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[Mocoso]

Rumor or is it true?
I've heard recently that Wpfc coach Ralph Black (Boys u12 and 13 a teams)is leaving wpfc to go to the Crossfire academy team.
This will be a big loss to wp after the recent hire of Jimmy McAlister to Seattle United.

Also, does anyone know who runs the Sounders academy?

[sounderfan]

Sounders Academy: Youth Development Director Darren Sawatzky.

[Mocoso]

what did homer simpson always say?
 DOH!!!  I knew that.
Thanks sounderfan

[Juj]

Posted on Crossfire website........Ralph Black coaching U15-16 Academy

[1usa1]

So does anyone have any TRUE insight into what is going to happen with the WPFC and Crossfire  academy programs. Crossfire has already announced their tryout dates on their website and there is nothing on the sounders or WPFC sites. It's too bad that all concerned don't combine into a single program. This would result in amazing teams and program.

[Snail]

WPFC is working  hand in hand with the new Sounders Academy. After this season WPFC won't have the 2 academy teams. The boys from the WPFC will finish out the season and will automatically be invited to the Sounders tryouts for next season. Gary Heale, the current academy coach, is staying with WP. So there will still be an excellent coach for the b95s and b94's next year.  Washington premier is going strong, but wisely decided it would be in the best interest of WA soccer not to have 3 diluted academy programs in the state.

Crossfire is not likely to give up their academy teams, and from what I hear they see the Sounders as a competition/threat to their brand.

[1usa1]

Crossfire is not likely to give up their academy teams, and from what I hear they see the Sounders as a competition/threat to their brand.

That really is too bad.

[EWSoccer64]

This is hardly an unexpected development.
Remember that among other things, if Crossfire wrapped up their Academy program, they should be required to present a full accounting of the costs/revenues/losses of the program to the board.  Further, the status of having an Academy program is essential to the Bernie James regime at Crossfire, and the symbolism that he has been trying to create.  (usually successfully).    Without the Academy teams, the rationale for taking on a PDL franchise is lost.  With the Academy teams, and the PDL franchise, Crossfire is not first among equals, it is in a league of its own.
  Oh wait, where in this post was the benefit of the kids discussed??

Crossfire is not likely to give up their academy teams, and from what I hear they see the Sounders as a competition/threat to their brand.

That really is too bad.

[westcoast]

How about throwing this question into the mix.
From what I am told Sounders Academy will be free. Crossfire will charge, what was it? about $2500
Crossfire does have dates up so it does not look like they intend to block players from trying out at both places.
Kind of a no -brainer, Gee, what should we do?
Apparently Sounders are already recieving applications from out of state players and the current WPFC Academy teams as Snail stated will get an early tryout.
This should really throw a ringer into the Crossfire Academy, lots of competition for their best players!
Interesting about Ralph Black going to Crossfire to coach Academy, A smart move by X-Fire getting this guy to coach 94-95 age, could be a potential draw.

[Chinsofelvis]

Crossfire hubris demanded them to recruit RB so that they might have a chance to field a competitive U16 Academy team, but the liklihood is small, as described above.  Who is gonna want to commute to Redmond when they can wear Sounders rave green and practice at Starfire for free?  It would be tempting to visit the crossfire informational meeting 2/8 and ask that very question....  But I am probably missing some wonderful point, and I therefore request enlightenment from the group.  Please.

[soccer45girls]

I'm confused. I thought the academy was for WA state residents. Is this inaccurate? I'm all for competition, but I understood this program to be for developing WA players. Anyone know?

[juggles]

I'm confused. I thought the academy was for WA state residents. Is this inaccurate? I'm all for competition, but I understood this program to be for developing WA players. Anyone know?

Any player,regardless of where they live,is eligible to play with ANY academy team. My guess would be that the out of state players would be from Oregon since the Portland area no longer has an academy program.

[1usa1]

From what I am told Sounders Academy will be free. Crossfire will charge, what was it? about $2500

  I wonder if Crossfire might try and figure out a way to make its academy program free as well? That scenario would create a very interesting situation.

