05 JDL

However, this is the set up and format that everyone plays in.  There will always be the Kicks (05), Liverpool Elite (03), Rush (04) type teams that are very good but are not part of one of the "big" clubs in girls youth soccer.  If you have a player on one of these teams, you as a parent have a decision to make when it comes time for JDL, ECNL or upcoming DA.  No one will fault you for the decision you make, but to belittle the league(s) because it hurt the quality of Classic League shows your complete bias, which in the end is just you, looking out for your own.  There is nothing wrong with that.

KeeperCommander wrote:

slrsoccer wrote:This really isn't rocket science.  I just don't understand why people can't see the benefit of a league like this.  I have no kids in JDL so I consider myself unbiased.

I for one am nor arguing the case for JDL being a bad league or stupid idea.  After all its just a league.  What my argument is everyone thinking its the answer.  Its a great tool mind you.  It should help immensely.  If you take it for what its worth.  The argument someone made the other day about the bottom 4 teams in JDL being better than any teams in LH is just about the dumbest comment anyone could make.  Especially since one of those teams has only won 2 out of 9 games.  Laughable.  It needs to do something first before it has been called the best league out there.  Stop arguing its the best and then hide behind "its only been 2 months attitude".

slrsoccer wrote:

KeeperCommander wrote:

slrsoccer wrote:This really isn't rocket science.  I just don't understand why people can't see the benefit of a league like this.  I have no kids in JDL so I consider myself unbiased.

I for one am nor arguing the case for JDL being a bad league or stupid idea.  After all its just a league.  What my argument is everyone thinking its the answer.  Its a great tool mind you.  It should help immensely.  If you take it for what its worth.  The argument someone made the other day about the bottom 4 teams in JDL being better than any teams in LH is just about the dumbest comment anyone could make.  Especially since one of those teams has only won 2 out of 9 games.  Laughable.  It needs to do something first before it has been called the best league out there.  Stop arguing its the best and then hide behind "its only been 2 months attitude".

Completely agree.  I didn't see that comment about the bottom 4 JDL teams being better than all LH teams.  However, anyone looking at it from that viewpoint isn't looking at it correctly.  Also, this debate will go on forever, like they always do, as long as you have the "this is the greatest league" group and the "this is a stupid league" group.

slrsoccer wrote:

KeeperCommander wrote:

slrsoccer wrote:This really isn't rocket science.  I just don't understand why people can't see the benefit of a league like this.  I have no kids in JDL so I consider myself unbiased.

I for one am nor arguing the case for JDL being a bad league or stupid idea.  After all its just a league.  What my argument is everyone thinking its the answer.  Its a great tool mind you.  It should help immensely.  If you take it for what its worth.  The argument someone made the other day about the bottom 4 teams in JDL being better than any teams in LH is just about the dumbest comment anyone could make.  Especially since one of those teams has only won 2 out of 9 games.  Laughable.  It needs to do something first before it has been called the best league out there.  Stop arguing its the best and then hide behind "its only been 2 months attitude".

Completely agree.  I didn't see that comment about the bottom 4 JDL teams being better than all LH teams.  However, anyone looking at it from that viewpoint isn't looking at it correctly.  Also, this debate will go on forever, like they always do, as long as you have the "this is the greatest league" group and the "this is a stupid league" group.

slrsoccer wrote:

SickofSilliness wrote:Improve competition?  There are / were multiple options (and no "separate league" was necessary):

Initial placement tournament for qualified teams into 3 brackets of 10 teams.  Or even 4-5 brackets with fewer teams.  

Coaches petition for brackets (based on returning players, tournament results) to be grouped into D1 or D2 qualifying pools - they had the entire month of August to have placement games.

Promotion / relegation in December (Plano used to do it, not sure if they are this year)


It's not complicated - the LH Board could have (or used some of their $$$ in the bank to hire some consultants) received written input from coaches - reviewed July results - selected the 6 D1 automatic teams  - and 8 contenders.  Split the contenders into 2 brackets of 4 - round robin play over 1 weekend - top 2 from each group make D1.  Relegation in December - 2 up, 2 down.

