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Post by onekickpop on Oct 3, 2022 11:20:10 GMT -5
The path forward for talented youth players outside of MLSNEXT seems to not exist. These players who aspire to one day be a pro don’t really seem to have the support to do so. For that matter, even MLSNEXT players are not going pro in droves. I’ve heard quotes of 1%? So then we look to college to continue where we now meet international students, MLSNEXT players and now international players. Is it safe to assume that by not being selected for an MLSNEXT team playing days (even in college) are numbered? It’s a dose of reality and seeing mention of RDS made me think about this further. I would think any RDS player dreams of one day being a pro player one day until reality kicks in.
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Post by GameOfThrow-ins on Oct 3, 2022 13:22:00 GMT -5
And I thought I was the one to stir the pot! Touché, sir, touché. You’re either new to the age group or new to the southeast.
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Post by GameOfThrow-ins on Oct 3, 2022 13:29:11 GMT -5
Check out the soccer this Sunday at GSP. Great matchups and should be epic.
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Post by NotherSoccerParent on Oct 3, 2022 18:42:08 GMT -5
Check out the soccer this Sunday at GSP. Great matchups and should be epic. Saturday too, at least for 08B’s. |
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Post by soccerparent02 on Oct 3, 2022 18:45:14 GMT -5
Kid received 23 offers including 3/4 ride to a recent D1 national champ side. Kid turned down DA and was not interested in AU Academy. So in response to if kid needs to play MLSNext, the answer is no. Kids ECNL team had 9 D1 signees.
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Post by atlantasoccerdad2020 on Oct 3, 2022 20:49:49 GMT -5
Check out the soccer this Sunday at GSP. Great matchups and should be epic. Saturday too, at least for 08B’s. If AFU 08s show up ready to play they should walk all over their competition. |
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Post by atlantasoccerdad2020 on Oct 3, 2022 20:50:48 GMT -5
Check out the soccer this Sunday at GSP. Great matchups and should be epic. It’s youth soccer not sure epic should ever be used. |
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Post by onekickpop on Oct 3, 2022 21:16:52 GMT -5
Kid received 23 offers including 3/4 ride to a recent D1 national champ side. Kid turned down DA and was not interested in AU Academy. So in response to if kid needs to play MLSNext, the answer is no. Kids ECNL team had 9 D1 signees. That is excellent and congrats! Girl D1 programs have a broader representation but at a casual glance, I don’t see it in many of the boy D1 programs. Most are MLS academy program grads. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Oct 4, 2022 20:15:44 GMT -5
The path forward for talented youth players outside of MLSNEXT seems to not exist. These players who aspire to one day be a pro don’t really seem to have the support to do so. For that matter, even MLSNEXT players are not going pro in droves. I’ve heard quotes of 1%? So then we look to college to continue where we now meet international students, MLSNEXT players and now international players. Is it safe to assume that by not being selected for an MLSNEXT team playing days (even in college) are numbered? It’s a dose of reality and seeing mention of RDS made me think about this further. I would think any RDS player dreams of one day being a pro player one day until reality kicks in. Actually, your first line is largely accurate. "The road ahead for talented male youth players in the US seems to not exist," should be written instead. US Soccer is all about networking and marketing! It's about having a parent, coach, teammate's dad, mom, cousin, or college roommate who dares to do a favor, gives you a second look, or just likes your parents and performs their job, I'll say this also, we have what we have today because of that, along with a terrible network of scouts and scouting. While I'm glad that AU is in our backyard, to give the unjaded local lads the belief that they can make the first team if they work hard and concentrate on their craft. It's truly impossible to say the best players across the board are at AU. There are lads that can match-up at almost every level, but for one reason or another(usually finances and scouting) they never get a chance at the top levels. Therefore they don't get a chance to be seen or get that one-in-a-million chance. Get your highly brilliant child to Europe right away if he or she is head and shoulders above both his or her peers and older non-peers! Everyone worth their salt in the world tries to travel to the US to try to wrangle a spot in the NBA since the NBA has the best basketball players. Get your child to Europe if it is a sincere passion and calling for him. They will at least gain an experience unlike any other, develop as a player, and perhaps even succeed. One final thing and a true test is do they consistently make the US Nat'l team? If the answer is no, please recognize that Junior may only be destined for an MLS Academy Homegrown signing where careers go to die in the USL, or College... p.s. The World is catching up to our Women btw |
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Post by onekickpop on Oct 4, 2022 21:41:05 GMT -5
Absolutely brilliant response. I believe you are spot on and I appreciate your message. Truly unfortunate as there is some good talent in the SE who likely will just fade away after college or unfortunately get lost in the midst. Quite a shame to think about the hours/time/money invested but I’ve THOROUGHLY enjoyed watching the development over many years and believe the experience built character in our young men/women!
