Atlanta United's 17s in England

Just out of curiosity and for my education -- did they take their top 03 and 04s on this trip?  Of the combo U17s(approx. 44 2003s & 2004s), only 18 boys where chosen to make the trip. If my sources are right, they took 12(2003s), 5(2004s) and 1(2005).

And for the purpose of a DA roster, I know this was mentioned elsewhere, but will the entire 03 and 04 group be rostered on the USDA team u17 team?  Yes and no.  They are technically two U17 teams. One is called the U17DA(primarily 2004s) and the other is U17X(primarily 2003s).  The X team will mostly play the other GA Cup, MLS clubs and do international tournaments like the current English trip they are on.  The DA team will play the regular season DA schedule, but some will "play up" based on how well they are doing with the U17x team.

Impressive for the squad and your sources are fairly accurate.  The West Brom squad was a u18 team.  

Wow -- a handful of 03 to 05s tied a group of 02s? sounds like they got robbed on a winning goal taking away also.

I've always heard at < U19 we are doing fine here in the states, it's the u19 - u23 years where we fall behind.

Do you think this group favors athleticism or technical ability or a fine balance of both?

Scary to think that we will have a 2003 and/or 2004 homegrown most likely during this season!

True, but thankfully he's familiar with the team and their style of play since he played with them last year in the GA Cup games...

Another game vs Burnley and another tie. So in their 4 game swing thru the UK, 2 ties, 2 wins and Zero Losses 👏👏👏

Interestingly, there used to be an enforced 25% start rule, looks like its not just a "recommendation"


25% Minimum Start Recommendation
All U-13 through U-18/19 full-time Academy players, including goalkeepers, are recommended but not
required to start in at least 25% of their club’s Academy games during the season. The official record of
player starts will be on the game report and player statistics available publicly online. The DA Club is
responsible for keeping track of starts by Academy players and must notify the DA Staff about potential
exceptions as soon as possible.
1. If a player is released by the club and the player failed to start 25% of the Academy games for
the season, the club must submit a written explanation to DA Staff within ten (10) days of the
player’s release. The DA Staff reserves the right to refuse to release the player if the release
is to avoid the 25% start recommendations.

2. If a player is added midseason, the player should start at least 25% of the team’s remaining
Academy games during the season.

3. The DA Staff will have the authority, upon request by the club, to allow exceptions to this
recommendation in special circumstances (e.g. a serious injury suffered by a player).

4. Suggested Playing Time Recommendations for U-13: For the U-13 age group, players are
expected to play a minimum of 50% of game minutes per month and recommended to start
25% of games, as part of the individual player development plan.

5. U.S. Soccer reserves the right to fine a club or disallow the addition of new players as a
penalty for failing to make reasonable efforts for all players meet the 25% minimum start
recommendation. The DA will also take this into consideration when reviewing a club’s
membership for renewal.

It’s actually exactly supposed to work the way it did. Team that went to England is the “plus” team or whatever verbiage. The DA team is supposed to be primarily 04s and will play out that schedule.