Not perfect - but better that assuming that JDL by definition provides better competition week-in, week-out.


And how is "having a facility" a "must have" for teams when forming a league?  All the independents were part of "a league" prior to JDL.  Really jumped the shark on that one (does Solar have it's own facility?  D'Feeters?  Texans?  last I check they rent facilities - as Andromeda did before the consolidation).  And, in case you forgot - selection to this league had NOTHING to do with resources or facilities.  The ONLY thing these 5 clubs had in common (and to the exclusion of everyone else) - E-C-N-L.

So don't give me this crap that JDL is about "development" (which was or was not happening before the creation of JDL), or "better competition week-in, week-out" (which could have been had through other avenues).

Wow!  You really come across as a lover scorned in this debate.  

Let's take you post point by point.
1)  Are you really advocating that LH change the format of their league?  It's too late.  They were slow to react and it cost them many good teams.  You asked -  what would provide a more competitive environment - I provided a response.  LH already changed to add JDL, and a 20-team 05 group that is less competitive on a weekly basis due to it's size.  They have shifted and adjusted the format of their league each of the past 2 years.  I provided an option that, IMO would have provided better weekly competition - pitting the best teams against each other - regardless of club.

2)  This new format is wanted because it will provide better competition?  All the while, you have been arguing that competition isn't an issue in LH as compared to JDL? I haven't been arguing that at all.  LH D1 contains teams who would be in the "top 10", while lesser teams are in JDL.  My approach works to include ALL the top teams - JDL actively works against that.

3)  This new league would require consultants to come up with a plan?  Really?  Did you actually read my response?  Tex - where did I say "require"?  Now you are just being an ass.  I merely provided is as an OPTION if someone questioned the ability of LH to select a top 6 and the next 8.

4)  You advocate coaches "petitioning" for brackets?  What?  Coaches know best what their team composition is from year to year - if they think they should be in D2 over D1, why not let them provide some input.  Better than saying "because you have JDL in your name you are automatically in the excusive league"  But I guess YOU know better.

5)  How exactly do you think these 5 clubs became ECNL clubs?  Do you not think competitive history, resources and facilities have anything to do with their inclusion in ECNL?  Nice response - but you didn't come close to addressing my question - how is having a facility (which 3 of the 5 do not have appreciable facilities) a "must" for forming "a league"?  and by "have" do you mean "rent"?

6)  Most teams take a little time off in July, what results would you consider during that month?  Some take off, some don't.  Teams headed to qualifying for the first time go to tournaments to try and boost their seed.  I was merely adding a factor that would assist in placement.


Again - you asked for a proposal -  I provided one.  You may not like it - but it would have provided the opportunity for every team to qualify, and would provide better games than the current format.

Look, we get it.  Your kid is not on a JDL team but is on a team that is highly competitive, if not the best.  shows how little you know I think what you may be upset about is the fact that these teams left the league you are still in, causing your team to not get the competition they desire on a weekly basis.

However, this is the set up and format that everyone plays in.  There will always be the Kicks (05), Liverpool Elite (03), Rush (04) type teams that are very good but are not part of one of the "big" clubs in girls youth soccer.  If you have a player on one of these teams, you as a parent have a decision to make when it comes time for JDL, ECNL or upcoming DA.  No one will fault you for the decision you make, but to belittle the league(s) because it hurt the quality of Classic League shows your complete bias, which in the end is just you, looking out for your own.  There is nothing wrong with that.

In case you haven't realized, the playing field isn't level.  There are clubs that can provide things to the players that other clubs can't.  It's the way it has been and it's the way it will always be.  These leagues are formed with clubs that have great depth in most, if not all age groups.  FC Dallas, Sting, Texans, Solar and Feet might not have the best team in each age group, but they will more often than not have a team that is competitive in every age group.  There will always be a team outside of these clubs that is very good, but the parents and players on those teams will have a decision to make to stay or leave at some point in time.

