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Post by allthingsoccer on Sept 25, 2014 15:09:48 GMT -5
This thread is to discuss opinions about Atl MLS Academy and what it means for local clubs, players, and coaches.
Will the top coaches bring their teams over as a bargaining chip?
How will it shape the landscape of GA soccer?
Will it be free for top players?
How did other MLS Academy teams effect local markets?
As a parent, what are your concerns?
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Post by youthsoccerdad on Sept 25, 2014 15:36:27 GMT -5
Hopefully they keep it NorthSide of ATL.
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Post by bdrizzle on Sept 26, 2014 10:54:23 GMT -5
This will be a good thing for GA players. The new club will get the players they want. Having friend's children at other MLS academies, they are 1st Class & dedicate a lot of resources to developing the youth teams. It's in their financial interest w/the homegrown player draft rules. It will dilute both Atlanta academy clubs, whose best players will all be at the MLS club. Also, I've heard talk that the MLS academy teams are going to pull out of the USDA in the near future & compete in their own league. That's probably not good for youth soccer overall, further stratification. All players who make the teams will play for free. At least beginning at the u14 level. That's how the other MLS academies are. GA has gone a long time with some of the better teams/clubs getting that way because of recruiting & giving no care to development. Those days will be over. I would imagine very few local coaches, if any, associated with it. Certainly only the very best & none of the recruiters. I don't have to name names, everyone knows who they are. It's too late for my kids unfortunately, but this will give the very best players a better platform for development than they have currently. Very positive for local soccer.
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Post by allthingsoccer on Sept 26, 2014 11:51:34 GMT -5
I agree that is great for soccer in Georgia. Its great for players as well. It's going to be real hard for the current clubs to keep the best talent for sure.
I have heard similar chatter about the USDA as well. This is really going to stir the pot for sure. I can understand that they are trying to create a set standard of MLS development but this is a little confusing. This really makes it hard for a parent to figure out what the best direction to go.
So you will have MLS Academy League and a Development Academy League. I'm sure you wont be able to play both..lol...
They really need to figure out this College thing out. Sure they develop the players from U? to U18/19. What happens after?
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Post by Soccerhouse on Sept 26, 2014 12:14:49 GMT -5
i think its great to be honest makes it better for our kids who aren't the top players in the world! the phenoms and travelers will go to the mls club.
shame about if MLS DA teams spin off and do their own thing. they already have their tourneys etc, but we don't need more separation. but i'm not in charge. mls clubs will take over.
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Post by allthingsoccer on Sept 26, 2014 14:41:06 GMT -5
Well the players will have options...
If you don't make or want to go to MLS then be a star at club and DA. Lots to think about.
Do you think the quality of coaching is going to be better at MLS than what we have now at club? Not too sure about that. Why bring over a coach from England to train our kids. They havnt produced a solid WC team in years. Some of the coaching is real solid.
I think the MLS will hire local coaches as well. Some great local coaches.
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Post by 04gparent on Sept 26, 2014 20:11:19 GMT -5
From a boys player perspective MLS DA clubs already recruit players nationally even from other DA clubs. I am pretty sure Concorde and GUA have lost a couple of players to FC Dallas. Playing for a MLS club will be a big carat that few parents/players will be able to resist. Especially if the path to the professional 1st team is clearly laid out.
I think the more interesting thing to observe will be how the Atlanta MLS team will impact the girls side. Will they become an ECNL club? If so when? Will they partner with local clubs to ID players? If an ENCL team is awarded it obviously weaken the other ECNL clubs.
From a coaching perspective, I think Atlanta will attempt to hire excellent coaches. Just like with the players, coaching for a professional club will be a carat that few couches if given the opportunity will turn down.
Overall its a win for the Atlanta Soccer community.
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Post by soccerpapi on Sept 27, 2014 20:53:35 GMT -5
As a US men's national team supporter, an ATL MLS Academy would be helpful in many ways:
1. Get us a step closer to a model where youth development is an invest for the Club (towards its first Prof. team)
2. Players can be ID'd for the MLS Academy as young as U12, U13, U14 (compete vs. other academies at U16, U18)
3. Advantages for local talent: pro coaching, lots of touches on ball, less games, more practices, zero cost, etc.
4. Players can possibly play in PRO games a lot sooner (example - LA Galaxy II Playing in USL PRO league)
5. Bridges the talent gap from the ATL MLS academy (possibly to a USL team) to the ATL MLS team
6. Local players developed could also be transferred for a fee to other MLS or Int'l teams (potential revenue)
Unfortunately, this view and model is a very pro-centric posture in a country where soccer is not yet, but on its way to becoming a major professional sport. This may mean that the local Development Academy clubs that exist today in Atlanta may either shrink to one or eventually go away in favor of the MLS Academy. Perhaps as more investors/cities get awarded MLS teams, and as more MLS teams invest in their own youth academies, the DA model of today will shrink to serve a void either in areas where an MLS academy does not exist or in areas where the talent pool is vast enough to afford more than one development academy.
In such a professional team-centric, minor/farm league model, the reality is that very few players will ever become part of the 1st. team, and many will be left with unrealized dreams (for those who fore-go college soccer option hoping for a shot at the academy's first team, a transfer sale, or at the academy's USL team).
I still think that, at every level, there should/would still be enough players to go around:
(a) Those players not ID'd or not interested in ATL MLS Academy would hopefully have Classic, RPL/PLE, NL options
(b) Some who aspire to play pro, not ID for the MLS first team by U17, can opt or try for the MLS USL team (if exists)
(c) For players at all those levels, the college scholarship (college soccer) option should still be available/viable
Just my two cents, but of course, ATL MLS Academy may totally go in a different direction.
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Post by silverback on Sept 28, 2014 6:53:31 GMT -5
Has anyone heard details on the plans for the MLS DA program? Obviously, all depends on the way they set up the program. Will it have a residency program? If so, whole different ball game as it opens up recruiting beyond the GA borders. You definitely see more resources available at the MLS DA programs in terms of number of coaches per teams, funds, sponsors, etc.
Time will tell, but no matter how you slice it, it will have a big impact in terms of recruiting and club movement. I spoke to a parent from Orlando city who told me players were leaving the Tampa area just to be affiliated with Orlando City.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Sept 28, 2014 11:00:23 GMT -5
its going to shake up the DA scene for sure. good for the area though.
one big thing to think of.
you would think they would put the training facility up north near falcons, hence in UFAs backyard. should and will be interesting.
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