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[1usa1]

Anyone at the tryouts tonight? How did it go? How many kids attended?

[duffer]

There was a lot twice the number that crossfire will get Well I should say twice the number of real players!

[Old Dog]

I still think having two Academy options for the players in this area is a good thing.

[1usa1]

Well I should say twice the number of real players!

  What does that mean?

[1usa1]

I still think having two Academy options for the players in this area is a good thing.

  It is really bad that both crossfire and sounders tryouts overlap. Kids shouldn't be put in the position of having to choose one or the other. Wonder if there will be any crossover of players?

[El Matarife]

I still think having two Academy options for the players in this area is a good thing.

 It is really bad that both crossfire and sounders tryouts overlap. Kids shouldn't be put in the position of having to choose one or the other. Wonder if there will be any crossover of players?

There are already two confirmed moves from Crossfire to Sounders.  The Sounders U-18 team is going to be absolutely stacked.

[Old Dog]

I still think having two Academy options for the players in this area is a good thing.

  It is really bad that both crossfire and sounders tryouts overlap. Kids shouldn't be put in the position of having to choose one or the other. Wonder if there will be any crossover of players?

Agree, but then again it happens every year with neighbor clubs that stack tryouts one on top of the other. Anybody got a solution to that?

[EWSoccer64]

I still think having two Academy options for the players in this area is a good thing.

  It is really bad that both crossfire and sounders tryouts overlap. Kids shouldn't be put in the position of having to choose one or the other. Wonder if there will be any crossover of players?

Agree, but then again it happens every year with neighbor clubs that stack tryouts one on top of the other. Anybody got a solution to that?

In terms of the Sounders/Crossfire Academy tryouts, let's look at it this way.
If we - the soccer community - want there to be two Academies fielding competitive teams, then putting all the best talent in one program is not the way to do it.     Having enough of the upper level talent going to one side to keep it competitive while the bulk goes to the other side helps ensure that there are two Academies.
Which is more important, having the best, most "kick ass" academy team available, or having two successful academy programs?

[El Matarife]

I disagree.  The MLS Academies should serve the same purpose professional academies do in other countries--cater to and nurture the best players the area has to offer.  They should not, however, be part of USSDA, and should maintain their own league (just like the big club).

[Old Dog]

In terms of the Sounders/Crossfire Academy tryouts, let's look at it this way.
If we - the soccer community - want there to be two Academies fielding competitive teams, then putting all the best talent in one program is not the way to do it.     Having enough of the upper level talent going to one side to keep it competitive while the bulk goes to the other side helps ensure that there are two Academies.
Which is more important, having the best, most "kick ass" academy team available, or having two successful academy programs?

The question for me that comes into play is what happens next year when the Timbers come on line. I have to believe they will run a better program then FC Portland did.

2 teams in the northwest as travel partners? USSDA saying we have room for 1.8 teams.

Do the MLS teams break away from the Acadamy, I know Vancouver and Toronto want that to happen so they can field teams. I know the Rapids want that so they can offer something different and stop the bleeding to the other in state Academies.

Unsure what the league will look like in two years but I believe times are changing.

[luvsoccer]

I wouln't worry to much about the following year. If your sons are good enough to play the academy level then do it. The experience alone is worth it. The level of play and speed of game is something you will never get in the PDL/RCL or any other league in WA. If there is only one academy in Wa the following year at least you are gaining experience and that can go a long ways.

[EWSoccer64]

The MLS dropped their original MLS Academy league because of costs, didn't they?
Particularly with the labor dispute, I don't see them splurging this year.

But it would be nice to see a full scale MLS U-18 Academy League.

In terms of the Sounders/Crossfire Academy tryouts, let's look at it this way.
If we - the soccer community - want there to be two Academies fielding competitive teams, then putting all the best talent in one program is not the way to do it.     Having enough of the upper level talent going to one side to keep it competitive while the bulk goes to the other side helps ensure that there are two Academies.
Which is more important, having the best, most "kick ass" academy team available, or having two successful academy programs?

The question for me that comes into play is what happens next year when the Timbers come on line. I have to believe they will run a better program then FC Portland did.

2 teams in the northwest as travel partners? USSDA saying we have room for 1.8 teams.