I get that you are passionate about this, probably because you want the best for your kid.  That is admirable and not what's being debated. However, you come across like a kid that wasn't invited to the prom, even though you are just as pretty, if not prettier than the other girls that were invited.  and you come across as an ass

Times are changing, you can get on the bus or you can walk.

soccerjack wrote:

KeeperCommander wrote:

soccerjack wrote:

KeeperCommander wrote:

soccerjack wrote:

KeeperCommander wrote:
Sorry but I have heard 5 of your 8 teams are a complete waste of time.

Kills me when I'm thinking what Kc said. The percent of wasted games in jdl is prob about the same as a 20 team d-1 division.

Oh please, no doubt there are wasted games in D1. No question. But SLRS comment has no merit.

I actually agreed with you Kc. You can only fight one side at a time.  My point was that a 50/50 split in quality with only 8 teams is a lot worse than the same split in a 20 team league.

At the end of the day shouldn't the bottom four teams in jdl be better in some way than all other lh teams. Having jdl in their name doesn't count.

I guess I read that wrong. My apologies to the chef. However no I don't think that just because it's JDL teams should they automatically be considered better than LH. Is it possible yes but not even close to likely.

Alright Kc....work with me here that was a smart a$$ rhetorical answer I gave. I agree with you and am trying to work with you here. Jdl has some good teams because of coaching and recruiting, but they all should be considerably better than every lh team simply because that was the bs recruiting pitch thrown out.  Overall I think it was a sleazy money grab by the bigs. Doesn't impact me either way.

SickofSilliness wrote:Last I checked - YOU asked the question "I must ask, what would you do to form and league that provides a more competitive environment on a weekly basis?"

I provided my response

So let me spell it out for you Homer

slrsoccer wrote:

SickofSilliness wrote:Improve competition?  There are / were multiple options (and no "separate league" was necessary):

Initial placement tournament for qualified teams into 3 brackets of 10 teams.  Or even 4-5 brackets with fewer teams.  

Coaches petition for brackets (based on returning players, tournament results) to be grouped into D1 or D2 qualifying pools - they had the entire month of August to have placement games.

Promotion / relegation in December (Plano used to do it, not sure if they are this year)


It's not complicated - the LH Board could have (or used some of their $$$ in the bank to hire some consultants) received written input from coaches - reviewed July results - selected the 6 D1 automatic teams  - and 8 contenders.  Split the contenders into 2 brackets of 4 - round robin play over 1 weekend - top 2 from each group make D1.  Relegation in December - 2 up, 2 down.

Not perfect - but better that assuming that JDL by definition provides better competition week-in, week-out.


And how is "having a facility" a "must have" for teams when forming a league?  All the independents were part of "a league" prior to JDL.  Really jumped the shark on that one (does Solar have it's own facility?  D'Feeters?  Texans?  last I check they rent facilities - as Andromeda did before the consolidation).  And, in case you forgot - selection to this league had NOTHING to do with resources or facilities.  The ONLY thing these 5 clubs had in common (and to the exclusion of everyone else) - E-C-N-L.

So don't give me this crap that JDL is about "development" (which was or was not happening before the creation of JDL), or "better competition week-in, week-out" (which could have been had through other avenues).

Wow!  You really come across as a lover scorned in this debate.  

Let's take you post point by point.
1)  Are you really advocating that LH change the format of their league?  It's too late.  They were slow to react and it cost them many good teams.  You asked -  what would provide a more competitive environment - I provided a response.  LH already changed to add JDL, and a 20-team 05 group that is less competitive on a weekly basis due to it's size.  They have shifted and adjusted the format of their league each of the past 2 years.  I provided an option that, IMO would have provided better weekly competition - pitting the best teams against each other - regardless of club.

2)  This new format is wanted because it will provide better competition?  All the while, you have been arguing that competition isn't an issue in LH as compared to JDL? I haven't been arguing that at all.  LH D1 contains teams who would be in the "top 10", while lesser teams are in JDL.  My approach works to include ALL the top teams - JDL actively works against that.

3)  This new league would require consultants to come up with a plan?  Really?  Did you actually read my response?  Tex - where did I say "require"?  Now you are just being an ass.  I merely provided is as an OPTION if someone questioned the ability of LH to select a top 6 and the next 8.

