Post by gaprospects on Mar 16, 2018 16:19:47 GMT -5
You have both of those rules right. The first rule comes directly from FIFA, the second comes from MLS.
The homegrown territory rule, in my opinion, is the worst rule in the entire MLS structure, precisely for the reasons you describe. It's inherently anti-competitive and only hurts the potential professional chances of young players. Meanwhile, kids from "unincorporated" territory can go play anywhere in the country. It makes absolutely no sense that a young player should have his potential professional opportunities limited just because he happens to live in one state as opposed to another.
MLS clubs are finding ways around this, though. AU recently signed a 16-year old from Southern California to a pro contract in their reserve team, which is essentially exploiting a loophole in this territory rule. They would not have been able to simply add him to their academy since he was in the Galaxy/LAFC territory, but they can sign him professionally and then stick him in their U17's, which is exactly what they did. That being said, it's a massive leap for a young player to move across the country AND throw away any chance at NCAA eligibility at that age, when it's still so up in the air if he'll ever make it at the professional level. Understandably, a lot of people are hesitant to do something like that.
Saying that "kids don't know if any [international] team might be interested because they don't bother scouting/recruiting early because it would be delayed until the age of 18 anyway" is false, however. Foreign teams are here scouting kids of all ages all the time. It's no coincidence that so many European teams are entering "partnerships" with American academies. A lot of it is a cash grab, but it's also a foot in the door at a rapidly growing and improving pool of young players. And because of the silly training compensation rules we have here, these clubs know they can get these kids for free, which entices them even more.
The homegrown territory rule, in my opinion, is the worst rule in the entire MLS structure, precisely for the reasons you describe. It's inherently anti-competitive and only hurts the potential professional chances of young players. Meanwhile, kids from "unincorporated" territory can go play anywhere in the country. It makes absolutely no sense that a young player should have his potential professional opportunities limited just because he happens to live in one state as opposed to another.
MLS clubs are finding ways around this, though. AU recently signed a 16-year old from Southern California to a pro contract in their reserve team, which is essentially exploiting a loophole in this territory rule. They would not have been able to simply add him to their academy since he was in the Galaxy/LAFC territory, but they can sign him professionally and then stick him in their U17's, which is exactly what they did. That being said, it's a massive leap for a young player to move across the country AND throw away any chance at NCAA eligibility at that age, when it's still so up in the air if he'll ever make it at the professional level. Understandably, a lot of people are hesitant to do something like that.
Saying that "kids don't know if any [international] team might be interested because they don't bother scouting/recruiting early because it would be delayed until the age of 18 anyway" is false, however. Foreign teams are here scouting kids of all ages all the time. It's no coincidence that so many European teams are entering "partnerships" with American academies. A lot of it is a cash grab, but it's also a foot in the door at a rapidly growing and improving pool of young players. And because of the silly training compensation rules we have here, these clubs know they can get these kids for free, which entices them even more.