PARADIGM SHIFT or ILLUSION ?

The term "paradigm shift" has found uses in many contexts, representing the notion of a major change in a certain thought-pattern — a radical change in personal beliefs, complex systems or organizations, replacing the former way of thinking or organizing with a radically different way of thinking or organizing.

Something happened this weekend but what actually happened  depends on your point of view.

Not so many years ago (2005 to be specific) there was no Academy (BOYS) or ECNL (GIRLS) programs siphoning off the best 36-40 players in each age group (15-16-17-18) on the east side of the state. 

West side teams formed teams and competed with the best that the east side could put together.  

VARDAR & the Wolves/Hawks were typically the best but other clubs were competing for players and starting to loosen the hold the top two had.

 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND - West Michigan Boys teams (from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo areas)  records in State Cup quarterfinals and above.

2005 2006 2007 2008

GVP U13 win in finals.

Alliance FC U13 lost in quarterfinals.

TKO U13 lost in quaterfinals

GVP U14 lost in semi-finals.

West Michigan Fire U15 lost in quarterfinals

West Michigan Fire U16 lost in quarterfinals

Traverse City North Storm U16 lost in quarterfinals

GVP U17 win in finals.

West Michigan Fire U18 lost in quarterfinals 

 

Georgetown Rangers U13 lost in the finals. 

PASS U13 lost in the quarterfinals. 

GVP U14 lost in the finals.

West Michigan Fire U14 lost in quarterfinals 

GVP U15 lost in the semifinals.

Portage Lightning U15 lost in the quarterfinals 

West Michigan Fire U16 lost in the quarterfinals. 

GRASA White U17 lost in the quarterfinals. 

West Michigan Fire U17 lost in the semi-finals. 

MPSA Rovers U18 lost in quarterfinals.

Kingdom Reserves U18 lost in semifinals 

West Michigan Fire U18 lost in finals

 

GVP U13 lost in finals

Kingdom Reserves U13 lost in quarterfinals

PASS Impact U14 lost in quarterfinals

Georgetown Rangers U15 lost in semifinals

West Michigan Fire U15 lost in quarterfinals

Portage Lightning U16 lost in quarterfinals.

TKO U17 lost in quarterfinals

West Michigan Fire U17 lost in quarterfinals

West Michigan Fire U18 lost in semifinals

GRASA U18 lost in finals

 

Kentwood Falcons U13 lost in quarterfinals.

Flying Kick U13 lost in the semifinals.

Vardar West U13 lost in the semifinals.

Grand Rapids Crew U14 win in finals.

Tri-Cities Strikers U14 lost in quarterfinals

PASS Impact U15 lost in semifinals

Georgetown Rangers U15 lost in quarterfinals.

Vardar West U16 win in finals.

West Michigan Fire U16 lost in semifinals

Grand Rapids Crew U17 lost in semifinals

Grand Rapids Crew U18 lost in quarterfinals

TKO U18 lost in quarterfinals

West Michigan Fire U18 lost in semifinals

 
 

From 2005 through 2007, internal issues in the leadership at GVP led to a loss of vision culminating in GRASA absorbing GVP in 2007.  

GRASA absorbs Grand Valley Premier (GVP) and names new organization Grand Rapids Crew Juniors in 2008.  In 2008, GRASA had 22 teams and GVP had 16 teams.   

US Soccer started the Development Academy in 2009.  Vardar and Michigan Wolves form 15/16 and 17/18 teams effectively removing their A teams (40 players per age group) in those age groups from State Cup competition.

During the winter of 2012, Grand Rapids Crew announced absorption of fellow GVSA club, Kentwood Falcons.  In 2012, Grand Rapids Crew has 75 teams.  Kentwood Falcons has 15 teams.

 
2009 2010 2011 2012

Alliance FC U13 lost in quarterfinals

Ole SC lost in semifinals

Vardar West U14 lost in quarterfinals

Grand Rapids Crew U15 won in finals.

Kingdom Reserves U15 lose in quarterfinals.

Georgetown Rangers U16 lose in quarterfinals

Vardar West U17 win in finals.

West Michigan Fire U18 lose in quarterfinals

TKO U18 lose in quarterfinals

 

 

Alliance U13 lost in finals

Grand Rapids Crew U13 lost in semifinals

Ole SC U14 lost in semifinals

Grand Rapids Crew U14 lost in quarterfinals

Ole SC U15 lost in quarterfinals

Grand Rapids Crew U15 lost in quarterfinals

Kingdom Premier lost in semifinals

Kingdom Premier U16 lost in finals

Grand Rapids Crew U16 lost in semifinals

Georgetown Rangers U17 lost in semifinals

Vardar West U18 lost in finals

TKO U18 lost in semifinals

Grand Rapids Crew U18 lost in semifinals

Flying Kick U19 lost in finals

 

Grand Rapids Crew U13 lost in finals

Alliance FC U13 lost in semifinals

TKO U13 lost in quarterfinals

Alliance FC U14 lost in quarterfinals

Grand Rapids Crew U14 lost in quarterfinals

Grand Rapids Crew U15 lost in quarterfinals

Grand Rapids Crew U16 lost in finals

Ole SC U16 lost in quarterfinals

Kingdom Premier U16 lost in quarterfinals

Grand Rapids Crew U17 wins in finals

Michigan Wolves Grand Rapids U18 wins in finals.

Georgetown Rangers U18 lost in quarterfinals

 

Grand Rapids Crew U13 lost in semifinals

Grand Rapids Crew U14 lost in finals

Alliance FC U14 lost in quarterfinals

Grand Rapids Crew U15 wins in finals

Grand Rapids Crew U16 lost in semifinals

Kingdom Premier U17 lost in quarterfinals

Grand Rapids Crew U17 lost in finals.

Kingdom Premier U18 lost in semifinals

Grand Rapids Crew U18 wins in finals

 

 

At the recently concluded State Cup, Grand Rapids Crew placed six teams in semi-finals and four teams in finals with two ultimately winning championships.

Of course, this is a good showing but are we better off than we have been?

In 2005, GVP won 2 State Cups against vastly superior competition. 

The number of teams from West Michigan qualifying and advancing to State Cup quarterfinals is down.

West Michigan teams haven't won any more State Championships than we have ever won.

I guess it depends on your point of view.