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Post by rifle on Apr 22, 2023 8:51:11 GMT -5
Sounds like to me that AU Academy may have figured out that they can let the club academys train the younger players and then because of the prestige of being a professional player, which lets be honest, is what these young girls and boys want to aspire to, take the clubs best players when they are mostly already developed at the U14 a 15. The question should be now is what are those AU coaches going to be doing now? Enjoying some youth soccer games and scouting is my guess. Atlanta loves home grown players and I think we know the talent is here. I don’t really care what those coaches do. If they’re passionate and good, they’ll land on their feet somewhere. Otherwise I think changes in AU academy structure make sense. There is no way a group from U12 remains static. Ever. Let the cream rise to the top among independent clubs and let the them in the door when the time is right. We don’t have a pyramid in USA so I expect we’ll see AU and MLS continue trying to Band-Aid the rickety structure. It’s a shame MLS runs the federation rather than letting independent clubs compete but I’m resigned to this being “the way it is”. Sadly. |
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Post by diamondmid on Apr 22, 2023 10:05:34 GMT -5
I hope whoever got released lands on their feet and has a good support system to let them know it’s not the end of the world. It’s odd but I’ve yet to see a player released from AU show up on another team and be one of the top players. They’re usually middle of the pack on their new teams. I’m not sure if it’s the confidence blow from being released or what’s happening but they certainly don’t show the quality one would expect. And worse, it’s usually a downward slide from there. IMO, AU should do a better job of supporting these kids after a release.
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Post by oraclesfriend on Apr 22, 2023 13:01:30 GMT -5
I hope whoever got released lands on their feet and has a good support system to let them know it’s not the end of the world. It’s odd but I’ve yet to see a player released from AU show up on another team and be one of the top players. They’re usually middle of the pack on their new teams. I’m not sure if it’s the confidence blow from being released or what’s happening but they certainly don’t show the quality one would expect. And worse, it’s usually a downward slide from there. IMO, AU should do a better job of supporting these kids after a release. There was an article on ESPN about the British clubs starting to realize they should support their released players too for the same reason. Downward slide. Often in life, not just soccer. |
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Post by allthingsoccer on Apr 24, 2023 17:50:14 GMT -5
I hope whoever got released lands on their feet and has a good support system to let them know it’s not the end of the world. It’s odd but I’ve yet to see a player released from AU show up on another team and be one of the top players. They’re usually middle of the pack on their new teams. I’m not sure if it’s the confidence blow from being released or what’s happening but they certainly don’t show the quality one would expect. And worse, it’s usually a downward slide from there. IMO, AU should do a better job of supporting these kids after a release. AU should do a better job of supporting these kids after a release... This right here! They DO NOT do anything. Even current players at AU, no mental support. No mental coach..ZERO Cuts always happen at AU. If they are getting rid of u12 and U16 then even more so this year. Good luck to those that are. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Apr 24, 2023 18:44:44 GMT -5
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Apr 27, 2023 7:16:52 GMT -5
Is anyone going to speak up about the debacle that occurred last nite with AU playing Memphis? 4 homegrowns, 4 members of the senior roster, 1 designated player, and yet you lose at home (well, kind of home), plus you lose in the 95th and 100th minutes of the game. not to mention the fact that only 3,000+ fans showed up to show their support. Just W00000W!!!
