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[Southend soccer mom]

This is a bit off topic from relegation/ promotion of teams but here is my take on retention of players.

The smaller clubs have a retention problem because the kids with extra drive and desire will eventually go to the bigger clubs where they are challenged. And those same players will replace the kids at the bigger clubs that aren't as hard working or talented. Hence the bigger clubs will have a new set of players every year  and eventually very few from the original team will remain.

Only small clubs worry about retention...bigger clubs can always attract plenty of kids to choose from during tryouts.

Chadliz,
Take a look at the retention of Crossfire (since you cite them) on their teams from U-12 to U-16, or from U-14 to U-18.
You will find that most of the time, on most of their A teams, the players who are on the A team roster at the end of those periods were not in the club at the beginning of those periods.

Now that Crossfire has expanded its lower levels so greatly, I would expect that a greater percentage of "home grown"
products would make the Crossfire teams at the end of the cycle than previously.  It might even average 50% of the rosters, but I doubt it.   

You will find that recruitment is still the name of the game.

This of course has drifted off topic, but one more point.  If you want your child to play at a "higher" level and I guess I fall in that camp, there are very few kids(I would guess none) that are going to show up to a "top" club at U-11 and be able to compete while only playing rec and backyard barefoot soccer.  It isn't the reality of what's happening, right or wrong it is what the system is.  Crossfire has 14 under ten teams on the boys side (pspl and RCL) of kids to choose from when selecting U-10.  As was mentioned earlier, all of the kids who are on U-10 top teams will have played at least one year, most two for the club already. 
Most other clubs will be creating younger programs (SU, WPFC, FC Alliance, Tyncastle, Gunners) I know already have some version) in order to attract the many "young" players/families who are wanting more than rec.  This isn't my opinion, it's just what is happening. 

[EWSoccer64]

You guys are acting like recruitment doesn't happen in other youth sports.  Take a look at AAU basketball, kids are getting pulled all over, most times right in front of coaches.  Many kids are getting high school paid for in private schools for various sports, how is this any different?  When you are going to attempt to play at a top club you had better be aware that your spot isn't yours for life because you made the U-12 team.  I wouldn't want it any other way, I am sure it hurts to get cut, but that is one of the many life lessons that sports teach.  Kids coming and going is not in any way exclusive to soccer or Crossfire.  I don't understand why people are putting the spotlight on them.  Show me a club that has 80% of their 12 year old roster still together at 18 and my guess would be they are not very good.  Kids move on/mature/move to other sports, it's the nature of the beast. 

Two things, chadliz.
1)  Weren't you the one that brought up Crossfire having 10 or so U-10 teams?   That is what narrowed the conversation down to crossfire, your example.  You put the spotlight on Crossfire, here.
2)  Recruiting is not development, despite what some people say.         And one would think that with all the talent among all the younger Crossfire teams in an age group, they would be able to develop the players that they need when those kids get older.   Even with a 80% attrition rate.

[plentyofgames]

This is a bit off topic from relegation/ promotion of teams but here is my take on retention of players.

The smaller clubs have a retention problem because the kids with extra drive and desire will eventually go to the bigger clubs where they are challenged. And those same players will replace the kids at the bigger clubs that aren't as hard working or talented. Hence the bigger clubs will have a new set of players every year  and eventually very few from the original team will remain.

Only small clubs worry about retention...bigger clubs can always attract plenty of kids to choose from during tryouts.

Chadliz,
Take a look at the retention of Crossfire (since you cite them) on their teams from U-12 to U-16, or from U-14 to U-18.
You will find that most of the time, on most of their A teams, the players who are on the A team roster at the end of those periods were not in the club at the beginning of those periods.

Now that Crossfire has expanded its lower levels so greatly, I would expect that a greater percentage of "home grown"
products would make the Crossfire teams at the end of the cycle than previously.  It might even average 50% of the rosters, but I doubt it.   

You will find that recruitment is still the name of the game.

This of course has drifted off topic, but one more point.  If you want your child to play at a "higher" level and I guess I fall in that camp, there are very few kids(I would guess none) that are going to show up to a "top" club at U-11 and be able to compete while only playing rec and backyard barefoot soccer.  It isn't the reality of what's happening, right or wrong it is what the system is.  Crossfire has 14 under ten teams on the boys side (pspl and RCL) of kids to choose from when selecting U-10.  As was mentioned earlier, all of the kids who are on U-10 top teams will have played at least one year, most two for the club already. 
Most other clubs will be creating younger programs (SU, WPFC, FC Alliance, Tyncastle, Gunners) I know already have some version) in order to attract the many "young" players/families who are wanting more than rec.  This isn't my opinion, it's just what is happening. 

