West Coast/Surf OC

The article was really good. The only thing that really doesn't make sense is the increased cost from switching an employee from contractor to W2 employee. The increased cost should only be about 8% of salary for the payment of employer portion taxes and a couple days of sick pay. Either he is looking at the line items wrong (i.e. taxes paid to government include taxes deducted from employee salary) or they didn't take the option of exempting the employee from having to provide them medical insurance and the like. 50% to 60% increase makes no sense whatsoever.

That article/interview is excellent. This might help on the increase in costs. In my expereince, without providing healthcare and with less than 50 employees, the number was/is actually closer to 15%.

How terrific it is that our state, the CA EDD, makes sure that youth clubs bear the burden of enforcing tax payments by coaches through a W2 process, and does not let them go with 1099's so the coaches are responsible. Still wondering why clubs need lawyers and financial professionals on their boards?

Back on topic, there are many questions raised by this rumored merger, there are many interesting issues created, and there is a larger conversation this fits into on what is happeneing to elite youth soccer in this country, mostly driven by the mandates and increased role of US Soccer. I wold be interested in thoughts on those topics.
 
WC will probably be pretty smart about it.

Anyone remember the FC blades attempt to get into Slammers. They ended up not getting in but paying bigly for name and branded at Irv Slammers. Passed the cost to parents.

They did it right with Galaxy. Lesson learned by the folks running the club.

Galaxy? Right in which way? Galaxy has done the same thing taking over clubs with high enrollment just to get a presence out. Better than the day were they would slap a logo on big tournament winners. OC Galaxy is almost an afterthought. They basically went around plucking Flight 2 kids and promising parents Flight 1 spots - so many played out of their level or didnt even make Flight 1. Many of the teams they have barely can field a team. During their tournament in OC some teams had no subs or playing 1 man down. Some of the teams were getting beat by not very good Matrix teams - believe even 1 got beat by a bad plus team. Seen them have to guest play kids from higher flight to lower flight so the team doesnt get hammered. The lower flight team won but then the higher flight team gets beat badly because they guessed some decent players. Top Galaxy teams in other areas are competitive, but the lower flights tend to be there for marketing. Not the right way to do things in my opinon. Some parents only see "LA Galaxy" and proudly post to other parents "My child plays for LA Galaxy". Club takers are a fast way to get numbers, but really the right way? usually not
 
Galaxy? Right in which way? Galaxy has done the same thing taking over clubs with high enrollment just to get a presence out. Better than the day were they would slap a logo on big tournament winners. OC Galaxy is almost an afterthought. They basically went around plucking Flight 2 kids and promising parents Flight 1 spots - so many played out of their level or didnt even make Flight 1. Many of the teams they have barely can field a team. During their tournament in OC some teams had no subs or playing 1 man down. Some of the teams were getting beat by not very good Matrix teams - believe even 1 got beat by a bad plus team. Seen them have to guest play kids from higher flight to lower flight so the team doesnt get hammered. The lower flight team won but then the higher flight team gets beat badly because they guessed some decent players. Top Galaxy teams in other areas are competitive, but the lower flights tend to be there for marketing. Not the right way to do things in my opinon. Some parents only see "LA Galaxy" and proudly post to other parents "My child plays for LA Galaxy". Club takers are a fast way to get numbers, but really the right way? usually not


First, they aren’t a DA program, so they don’t have that advantage. I’m merely talking about a name change. Their attempt at being under the slammers brand didn’t work very well. They have the youth rec program which cultivates and feeds players into their system. Many of their flight 1 teams are competitive, especially the olders. Yes, they are oversaturated with teams, but OC is saturated with club soccer. I’m not talking about the quality of their program. I’m talking about the transition from one club name to another.

Let’s be honest there’s a huge chunk of kids all over the map that don’t really belong in club soccer. It isn’t like it used to be 20-25 years ago.
 
Let’s be honest there’s a huge chunk of kids all over the map that don’t really belong in club soccer. It isn’t like it used to be 20-25 years ago.
You are right, it isn't the same, it is better. If the goal is to be better as a nation at soccer, we need more kids playing soccer. The more kids that play soccer and develop a passion for a game the bigger the pool of talent.

The people who lament the current state of soccer versus times past are a curious bunch. Does somehow a kid that isn't great being on "club" soccer somehow diminish what you did 20-25 years ago? The "lets move everybody that isn't great to rec" angle is stupid. The kids are having fun. They are making friends. They are getting exercise and they are staying out of trouble. These are wins. More kids in competitive soccer, not less.
 