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Post by atlantasoccerdad2020 on Apr 27, 2023 9:58:18 GMT -5
I hope whoever got released lands on their feet and has a good support system to let them know it’s not the end of the world. It’s odd but I’ve yet to see a player released from AU show up on another team and be one of the top players. They’re usually middle of the pack on their new teams. I’m not sure if it’s the confidence blow from being released or what’s happening but they certainly don’t show the quality one would expect. And worse, it’s usually a downward slide from there. IMO, AU should do a better job of supporting these kids after a release. Don’t worry they go running back to where they originally were with open arms. I know of many that have landed on their feet. |
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Post by atlantasoccerdad2020 on Apr 27, 2023 10:01:34 GMT -5
Is anyone going to speak up about the debacle that occurred last nite with AU playing Memphis? 4 homegrowns, 4 members of the senior roster, 1 designated player, and yet you lose at home (well, kind of home), plus you lose in the 95th and 100th minutes of the game. not to mention the fact that only 3,000+ fans showed up to show their support. Just W00000W!!! Non season game way up in Kennesaw that no one cares about. Memphis had 3-4 former players. Don’t take anything away from them. Good for the sport to have MLS teams lose to USL teams. Sucks it was ours. |
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Post by oraclesfriend on Apr 27, 2023 16:58:04 GMT -5
I hope whoever got released lands on their feet and has a good support system to let them know it’s not the end of the world. It’s odd but I’ve yet to see a player released from AU show up on another team and be one of the top players. They’re usually middle of the pack on their new teams. I’m not sure if it’s the confidence blow from being released or what’s happening but they certainly don’t show the quality one would expect. And worse, it’s usually a downward slide from there. IMO, AU should do a better job of supporting these kids after a release. AU should do a better job of supporting these kids after a release... This right here! They DO NOT do anything. Even current players at AU, no mental support. No mental coach..ZERO Cuts always happen at AU. If they are getting rid of u12 and U16 then even more so this year. Good luck to those that are. I’ve heard that AU is looking into a mental skills coach. I know of someone who applied for that position. As an aside I think that mental skills need to be taught to ALL kids in school. There is a lot of pressure on kids now. Mental skills are important to success in many facets of life and those who have the ability to deal with the ups and downs will be the most successful and happy. |
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Post by diamondmid on Apr 27, 2023 17:53:05 GMT -5
I hope whoever got released lands on their feet and has a good support system to let them know it’s not the end of the world. It’s odd but I’ve yet to see a player released from AU show up on another team and be one of the top players. They’re usually middle of the pack on their new teams. I’m not sure if it’s the confidence blow from being released or what’s happening but they certainly don’t show the quality one would expect. And worse, it’s usually a downward slide from there. IMO, AU should do a better job of supporting these kids after a release. Don’t worry they go running back to where they originally were with open arms. I know of many that have landed on their feet. Again- I’ve not seen one kid that’s been released from AU show up and be the top player on their new team. And it’s usually a downward trend from there. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Apr 28, 2023 7:35:16 GMT -5
Don’t worry they go running back to where they originally were with open arms. I know of many that have landed on their feet. Again- I’ve not seen one kid that’s been released from AU show up and be the top player on their new team. And it’s usually a downward trend from there. Sadly, this is almost 100% true, with the exception of the one player who was released and then subsequently brought back. I'm thinking he was brought back because he should not have been released in the first place. Politics involving academy coaches, a future homegrown and child of first team coach... |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Apr 28, 2023 8:44:22 GMT -5
Hence why I've never bought into their process. I've seen so many kids ruined. They go there as phenoms, leave and it takes 2 years to get back to form.
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Post by futbolhero on Apr 28, 2023 11:08:58 GMT -5
Hence why I've never bought into their process. I've seen so many kids ruined. They go there as phenoms, leave and it takes 2 years to get back to form. My understanding are the ones that return have not developed any since leaving their club team 1-2yrs earlier. They see something bright and shiny they like and hope it plugs into their system. |
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Post by Brinker on May 3, 2023 18:36:12 GMT -5
