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Post by Soccerhouse on Aug 24, 2020 12:58:05 GMT -5
Whose calling the shots now for the Atlanta united academy?
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Aug 24, 2020 13:35:52 GMT -5
TA is wearing a couple of hats these days...
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Post by soccerdad76 on Aug 24, 2020 22:08:33 GMT -5
If AtlUtd u13 / 2008s are playing up at u14 in ECNL, and u12 / 2009s (maybe some 2010 play-ups too) are playing u12 in SCCL, what team/age is playing u13 in MLS? Will they have a single u13 team that plays in both leagues, or carry enough players for two teams?
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Post by allthingsoccer on Aug 24, 2020 22:27:30 GMT -5
TA visible at Academy. Hes a machine.
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Post by guerillaman on Aug 25, 2020 7:46:06 GMT -5
Ha - hope he's watching game film for their next USL game - team is no better since he's taking the helm. Kind of surprised, expected him to right the ship.
If glassy keeps winning (I know it's one game), and padding that resume -- look for him to me moving on to bigger things.
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Post by footyfan on Aug 26, 2020 7:20:24 GMT -5
ATL2 is simply about giving pro experience and vetting young players for ATL. Not winning, though they aren't trying to lose. They played a game recently and their avg player age was like ATL2 17 v other team 24.
Argument could be made they should be in League 1.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Aug 26, 2020 7:39:29 GMT -5
True - their goal isn't to put together a roster that wins the USL. The team allows them flexibility with player loans, and gives them a spot to play their young guys.
That being said, every-time you step on the pitch you should be playing to win at that level-- from both a tactical and developmental standpoint.
To me it is compromising the integrity of that league when you have teams that aren't taking the competitions seriously. I know some European leagues are similar, but they have promotion and relegation and professional clubs every 5 miles.
If the mls and usl schedule was like the rest of the world, the USL team probably could be the u19 team each year with a handful of older guys.
Sorry - I'm grumpy, the St. Louis USL team folding just irks me, I know there are complexities with decision, just frustrating to watch the USL be pushed around and just constantly sit their and take it.
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Post by footyfan on Aug 26, 2020 8:08:29 GMT -5
True - their goal isn't to put together a roster that wins the USL. The team allows them flexibility with player loans, and gives them a spot to play their young guys. That being said, every-time you step on the pitch you should be playing to win at that level-- from both a tactical and developmental standpoint. To me it is compromising the integrity of that league when you have teams that aren't taking the competitions seriously. I know some European leagues are similar, but they have promotion and relegation and professional clubs every 5 miles. If the mls and usl schedule was like the rest of the world, the USL team probably could be the u19 team each year with a handful of older guys. Sorry - I'm grumpy, the St. Louis USL team folding just irks me, I know there are complexities with decision, just frustrating to watch the USL be pushed around and just constantly sit their and take it. I agree on all accounts. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Aug 26, 2020 9:25:11 GMT -5
True - their goal isn't to put together a roster that wins the USL. The team allows them flexibility with player loans, and gives them a spot to play their young guys. That being said, every-time you step on the pitch you should be playing to win at that level-- from both a tactical and developmental standpoint. To me it is compromising the integrity of that league when you have teams that aren't taking the competitions seriously. I know some European leagues are similar, but they have promotion and relegation and professional clubs every 5 miles. If the mls and usl schedule was like the rest of the world, the USL team probably could be the u19 team each year with a handful of older guys. Sorry - I'm grumpy, the St. Louis USL team folding just irks me, I know there are complexities with decision, just frustrating to watch the USL be pushed around and just constantly sit their and take it. I think all of the fractured happenings can be traced back to a lack of one thing - Leadership by the USSF. They are supposed to be the gatekeepers and supporters of growing soccer in the United States right? Let me be clear, I am definitely for PRO-REL, however, I get not wanting to fork over millions of dollars with no safety net. With that said, I believe for PRO-REL to kick in, the USL has to find a way to become a league that can stand on it's own. That has to be a solution that fully engages with a community based model. AU's success is a direct link to the 17s and their fervent support