4)  You advocate coaches "petitioning" for brackets?  What?  Coaches know best what their team composition is from year to year - if they think they should be in D2 over D1, why not let them provide some input.  Better than saying "because you have JDL in your name you are automatically in the excusive league"  But I guess YOU know better.

5)  How exactly do you think these 5 clubs became ECNL clubs?  Do you not think competitive history, resources and facilities have anything to do with their inclusion in ECNL?  Nice response - but you didn't come close to addressing my question - how is having a facility (which 3 of the 5 do not have appreciable facilities) a "must" for forming "a league"?  and by "have" do you mean "rent"?

6)  Most teams take a little time off in July, what results would you consider during that month?  Some take off, some don't.  Teams headed to qualifying for the first time go to tournaments to try and boost their seed.  I was merely adding a factor that would assist in placement.


Again - you asked for a proposal -  I provided one.  You may not like it - but it would have provided the opportunity for every team to qualify, and would provide better games than the current format.

Look, we get it.  Your kid is not on a JDL team but is on a team that is highly competitive, if not the best.  shows how little you know I think what you may be upset about is the fact that these teams left the league you are still in, causing your team to not get the competition they desire on a weekly basis.

However, this is the set up and format that everyone plays in.  There will always be the Kicks (05), Liverpool Elite (03), Rush (04) type teams that are very good but are not part of one of the "big" clubs in girls youth soccer.  If you have a player on one of these teams, you as a parent have a decision to make when it comes time for JDL, ECNL or upcoming DA.  No one will fault you for the decision you make, but to belittle the league(s) because it hurt the quality of Classic League shows your complete bias, which in the end is just you, looking out for your own.  There is nothing wrong with that.

In case you haven't realized, the playing field isn't level.  There are clubs that can provide things to the players that other clubs can't.  It's the way it has been and it's the way it will always be.  These leagues are formed with clubs that have great depth in most, if not all age groups.  FC Dallas, Sting, Texans, Solar and Feet might not have the best team in each age group, but they will more often than not have a team that is competitive in every age group.  There will always be a team outside of these clubs that is very good, but the parents and players on those teams will have a decision to make to stay or leave at some point in time.

I get that you are passionate about this, probably because you want the best for your kid.  That is admirable and not what's being debated. However, you come across like a kid that wasn't invited to the prom, even though you are just as pretty, if not prettier than the other girls that were invited.  and you come across as an ass

Times are changing, you can get on the bus or you can walk.

The times have changed - no one is arguing that.

You "appear" to have the desire to have the best competition on a weekly basis (but your unflinching devotion to JDL shows otherwise).  I would argue that may be the case now for some, not for others.  You argue that excluding teams based on club name is a good thing.  I argue that there was a way to improve weekly competition by selecting teams on ability - not club affiliation.

Zizou wrote:JDL is not about proving your team is the best. It's about providing meaningful games that are not coached or played to win at all cost. LHGCL has become a battle ground of parents and players looking to harm and hurt each other to please coaches and parents winning at all cost. This philosophy placed emphasis on creating teams that resemble the NFL. Pressure to win is setting our kids back in the national level as they get older. Due to not allowing all players to develope within the game correctly. It has to start somewhere with someone and not saying it's right but their is nothing you nor I can do about it.

Zizou wrote:JDL is not about proving your team is the best. It's about providing meaningful games that are not coached or played to win at all cost. LHGCL has become a battle ground of parents and players looking to harm and hurt each other to please coaches and parents winning at all cost. This philosophy placed emphasis on creating teams that resemble the NFL. Pressure to win is setting our kids back in the national level as they get older. Due to not allowing all players to develope within the game correctly. It has to start somewhere with someone and not saying it's right but their is nothing you nor I can do about it.

SickofSilliness wrote:The times have changed - no one is arguing that.

You "appear" to have the desire to have the best competition on a weekly basis (but your unflinching devotion to JDL shows otherwise).  I would argue that may be the case now for some, not for others.  You argue that excluding teams based on club name is a good thing.  I argue that there was a way to improve weekly competition by selecting teams on ability - not club affiliation.

