” would be the best way to go, at least initially since the league infrastructure is pretty much already set up, allowing reserve teams to start playing sooner and keeping operating costs lower given the “regional-ity” of the PDL (and thus MLS reserve teams wouldn’t have to spend money flying players all over the country like with the last iteration of the reserve league).

Allow each team to sign up to 26 players for the reserve team, with no more than 8 over the age of 23 (current PDL rules).

by Mav_7 on Mar 21, 2010 4:22 PM PDT reply actions

Well, becuase the 4th Division is the current PDL

and I don’t see them knocking the majority of members down.

Currently the 3rd Tier doesn’t have enough teams to be a national league, but if it added 16 MLS sides, the 6-12 pro-PDL sides and the USL-2 sides it would be a league of decent size and diversity stretching across the US and Canada.

I am not a Supporter
I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Mar 21, 2010 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree with Sounder At Heart

There is talk all ready of USL-2 expanding next season with Kitsap being one of the teams to move up. Other PDL-Pro teams will probably fill this division out next year, but the West Coast still needs some teams. This would be a perfect opportunity with the MLS squads to develop talent on their reserve/developmental teams.

by lakebayref on Mar 21, 2010 9:48 PM PDT reply actions

It looks like the League and Union will need advie

From today’s release on the CBA

RESERVE DIVISION: MLS and the Players Union will establish a joint committee to study the re-launch of a Reserve Division. In the event the rosters are expanded, the salary for those players will be a minimum of $31,250 with additional annual increases.

I am not a Supporter
I am not a Fan
I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Mar 23, 2010 11:34 AM PDT reply actions

Integration Benefits

Integrating with the lower divisions would be the best route I think. Good competition and a league structure is already there. No need to build something from scratch. It also would make scouting of the lower leagues easier. Your coaches will already be at these games so no need to send out scouts to track top players in the lower divisions.

by DarthGreedo on Mar 24, 2010 9:19 AM PDT reply actions