NTX STX State Cup

Another poster just posted this and I thought it worthy of discussion. Putting aside the partisan bickering of the split of Oklahoma soccer, I'm curious of the thoughts of what has happened in NTX and STX this year which points to State Cup becoming irrelevant for top level soccer. I'll steal the post then comment:

"It appears current State Cup and Regional alignments are quickly becoming irrelevant for the top 10 or 15 teams in NTX and STX. To your point, take a look at both North Texas and South Texas’ State Cup(s) and factor in the advent of the DA next year and you are potentially left with very little in the way of real competition.

North Texas

U12 - Only 3 of the top 10 NTX teams were in it and only 1 of those teams will not be ECNL or DA next year due to new U13 age grouping for ECNL

U13 - Only 2 teams from this year’s state cup will be in USYS next year. Its solar 4-5 team and FC Dallas 4th team. Basically, according to US Youth Soccer Rankings no top 10 teams will be left next year as they will be DA/ECNL etc.

U14- 4 of NTX top 10 were in state cup. Of those I know 3 are guaranteed to be gone next year due to ECNL DA.

South Texas

U12 - No teams in top 10 and only 1 team in top 20 were in state cup finals (their state cup is different).

U13 - Only 2 of the top 20 teams in South Texas are in State Cup Final 4 with 2 of those teams heading to ECNL DA – One World Soccer appears to be only one left.

U14- 3 teams in top 10 in final 4. However, of those 3 all appear headed to DA or ECNL next year with new club combinations.

So OPC is at least aligning with a few North Texas clubs where OPL seem to be drifting towards a Arkansas/Kansas type set up. It will be interesting to watch as we move forward."

It appears the addition of the DA makes State Cup in NTX and STX a mid level tournament in terms of competition. We have historically encountered more competition than was presented to those clubs in numerous NTX tournaments in the Gold Division.

It would be nice to have a crystal ball but are we seeing the degradation of state cups and leagues as a whole? Not advocating for either side but it appears big money is centralizing top level soccer at a handful of clubs. This goes against the grain of "growing the game" at the grass roots level and seems to diminish the roles of rural/new clubs popping up.

We don't need a crystal ball. Clubs across the country have been vocal about their plans to leave USYS for the federation and US Club. Energy chose to ignore what was happening and in some ways bet against it by selecting USYS/OSA over US Club.

The TX State Cup might come as a surprise to some on this forum who either didn't know or didn't want to believe the top soccer clubs across the country were doing the opposite of what Energy was doing and leaving USYS, but they are. The question is, how long will they pretend USYS/OSA programming is a better option?