US YNT new U-14 boys talent identification program

No.
They are just reimagining (to steal a Disney phrase) how they do the NTC.

Unless they are scouting all players, nothing will change and will remain a good ole boys club. NTCs were the right direction, but ended up becoming more of a show to "say hey we are scouting".
You have to pound the pavement and have feet on the ground. One of the scouts who ran a NTC a few years ago had a completely different perception of talent than everyone else a few years ago. This is honestly good in most cases, but in this circumstance, it was shocking how players were being rated.

Will be interesting also, because I know many many many players who have not gotten an invite to an NTC, yet are really high quality players. The new setup will make it even harder for those players to be identified.

I think this is better than what they had before. More kids will now have a fair shot at being seen in the Nat'l Team pipeline to the final 20. This also gives you a clear pathway to the Nat'l Team at U14. The proof is in the details and how they implement it. I believe this is another step in getting ready for the migration of MLS out of DA. I think the lazy scouts who just go to MLS DA games will now have to do a little more than that to scout. What I find interesting in looking at the map, is why Georgia is listed as being in the Central instead of the East, especially since current DA teams at this age group play in the South Atlantic? So on paper boys from Georgia would play in the Central Mini-Camp?

Funny enough, on the map below, Georgia along with Florida is located in the Central Region. Next National Team Training Camp for the Central Region in going to be held in Frisco, Texas at the Toyota Soccer Park aka FC Dallas, from March 14-18, 2019

Sounds great. Unfortunate though for those who lack the means, as usual. But it’s a big country and any effort is welcome.

Just got word that the invites have been sent out for the US YNT U-14 boys TIP for the Central Location Mini-Camp, occurring next month March 14-18 in Dallas(Frisco), TX...

Yes and No. Also got confirmation that Georgia is considered part of the Eastern Location and once the Central Mini-Camp is completed, the invites for the Eastern Mini-Camp will go out and it will occur in New Jersey...FG

It starts with your Coach n DOC. They are supposed to advocate for the good players to US Soccer and/or Scouts. From there and based on their history(good recommendations) and primarily if you are playing in the DA System, they are supposed to scout you at games etc. From there you are put into three groups - Ignore/Interested/Extra 👀(I made those up). If they are interested, they will watch your play over time. That sometimes leads to an NTC/YNT-ID session like the one this Sunday. So say you are a stud locally, they then want to see how good you are against your piers in other regions. They sometimes work with your club/coach and ask to see you in specific games against specific opponents at the DA Showcase in the fall. So for some teams, you will see a player or two play in all games, while others will be sat for a game or two. From there, they now have a good idea of if you move on or not. Let me be the first to say, this does not preclude some politicking and favoritism by coaches, DOCs, scouts or US Soccer. Plus you don't have to necessarily play for a DA team/club. Bottom line, if your kid is legitimately good, he will find his way up to the YNT. If he's borderline with one of their favorites, you have a 50-50 chance...FG

Do we know how many players locally were selected and from which clubs?

Here is the direct quote from a copy of the email I was made privy too:


[Please note, air travel (if flight is required), transportation, logging, and meals during camp dates will all be provided and covered by U.S. Soccer.]

p.s. Parents are on their own...FG

Yes there is, 9 local boys will be going to Frisco Tx from the 14th to the 18th of March. They are currently doing paperwork, physicals, lessons in social media etc. The breakdown is as follows:

- 1 Goalie
- 2 Defenders
- 3 Midfielders
- 3 Forwards/Wingers

For a grand total of 9...

Sadly they are ALL from Atlanta United. I say sadly because I believe there are other lads in the area who should have gotten a shot. However, it proves what we've always suspected, if you want to stand a chance at making it on to the Nat'l scene, you had better beg, borrow and steal your way on to the local MLS-DA team or the lazy scouts will not give you the time or day. From what I am gathering, it could easily have been 10 but one is injured and will not be healed in time for the camp...😰

But not to take away from the boys chosen, Congratulations to them and I wish them luck as they represent us in Dallas/Frisco Tx.... FG

Yes - I get it, AU's 05s are destroying teams - thats what they should be doing -- But that doesn't mean there aren't quality players on other teams. I know of at least 1 or 2 for sure, and I'm not as familiar with the age group as others.
This is more a testament to our flawed soccer system than anything else - at this age, not sure how much of it really matters anyway, the next 2 years, these boys will grow like weeds, and it's an entirely different game. The average size kids become the bigger kids, and the bigger kids are no longer huge compared to others.

Didn't think it would be this hard though to get non AU kids to the regional center (if that is what it is called). But if NTC's continue to be AU vs everyone else, this trend will continue forever......


Huge congrats to the boys invited though, the journey is just beginning.

Not surprised AU has 9 invited. I am surprised that not one UFA or CF player would get a look.