You are right, it isn't the same, it is better. If the goal is to be better as a nation at soccer, we need more kids playing soccer. The more kids that play soccer and develop a passion for a game the bigger the pool of talent.

The people who lament the current state of soccer versus times past are a curious bunch. Does somehow a kid that isn't great being on "club" soccer somehow diminish what you did 20-25 years ago? The "lets move everybody that isn't great to rec" angle is stupid. The kids are having fun. They are making friends. They are getting exercise and they are staying out of trouble. These are wins. More kids in competitive soccer, not less.

Versus twenty years ago (some of us are old enough to remember), we have
1) more large venues, closer to where we all live;
2) better quality fields, on average;
3) more professional, educated and better quality coaches,
4) more opportunities for players at every level (club, rec, AYSO, DA)
5) more kids playing soccer

I could tell you about a 9 year old girl who wanted more than AYSO select/extra, a mere 12-13 years ago. No club would respond to her inquiries, she went to the two tryouts that were within 30 minutes from her home, was treated like an outsider and unwelcome, and did not make it on any of the very small number of teams that existed at that time. Fortunately, she stuck with it and made a newly formed club team the following year -- which was around the time clubs in our area started expanding team counts and offered club soccer to younger age girls. If that expansion had not occured, I highly doubt she would have been able to break into what seemed a closed system with pretty fixed rosters. With luck, her college soccer career will last a few more weekends.

Club soccer in our area used to be very exclusive, more controlled by the volunteer parent coaches with kids on the teams, much less of a meritocracy, with little to no transparancy and accountability. It may not be perfect, but it has vastly improved. Some of the "old guys" lament the days when Socal clubs had one team per age group, travelled the country, and beat up on everyone. But the more honest "old guys" admit that, at least on the girls side, a top college team from the early-mid 90's would have a hard time beating today's top U16 club teams.
 
First, they aren’t a DA program, so they don’t have that advantage. I’m merely talking about a name change. Their attempt at being under the slammers brand didn’t work very well. They have the youth rec program which cultivates and feeds players into their system. Many of their flight 1 teams are competitive, especially the olders. Yes, they are oversaturated with teams, but OC is saturated with club soccer. I’m not talking about the quality of their program. I’m talking about the transition from one club name to another.

Let’s be honest there’s a huge chunk of kids all over the map that don’t really belong in club soccer. It isn’t like it used to be 20-25 years ago.
25 years ago you couldn’t find soccer on TV and gas was $1! That’s really not a good comparison.

Things have changed and the sport has grown. Whether or not a kid should be playing Club soccer is a decision for the parents, not the Clubs. They will happily accept payment.
 
25 years ago you couldn’t find soccer on TV and gas was $1! That’s really not a good comparison.

Things have changed and the sport has grown. Whether or not a kid should be playing Club soccer is a decision for the parents, not the Clubs. They will happily accept payment.

Maybe 45 years ago.
 
25 years ago you couldn’t find soccer on TV and gas was $1! That’s really not a good comparison.

Things have changed and the sport has grown. Whether or not a kid should be playing Club soccer is a decision for the parents, not the Clubs. They will happily accept payment.
Didn't they have Big Macs for $1 as well back then :D
 
STRENGTH IN UNITY – Surf Cup Sports and West Coast Futbol Club Form Groundbreaking Partnership
SAN DIEGO, CA., November 17, 2017 – We are pleased to announce that starting with the 2018/2019 season, West Coast Futbol Club will rebrand as “Orange County Surf Soccer Club” and become a partner of the Surf Soccer Club family, bringing together two of the most influential organizations in the Southern California soccer community.

The leaders of West Coast Futbol Club and Surf Cup Sports agree that the ultimate goal of an elite youth soccer club is to give its players the resources, coaching and structure necessary to allow them to fulfill their highest potential in soccer, whether that be a member of a SCDSL team or of the US National Team. We believe this partnership will allow each player to reach his/her fullest potential in a top quality organization that Southern California has never seen.

With an aim to develop world-class soccer players across Southern California, this historic partnership brings together Surf Cup Sports — a world class event and brand management firm, with a legendary youth club, West Coast Futbol Club — which has earned 4 USYS and 1 ECNL National Championships and is routinely ranked among the top 10 clubs in the nation. This partnership tracks a trend in the past 5 years of clubs and brands coming together to pool resources in order to provide a true development pathway for the best soccer players in a region.