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Post by newguy on Oct 4, 2022 22:33:50 GMT -5
The path forward for talented youth players outside of MLSNEXT seems to not exist. These players who aspire to one day be a pro don’t really seem to have the support to do so. For that matter, even MLSNEXT players are not going pro in droves. I’ve heard quotes of 1%? So then we look to college to continue where we now meet international students, MLSNEXT players and now international players. Is it safe to assume that by not being selected for an MLSNEXT team playing days (even in college) are numbered? It’s a dose of reality and seeing mention of RDS made me think about this further. I would think any RDS player dreams of one day being a pro player one day until reality kicks in. Actually, your first line is largely accurate. "The road ahead for talented male youth players in the US seems to not exist," should be written instead. US Soccer is all about networking and marketing! It's about having a parent, coach, teammate's dad, mom, cousin, or college roommate who dares to do a favor, gives you a second look, or just likes your parents and performs their job, I'll say this also, we have what we have today because of that, along with a terrible network of scouts and scouting. While I'm glad that AU is in our backyard, to give the unjaded local lads the belief that they can make the first team if they work hard and concentrate on their craft. It's truly impossible to say the best players across the board are at AU. There are lads that can match-up at almost every level, but for one reason or another(usually finances and scouting) they never get a chance at the top levels. Therefore they don't get a chance to be seen or get that one-in-a-million chance. Get your highly brilliant child to Europe right away if he or she is head and shoulders above both his or her peers and older non-peers! Everyone worth their salt in the world tries to travel to the US to try to wrangle a spot in the NBA since the NBA has the best basketball players. Get your child to Europe if it is a sincere passion and calling for him. They will at least gain an experience unlike any other, develop as a player, and perhaps even succeed. One final thing and a true test is do they consistently make the US Nat'l team? If the answer is no, please recognize that Junior may only be destined for an MLS Academy Homegrown signing where careers go to die in the USL, or College... p.s. The World is catching up to our Women btw In 3-5 years if your boys club is not MLS Next affiliated you will be second tier in US Soccer hierarchy. That’s not necessarily a bad thing to have a clear top tier across the country. |
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Post by bogan on Oct 5, 2022 5:39:48 GMT -5
Actually, your first line is largely accurate. "The road ahead for talented male youth players in the US seems to not exist," should be written instead. US Soccer is all about networking and marketing! It's about having a parent, coach, teammate's dad, mom, cousin, or college roommate who dares to do a favor, gives you a second look, or just likes your parents and performs their job, I'll say this also, we have what we have today because of that, along with a terrible network of scouts and scouting. While I'm glad that AU is in our backyard, to give the unjaded local lads the belief that they can make the first team if they work hard and concentrate on their craft. It's truly impossible to say the best players across the board are at AU. There are lads that can match-up at almost every level, but for one reason or another(usually finances and scouting) they never get a chance at the top levels. Therefore they don't get a chance to be seen or get that one-in-a-million chance. Get your highly brilliant child to Europe right away if he or she is head and shoulders above both his or her peers and older non-peers! Everyone worth their salt in the world tries to travel to the US to try to wrangle a spot in the NBA since the NBA has the best basketball players. Get your child to Europe if it is a sincere passion and calling for him. They will at least gain an experience unlike any other, develop as a player, and perhaps even succeed. One final thing and a true test is do they consistently make the US Nat'l team? If the answer is no, please recognize that Junior may only be destined for an MLS Academy Homegrown signing where careers go to die in the USL, or College... p.s. The World is catching up to our Women btw In 3-5 years if your boys club is not MLS Next affiliated you will be second tier in US Soccer hierarchy. That’s not necessarily a bad thing to have a clear top tier across the country. In 3-5 years there will most likely be “something else” that will be the top league or purport to be. |