of the 5-Stripes. Additionally, we need more USL C/1/2 teams to crop up. This helps to saturate(in a good way) the soccer landscape, reducing the costs of travel and the distance for good competitive games. With more teams it also becomes a more attractive package for a network to carry and support... In regards to the AU2, the 19s et.al, my suggestion is to "borrow" the model from the Premiere League 2. Using AU as a model, it is really difficult for a true homegrown to be ready to crack into the first team. Imagine going from your mum n dad managing everything to boom, now you're a homegrown and you're ready to be a pro soccer player. They need to be groomed, to learn what it takes to be a pro. So here is my proposal, have an MLS 2 aka U21s league that plays the same schedule as the first team. Pay them anywhere from $24k - $30k, or they can opt to play for a stipend to keep their college eligibility. They tap out at 21 and at that point, they can be truly ready to ascend to the first team or take their skills to the USL(2nd division) or head on to college for an education. If your prospects don't look good for the pro-route, then college is still an option... While you're at it, eliminate all academy teams 14 and below, keep just the U15s, U17s and maybe U19s |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Sept 28, 2020 7:18:28 GMT -5
At this point in the boys ecnl season, Sept 28, 2020 -- I'm going to assume Atlanta United is not really in ECNL. They are participating just for friendlies, and their results do not count towards the league. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
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Post by flix on Sept 28, 2020 7:33:44 GMT -5
At this point in the boys ecnl season, Sept 28, 2020 -- I'm going to assume Atlanta United is not really in ECNL. They are participating just for friendlies, and their results do not count towards the league. Please correct me if I'm wrong. You are correct. AU is not listed in the standings. The scores from their matches aren’t even posted. The results from those matches do not affect the ECNL teams they play. It’s merely an opportunity to get in more matches for AU as this MLS Next league is nascent. I’m just glad people are talking about soccer! |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Sept 28, 2020 7:45:15 GMT -5
At this point in the boys ecnl season, Sept 28, 2020 -- I'm going to assume Atlanta United is not really in ECNL. They are participating just for friendlies, and their results do not count towards the league. Please correct me if I'm wrong. You are correct. AU is not listed in the standings. The scores from their matches aren’t even posted. The results from those matches do not affect the ECNL teams they play. It’s merely an opportunity to get in more matches for AU as this MLS Next league is nascent. I’m just glad people are talking about soccer! I think this was missed by 99.999% of youth soccer participants. As I always say communication is key as most of were not aware of this fact. |
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Post by bogan on Sept 28, 2020 8:13:20 GMT -5
SH said “I think this was missed by 99.999% of youth soccer participants.
As I always say communication is key as most of were not aware of this fact.”
I don’t mean to be snarky but it’s only an issue for the 1% that actually get to play against Atlanta United’s academy.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Sept 28, 2020 8:24:52 GMT -5
SH said “I think this was missed by 99.999% of youth soccer participants. As I always say communication is key as most of were not aware of this fact.” I don’t mean to be snarky but it’s only an issue for the 1% that actually get to play against Atlanta United’s academy. yea, sorry meant to caveat it with ecnl boys parents -- ECNL was even selling it as they were in the league. It's going to be very interesting moving forward, and maybe it changes over time, there is a distinct difference in style of play from the former DA sides vs the boys ecnl teams. I'm never one to say there is one way to play the game etc, but punting it 75 yards everytime the keeper gets the ball isn't for me. I have no issues with playing direct when necessary, and actually love it. Typically for me that means, play balls into space etc. |
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Post by hateallthesechanges on Sept 28, 2020 9:32:44 GMT -5
I can't think of one boys ECNL player/family I know that knew this. Why bother "joining the league" and hyping it. I'm sure all the local boys ECNL teams would be happy to schedule friendlies with them anyway if that's all they were looking for. I guess ECNL does all the work for them scheduling games this way. Just seems like a crock to me. AU gets to play in two leagues because MLS Next is "nascent". Meanwhile other local MLS clubs are stuck with an 8 game season, driving to FL for home games, and not allowed to play high school their senior year. I can see why a U14 team lucky enough to get to play them would be frustrated that they get to use bio banded players and no one else can.
