Oklahoma Soccer – Looking Forward

If the changes people on this board have been stating truly do happen, Oklahoma soccer is about to change immensely. It seems talk has been TSC centered but it appears some other players are in a mix that really effects Oklahoma. I wanted to think about it before commenting and see what others thoughts are. Right now everything is rumor but some people on here sound very confident that it is happening. So it got me thinking about what Oklahoma will look like if things go down as described by yellowcard and eastside.

From the other topics it appears at least 5 major clubs are leaving OSA and USYS to create a new league. Assuming, the rumors on here are true this is what we are left with (these are clubs I see in OPL Gold and Silver on oksoccer.com):

US CLUB/NEW CONSORTIUM OSA
TSC OFC/Energy
WSA Blitz/Energy
NEOFC Unity
South Lakes Stillwater
Norman Canadian Valley/Energy
Clinton

OSA

For years we have seen posts on here continually bashing and making fun of OSA and their decision making. There are likely hundreds of posts making fun of and/or voicing their frustration with OSA. I can honestly say I have personally been very dissatisfied (although this year has been better at times) with OSA and SRPL as well. My opinion (maybe or maybe not shared by others more knowledgeable) is that OSA has been unresponsive and not met the needs of the clubs as a whole. Couple this with the fact that OSA has been changing the rules every year without continuity and at times make decisions in a way this is not equitable among the clubs and you are ripe for issues.

I suspect this has been brewing for years. I want to also be careful as there are always two sides to every story. OSA individuals may have had their hands tied by the bureaucracy of USYS or other reasons. However, perception is reality and I would say the perception of most on here and obviously several clubs in the state is that OSA was not meeting their needs.

FUTURE FOR OSA governed Soccer

My personal opinion is OSA sanctioned soccer in Oklahoma will obviously look drastically different. I think this with things going on in NTX . The major players hurt by this are OFC and Blitz IMO. The competition level of OPL Gold at U11 – U13 is extremely effected. Older age groups will still have SRPL but the landscape of US youth soccer is changing wherein SRPL may not be thought of highly and could be relegated to 4 – 5 tier because of DA etc. Looking at the 04 SRPL, if this happens the only teams left are OFC, a Texan team, Blitz and one world soccer. (Express has combined to go ECNL and Rush is going ECNL with D’Feeters per Dallas board. It makes me sincerely question what the value will be in SRPL going forward given the cost this year.

OSA will still be good for the Stillwater/Unity/Clinton clubs as true competitors for them still exist.

One of the interesting thing will be money. From my understanding, OSA is paid a portion of your registration fees and population wise you may be talking about OSA losing up to half of their income due to the size of the clubs leaving. This could lead to massive job losses at OSA (which I don’t wish upon anyone)

NEW CONSORTIUM

Why was this necessary? There are too many unknowns for me to intelligently comment right now. What will the leagues look like? How many leagues? What are the options for TSC, South Lakes, Norman and WSA teams that compete at a high level? Will it be focused in NPL? Is ECNL coming to the Westside? There is too much unknown. If this board is right, all we know or think we know is the clubs involved.

Thoughts

Will all clubs in the state may become more tournament focused. Will the new consortium try to get other clubs involved? How is the landscape changing in NTX and KC? Who is in the league with Kansas, Arkansas and NTX?
Also, this seems to really hurt the top teams at OFC and Blitz for purposes of league play.

I think DA has a huge impact on all of this. In major market like Dallas you’re taking a lot of top players out. You add in those who don’t want to do DA and stay in ECNL or ECNL composite and all other regional USYS leagues seem extremely watered down. One big question is what happens to ECNL composite teams? Are they focused on NPL? Will the 5 clubs leaving OSA join in with that? We know south Texas is mainly USClub and focused on NPL. Houston Express just combined and will be focused on DA and ECNL with other clubs.

There are two other thoughts. Is this good for Oklahoma soccer as a whole? Arguably not. Maybe so if other clubs join in. Should the clubs be watching out for Oklahoma soccer or their patrons? I say both. When those conflict at the end of the day your duty lies with your patrons.

In conclusion, I think someone said big announcement May 1 and that’s when we will be able to comment intelligently.

I guess the saying you reap what you sow would be appropriate!

I will update with any new information I am able to get my hands on asap. BTW there is no ECNL Composite going forward. Those teams will be broke apart and turned into pure age next tier teams. The word is these teams will be playing Texas Champions League, which may be similar or the same as a Lake Highlands North Texas deal from the reports I have heard. Will know more next week for sure.

That's interesting news.

It should mean that in order to form full teams for TCL, some SRPL level players will have to move up (I know the player pool fluctuates year to year, but I'm assuming the numbers will be similar).

So, this potential new league could have a deeper talent pool with better teams when compared to OPL, with a more diverse field of competition than we had with the traditional OCL / OPL setup.

Instead of looking at DA, ECNL, ECNL composite, SRPL, OPL, & OCL (all these tiers)......

You'd have: Strong ECNL & TCL teams, a larger local league with some solid teams that play slightly expanded competition, but eliminate things like overnight stays and extended travel the SRPL teams had to endure for league games.

Again, more speculating! But hoping, because I think it might help TSC focus their efforts and streamline club participation. Don't need to be in so many different leagues and competition structures. It opens things up a bit for OPL level players, while reigning in some negatives (like travel) that come with SRPL (but trying to keep the level of competition about the same).

I'm just thinking out loud, so excuse the babbling.  Thanks for the update, Yellowcard.

BASoccer wrote:That's interesting news.

It should mean that in order to form full teams for TCL, some SRPL level players will have to move up (I know the player pool fluctuates year to year, but I'm assuming the numbers will be similar).

So, this potential new league could have a deeper talent pool with better teams when compared to OPL, with a more diverse field of competition than we had with the traditional OCL / OPL setup.

Instead of looking at DA, ECNL, ECNL composite, SRPL, OPL, & OCL (all these tiers)......

You'd have: Strong ECNL & TCL teams, a larger local league with some solid teams that play slightly expanded competition, but eliminate things like overnight stays and extended travel the SRPL teams had to endure for league games.

Again, more speculating! But hoping, because I think it might help TSC focus their efforts and streamline club participation. Don't need to be in so many different leagues and competition structures. It opens things up a bit for OPL level players, while reigning in some negatives (like travel) that come with SRPL (but trying to keep the level of competition about the same).

I'm just thinking out loud, so excuse the babbling.  Thanks for the update, Yellowcard.

That is exactly what it means. The TCL(Composite) Teams will definitely have roster spots to fill and most likely will look toward the SRPL/Top OPL team to get those. Then whats left of the SRPL team will pull top OPL players up and so on and so on... Now we all know there is some variables that are unknown in the selection process and that will remain to be seen.