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Post by Keeper on Oct 5, 2022 9:30:18 GMT -5
Actually, your first line is largely accurate. "The road ahead for talented male youth players in the US seems to not exist," should be written instead. US Soccer is all about networking and marketing! It's about having a parent, coach, teammate's dad, mom, cousin, or college roommate who dares to do a favor, gives you a second look, or just likes your parents and performs their job, I'll say this also, we have what we have today because of that, along with a terrible network of scouts and scouting. While I'm glad that AU is in our backyard, to give the unjaded local lads the belief that they can make the first team if they work hard and concentrate on their craft. It's truly impossible to say the best players across the board are at AU. There are lads that can match-up at almost every level, but for one reason or another(usually finances and scouting) they never get a chance at the top levels. Therefore they don't get a chance to be seen or get that one-in-a-million chance. Get your highly brilliant child to Europe right away if he or she is head and shoulders above both his or her peers and older non-peers! Everyone worth their salt in the world tries to travel to the US to try to wrangle a spot in the NBA since the NBA has the best basketball players. Get your child to Europe if it is a sincere passion and calling for him. They will at least gain an experience unlike any other, develop as a player, and perhaps even succeed. One final thing and a true test is do they consistently make the US Nat'l team? If the answer is no, please recognize that Junior may only be destined for an MLS Academy Homegrown signing where careers go to die in the USL, or College... p.s. The World is catching up to our Women btw In 3-5 years if your boys club is not MLS Next affiliated you will be second tier in US Soccer hierarchy. That’s not necessarily a bad thing to have a clear top tier across the country. 😂😂😂😂😂😂 in 3-5 years MLSNext will be replaced with the next DA. Or will be exclusively MLS clubs only. |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Oct 5, 2022 10:38:53 GMT -5
I don't know, yes, a heavy amount of recruiting occurs in MLSnext -- but too many large clubs aren't buying into their model and clear favoritism to the MLS sides.
maybe in other parts of the country is different, but in Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Virginia the best non-mls teams are in boys ECNL.
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Post by onekickpop on Oct 5, 2022 10:39:17 GMT -5
ECNL continues to grow nicely and there are some very good players and great competition. MLSNEXT is still trying to attract players away from ECNL. What appears unfortunate is that college soccer is likely the end of most ECNL level players, and USL likely the end for more MLSNEXT players (sad but true). It’s a sad reality but something has to drastically change in US soccer for it to get better. The options cannot only be Europe or bust but as things currently are, MLS Academies are either traveling to play other academies for strong competition or playing local teams and blowing them out. Is that truly developing top tier talent? Most ECNL teams seem very strong but they only play against other strong ECNL teams will no cross over to playing MLSNEXT NON-academy teams. Seems like a total mess, then in the end you have all of the same kids fighting for s roster spot against each other and against older and more experienced foreign players seeking opportunities in the US. Really is a silly process and since there is no single governing body it will not get better any time soon. There was a recent article showing the increase in value for MLS teams but I wonder how long they can continue to fund a “free” academy system.
