What is the argument to having an age based system where kids move up on their birthday, meaning when a kid turns 11 he plays 11 and under? This way the kids progress naturally from being the youngest to the oldest and, presumably, moving up in importance to the team. I've heard the team cohesion argument and it's ridiculous given the age levels we're talking about. And since USL and tournaments require birth dates upon registration, it's easily policed.