[2tuff4u]

WPFC is working  hand in hand with the new Sounders Academy. After this season WPFC won't have the 2 academy teams. The boys from the WPFC will finish out the season and will automatically be invited to the Sounders tryouts for next season. Gary Heale, the current academy coach, is staying with WP. So there will still be an excellent coach for the b95s and b94's next year.  Washington premier is going strong, but wisely decided it would be in the best interest of WA soccer not to have 3 diluted academy programs in the state.

Crossfire is not likely to give up their academy teams, and from what I hear they see the Sounders as a competition/threat to their brand.?

If Washington Premier is finishing out their season, why would those players have an automatic invitation to the Sounders Academy tryout's?

[EWSoccer64]

From what I am told Sounders Academy will be free. Crossfire will charge, what was it? about $2500

  I wonder if Crossfire might try and figure out a way to make its academy program free as well? That scenario would create a very interesting situation.

The latest figures that I have heard is that the Crossfire Academy program has a cumulative total loss of up to $500,000 even though players are charged $5,000 a year.  (That is just what I have heard, I am not vouching for those numbers).     Two teams, 20 players per team, that is $200,000 more in an annual losses that you are asking Crossfire to absorb.    That is making up a lot of G, H and J level teams for U-12s and U-11s, to make up that much more money.

[2tuff4u]

I'm confused. I thought the academy was for WA state residents. Is this inaccurate? I'm all for competition, but I understood this program to be for developing WA players. Anyone know?

IMHO, it should be a program for ONLY Washington players. But you have several players from Oregan who are registered with clubs in Wa. St. I really don't think that is fair either.

[sounderfan]

Sounders Academy has the goal of producing SOUNDERS, where ever they might come from. In regards to what it takes for the Sounders / MLS to consider a player 'home grown,' Darren Sawatzky recently told me this:

The actual rule is 80 training dates over 12 months.  And, it is not related to the U18 group alone.  A player can be added to the Home Grown list at any time from the U14 age group up.  In order to be a “Home Grown Player” for an MLS team, the player must train 80 dates over a 12 month period of time preceding the Home Grown Player distinction. 
 
These rules can change but this is the current rule for players in the MLS youth systems. ---Sawatzky

[Big Youth]

Rumor or is it true?
I've heard recently that Wpfc coach Ralph Black (Boys u12 and 13 a teams)is leaving wpfc to go to the Crossfire academy team.
This will be a big loss to wp after the recent hire of Jimmy McAlister to Seattle United.

Also, does anyone know who runs the Sounders academy?

Crossfire needs to do something to help the pipeline of talent.  With the developments in Seattle and at the Sounders youth program, fewer top prospects will be tempted to travel to Redmond to pay high fees and, in many cases, watch other kids get the minutes.  Then consider what Crossfire has for next year's team.  At the BU15 level Crossfire Hattrup is a good team, but the bulk of talent in the age group seems more concentrated at EFC, NWN and even Westsound.  I think Dan and Teddy are too smart to fold their teams into the Academy just for Bernie's benefit, and Redmond is too far for the Westsound kids.  If Crossfire has a bad recruiting year, it is going to hurt the brand and the ripple effects will trend downward

[Old Dog]

If Washington Premier is finishing out their season, why would those players have an automatic invitation to the Sounders Academy tryout's?

From what I was told it is because they are working together (Sounders and WPFC) to do whats best for the kids. I know, thats a wierd concept

The State can not support 3 teams at that level.

[Old Dog]

Any player,regardless of where they live,is eligible to play with ANY academy team. My guess would be that the out of state players would be from Oregon since the Portland area no longer has an academy program.

Hey Juggles it been awhile,

Actually what you just said is wrong. You can not live outside the US and you must live close enough to attend the 3 trainings a week. Some clubs lie about both of those BTW. You could not live in Utah and play for a Washington Academy. Trainings are just as important as games to the USSDA. They have made that clear and that is why they are having a hugh debate over the Vancouver MLS team. Per MLS rules they want every team to be in the Academy, but the Academy says this is about US development. I am sure money will win that discussion.