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Post by bogan on Oct 5, 2022 11:23:50 GMT -5
I don't know, yes, a heavy amount of recruiting occurs in MLSnext -- but too many large clubs aren't buying into their model and clear favoritism to the MLS sides. maybe in other parts of the country is different, but in Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Virginia the best non-mls teams are in boys ECNL. And I would add National League PRO (national). |
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Post by newguy on Oct 5, 2022 11:26:36 GMT -5
I don't know, yes, a heavy amount of recruiting occurs in MLSnext -- but too many large clubs aren't buying into their model and clear favoritism to the MLS sides. maybe in other parts of the country is different, but in Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Virginia the best non-mls teams are in boys ECNL. Agree for now. But you have a whole lot of kids that are 12 and under right now that have grown up only knowing Atlanta United. They’ve grown up and been in the stadium with 75k people there. To a lot of those kids it seems like the pinnacle. The same thing will be happening in Nashville and Charlotte. As those academies start to narrow their recruiting focus clubs are going to come to MLS Next so they can continue to sell the dream. If US Soccer is only pulling from MLS Next academies and MLS next clubs start to only pull from other MLS Next clubs the circle completes itself and no one wants to be left out. Being new to all of this I may be naïve it seems like a pretty simple endgame, at least until US Soccer screws it up and completely changes direction mid stream. |
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Post by hawkfan on Oct 5, 2022 12:11:15 GMT -5
How quickly we forget the demise of DA...used to be told that was the only way. They are gone.AU has quickly become a lower level MLS franchise based on results after their great first few years. One can even see it through attendance at matches where many seats and sections are empty.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Oct 5, 2022 12:47:11 GMT -5
MLS next seems like a disorganized mess -- pulled up the u15 standings for the southeast, and it only has SSA, KSA, wake FC, Tormenta and Hoover. is there schedule a home and away only with those 5 teams and then random other games that don't count towards the standing. www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/standings/ |
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Post by hawkfan on Oct 5, 2022 13:07:49 GMT -5
Except for AU, the rest of Georgia MLSNext teams are not the top clubs in Atlanta. Interesting...
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Post by atlantasoccerdad2020 on Oct 5, 2022 13:27:59 GMT -5
Except for AU, the rest of Georgia MLSNext teams are not the top clubs in Atlanta. Interesting... Not sure AU is pure MLS Next more like MLS club that plays with mls next. |
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Post by flix on Oct 5, 2022 13:30:17 GMT -5
MLS next seems like a disorganized mess -- pulled up the u15 standings for the southeast, and it only has SSA, KSA, wake FC, Tormenta and Hoover. is there schedule a home and away only with those 5 teams and then random other games that don't count towards the standing. www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/standings/Those teams still play Atlanta, Charlotte and Nashville also. I get it people want to compare MLS Next and ECNL and bash one however, those clubs get a FULL year of soccer matches and training as opposed to a half a season. Not everybody wants to play high school soccer and I would be the training doesn’t come close to what you get at club training. They also have other national events where you get to play other clubs from around the country, including other MLS academies. I know people have their fixed idea about which league is “better” but I am of the opinion a full season is better than a half a season. After only one season of play, it appears that the majority of the spotlight is on MLS Next, not ECNL. If your kid doesn’t care about playing high school soccer, than MLS Next may be the move for them. |
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Post by atlantasoccerdad2020 on Oct 5, 2022 13:47:37 GMT -5
Actually, your first line is largely accurate. "The road ahead for talented male youth players in the US seems to not exist," should be written instead. US Soccer is all about networking and marketing! It's about having a parent, coach, teammate's dad, mom, cousin, or college roommate who dares to do a favor, gives you a second look, or just likes your parents and performs their job, I'll say this also, we have what we have today because of that, along with a terrible network of scouts and scouting. While I'm glad that AU is in our backyard, to give the unjaded local lads the belief that they can make the first team if they work hard and concentrate on their craft. It's truly impossible to say the best players across the board are at AU. There are lads that can match-up at almost every level, but for one reason or another(usually finances and scouting) they never get a chance at the top levels. Therefore they don't get a chance to be seen or get that one-in-a-million chance. Get your highly brilliant child to Europe right away if he or she is head and shoulders