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[sounderfan]

We talked with Mason in January, and now that 'Seattle United' has passed the vote we spoke with him again a few days ago.

Read the press release and our Q & A with Mason here:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-413-Seattle-Soccer-Examiner~y2009m7d20-Seattle-United-gets-the-votes-as-Youth-Soccer-begins-transformation-in-the-Emerald-City

[freekick]

Has nobody noticed that Seattle United's intent is to eliminate Emerald City FC--a premier club in existence since 1979?  This is a shameless power grab.  The voting body were representatives from local clubs that represent mostly rec teams (Ballard Youth Soccer, Magnolia, Queen Ann, etc.) each got one vote.  The two premier clubs in the system (representing the more than 1000 select and premier players) voted no of course with their one vote each.  They were basically told by the Seattle United group that they will no longer exist and that if they want to be part of premier soccer in Seattle in the future they can join Seattle United or else--this goes for parents, players, and coaches.  None of them get a choice because SYSA holds all the cards--- threatening with association membership with WYSA as well as field time at city of Seattle school and park fields.

This was not a happy little reorginization, it was a coup.  I predict a mass exodus of premier players to the suburbs--I bet Crossfire is licking its chops.

[freekick]

Sorry--I see that this topic is well covered on another post in the crazy parent thread.

[sounderfan]

As stated elsewhere, Crossfire has its own issues to look out for...perhaps beginning with a possible Academy relationship between SYSA and Sounders FC...

[freekick]

The connection between SYSA and the Sounders Academy is an exaggeration on their SU's part.  They are trying to portray the relationship as somehow "special or exclusive" so newbie parents will think if their son plays for SU he will get an extra look or have a special "in" with the Sounders Academy.  The truth is that the Sounders Academy will take the best players they can get--from anywhere.  They will not care if they come from Seattle or Yakima--they will take the talent every time.

[sounderfan]

Yeah, a fair statement. However, that still will be a big issue for Xfire. ("Best players anywhere.")

[freekick]

I agree--if the Sounders provide a less expensive but just as good academy experience, then Crossfire should watch out. 
I was speaking more of all the other players who have the skill and desire to play at a high level, but either cannot or do not want to play for an Academy team.  There is plenty of talent out there and some of the blame that ECFC has not been able to recruit or retain talent has to do with the attitudes of the some of the select coaches/parents in SYSA.  SYSA could have provided the leadership to streamline the process and funnel the most talented players (that want to play premier) to ECFC.  SYSA should have stuck to reorganizing their select programs and worked on communicating better with their parent community so it was very clear what the differences in cost and commitment are between rec, select, and premier.The idea of having more neighborhood based select programs is great--the problem arises when coaches become too attached to "their team" and get resentful when "their" players want to play at a higher level (ECFC). There was absolulely no need to  dissolve a unique, and fairly well functioning club.  ECFC is not perfect, but show me a club that is.

[EWSoccer64]

Most other clubs do not have some of the other problems that ECFC has.  Like the state investigation into their finances, the lack of audits for 30 years, rules compliance issues and so on. 

And hearing things from the select coaches sides, it seems like ECFC has always treated them poorly, when deigning to notice them.  It seems that every criticism that Freekick levelled at the select side of the SYSA has already been levelled at ECFC by them.

[goldengoal]

Freekick you make some good points, but if the majority want change then people have to jump on board and support it. Also, I am sure it is a rotten feeling to be left out, but ECFC did the same thing to the other clubs when they joined the PDL. They threw all the other clubs under the bus and worried only about themselves. You have to remember that these rec and select clubs have more players and keep more players involved in soccer than ECFC. I think if ECFC would have had a better relationship with the other clubs they probably would have had more power.

Having said all that, I am sure SU will hire highly qualified staff to run the Premier programs as no one wants to fail. They will likely hire some of the ECFC staff and things will start to cool off. Not all of the ECFC staff will be happy, but just like the NWN debacle, as soon as the coaches that are making all this noise find a new coaching job, things will come to a halt.

Good luck to all!