Would you rather have your daughter:
1)  Play in Classic League, win the league with an 18-1 record with 75 GF and 8 GA
2)  Play in JDL, come in last place with a record of 3-12 (not sure how many games they play) with 13 GF and 29 GA

In your opinion, and all other things being equal (practices, coaching), which one do you think is better for developing a soccer player?

KeeperCommander wrote:

Would you rather have your daughter:
1)  Play in Classic League, win the league with an 18-1 record with 75 GF and 8 GA
2)  Play in JDL, come in last place with a record of 3-12 (not sure how many games they play) with 13 GF and 29 GA

In your opinion, and all other things being equal (practices, coaching), which one do you think is better for developing a soccer player?

Neither of these situations lend credibility to what you are arguing.  The first would have you believe you are not getting the top quality competition you need to develop and that in some regards may be true.  
The second would have you believe that they are playing too far up and that they do not have the skill that would make them able to compete with the top competition.  
If you say the JDL is as good as it is then the records would all be more similar.  You know the top teams would not always come out on top.  Proving that the teams are all in fact top teams competing in a competitive manner.  From what i see there are two top teams and a few middle teams and then a couple bottom teams.  That is essentially what LH is except in a larger form.  Which will change next year to a 9 or 10 team format.

slrsoccer wrote:

KeeperCommander wrote:

Would you rather have your daughter:
1)  Play in Classic League, win the league with an 18-1 record with 75 GF and 8 GA
2)  Play in JDL, come in last place with a record of 3-12 (not sure how many games they play) with 13 GF and 29 GA

In your opinion, and all other things being equal (practices, coaching), which one do you think is better for developing a soccer player?

Neither of these situations lend credibility to what you are arguing.  The first would have you believe you are not getting the top quality competition you need to develop and that in some regards may be true.  
The second would have you believe that they are playing too far up and that they do not have the skill that would make them able to compete with the top competition.  
If you say the JDL is as good as it is then the records would all be more similar.  You know the top teams would not always come out on top.  Proving that the teams are all in fact top teams competing in a competitive manner.  From what i see there are two top teams and a few middle teams and then a couple bottom teams.  That is essentially what LH is except in a larger form.  Which will change next year to a 9 or 10 team format.

slrsoccer wrote:

KeeperCommander wrote:

Would you rather have your daughter:
1)  Play in Classic League, win the league with an 18-1 record with 75 GF and 8 GA
2)  Play in JDL, come in last place with a record of 3-12 (not sure how many games they play) with 13 GF and 29 GA

In your opinion, and all other things being equal (practices, coaching), which one do you think is better for developing a soccer player?

Neither of these situations lend credibility to what you are arguing.  The first would have you believe you are not getting the top quality competition you need to develop and that in some regards may be true.  
The second would have you believe that they are playing too far up and that they do not have the skill that would make them able to compete with the top competition.  
If you say the JDL is as good as it is then the records would all be more similar.  You know the top teams would not always come out on top.  Proving that the teams are all in fact top teams competing in a competitive manner.  From what i see there are two top teams and a few middle teams and then a couple bottom teams.  That is essentially what LH is except in a larger form.  Which will change next year to a 9 or 10 team format.

I don't agree.  That is why I put goal differential into the equation.  Maybe I should have asked it another way.  Would you rather be 18-1 with an average score of 4-1 or be 3-12, losing by an average score of 2-1?  I don't consider this playing too far up.

There is always going to be some disparity in youth sports.  At this age, 1 or 2 great players can make a huge difference.  That is not the case as they get older.  My point being is that most leagues will have a team or two at the top and a team or two at the bottom.  It is the gap between the top and bottom that make for a competitive or non competitive situation.  There will always be outlier scores, we see it all the time.

The part in bold is what my entire stance is about.  The more teams, the bigger the disparity, the more "blowout" games.  Less teams, less disparity (some will still exist), less "blowout" games.