above both his or her peers and older non-peers! Everyone worth their salt in the world tries to travel to the US to try to wrangle a spot in the NBA since the NBA has the best basketball players. Get your child to Europe if it is a sincere passion and calling for him. They will at least gain an experience unlike any other, develop as a player, and perhaps even succeed. One final thing and a true test is do they consistently make the US Nat'l team? If the answer is no, please recognize that Junior may only be destined for an MLS Academy Homegrown signing where careers go to die in the USL, or College... p.s. The World is catching up to our Women btw In 3-5 years if your boys club is not MLS Next affiliated you will be second tier in US Soccer hierarchy. That’s not necessarily a bad thing to have a clear top tier across the country. In 3-5 yrs MLS Next will be gone. MLS clubs are the only decent teams in that league. |
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Post by bogan on Oct 5, 2022 14:04:47 GMT -5
MLS next seems like a disorganized mess -- pulled up the u15 standings for the southeast, and it only has SSA, KSA, wake FC, Tormenta and Hoover. is there schedule a home and away only with those 5 teams and then random other games that don't count towards the standing. www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/standings/Those teams still play Atlanta, Charlotte and Nashville also. I get it people want to compare MLS Next and ECNL and bash one however, those clubs get a FULL year of soccer matches and training as opposed to a half a season. Not everybody wants to play high school soccer and I would be the training doesn’t come close to what you get at club training. They also have other national events where you get to play other clubs from around the country, including other MLS academies. I know people have their fixed idea about which league is “better” but I am of the opinion a full season is better than a half a season. After only one season of play, it appears that the majority of the spotlight is on MLS Next, not ECNL. If your kid doesn’t care about playing high school soccer, than MLS Next may be the move for them. That’s a valid point. USL academy is year round also (can’t play HS). |
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Post by Brinker on Oct 5, 2022 14:21:15 GMT -5
Check out the soccer this Sunday at GSP. Great matchups and should be epic. Very true. Boys NASA and Concorde playing at Georgia Soccer Park Saturday and Sunday. Top ECNL programs with excellent players. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Oct 5, 2022 19:45:04 GMT -5
Sorry for the long post, but in order to provide our children with a genuine opportunity to play professionally in domestic and international leagues, there are four phases of youth soccer that we need to address.
Let's start with the obvious problem — scouting. For the love of God, strengthen the scouting program. Encourage scouts to visit venues other than only big MLS/ECNL clubs vs. big MLS/ECNL club matches. Try the local leagues for people of African, Caribbean, Hispanic, and European descent. Some diamonds can be found there. I understand that the US is enormous; therefore, implement the same payment method used everywhere else in the world.
TPDL: Simplify the young soccer hierarchy in our nation. Make sure that everyone in the nation is aware of what it means to play in leagues like MLS-Next, the ECNL, etc. Eliminate teams that identify themselves as the elite/gold/red/premiere/blue/-gold-dominatrix squad. The alphabet soup leagues will take offense at this, but it's a simple solution. If you meet the requirements and levels, you can join; if not, you can move on to play in the next division, down, and so forth. Every year, 5% to 10% of teams are relegated. I recommend Premier, Championship, Divisions 1, 2, and 3, etc.
Do we really need such young MLS teams that limit what you can do? Eliminate the MLS-Next U14 and below. Let them go play for their local schools and local clubs. Have an ODP type program (e.g., AU's Futures) that recognizes and recruits the top local talent to train and develop them. A stud at U9(7v7), U12 (9v9), could be vastly different at U15(11v11). Occasionally, expose them to a myriad of playing styles by taking them to global tournaments like the Gothia Cup in Sweden(1700 teams, 4500 matches, 80 nations).
Last but not least, we need to figure out how to curtail or even do away with the skyrocketing cost of youth soccer. I am aware that there are expenses associated with travel, uniforms, etc. Why not develop a marketing possibility with hotel and resort networks like Hilton and Marriott as sponsors. Additionally, why not secure uniform sponsorships to lower or even eliminate the cost of a basic uniform package? We are aware that one item alone costs more than $500. Deals on sports drinks are available, and while we're at it, US Soccer can cover the cost of marketing and referees. FIFA or US Soccer can no longer stop these players from being loaned, traded, or transferred to wealthier overseas clubs, which would give the local clubs a source of revenue. When this player succeeds, everyone benefits. The neighborhood that takes pride in them, the neighborhood club that truly developed the player, and even US Soccer, since they all contributed to turning that youngster into a genuine Home Grown!