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Post by Upper90 on Sept 28, 2020 9:46:24 GMT -5
Honestly, it doesn't matter what AU does or doesn't do. No one will ever like them or be happy with the decisions they make when it comes to their Academy. But the bottom line is-kids just want to play games! As many games as they can. I doubt the boys give a rat's ___ about what alphabet league they are playing against each weekend. People worry so much about standings like they are literally vying for World Cup status. My kids practice hard Mon-Fri & trust me when the weekend arrives all they want to do is play games-they wouldn't care if it was The Bad News Bears of soccer on the other side of the pitch.
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Post by oraclesfriend on Sept 28, 2020 10:00:02 GMT -5
Honestly, it doesn't matter what AU does or doesn't do. No one will ever like them or be happy with the decisions they make when it comes to their Academy. But the bottom line is-kids just want to play games! As many games as they can. I doubt the boys give a rat's ___ about what alphabet league they are playing against each weekend. People worry so much about standings like they are literally vying for World Cup status. My kids practice hard Mon-Fri & trust me when the weekend arrives all they want to do is play games-they wouldn't care if it was The Bad News Bears of soccer on the other side of the pitch. I think you may be in the minority. See 08 girls NTH GA Gold parents upset with their domination. I also have a friend whose kid plays on her own age group. She is recently finding the games "boring" because they are not enough of a challenge. Has sometimes been playing up and having more fun there. Even my own kid has fun playing regardless of whether they smash their opponent or have a good even match up, but overall wants good competition to improve. I liked your comment though because I think so many of us are obsessed with the league, the team, the standings, how much status comes with those things. It all boils down to those scholarships though. If the college coaches did not care so much about that I think kids and parents would not. |
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Post by Upper90 on Sept 28, 2020 10:07:42 GMT -5
Agree, no one wants to see blow out games, but again if AU plays up then they hear about that too, if they play their age group & dominate, well they certainly are going to hear about that & I am not even going to touch upon the NTH any age group, because that is a can of worms I just can't be bothered with. Ha, ha ha!!  |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Sept 28, 2020 10:15:09 GMT -5
I disagree, there is nothing good about beating teams by 10 goals and playing lesser opposition. Nobody gains anything from it.
Also there is nothing wrong the 15-19 year kids wanting to play against another team in a meaningful match. That is what competition is about. you want to play your best against the best.
I just saw this quote by Jimmy Buttler:
"You're going to get the same test over and over again until you pass, and that test is LeBron James."
Right or Wrong, for many kids in this community their Lebron James is Atlanta United.
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Post by Upper90 on Sept 28, 2020 10:29:57 GMT -5
I never said anything about blow out games by 10 goals or more was acceptable or desired. AU plays the competition here in Atl, sometimes they win sometimes they lose. BUT when they lose it is like CNN Headline News. It's ridiculous really. No team will win all the time, & if they did, people would take issue with that. That's fine if the community wants to see AU as the Lebron James of soccer. Every one needs to have a goal. But I stand by my position as I have always in all my previous posts, that AU is damned if they do & damned if they don't. But what I also know is that those boys go out & play every weekend knowing they have "targets" on their backs, because as you have already insinuated, AU is the team everyone is gunning for. Comes with the privilege of playing there, & they accept the challenge weekend in and weekend out.
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Post by atlfutboldad on Sept 28, 2020 10:39:03 GMT -5
Right, its a bit of a lose-lose for AU.
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Post by bogan on Sept 28, 2020 12:07:57 GMT -5
Oracles friend said (in part) “I liked your comment though because I think so many of us are obsessed with the league, the team, the standings, how much status comes with those things. It all boils down to those scholarships though. If the college coaches did not care so much about that I think kids and parents would not.”
I guess I’m in the minority-I don’t see the payoff for chasing a soccer scholarship-but I also have a son-and there appear to be much fewer opportunities. I’m more concerned with his academics. I enjoy watching him play.
To be sure, I want him to do well, and give it his all-but I see the life skills he’s developing as much more important than the wins and losses (or league). Developing a strong character, being a leader, working with others are what I hope he takes from his playing experience. If he’s fortunate enough to earn a scholarship, that’s a bonus.