[Firedog]

Any player,regardless of where they live,is eligible to play with ANY academy team. My guess would be that the out of state players would be from Oregon since the Portland area no longer has an academy program.

Hey Juggles it been awhile,

Actually what you just said is wrong. You can not live outside the US and you must live close enough to attend the 3 trainings a week. Some clubs lie about both of those BTW. You could not live in Utah and play for a Washington Academy. Trainings are just as important as games to the USSDA. They have made that clear and that is why they are having a hugh debate over the Vancouver MLS team. Per MLS rules they want every team to be in the Academy, but the Academy says this is about US development. I am sure money will win that discussion.

So, does that mean Toronto doesn't participate in the Academy system?

[sounderfan]

http://crossfiresoccer.org/

Sad.

Xfire refuses to mention Sounders FC on their front page, refering to all clubs as merely "ODP," with no Sounders involvement. Um, they were wearing Sounders jerseys, people...

 

[EWSoccer64]

Perhaps the Ostrich is the new symbol for Crossfire?
Hint for our friends from SoCal - The head in the sand idea.

http://crossfiresoccer.org/

Sad.

Xfire refuses to mention Sounders FC on their front page, refering to all clubs as merely "ODP," with no Sounders involvement. Um, they were wearing Sounders jerseys, people...

 

[sounderfan]

They take credit for their kids' involvement (which they have every right to do) but then blow it by snubbing the Sounders.

Just look at how cool their own kids thought it was to wear rave green down there...

[luvsoccer]

WPFC doen't mention the Sounders when it refers to ODP either.

[sounderfan]

WPFC doen't mention the Sounders when it refers to ODP either.

Then they should, too.

[sounderfan]

Get up to speed, clubs!

Washington Youth Soccer / Sounders FC
Olympic Development Program

http://www.wsysa.com/Programs/OlympicDevelopmentProgramODP/tabid/90/language/en-US/Default.aspx

[juggles]

Actually what you just said is wrong. You can not live outside the US and you must live close enough to attend the 3 trainings a week. Some clubs lie about both of those BTW. You could not live in Utah and play for a Washington Academy. Trainings are just as important as games to the USSDA. They have made that clear and that is why they are having a hugh debate over the Vancouver MLS team. Per MLS rules they want every team to be in the Academy, but the Academy says this is about US development. I am sure money will win that discussion.

  Hey,old dog what's happening?You are correct about the US thing...I was taking that for granted. However,you may live anywhere and play anywhere as long as you are able to fulfill the team requirements about practices,etc.

[touchline trouble]

 

[touchline trouble]

NWN is rockin it!!

6 Boys, 7 Girls Make State Teams
Washington's Sounders FC/ODP Teams Bound for Phoenix Jan. 16-19

 A total of 13 Northwest Nationals players–six boys and seven girls–have been chosen to represent the Sounders FC/ Olympic Development Program at the prestigious US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships, to be held January 16-19 in Phoenix.
 
Five of the boys are members of the B94 Red, coached by Teddy Mitalas. They are Chris Mitalas, Miguel Medina, Cristian Robles, Michael Steele and Alec Sakoi. Mitalas plays for the state 94 side and the others for the 95 team. Garrett Barber of B95 Red (coached by Todd Schilperoort) is the sixth NWN selection and he is a member of the state’s 96 team.

 
The Sounders FC/ODP girls teams feature three members of the G94 Red and the G95 Red, coached by Scott Newman and Vadim Tolstolutsky, respectively. Shelby Koch (95 state team), Emma Makela (95) and Kate Scheele (94) play for G94. Emily Chrichlow (96 state team), Cali Crisler (96) and Abby Morrow (96) play for G95. Joining them from Mel Craig's G97 Red is Madison Schultz (96).

 
Congratulations to all the players. Northwest Nationals is proud of your selection wishes you a successful tournament in Arizona!