These same U16/17/18 players, who would now be paying less to compete at the top level, may be encouraged to give back by coaching recreational teams, officiating games for younger players, conducting training sessions, or even starting the hard process of becoming certified coaches. Gaining knowledge and experience in your chosen sport or profession never hurts.
Again, sorry for the long post, but those are my thoughts...
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Post by totalfootball1 on Oct 6, 2022 0:00:13 GMT -5
Sorry for the long post, but in order to provide our children with a genuine opportunity to play professionally in domestic and international leagues, there are four phases of youth soccer that we need to address. Let's start with the obvious problem — scouting. For the love of God, strengthen the scouting program. Encourage scouts to visit venues other than only big MLS/ECNL clubs vs. big MLS/ECNL club matches. Try the local leagues for people of African, Caribbean, Hispanic, and European descent. Some diamonds can be found there. I understand that the US is enormous; therefore, implement the same payment method used everywhere else in the world. TPDL: Simplify the young soccer hierarchy in our nation. Make sure that everyone in the nation is aware of what it means to play in leagues like MLS-Next, the ECNL, etc. Eliminate teams that identify themselves as the elite/gold/red/premiere/blue/-gold-dominatrix squad. The alphabet soup leagues will take offense at this, but it's a simple solution. If you meet the requirements and levels, you can join; if not, you can move on to play in the next division, down, and so forth. Every year, 5% to 10% of teams are relegated. I recommend Premier, Championship, Divisions 1, 2, and 3, etc. Do we really need such young MLS teams that limit what you can do? Eliminate the MLS-Next U14 and below. Let them go play for their local schools and local clubs. Have an ODP type program (e.g., AU's Futures) that recognizes and recruits the top local talent to train and develop them. A stud at U9(7v7), U12 (9v9), could be vastly different at U15(11v11). Occasionally, expose them to a myriad of playing styles by taking them to global tournaments like the Gothia Cup in Sweden(1700 teams, 4500 matches, 80 nations). Last but not least, we need to figure out how to curtail or even do away with the skyrocketing cost of youth soccer. I am aware that there are expenses associated with travel, uniforms, etc. Why not develop a marketing possibility with hotel and resort networks like Hilton and Marriott as sponsors. Additionally, why not secure uniform sponsorships to lower or even eliminate the cost of a basic uniform package? We are aware that one item alone costs more than $500. Deals on sports drinks are available, and while we're at it, US Soccer can cover the cost of marketing and referees. FIFA or US Soccer can no longer stop these players from being loaned, traded, or transferred to wealthier overseas clubs, which would give the local clubs a source of revenue. When this player succeeds, everyone benefits. The neighborhood that takes pride in them, the neighborhood club that truly developed the player, and even US Soccer, since they all contributed to turning that youngster into a genuine Home Grown! These same U16/17/18 players, who would now be paying less to compete at the top level, may be encouraged to give back by coaching recreational teams, officiating games for younger players, conducting training sessions, or even starting the hard process of becoming certified coaches. Gaining knowledge and experience in your chosen sport or profession never hurts. Again, sorry for the long post, but those are my thoughts... FYI: In the ECNL league for the Carolinas, they have a 10-month league and a 6-month league for U15 & up. Also, the MLS organization (and I believe US Soccer just looks away) is the one preventing clubs to make actual money from selling players. The FIFA rules say that a selling club needs to share a percentage to all clubs the player enjoyed their academy years (12yrs +). If the US follows the fifa rules, all local clubs will make money for any of their former players who earn a transfer with a big fee. |
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Post by soccerdad2021 on Oct 6, 2022 8:53:50 GMT -5