Do the MLS teams break away from the Acadamy, I know Vancouver and Toronto want that to happen so they can field teams. I know the Rapids want that so they can offer something different and stop the bleeding to the other in state Academies.

Unsure what the league will look like in two years but I believe times are changing.

[mg444]

I have a question...Why didn't the Sounders host tryouts early this week so that by the time the club tryouts came around this weekend, players would know where they stood?  Since they are not playing in WYS, needing to wait 5 days after state cup seems irrelevant.

The annual string of simultaneous tryouts always causes issues, but it is particularly chaotic this year with all the confusion going on in the U18 age group...at least 3 teams at this age group don't really exist in the same capacity (WPFC Academy, ECFC A & B). NWN's A team folded last year, so the concentration of quality players is high.  These players all need a home..........it would have been nice to have the Sounders Academy off the table by now and give these players clearer options.

[2muchsoccer]

Try outs last night were about a 60 kid count avg for the 94/95 group. They only took 2 kids for each session, so 4 kids will go to the invited try outs this weekend out of 120 kids that showed up.
However, word is kids are basically picked in advance. As with all try outs coaches already know who they want. It is just the wandering few that show up they may consider. Even in the pool they pick, again they already know who they will roster at top 18.
Political? No. We all know who the top, top, top kids are in the state so of course the coaches who get paid know this as well. Back door talks to the top top kids were already done and confirmed as with any try outs you see with these sort of kids...U18's are confirmed a stacked team. Will be fun to watch indeed!

Crossfires academy will continue to be, regardless of the Sounders numbers, regardless of price. If your kid doesn't make the Sounders (free would be nice) you head on over to Xfire and pay. Sucks since it is further to drive for most.
and as far as the overlap in try outs for these two..already said that if Xfire kids try out to Sounders DONT COME BACK! If you don't have that confirmed "you are on the team" from the Sounders it really came down to a 50/50 crap shoot on what to do.

[EWSoccer64]

I have a question...Why didn't the Sounders host tryouts early this week so that by the time the club tryouts came around this weekend, players would know where they stood?  Since they are not playing in WYS, needing to wait 5 days after state cup seems irrelevant.

I don't know.  School?   
After all, the Sounders are putting together a regional team, not a local one.  It would be quite a drive for many.

If you seriously want to know, give Darren an e-mail.

[El Matarife]

I have a question...Why didn't the Sounders host tryouts early this week so that by the time the club tryouts came around this weekend, players would know where they stood?  Since they are not playing in WYS, needing to wait 5 days after state cup seems irrelevant.

It is not the Sounders job to cater to youth soccer clubs.  Also, let's be honest, how many kids not currently involved with an Academy team really thought they had a chance to make it? 

[El Matarife]

Try outs last night were about a 60 kid count avg for the 94/95 group. They only took 2 kids for each session, so 4 kids will go to the invited try outs this weekend out of 120 kids that showed up.
However, word is kids are basically picked in advance. As with all try outs coaches already know who they want. It is just the wandering few that show up they may consider. Even in the pool they pick, again they already know who they will roster at top 18.
Political? No. We all know who the top, top, top kids are in the state so of course the coaches who get paid know this as well. Back door talks to the top top kids were already done and confirmed as with any try outs you see with these sort of kids...U18's are confirmed a stacked team. Will be fun to watch indeed!

Crossfires academy will continue to be, regardless of the Sounders numbers, regardless of price. If your kid doesn't make the Sounders (free would be nice) you head on over to Xfire and pay. Sucks since it is further to drive for most.
and as far as the overlap in try outs for these two..already said that if Xfire kids try out to Sounders DONT COME BACK! If you don't have that confirmed "you are on the team" from the Sounders it really came down to a 50/50 crap shoot on what to do.

You can say that again.  I would be shocked if they don't compete for a national championship.  And with the talent level of some of the kids who are confirmed to be on the team I wouldn't be surprised if you saw 3-4 of them designated as homegrown players and signed with the big club.

[sounderfan]

Me likes. 

[Old Dog]

You can say that again.  I would be shocked if they don't compete for a national championship.  And with the talent level of some of the kids who are confirmed to be on the team I wouldn't be surprised if you saw 3-4 of them designated as homegrown players and signed with the big club.

