Ontario Soccer system pathway isn't in the best interest of players | OPDL vs Academy Leagues

Ontario Soccer system pathway isn't in the best interest of players | OPDL vs Academy Leagues. Chris McKee and Alex Burt discuss on the Undraftedfreeagent.com podcast.

[@MrHealthJunkie]

Agreed. OPDL has ruined soccer in Canada. Prices are high so only privaleged players (who are not the most athletic in most cases) can afford to play. All of the best players are separated into two separate leagues causing competition to be watered down and scarce. All because these ego driven OPDL clubs and coaches (who never made a dent in the sport) want salaries to coach children. I wish all of the kids could just play in one league with an allstar game at the end. The problem with Ontario Cup is if you are a great player who plays on a lesser quality team (because you live in a smaller city), your team will not make it far in the Ontario Cup and you will never be noticed. They don't give a damn about the kids. Everything is messed up.

[@eaztytyyy]

ive played rep when i was younger and later i made the opdl and it was all the good players..

[@raeydsaad]

So what would you suggest is the best pathway to become a pro (or atleast reach a league 1 team) from ontario? I currently play in the 2nd league of the academy leagues and I can confidently say that the skill gap is very little and I would be on the level of target teams (top division of academy leagues).

[@thecoolkar]

Thanks for being honest. Any tips on how a player in these systems could improve or have better opportunities?

[@mckeezey]

Well....just checked your KZbin profile which has an excessive amount of videos of you playing videos games like Fortnite etc. Unplug your video game console and put it away in a box and use that time to train more extensively at soccer. I promise your game will improve significantly.

[@ThePhantomCoder]

yo u a pro now?

[@alexpapi3041]

100% agree with you I have played in the TSA, CSL, OPDL(present) pushing to get some minutes in the L1r and L1 level (Semi-pro). I will say this if you do let academy teams and Opdl team play in the Ontario cup the rep team (third tier youth teams) would absolutely get ripped. Don’t get me wrong for my agar group (05) there’s only two csl teams that would put up a fight which is Bolton and Glen Shield.

[@jumpman0079]

I'm very curious about your thoughts on the new League 1 Ontario format. Would love to see a video.

[@mckeezey]

Well, my son in this video now plays League 1. I like it (specifically their U23 rule) where they have to play young players a certain amount of minutes. Its the best way to develop young talent & not just have a league like the old CSL of 31 year-old guys playing 90 minutes. League 1 isn't perfect but it is a much better level than USports where my son also plays.

[@clintonnnah7762]

Which one is better opdl or rep Because I want to play opdl and I am very good at soccer but I have never played for a team but I want to play this summer. Plz help me out.

[@mckeezey]

Play for any team where the coach believes in you and gives you an opportunity to succeed. It doesn't matter what league.

[@clintonnnah7762]

@@mckeezey how do I know though

[@nolxverodin9022]

@@clintonnnah7762OPDL is better than most rep leauges so if your doing well in rep tryout for opdl

[@elvan12581]

Brother I have 7 year old playing for an academy in the GTA (IFC academy, Vaughan) is this a good pathway to keep him developing as he grows and if he wants to pursue the game seriously?

[@mckeezey]

He's 7. Anywhere he is getting good coaching along with quality practice time and games is good. This stuff doesn't come into play until they're about 13 or 14.

[@elvan12581]

@@mckeezey thank you so much for the advice! I will stick to it. Hopefully the soccer scene in Canada evolves and gets better over the next decade.

[@amirr6341]

@@mckeezey Hi Chris, is there a way to send you message as I need some guidance on choosing correct path for my U11 son?

[@mckeezey]

@@amirr6341 At that age, choose the program with the coach that believes in him. It doesn't matter what level. Maybe in 2 or 3 years you should start being concerned with the right "path" but for now, just let him have fun or he'll have zero interest in 3 years.

[@amirr6341]

@@mckeezey He played tier two this past summer and will now be moving to tier 1. We tried out for an local academy group recently and have been offered a spot but I am not sure if he will get the chance to play tier 1 for their group as they are the best group in the city for this age group. Looking for advice whether its better to stay with the current non -profit and play against tier 1 players or do we go with the academy group, potentially play tier 2 and get to practice with more higher level players on a consistent basis? Also, my son really likes playing for his current group non profit group and the coach has some great soft skills but doesn't necessarily have the highest level of soccer skill knowledge.

[@Casperburna]

I’m confused let’s say I do opdl turn up and get filmed and sent too ppl I won’t get chances in Europe bc I live in Canada it’s rlly my only option to go pro plz help what should I do ?

[@Casperburna]

@@mckeezey if I play opdl league that means I can’t make it pro in Europe ??

[@mckeezey]

​@@Casperburna If you're good enough, you can turn pro from any youth league. The OPDL is just one of the many pathways to playing in college/university or the pros.

[@Casperburna]

@@mckeezey Thank u ima keep working and chasing my dream

[@ThePhantomCoder]

@@Casperburna DID YOU MAKE IT BRO

[@Marcogt350]

Soccer needs to adapt the Rep hockey model which is basically what you are saying similar format

[@montefredane]

Have you played for a youth club in Ontario they do have rep teams what are you talking about ?

[@lafleur84]

Wow Always had people silent on the subject as no one wanted to offend those who at OPDL,. But having watched games , and seen who plays I can guarantee there are better player not playing on OPDL, .. and reasons are Cost,. SHOW ME THE MONEY .. ts only for those who have money Games,. OPDL play half the amount of games as an academy or even a good rep team

[@montefredane]

Yes a lot of things need to change but to say that Ontario has not produced any players come on now , 70 percent of our men’s national team that played in the Qatar World Cup played youth soccer in Ontario and all of them are earning a decent living and some are even millionaires now playing in Europe or the MLS , yes they need to change many things with youth soccer in Ontario in terms of the leagues and competition format but let’s not say things like who has Ontario produced in terms of present or even former pro players .

[@mckeezey]

This video was made long before the World Cup.

[@monty6815]

I don’t think he’s saying Ontario hasn’t produced, he’s saying “Ontario Soccer”, the organization, hasn’t. They’re the ones behind this OPDL mess.