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Post by gaprospects on Nov 15, 2016 14:34:33 GMT -5
So we're now basically through with the fall portion of the DA schedule, and through 11 matches played, both the Atlanta United U16 and U18 teams have yet to lose a game.
U18s: 8-0-3, +19 GD, #3 overall seed in the DA U16s: 9-0-2, +25 GD, #1 overall seed in the DA
Not only that, but the U16s went to Generation adidas Cup qualifying in Philly and beat the Union, DCU and the Red Bulls over just 4 days.
With the resources AUFC is putting into their academy I imagine there are high expectations, but I don't think them or anyone else would have thought they would be this good this quickly. Of course their ultimate goal is developing players for the 1st team and they don't want to overemphasize youth results, but having a club that can realistically challenge for DA national titles is pretty new for GA Soccer and it will be very interesting to follow their progress.
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Post by rifle on Nov 15, 2016 18:21:07 GMT -5
I will say this is great, but it will be truly awesome when homegrown players take the field for the senior team.
I'm also glad to see Lampard and Gerrard announce their exit this week, because it makes roster and salary room for young players. I'm looking forward to American soccer thriving on merit, not trying to draw publicity off a bunch of aging stars.
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mark
Jr. Academy
Posts: 62
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Post by mark on Nov 15, 2016 19:58:11 GMT -5
This is MLS. DA's develop kids for college, not the first team.
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Nov 15, 2016 20:29:47 GMT -5
So we're now basically through with the fall portion of the DA schedule, and through 11 matches played, both the Atlanta United U16 and U18 teams have yet to lose a game. U18s: 8-0-3, +19 GD, #3 overall seed in the DA U16s: 9-0-2, +25 GD, #1 overall seed in the DA Not only that, but the U16s went to Generation adidas Cup qualifying in Philly and beat the Union, DCU and the Red Bulls over just 4 days. With the resources AUFC is putting into their academy I imagine there are high expectations, but I don't think them or anyone else would have thought they would be this good this quickly. Of course their ultimate goal is developing players for the 1st team and they don't want to overemphasize youth results, but having a club that can realistically challenge for DA national titles is pretty new for GA Soccer and it will be very interesting to follow their progress. In regards to the 1st team, AU had Carleton on display tonight modeling the new AU Kits.
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Post by rifle on Nov 15, 2016 20:55:46 GMT -5
This is MLS. DA's develop kids for college, not the first team. so consider me puzzled. Isn't this thread is about Atlanta United (of the MLS) Development Academy teams?
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mark
Jr. Academy
Posts: 62
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Post by mark on Nov 16, 2016 8:57:21 GMT -5
This is MLS. DA's develop kids for college, not the first team. so consider me puzzled. Isn't this thread is about Atlanta United (of the MLS) Development Academy teams? Yes, you are correct. Just keep a log of how many make the first team and how many actually play versus how many go to college. Being a new team in MLS, there won't be any patience to build from within with youth. Most spots will be filled with veterans and retiring players from Europe.
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Post by alacrity174 on Nov 16, 2016 10:38:18 GMT -5
so consider me puzzled. Isn't this thread is about Atlanta United (of the MLS) Development Academy teams? Yes, you are correct. Just keep a log of how many make the first team and how many actually play versus how many go to college. Being a new team in MLS, there won't be any patience to build from within with youth. Most spots will be filled with veterans and retiring players from Europe. Do you have inside info on this? Andrew Carleton & Chris Gosling have both signed with ATL UTD and both are homegrown players. Will they get starting rolls I doubt it as they are both young but they will figure in the team at some stage. All sports teams must have a balance of youth and experience, I don't see ATL UTD being any different.
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Post by gaprospects on Nov 16, 2016 11:04:31 GMT -5
so consider me puzzled. Isn't this thread is about Atlanta United (of the MLS) Development Academy teams? Yes, you are correct. Just keep a log of how many make the first team and how many actually play versus how many go to college. Being a new team in MLS, there won't be any patience to build from within with youth. Most spots will be filled with veterans and retiring players from Europe. Of course most of the players in their current setup will play in college as opposed to playing for the first team. This is the case with youth development at every club in the world. Do you really think that the majority of La Masia graduates end up in the Barcelona first team? Five years from now there will be former ATLUTD Academy players in the ATLUTD first team, in their reserve USL team, and in the NCAA, playing the NCAA offseason likely with an ATLUTD U23 team in the PDL or something. There will be players who will sign pro deals either domestically or overseas and leave the academy. These guys really just started this academy this past summer and these things take a long time to grow to their full potential, which makes their early success so promising. However, in more immediate terms, I know the club is planning on having a few of the best U18s train and likely play with the first team in preseason, so if one of two of those kids can impress the coaching staff and prove they belong in the team, we could see one or two more homegrown signings before the season begins.
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Post by nani17 on Nov 16, 2016 13:30:43 GMT -5
My personal opinion is if a MLS DA club finds 5 players for their first team in a decade they're doing well.
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Post by rifle on Nov 16, 2016 16:49:48 GMT -5
My personal opinion is if a MLS DA club finds 5 players for their first team in a decade they're doing well. Hopefully the AU Academy serves its purpose, and becomes a player pipeline to playing with AU (or be sold into another pro opportunity). What's great is that it's the first local DA whose mission is not just to take cash from willing parents of "elite" players.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Nov 17, 2016 11:43:32 GMT -5
I saw this coming at the older age groups for sure. GA United was doing very well previously and just wasn't pulling in all the top players the way the Atlanta United name has consolidated talent. Concorde was typically successful in one of the older age groups as well.
but, I also thought the u12 to u14s would roll as well.
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Post by soccerparent02 on Nov 20, 2016 16:42:14 GMT -5
Go investigate the other MLS teams. I can't remember which team but one MLS team finally had their first home grown player make the team in the history of the team and they were a founding club. The MLS teams sign players to sell jerseys. AU will be no different. They are already looking to see which older European players near retirement will be available.
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Post by rifle on Nov 20, 2016 18:50:47 GMT -5
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