Since we are so off topic from relegation I'll chime in too. I think you're right about what kids chose to do. Both of my players opted on their own to tryout for teams that were better than the one that they were on. For one them it was the challenge but for both it was wanting to be on the best team they could make and also play. It wasn't personal. Turned out to be a good move for both. And yes, both teams barely reflect the original rosters from U11 or 12. (Now HS age) Maybe 3 players on each team from the original teams. Nor was there evident coach or club recruiting. It was more the better players gravitating to the better teams as they get older. The kids all have a pretty good idea of who can play and who cannot and who can coach and who cannot.

[Fallfever]

Does anyone have results for any #2 v #7 playoffs?  If so, please post.

[helpfulguy]

Metzger's G98 Crossfire team (7th place division 2) remains in division 2 with a 2-0 win against u13 Rush Swoosh(2nd place div 3)

[FF97]

Reign 97 White lost to Black Hills 1-0 and are heading down to Division 4. Congrats to Black Hills. They were the better team.

[Quiller]

I believe Seattle United G13 Copa beat the 7th place team Wa Rush yesterday 1-0.  SU will be promoted and Rush will be relegated.

Does anyone know when RCL Spring season starts?  My daughters team is thinking about doing the GRFC tourney but were not sure if it will overlap.

[Islander]

RCL Winter League starts January 7th.  Also the next round of NWCL is January 7th.  So there will be lots of rescheduled RCL matches in January.  There are a couple of out-of-state showcase tournaments in February which will cause the same.

[Quiller]

Gracias

[#7]

U11 Boys- NWN beat Snohomish 2-0.  NWN stays at Division 1!

[mhall]

U14 boys Federal Way Green played GRFC for relegation/promotion between division 2 and division 3.  GRFC was attempting to stay at division 2 and FW was looking to be promoted.

This game was a hard fought game by both clubs.  FW scored first, but GRFC tied the game late in the second half to push it to overtime.  Unfortunately for FW and fortunately for GRFC, GRFC put the ball in the net in OT to win the game.  GRFC stays as does FW.  Very competitive game.  Both teams played their hearts out.  To me, it was one of those games where it was too bad someone had to win and someone had to lose.

[SheplaysIdrive]

GU12: Whatcom Rangers (Division 2) vs Blackhills (Division 3).  Rangers opened the scoring in the 1st half when their big forward controlled a ball out of the air and put a nice shot into the far corner.  Blackhills got the equalizer when their midfielder slammed in a poor clearance from 20 yards.  No scoring in the second half.  Each team missed a great opportunity in OT.  Rangers headed a ball into the box where it bounced a few times before Blackhills keeper could grab it.  Blackhills forward fought through the defense and drove a shot that Rangers keeper was able to push just above the bar.  Blackhills won on kicks from the mark, and advances to Division 2.

[Jellyman]

BU11 Harbor Premier (Div 2 # 7) vs Crossfire Hattrup (Div 3 # 2) played their hearts out yesterday  (Harbor had a roster of 11 - Crossfire had a roster of 16)!  Regulation ended with a 1 - 1 tie, went to OT, but, no more goals, then went to PKs - Crossfire wins on PKs.  Crossfire gets promoted to Div 2 and Harbor gets relegated to Div 3.

[Scholes]

Last weekend WPFC 00 White defeated Fc Alliance white 5-2 to move up to division 2.

[ThiKuBC]

16 players on a u11 roster!?!?! surely they didn't all play???

Is u11 there 8v8 or 11v11?

[Scholes]

U11 is 9v9 here.

[Turner b1kr]

16 players on a u11 roster!?!?! surely they didn't all play???

Is u11 there 8v8 or 11v11?

Actually, I think the poster made a typo.  Those teams are U12 and played 11 v. 11.  Sounds like an exciting game!

[Jellyman]

16 players on a u11 roster!?!?! surely they didn't all play???

Is u11 there 8v8 or 11v11?

Actually, I think the poster made a typo.  Those teams are U12 and played 11 v. 11.  Sounds like an exciting game!

Yes, sorry, I made a typo - it was BU12 vs BU11!  I'm still getting used to our DS playing BU12 (he played BU11 for 3 yrs.).   
It WAS an exciting game.  BOTH teams, I think, deserve to play in Div 2.  Crossfire because of how well they did in Div 3, and Harbor because the standings in Div 2 are SOOOO close between a majority of the teams - and isn't the RCL supposed to be about player development and like vs like?  BU12 Harbor Premier is already in the correct Div for their development and a like vs like experience.  I don't see how bumping them down to Div 3 is going to further their development - all based on an arbitrary "rule."  Maybe the RCL should actually look at the standings and scores to figure out who should be in which division, and re-structure the divisions - who's to say that the number of teams in each Div should stay as they are?  But, what do I know - I'm just a CP.    

[g97dad]

Last weekend, WPFC G97 ECNL defeated Reign 97 Purple 1-0 to move up to division 1.