I hope whoever got released lands on their feet and has a good support system to let them know it’s not the end of the world. It’s odd but I’ve yet to see a player released from AU show up on another team and be one of the top players. They’re usually middle of the pack on their new teams. I’m not sure if it’s the confidence blow from being released or what’s happening but they certainly don’t show the quality one would expect. And worse, it’s usually a downward slide from there. IMO, AU should do a better job of supporting these kids after a release. I wonder if these cut AU Academy kids will struggle to find a place on a top ECNL or MLSNEXT team for next year. The top teams have been together for years and it will be very difficult to break into those clubs. As someone else mentioned as a general statement, past cut AU kids have not become top players on other teams. |
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Post by NotherSoccerParent on May 3, 2023 19:31:55 GMT -5
I hope whoever got released lands on their feet and has a good support system to let them know it’s not the end of the world. It’s odd but I’ve yet to see a player released from AU show up on another team and be one of the top players. They’re usually middle of the pack on their new teams. I’m not sure if it’s the confidence blow from being released or what’s happening but they certainly don’t show the quality one would expect. And worse, it’s usually a downward slide from there. IMO, AU should do a better job of supporting these kids after a release. I wonder if these cut AU Academy kids will struggle to find a place on a top ECNL or MLSNEXT team for next year. The top teams have been together for years and it will be very difficult to break into those clubs. As someone else mentioned as a general statement, past cut AU kids have not become top players on other teams. I think that kids cut from AU will always get a look by a coach, usually at team practices to see how they do with the current players. As others have said however, even when someone makes the team, he sometimes struggles and ends up being at the bottom of the pool. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on May 20, 2023 22:05:08 GMT -5
Atlanta United Academy players make college commitments on Signing Day
Pretty impressive class earning scholarships upwards of $2.2 Million. Good luck to these now young men who will represent soccer in the ATL 👏👏👏
3 Signed Homegrown Players
2 Signed to Atlanta United 2
2 Signed to Bundesliga 2 & 3
2 Clemson University
2 Georgia Southern University
2 University of Kentucky
2 Oregon State University
1 Coastal Carolina
1 Davidson College
1 Lipscomb University
1 University of Michigan
1 Oglethorpe University
1 University of South Carolina
1 University of Virginia
1 Winthrop University
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on May 21, 2023 14:17:53 GMT -5
Patrick Okonkwo is currently playing with KSA against the AU U19. Stream link below:
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Post by Soccerhouse on May 21, 2023 19:14:05 GMT -5
If I’m not mistaken he could have gone to UVA
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on May 22, 2023 6:14:12 GMT -5
He would have been better off going there. He would have gotten an education and the potential to grow as a player, both mentally and physically. Plus the added benefit of making a mark to ride into the draft or be seen by pro scouts. I watched some of the game this weekend, and let's just say he was not the best player on the field. A cautious tale for sure on how easily a career can get off track...
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Jun 5, 2023 8:57:16 GMT -5
I finally got some free tickets to watch the Atlanta United IIs on a lazy Sunday. Even after a bad hair-day rain delay, it was fun watching the team drop five on Beckham's team. I especially loved that I got to see the live debuts of these two debutants. Nicely done young men 👏👏👏
Remi Okunlola
and Rocket Ritarita(luv the name ROCKET!!!)
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Jun 8, 2023 8:50:34 GMT -5
And just before close of business, another HG is "loaned out" Fore more detailed info click: t.co/YZ9MtKNQvgReports coming out of the Atlanta United, says it looks like the former Homegrown player's loan at Phoenix Rising FC may have come to an end. He has been spotted roaming the training grounds... |
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Post by Soccerhouse on Jun 8, 2023 9:26:48 GMT -5
And just before close of business, another HG is "loaned out" Fore more detailed info click: t.co/YZ9MtKNQvgReports coming out of the Atlanta United, says it looks like the former Homegrown player's loan at Phoenix Rising FC may have come to an end. He has been spotted roaming the training grounds... yea, he couldn't find the field there for sure, most minutes he ever played was 14. He had more cards than goals and assists, and some how managed to get a red card playing 2 minutes in one game. www.transfermarkt.us/jackson-conway/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/469862/wettbewerb/USL/saison/2022 |
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Post by rifle on Jun 8, 2023 9:51:48 GMT -5
AC image has featured in several recent LV Lights Twitter posts. So there is that.
