Understanding the MRL (Midwest Regional League),  GLA (Great Lakes Alliance) League and CASA (Cleveland Alliance Soccer Association)

Ohio Strikers United plays in 3 different leagues.  MRL, GLA, CASA. 

The MRL is run by Ohio North Youth Soccer Association and is an established and competitive league for teams U-13 and above.  MRL games raise the competitive level.  Teams get promoted when they win or relegated when they lose.  Each region is allowed a certain number of club teams in the MRL.  Acceptance isn't always guaranteed.  We currently have 6 teams participating in the MRL.  The league schedules the games.  Games are played over 3, 4 or 5 weekends between March and May.  Games can be Saturday only, Sunday only or Saturday/Sunday.  The league always tries to schedule games to make participation as economical and practical for families as possible.  There are 7 to 8 MRL games in a season.  Typically, no more than 1 game is played on a given day.

The GLA is the gateway to the NPL (National Premier League).  The NPL/GLA is the run by US Club and follows a similar format to the MRL regarding its promotion/relegation method.  Scheduling is similar to the MRL.  This spring, the GLA will play up to 2 games in a day.  This makes additional weekends available for other events, and reduces expenses as a result of possible overnight stay.  Each game is competitive. There are 7 to 8 games in the GLA

The CASA League plays all of its games at the Lodi league in Seville, OH.  Teams that play in the CASA league primarily prefer to stay local and play against other premier club teams  local club teams from Erie, Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Cleveland and other areas. There are 6 to 7 games in the CASA league.

For the MRL:  Our region can consist of clubs from the following states:  Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, South Dakota.  In almost all instances teams meet at a neutral site.  The neutral locations are typically, Indiana, Cincinnati area or Columbus or Cleveland.  80% of the teams are from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky.  The location you play depends on the teams in your division.

For the GLA:  This high level league consist of clubs from the following regions:  Pittsburgh, PA, Erie PA, Western New York, and Ohio.  In most all instances, teams will meet at a neutral site and 2 games per day will be played.  There are 3 to 4 weekends committed to the GLA.  Overnight stay is minimal in the GLA.  Games will be played on primarily turf fields in OH, PA and NY.

For the CASA League:  There is no additional cost to play in the CASA league.  The CASA league provides additional games to the MRL and GLA rostered players, and serves as the main league for players who are not primarily on the MRL or GLA roster.  The CASA leagues offers 3 levels of competition from Premier to Division 2.

Additional GLA & MRL Cost:  Players will be invited to play either GLA, MRL, or CASA (Lodi League).  Because of the additional expenses associated with playing in the GLA and MRL, players who are invited to the GLA or MRL rosters will pay an additional $100 once they accept a spot.  There is no additional league cost to anyone to play in the CASA league.  For instance, a player on the GLA or MRL roster can also be invited to play in the CASA league games for no additional fee.

GLA Teams:  Our club has registered the following GLA teams: 

·         1998 Girls

·         1999 Girls

·         2000 Boys

·         1999 Boys

·         1998 Boys

The GLA rosters will not include all of the players in the birth years listed. 

MRL Teams:  Our club has registered the following MRL teams: 

·         2002 Girls

·         2001 Girls

·         2000 Girls

·         2002 Boys

·         2001 Boys

The MRL rosters above will not include all of the players in the birth years listed.

CASA Teams:  Our club has registered the following CASA teams to play in Seville, OH

·         Girls:  2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 (2), 2001 (2), 2000, 1999. 1998

·         Boys:  2008/07, 2006/07, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999. 1998

The rosters for the birth years above can consist of all players in the club

Crossroads Showcase in Indiana for the MRL Teams:  Many of the MRL teams attend a Showcase in Westfield, Indiana called Crossroads.  This is a high level event that cost an additional fee similar to a tournament.  Each of our MRL teams will attend Crossroads and play MRL games while at the event.  It is highly recommended that each player makes the commitment to attend this event so that we can compete with a complete squad.  The cost to participate in this event is $100 per player.  There has been a $15 increase in this event over last 3 years as a result of the increase in the Crossroads expenses and their entry fee. Crossroads is an event where many MRL teams meet.  Crossroads is a college recruit event and will be held  April 21-23 (Boys) and April 28-30 (Girls). Only 1 game is played on each of the three days.  The Friday game can start between 12 noon and 6 pm.  There will definitely be a Friday game.

Team Participation for MRL, GLA & Crossroads:  Players & families must work together to ensure that we participate with our full roster.  We need you to offer to help so that we compete with a full squad. 

GLA & MRL increases the commitment of resources for families.  It's a necessary step for exposure to the next level.  CASA, GLA and MRL, each provide an avenue for a player to grow and develop their current skill level.    The MRL follows FIFA substitution rules.  When a player leaves the game in one half, they are not allowed to reenter in the same half.  CASA and GLA allow unlimited substitution and reentry. 

 
Read All About Ohio Strikers United accessible from our Home Page on the web site  Read the sections:  "Showcases - Higher Level Tournaments"   &  "Overall Cost" in the document.  These sections detail cost and briefly talks about college showcases.

 
All About Ohio Strikers United


I hope this helps you understand more about the CASA, GLA and MRL

Ian
330-202-2255