“As soccer in the United States continues to evolve, we as an organization continue to look to increase our value proposition to our players and families,” said Girls VP Nick Cucuk.

“Through this partnership we look forward to aligning the top talent in the county and providing a real pathway for all of our players to compete at the college and professional level,” added Mike Lane Boys VP.

“At Surf Cup Sports, we believe that competitive youth soccer will continue its trajectory of consolidation and overall professionalization of club services. We look forward to welcoming West Coast Futbol Club to our Surf family and providing access to our extensive coaching education and administrative resources,” said Jeremy McDonald, VP Business Development for Surf Cup Sports.

“A partnership with Surf Cup Sports is a natural alliance that will benefit both organizations and all of our members,” said Rick Hough, President of West Coast Futbol Club. “Our Board of Directors’ number one priority is to provide great opportunities for our youth soccer players and take advantage of the changes in the current and future competitive marketplace.”

Founded in 1997, West Coast Futbol Club has consistently ranked highly among youth soccer clubs in IMG Academy Rankings. West Coast Futbol Club is known for a club culture that values superior technical skills, tactical awareness and a possession style of play that is highly prized by college coaches and U.S. Soccer. Orange County Surf Soccer Club participates in the US Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) and in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL).

Surf Cup Sports was formed in 2012 to manage the iconic summer Surf Cup and winter College Cup and has since won a long-term lease for the 112-acre soccer complex in Del Mar known as Surf Cup Sports Park and now manages the SoCal Sports Park in Oceanside. Surf Cup Sports also manages the Surf brand and provides operational support to Surf clubs as well as the benefits of broader relationships with partners that include Nike, Manchester City FC, Soccer.com and many others.
 
STRENGTH IN UNITY – Surf Cup Sports and West Coast Futbol Club Form Groundbreaking Partnership
SAN DIEGO, CA., November 17, 2017 – We are pleased to announce that starting with the 2018/2019 season, West Coast Futbol Club will rebrand as “Orange County Surf Soccer Club” and become a partner of the Surf Soccer Club family, bringing together two of the most influential organizations in the Southern California soccer community.

The leaders of West Coast Futbol Club and Surf Cup Sports agree that the ultimate goal of an elite youth soccer club is to give its players the resources, coaching and structure necessary to allow them to fulfill their highest potential in soccer, whether that be a member of a SCDSL team or of the US National Team. We believe this partnership will allow each player to reach his/her fullest potential in a top quality organization that Southern California has never seen.

With an aim to develop world-class soccer players across Southern California, this historic partnership brings together Surf Cup Sports — a world class event and brand management firm, with a legendary youth club, West Coast Futbol Club — which has earned 4 USYS and 1 ECNL National Championships and is routinely ranked among the top 10 clubs in the nation. This partnership tracks a trend in the past 5 years of clubs and brands coming together to pool resources in order to provide a true development pathway for the best soccer players in a region.

“As soccer in the United States continues to evolve, we as an organization continue to look to increase our value proposition to our players and families,” said Girls VP Nick Cucuk.

“Through this partnership we look forward to aligning the top talent in the county and providing a real pathway for all of our players to compete at the college and professional level,” added Mike Lane Boys VP.

“At Surf Cup Sports, we believe that competitive youth soccer will continue its trajectory of consolidation and overall professionalization of club services. We look forward to welcoming West Coast Futbol Club to our Surf family and providing access to our extensive coaching education and administrative resources,” said Jeremy McDonald, VP Business Development for Surf Cup Sports.

“A partnership with Surf Cup Sports is a natural alliance that will benefit both organizations and all of our members,” said Rick Hough, President of West Coast Futbol Club. “Our Board of Directors’ number one priority is to provide great opportunities for our youth soccer players and take advantage of the changes in the current and future competitive marketplace.”

Founded in 1997, West Coast Futbol Club has consistently ranked highly among youth soccer clubs in IMG Academy Rankings. West Coast Futbol Club is known for a club culture that values superior technical skills, tactical awareness and a possession style of play that is highly prized by college coaches and U.S. Soccer. Orange County Surf Soccer Club participates in the US Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) and in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL).