The path forward for talented youth players outside of MLSNEXT seems to not exist. These players who aspire to one day be a pro don’t really seem to have the support to do so. For that matter, even MLSNEXT players are not going pro in droves. I’ve heard quotes of 1%? So then we look to college to continue where we now meet international students, MLSNEXT players and now international players. Is it safe to assume that by not being selected for an MLSNEXT team playing days (even in college) are numbered? It’s a dose of reality and seeing mention of RDS made me think about this further. I would think any RDS player dreams of one day being a pro player one day until reality kicks in. Having a son in an MLS Academy, i can say that the pathway to pro is there but it's still a very very hard road and never guaranteed. I can see why only 0.08% of high school-aged kids and 1% of college-aged kids that play soccer turn pro. Even then, only a small percentage of those make a decent living out of it. I've seen a significant number of really good players not make the club's U17 team and return to their local clubs. The 1-2 kids that play up an age group have the leg up. That being said, the training that you get in an MLSNext is far superior than what you get in ECNL and a year-long competion is huge advantage. We've experienced both. I have come to the realization that if my son doesn't reach U17 age-group within the academy, his dream of becoming a pro at the highest level will almost certainly remain just a dream. Of course, the college route is still there but... With regards to RDS, I think it's false advertisement. We did one season with AU and my son enjoyed it. If you look at AU academy rosters, I'm pretty sure you can count in one hand how many of those kids came from their RDS program. So yes, the path to pro does not exist for a vast majority of talented kids unfortunately. |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Oct 6, 2022 10:59:43 GMT -5
Since DA folded, my engagement with the MLS academies has been minimal besides a once a year scrimmage etc. I used to personally know like 80% of the staff, and now that number might be down to 1 individual at AU for example. but what I noticed under the old regime, they focused on play ups heavily and put "age" appropriate kids on the bench. Meanwhile, many of those play ups, didn't develop and the other kids were cut loose and often became very good players elsewhere. the kids that were studs/stars at u12 are rarely the studs/stars at u18 or there are many other kids that actually are allowed to develop and at U17 you really start to see their true potential -- maturing and growing is an amazing concept. There is no doubt a club like AU has a collection of talent that no other club in the city has. For sure, the competition they have in training for playing time is probably unapparelled. But to be honest, the biggest difference i've seen is the quality of the keepers they have. They can go grab the top 3-4 keepers in each age group, and then I've seen huge drop offs from there. Been very impressed with their keepers. I've watched games between AU and ecnl teams, where if the keepers were changed, the results would change for sure. and Futsal Gawdess and I have been saying this for years, get rid of the younger age groups at the mls academies (at least in atlanta), too much deviation occurs from u12 to u15. |
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Post by atlantasoccerdad2020 on Oct 6, 2022 14:11:51 GMT -5
The path forward for talented youth players outside of MLSNEXT seems to not exist. These players who aspire to one day be a pro don’t really seem to have the support to do so. For that matter, even MLSNEXT players are not going pro in droves. I’ve heard quotes of 1%? So then we look to college to continue where we now meet international students, MLSNEXT players and now international players. Is it safe to assume that by not being selected for an MLSNEXT team playing days (even in college) are numbered? It’s a dose of reality and seeing mention of RDS made me think about this further. I would think any RDS player dreams of one day being a pro player one day until reality kicks in. Having a son in an MLS Academy, i can say that the pathway to pro is there but it's still a very very hard road and never guaranteed. I can see why only 0.08% of high school-aged kids and 1% of college-aged kids that play soccer turn pro. Even then, only a small percentage of those make a decent living out of it. I've seen a significant number of really good players not make the club's U17 team and return to their local clubs. The 1-2 kids that play up an age group have the leg up. That being said, the training that you get in an MLSNext is far superior than what you get in ECNL and a year-long competion is huge advantage. We've experienced both. I have come to the realization that if my son doesn't reach U17 age-group within the academy, his dream of becoming a pro at the highest level will almost certainly remain just a dream. Of course, the college route is still there but... With regards to RDS, I think it's false advertisement. We did one season with AU and my son enjoyed it. If you look at AU academy rosters, I'm pretty sure you can count in one hand how many of those kids came from their RDS program. So yes, the path to pro does not exist for a vast majority of talented kids unfortunately. It is fascinating to me how some of the players are even selected. Having gone up against teams from all leagues there are players not at AU better than ones they have on their teams but never get the chance to play for them. |
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