SickofSilliness wrote:So a question for those who played D1 in the past, and are now playing JDL -

Do you see an appreciable difference in your coach's approach to development?

(understanding that different coaches have different approaches so it is difficult to compare unless you kept the same coach from D1 to JDL)

If the purpose of JDL is to encourage development of players without the "pressure" of keeping score - I would expect to see a greater focus on development over prior seasons, play time more evenly shared, all players seeing playing time at a variety of positions, substitutions without consideration of the score - things that would differentiate JDL from the old D1.

SickofSilliness wrote:

slrsoccer wrote:

KeeperCommander wrote:

Would you rather have your daughter:
1)  Play in Classic League, win the league with an 18-1 record with 75 GF and 8 GA
2)  Play in JDL, come in last place with a record of 3-12 (not sure how many games they play) with 13 GF and 29 GA

In your opinion, and all other things being equal (practices, coaching), which one do you think is better for developing a soccer player?

Neither of these situations lend credibility to what you are arguing.  The first would have you believe you are not getting the top quality competition you need to develop and that in some regards may be true.  
The second would have you believe that they are playing too far up and that they do not have the skill that would make them able to compete with the top competition.  
If you say the JDL is as good as it is then the records would all be more similar.  You know the top teams would not always come out on top.  Proving that the teams are all in fact top teams competing in a competitive manner.  From what i see there are two top teams and a few middle teams and then a couple bottom teams.  That is essentially what LH is except in a larger form.  Which will change next year to a 9 or 10 team format.

I don't agree.  That is why I put goal differential into the equation.  Maybe I should have asked it another way.  Would you rather be 18-1 with an average score of 4-1 or be 3-12, losing by an average score of 2-1?  I don't consider this playing too far up.

There is always going to be some disparity in youth sports.  At this age, 1 or 2 great players can make a huge difference.  That is not the case as they get older.  My point being is that most leagues will have a team or two at the top and a team or two at the bottom.  It is the gap between the top and bottom that make for a competitive or non competitive situation.  There will always be outlier scores, we see it all the time.

The part in bold is what my entire stance is about.  The more teams, the bigger the disparity, the more "blowout" games.  Less teams, less disparity (some will still exist), less "blowout" games.

KeeperCommander wrote:

slrsoccer wrote:

KeeperCommander wrote:

Would you rather have your daughter:
1)  Play in Classic League, win the league with an 18-1 record with 75 GF and 8 GA
2)  Play in JDL, come in last place with a record of 3-12 (not sure how many games they play) with 13 GF and 29 GA

In your opinion, and all other things being equal (practices, coaching), which one do you think is better for developing a soccer player?

Neither of these situations lend credibility to what you are arguing.  The first would have you believe you are not getting the top quality competition you need to develop and that in some regards may be true.  
The second would have you believe that they are playing too far up and that they do not have the skill that would make them able to compete with the top competition.  
If you say the JDL is as good as it is then the records would all be more similar.  You know the top teams would not always come out on top.  Proving that the teams are all in fact top teams competing in a competitive manner.  From what i see there are two top teams and a few middle teams and then a couple bottom teams.  That is essentially what LH is except in a larger form.  Which will change next year to a 9 or 10 team format.

I don't agree.  That is why I put goal differential into the equation.  Maybe I should have asked it another way.  Would you rather be 18-1 with an average score of 4-1 or be 3-12, losing by an average score of 2-1?  I don't consider this playing too far up.

There is always going to be some disparity in youth sports.  At this age, 1 or 2 great players can make a huge difference.  That is not the case as they get older.  My point being is that most leagues will have a team or two at the top and a team or two at the bottom.  It is the gap between the top and bottom that make for a competitive or non competitive situation.  There will always be outlier scores, we see it all the time.

The part in bold is what my entire stance is about.  The more teams, the bigger the disparity, the more "blowout" games.  Less teams, less disparity (some will still exist), less "blowout" games.