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Post by oraclesfriend on Sept 28, 2020 12:13:41 GMT -5
I never said anything about blow out games by 10 goals or more was acceptable or desired. AU plays the competition here in Atl, sometimes they win sometimes they lose. BUT when they lose it is like CNN Headline News. It's ridiculous really. No team will win all the time, & if they did, people would take issue with that. That's fine if the community wants to see AU as the Lebron James of soccer. Every one needs to have a goal. But I stand by my position as I have always in all my previous posts, that AU is damned if they do & damned if they don't. But what I also know is that those boys go out & play every weekend knowing they have "targets" on their backs, because as you have already insinuated, AU is the team everyone is gunning for. Comes with the privilege of playing there, & they accept the challenge weekend in and weekend out. It was the Bad News Bears reference that makes it sound like it doesn't matter how good the competition is... You are right about lose/lose for AU. |
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Post by oraclesfriend on Sept 28, 2020 12:17:13 GMT -5
Oracles friend said (in part) “I liked your comment though because I think so many of us are obsessed with the league, the team, the standings, how much status comes with those things. It all boils down to those scholarships though. If the college coaches did not care so much about that I think kids and parents would not.” I guess I’m in the minority-I don’t see the payoff for chasing a soccer scholarship-but I also have a son-and there appear to be much fewer opportunities. I’m more concerned with his academics. I enjoy watching him play. To be sure, I want him to do well, and give it his all-but I see the life skills he’s developing as much more important than the wins and losses (or league). Developing a strong character, being a leader, working with others are what I hope he takes from his playing experience. If he’s fortunate enough to earn a scholarship, that’s a bonus. That is good. I am glad that you see it that way. We are not chasing scholarship money but oldest does want to play in college. It could be at a place that does not offer scholarships though (athletically anyway). Just loves the game and wants to keep playing...still the league is important for that. It does not matter to me if it is GA or ECNL or NL, but it does matter whether it is teaching her more of the game and giving her opportunities to be seen by the coaches from the schools that she wants to attend. |
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Post by bogan on Sept 28, 2020 12:28:13 GMT -5
Oracles friend said (in part) “I liked your comment though because I think so many of us are obsessed with the league, the team, the standings, how much status comes with those things. It all boils down to those scholarships though. If the college coaches did not care so much about that I think kids and parents would not.” I guess I’m in the minority-I don’t see the payoff for chasing a soccer scholarship-but I also have a son-and there appear to be much fewer opportunities. I’m more concerned with his academics. I enjoy watching him play. To be sure, I want him to do well, and give it his all-but I see the life skills he’s developing as much more important than the wins and losses (or league). Developing a strong character, being a leader, working with others are what I hope he takes from his playing experience. If he’s fortunate enough to earn a scholarship, that’s a bonus. That is good. I am glad that you see it that way. We are not chasing scholarship money but oldest does want to play in college. It could be at a place that does not offer scholarships though (athletically anyway). Just loves the game and wants to keep playing...still the league is important for that. It does not matter to me if it is GA or ECNL or NL, but it does matter whether it is teaching her more of the game and giving her opportunities to be seen by the coaches from the schools that she wants to attend. I agree-they should play at the highest level that is available to them if their goal is to play in college-I’m just of the opinion that one shouldn’t drive 2 hours to practice and be miserable for a shiny league that may or may not get them a scholarship. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Sept 28, 2020 15:09:33 GMT -5
Sorry for the long post, so much to unpack in this thread... Like atlfutboldad said, it's a bit of a lose-lose for AU. Egos sometimes get in the way of scheduling scrimmages/friendlies. At least with AU being sorta/kinda/maybe in the ECNL both sides get something out of it. ECNL gets to flog their league even more as being Elite, actual teams within the ECNL get to have a "shot" at playing the tip of the spear locally while giving their players what should more often than normal be good opponents and great soccer. Every so often they even get to celebrate a victory. Finally it gives us spectators some actual material to chat and argue about till someone brings up the age mandate or the rise/fall in Covid #s. Conversely, AU gets to fill the void left by the neophyte MLS Next league with games against local and regional competition and get to scout for those players who may have been missed, who may