Not_that_Serious
GOLD
In Northern California, US Youth Soccer's Cal North is basically just a recreational league facilitator. U.S. Club Soccer has 95% of the competitive teams and is the 800 pound gorilla.
In Southern California, Cal South is the 800 pound gorilla.
Yeah most other State Orgs dont run like Cal South. Much of it due to pure numbers and money available. You hear the nightmares of ODP in other states and what they charge to play. If you are a good player in So Cal you have good options - ODP being verrry cost effective.
This also leads to a lot of coaching movement and orgs changing tech directors at these places. Hard to develop if you dont have stability. Carlos Juarez was just at Cal North, now in AZ and coaches he brought arent local. Also hard to establish a real connection if you dont bring in the best coaches you can find at the clubs these kids come from.