Last week I ended my esteemed column by bringing up the time honored debate of the D3 versus the A-League in terms of the talent levels of their players. This is a favorite topic during the U.S. Open Cup because there is almost always the inevitable upset where a D3 or lower division club who will knock of one of the teams from the A-League or even MLS. In order to take a look at this issue, though, there are many ingredients to consider ranging from a player making the jump from the lower divisions or a D3 team winning in a one-off situation.
Right now we will take a look at one of the best examples of how competitive the D3 can be at the A-League level. The example I'm referring to is, of course, the Charlotte Eagles club that just happened to win the Southern Derby and get into the playoffs in their first year after making the leap. Prior to last year some considered the squad to be a "glorified D3 team" and while that was true in some ways (they had won the previous year's D3 championship which some would say gave them some glory) those critics have to consider this team a solid A-League member now.
Despite some questionable situations concerning the finances for the team and the stadium situation that entails ground sharing with at least three other entities there seems to be some air of stability around the team. This is largely due in part to the connection with MAI (Missionary Athletes International) who also run teams in Chicago and Southern California in the other levels of the USL. With a seemingly strong base built from the missionary work of this parent organization it looks like the Eagles will be around in some capacity for the foreseeable future. The big question for this club is whether or not the talent level they currently have can improve or will just steadily worsen without the kind of finances other teams use to bring top caliber players in?
Taking the teams out of the question for the time being, what about the individual players trying to make their way from D3 semi-obscurity to the marginally brighter lights of the A-League? There are examples of guys who have made the jump and some that will take their shot in the upcoming season. Dustin Swinehart and Hugo Galeano are a pair of players that have proven their worth on the A-League stage and will likely continue to be impressive this year. Swinehart has already been recognized by MLS and the USL which lead to his participating in a Columbus Crew training camp and a USL select side that played in England in recent weeks.
Who among the incoming class of former D3 players will look likely to impress in the new A-League season? Fadi Afash is hoping that it will be he that goes on to A-League success after being a huge force for the Utah Blitzz last season. The 27 year old Syrian will be looking once again to show his prowess and ability to knock in the odd goal every now and again with aging hitman Chugger Adair at his side with the Portland Timbers this year. If Afash is able to come away with the same numbers in Portland as he's posted in previous seasons with Stanislaus (now the California Gold) and Utah his talent will be hard to call into question.
While we are mentioning the Blitzz and other D3 clubs, does anyone think that D3 clubs would be competitive through the long haul of an A-League season? I think it would be both easy and dismissive to think that Last year's D3 champs, the Blitzz, could easily play to the level of a team like Cincinnati or Indiana yet at the same time the Blast and 'Hawks have had experience at this level. That factor makes it difficult to judge how a "promoted" team would compete over a season but it is an idea worth considering when you take into account how well Charlotte has performed. Some would even argue that the Eagles made the perfect statement that a promotion and relegation system could work between D3 and the A-League with their play last year.
Regardless, we have no definitive answers on this subject but it does seem fairly clear that all levels of professional soccer are becoming more and more competitive with one another in the USL structure. Now, we need to make sure that the product is competitive off the field as well and that is yet another subject that has been broached many a time. One day I know I'd like to see players move up and down the leagues freely while clubs and fans have to deal with, and maybe even enjoy, the specter of promotion and relegation. At the moment, all of this is doubtful but one thing is for sure and that is that once again a D3 team will be likely to defeat an A-League team in an Open Cup match or a friendly with the avid support of some D3 clubs who will insist that their team is ready for the next level. Oh, and one other thing, it is guaranteed to be great fun watching it unfold in the new season.
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