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Jun 9, 2023 11:10:28 GMT -5
Surprise-Surprise Jackson Conway was actually "recalled" and to no surprise to anyone who has been monitoring the Homegrowns, JC will be on a season long loan to Atlanta United 2 smdh
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Post by oraclesfriend on Jun 12, 2023 15:17:11 GMT -5
Surprise-Surprise Jackson Conway was actually "recalled" and to no surprise to anyone who has been monitoring the Homegrowns, JC will be on a season long loan to Atlanta United 2 smdh Explain please. You don’t like the move. Why? If he is with the 2’s and local they can call him up to the senior team. So why don’t you like the move? TIA |
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Post by flix on Jun 12, 2023 18:18:37 GMT -5
Surprise-Surprise Jackson Conway was actually "recalled" and to no surprise to anyone who has been monitoring the Homegrowns, JC will be on a season long loan to Atlanta United 2 smdh Explain please. You don’t like the move. Why? If he is with the 2’s and local they can call him up to the senior team. So why don’t you like the move? TIA If he can’t get minutes in USL ( same league he has played in up until this point), how is he supposed to get good enough to get first team minutes playing in MLS Next Pro (where the playing level is below USL & they have teenagers practicing with the team)? I personally have never understood why he didn’t try to go overseas being that he was born in England. He could have gone to college and had a degree. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Jun 13, 2023 7:28:55 GMT -5
Surprise-Surprise Jackson Conway was actually "recalled" and to no surprise to anyone who has been monitoring the Homegrowns, JC will be on a season long loan to Atlanta United 2 smdh Explain please. You don’t like the move. Why? If he is with the 2’s and local they can call him up to the senior team. So why don’t you like the move? TIA I don't like the move because it's more emblematic or maybe I should say more indicative of the greater problem with the Atlanta United Homegrowns. I just do not see the pathway for these young players to truly have a real shot at making the first team. Worse yet of being put in a situation of surviving to get a second contract with another team, once released or forgotten about by AU. If I remember, he was all signed to go to Clemson/Maryland. He was born in England and was on an upward trajectory. Then he got lured into an AU2 contract and ultimately a Homegrown. He has not been developed either by AU or on his own. They have not used his dual-citizenship to get him exposure to Europe say maybe with their partners Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership. Most clubs say hey, if we are going to invest in you, let's make sure we put you in a position to succeed so we can recoup our investment and return that into the Academy Program. But alas, AU doesn't and now there are cuts and the academy is eternally working from a deficit. p.s. My issue isn't with JC btw |
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Post by oraclesfriend on Jun 14, 2023 20:15:44 GMT -5
Explain please. You don’t like the move. Why? If he is with the 2’s and local they can call him up to the senior team. So why don’t you like the move? TIA I don't like the move because it's more emblematic or maybe I should say more indicative of the greater problem with the Atlanta United Homegrowns. I just do not see the pathway for these young players to truly have a real shot at making the first team. Worse yet of being put in a situation of surviving to get a second contract with another team, once released or forgotten about by AU. If I remember, he was all signed to go to Clemson/Maryland. He was born in England and was on an upward trajectory. Then he got lured into an AU2 contract and ultimately a Homegrown. He has not been developed either by AU or on his own. They have not used his dual-citizenship to get him exposure to Europe say maybe with their partners Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership. Most clubs say hey, if we are going to invest in you, let's make sure we put you in a position to succeed so we can recoup our investment and return that into the Academy Program. But alas, AU doesn't and now there are cuts and the academy is eternally working from a deficit. p.s. My issue isn't with JC btw Good explanation. I don’t watch youth boys or AU2 so can’t comment on his minutes or quality of play. I agree that AU should not hire these homegrowns to anything except senior team or like you mentioned going overseas to play there even if on second level teams. We are not organized enough here for the homegrowns. Strong colleges are better suited to a future than AU2 |
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Post by rifle on Jun 15, 2023 2:01:26 GMT -5
Second level teams in mature football nations are FAR above anything domestic. They have earned their level.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Jun 15, 2023 8:46:26 GMT -5
Look I'm going to be extremely rude here and I apologize, but I've seen players get minutes with 2s, that wouldn't start on other top ECNL teams in the same age group in the area. I get it, talent is in the eye of the beholder but from a distance, I'm perplexed at decisions being made and rushing kids through the process. Part of the challenge is how do you keep the costs of the 2s down, use as many academy kids as allowed and use it as an extension/replacement for your u19 team.
Here lies the major problem issue, by the time one of my boys hit u19 on a top ecnl team, only 2 kids were left from the u12 DA team. That is a shocking number. Keep in mind those u12 da teams carried 24 kids. only 2 of the 24 have been there since u12. unreal to be honest.
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