have elevated their games or those who have perpetually been hidden from AU. I think this bears repeating. AU has a different model from almost every other club in the city, state, region or nation, sans 29 other MLS clubs. Their mandate is first team players from the Academy. Much like some of the maligned TH teams many have spoken about, sometimes these teams trounce their local opponents, other times their shuffling of players between teams results in a loss. Either way they are trying to use a max of 6 hours a week to create "professionals" No disrespect to some folks, no dog in this fight, but there are those that just have serious hate for AU, just like some hate, hate, hate TH. Not sure if you think your son belongs there, your son was cut from there or you are angry with the first/second team and how they are faring as of late. However, I for one can't hate an organization giving local families an opportunity to play at the highest level. Prior to AU, had good family friends who were contemplating moving their son down to Orlando City(yuk). Now, they are benefiting from the luxury of having an MLS Academy in their backyard(live in Marietta). Keep in mind regardless of what we may or may not think of AU, those are mostly players from almost every club around town. So we should collectively root for them. I always say no matter what your view of success is, at worst most of those kids get an opportunity to have college paid if the AU experiment doesn't pan out... |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Sept 28, 2020 15:29:35 GMT -5
I disagree, there is nothing good about beating teams by 10 goals and playing lesser opposition. Nobody gains anything from it. Also there is nothing wrong the 15-19 year kids wanting to play against another team in a meaningful match. That is what competition is about. you want to play your best against the best. I just saw this quote by Jimmy Buttler: "You're going to get the same test over and over again until you pass, and that test is LeBron James." Right or Wrong, for many kids in this community their Lebron James is Atlanta United. I think in a round about way, we're all saying the same thing. No one wants blowouts, cake-walk teams, or the "the bad news bears" We all want to play real tough and capable teams that challenge and motivate our kids to be better and stronger. I think I speak for most when I say many of us just want a darn good game. However, when AU does mix things up, there are complaints. When they say hey team U14x isn't particularly strong, let's have the AU U13s play them for a challenge, there are complaints. When U15x is strong and the AU U15 plays them and wins, oh you have a stacked team. When AU mixes players from U14/U15/U16 to play a U17x team and the U17x team wins, it's breaking news and folks want to pontificate and say AU U16 team sucks. If AU says we'll play in a particular league only, we have those barking that AU is scared to play them. When I'm lucky enough to go watch and support family and friends play against the AU academy I honestly don't care about play ups, bio-banded behemoth kids, or even the undocumented 25 year old playing on the U15s. I just care to see the pouring of admiration and support from the fired up fans and the bounty of talent we have locally that only makes the metro Atlanta rich and hopefully we can one day say, oh you see Player X, I remember watching him at U12/13/14....Now he's a PRO 🙏🙏🙏 |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Sept 28, 2020 16:49:17 GMT -5
All I know is from older DA games, local clubs gave them good games. I hate to see that go away. Good old school competition where kids give it all on both sides to be best they can be for there team. These games should be occurring, these games are often showcasing the best players in the city.
I don't see it as lose/lose - outside of this forum, people don't give a rat's a** what happens with youth soccer results. It's just good trolling and internet fodder.
Similar to Concords and tophats girls not playing in a formal competition against each other. I differ from the soccer community from this sense - I wouldn't sacrifice what we do to win games, but once you step on the pitch or on the court, your goal is always to win and outscore the opponent. Yes, the best lessons come in losses, those are the ones that sting, the ones you truly remember, the ones that 25 years later you can't forget.
People are always going to argue about the best and try to knock them down:
I know more people who hate duke then like duke
I know more people who hate the patriots than like the patriots.
I know more people who don't think Lebron is the King.
Oh and this is an easy one -- I know more people who think the Falcons stink!!!!!
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Post by Upper90 on Sept 28, 2020 16:59:51 GMT -5
Yep, then I guess we can all agree that on this forum we know more ppl who hate AU Academy than loves them. Guess they must be doing something right then. Rat’s a$$ & all! 😝
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Post by bogan on Sept 28, 2020 18:15:56 GMT -5
“Oh and this is an easy one -- I know more people who think the Falcons stink!!!!!”
That’s not an opinion-that’s the truth. I’ve suffered being a fan since the 70’s🤣
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