Like you said there will always be disparity is sports.  Goal differential will only get you so far in a argument.  I agree it should be taken into consideration.  And yes the more teams you have the bigger disparity there should be.  JDL is at a disadvantage just like everyone because of age pure shuffle.  It will take a year to settle down the dust.  LH is a 20 team league that will dwindle down to 10.  Top 10 tens teams in LH now would still have disparity to say the least, but it would be tons better.  If the JDL clubs were to all add a team next year then it would end up in the same situation.  Too many teams to give quality competition to all and the disparity between the teams would grow.  What would LH look like right now if it was just the top 8 teams in D1.  Way better competition to watch than JDL right now I assure you.

soccerjack wrote:Classic battle between dumb..dumber and dumbest...ones avatar even changes as he spews stupidity.

ForReal wrote:

KeeperCommander wrote:

slrsoccer wrote:

KeeperCommander wrote:

Would you rather have your daughter:
1)  Play in Classic League, win the league with an 18-1 record with 75 GF and 8 GA
2)  Play in JDL, come in last place with a record of 3-12 (not sure how many games they play) with 13 GF and 29 GA

In your opinion, and all other things being equal (practices, coaching), which one do you think is better for developing a soccer player?

Neither of these situations lend credibility to what you are arguing.  The first would have you believe you are not getting the top quality competition you need to develop and that in some regards may be true.  
The second would have you believe that they are playing too far up and that they do not have the skill that would make them able to compete with the top competition.  
If you say the JDL is as good as it is then the records would all be more similar.  You know the top teams would not always come out on top.  Proving that the teams are all in fact top teams competing in a competitive manner.  From what i see there are two top teams and a few middle teams and then a couple bottom teams.  That is essentially what LH is except in a larger form.  Which will change next year to a 9 or 10 team format.

I don't agree.  That is why I put goal differential into the equation.  Maybe I should have asked it another way.  Would you rather be 18-1 with an average score of 4-1 or be 3-12, losing by an average score of 2-1?  I don't consider this playing too far up.

There is always going to be some disparity in youth sports.  At this age, 1 or 2 great players can make a huge difference.  That is not the case as they get older.  My point being is that most leagues will have a team or two at the top and a team or two at the bottom.  It is the gap between the top and bottom that make for a competitive or non competitive situation.  There will always be outlier scores, we see it all the time.

The part in bold is what my entire stance is about.  The more teams, the bigger the disparity, the more "blowout" games.  Less teams, less disparity (some will still exist), less "blowout" games.

Like you said there will always be disparity is sports.  Goal differential will only get you so far in a argument.  I agree it should be taken into consideration.  And yes the more teams you have the bigger disparity there should be.  JDL is at a disadvantage just like everyone because of age pure shuffle.  It will take a year to settle down the dust.  LH is a 20 team league that will dwindle down to 10.  Top 10 tens teams in LH now would still have disparity to say the least, but it would be tons better.  If the JDL clubs were to all add a team next year then it would end up in the same situation.  Too many teams to give quality competition to all and the disparity between the teams would grow.  What would LH look like right now if it was just the top 8 teams in D1.  Way better competition to watch than JDL right now I assure you.

You had me until the end.  I know you are a Trump lover but you don't have to start talking like him.  

JDL is in its infancy.  It will likely be refined going forward and I expect you will see more teams at the U11 and U12 (perhaps U13) level playing both JDL and LH next year.  JDL has had too few games (5-6) and it's human nature to want to win them.  JDL would also have more of the developmental aspects questioned by SoS if teams used LH for winning/competition and JDL for "developing."  But it also takes a culture that doesn't yet exist - coaches, players and parents willing to commit to playing without a win at all costs mentality.    

But as to your hypothetical, you lost any credibility. If LH was just the top 8 right now versus JDL's 8, LH would not be better competition.  SoS also points out that's not the case with the 03s or even in the 04s right now.  But just look at the teams.  There are two Sting teams and two Solar teams in the top 8 of LH.  Essentially you are arguing that Sting and Solar didn't put their two best teams in and that Solar Byars, Solar Haylock, Sting West and Sting East provide better competition than Solar Pulpaneck, Solar Colvin, Sting Higgy and Sting Parsons.  If you're of that opinion, I can't persuade you of the fallacy of your position.