Surf Cup Sports was formed in 2012 to manage the iconic summer Surf Cup and winter College Cup and has since won a long-term lease for the 112-acre soccer complex in Del Mar known as Surf Cup Sports Park and now manages the SoCal Sports Park in Oceanside. Surf Cup Sports also manages the Surf brand and provides operational support to Surf clubs as well as the benefits of broader relationships with partners that include Nike, Manchester City FC, Soccer.com and many others.

Very revealing (maybe not intentionally) of the relationship between Surf Cup Sports and Surf Soccer Club. WC is not merging with Surf, they are merging with Surf Cup Sports.
 
Very revealing (maybe not intentionally) of the relationship between Surf Cup Sports and Surf Soccer Club. WC is not merging with Surf, they are merging with Surf Cup Sports.

I agree with E for once. I had heard the relationship was going to be different than from the other affiliates. I also heard that they are actively looking for clubs even closer to home and the deal would require the best players go to the Polo Fields, although I am not sure how families would buy into something like this.

I wonder what is going to happen to the West Coast coaches. Will they be required to go to San Diego? West Coast has a lot of great coaches irrespective of the number of A licenses they have. I also believe that WC pays their coaches more. Will that be affected because I know of a lot of clubs that would kill for some of the WC coaches that defect.
 
What we have in the US right now is an anti competitive anti competition climate. US Soccer rather than creating a climate of competition with ECNL, SCDSL etc in our country fractured it with its DA league. The Federations mandate is to facilitate the growth of Soccer for all. Not just the ones that it seems worthy. It has no business operating a puppet regime under the false flags of non profit 501C3 clubs a closed league that disincentives large portions of the country while lining its pockets with cash from the very consumers it is tasked with serving. These clubs like Surf, Rush, etc are essentially corporations that rather than compete with smller market clubs use there leverage and power and to consume them to remove competition from the market place and thus can further artificially inflate club fees, tournament fees, field access, travel and hotel monies and yes even acces to who plays and who doesn’t. This will continue and has already played out in college sports with mega conferences Like the Power 5 gobbling up Universities to further their geographic footprint and create cable channels Big 10 network, longhorn tv, Pac 12, etc. So far 3 NWSL teams have folded and been absorbed by MLS clubs. NASL is currently suing US Soccer for D2 sanctioning stays that US is denying them. Small independent clubs FC Cincinnati, NY Cosmos, etc are being forced out of the market place not by consumers or inferior Soccer but by US Soccer denying access to sanctioning them. The same tactics are seen with youth club Soccer. This does not grow the game but further erodes local small market clubs the serves the people and players in that community. This is not a conspiracy it’s not fiction, it’s reality, and starts with US Soccer.
 
What we have in the US right now is an anti competitive anti competition climate. US Soccer rather than creating a climate of competition with ECNL, SCDSL etc in our country fractured it with its DA league. The Federations mandate is to facilitate the growth of Soccer for all. Not just the ones that it seems worthy. It has no business operating a puppet regime under the false flags of non profit 501C3 clubs a closed league that disincentives large portions of the country while lining its pockets with cash from the very consumers it is tasked with serving. These clubs like Surf, Rush, etc are essentially corporations that rather than compete with smller market clubs use there leverage and power and to consume them to remove competition from the market place and thus can further artificially inflate club fees, tournament fees, field access, travel and hotel monies and yes even acces to who plays and who doesn’t. This will continue and has already played out in college sports with mega conferences Like the Power 5 gobbling up Universities to further their geographic footprint and create cable channels Big 10 network, longhorn tv, Pac 12, etc. So far 3 NWSL teams have folded and been absorbed by MLS clubs. NASL is currently suing US Soccer for D2 sanctioning stays that US is denying them. Small independent clubs FC Cincinnati, NY Cosmos, etc are being forced out of the market place not by consumers or inferior Soccer but by US Soccer denying access to sanctioning them. The same tactics are seen with youth club Soccer. This does not grow the game but further erodes local small market clubs the serves the people and players in that community. This is not a conspiracy it’s not fiction, it’s reality, and starts with US Soccer.
I hate to agree with you because I am pro business, hate claims of conspiracies and monopolies but you nailed it.
 
Out of fairness I will say that Surf is not the only mega club gobbling up other clubs, they are just doing more of it in our backyard.
 
It's tough to see a club like WCFC being absorbed by a larger one. Have appreciated them from afar for many a reason. Won't be the same anymore.
 
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