I am a Sounder fan but El Mataerife (4) of them be designated home grown is a bit of a leap.

I believe all a player has to do is go to one year of College and that voids that designation.

If a player is that good, why bypass a full FREE education vs a minumun wage of 30K for pro soccer.

And before you say over sees, these are 18 year old players and if they where going they would be gone by now.

[1usa1]

Try outs last night were about a 60 kid count avg for the 94/95 group. They only took 2 kids for each session, so 4 kids will go to the invited try outs this weekend out of 120 kids that showed up.

  Wow,that's not very many. Anyone know if the numbers were similar for the U18 team?

[juggles]

  A player may go to college and still be a homegrown player: Set in place by the MLS in 2006, the rule is designed to provide increased opportunities for local players. In order to be eligible players must abide by the following guidelines.
All players must reside in a team's "Home Territory" for at least one year prior to being added to the team's Home Grown Player List.
 
Players must be added to an MLS team's Home Grown Player List prior to entering a four-year college, but can maintain their Home Grown Player status during college if registered before entering that institution.
 
Members of the U17, U20, and U23 U.S. National Teams cannot be added to an MLS team's Home Grown Player List, but a player already on a Home Grown Player List can maintain that status if selected for a U.S. National team at a later date.

[Old Dog]

Try outs last night were about a 60 kid count avg for the 94/95 group. They only took 2 kids for each session, so 4 kids will go to the invited try outs this weekend out of 120 kids that showed up.

  Wow,that's not very many. Anyone know if the numbers were similar for the U18 team?

About the same 4 to 5 players asked to come back.

[El Matarife]

You can say that again.  I would be shocked if they don't compete for a national championship.  And with the talent level of some of the kids who are confirmed to be on the team I wouldn't be surprised if you saw 3-4 of them designated as homegrown players and signed with the big club.

I am a Sounder fan but El Mataerife (4) of them be designated home grown is a bit of a leap.

I believe all a player has to do is go to one year of College and that voids that designation.

If a player is that good, why bypass a full FREE education vs a minumun wage of 30K for pro soccer.

And before you say over sees, these are 18 year old players and if they where going they would be gone by now.

It's not quite that easy.  Most of these kids are 16 and will only be 17 by the time they graduate.  Have you ever heard of a kid by the name of Luis Gil (no sarcasm meant, serious question) who recently signed with MLS?  He was being scouted (and courted) by Arsenal but it is nearly impossible to get a work visa under the age of 18. That is the biggest hurdle outside of talent.

And why would four players designated as homegrown be a leap?  All four that I'm thinking of have been invited to national camp and are currently top 50 on TopDrawerSoccer's rankings.  These are gamechanging, dynamic players.  Just because someone is designated as a homegrown does not mean they have to be signed as a home grown, just that the Sounders have a shot at them before everyone else.  In fact, it would be stupid NOT to tag them

[El Matarife]

Juggles-

So that would eliminate Palodichuck (U-17 national team)?

[juggles]

So that would eliminate Palodichuck (U-17 national team)?

  That's my understanding after reading the rules.

[Old Dog]

All four that I'm thinking of have been invited to national camp and are currently top 50 on TopDrawerSoccer's rankings.  These are gamechanging, dynamic players.  Just because someone is designated as a homegrown does not mean they have to be signed as a home grown, just that the Sounders have a shot at them before everyone else. 

TopDrawerSoccer's rankings, are these the same folks who did not know who Darwin Jones was? Just Checking.

[El Matarife]

All four that I'm thinking of have been invited to national camp and are currently top 50 on TopDrawerSoccer's rankings.  These are gamechanging, dynamic players.  Just because someone is designated as a homegrown does not mean they have to be signed as a home grown, just that the Sounders have a shot at them before everyone else.  

TopDrawerSoccer's rankings, are these the same folks who did not know who Darwin Jones was? Just Checking.

No, this is the one that ranks him in the top 100 and has 9 different articles with him mentioned.  Heres a thought:  Instead of being both rude and wrong, you could be excited about the talent coming out of Seattle. Darwin Jones is a prime example of that talent.

[Old Dog]

All four that I'm thinking of have been invited to national camp and are currently top 50 on TopDrawerSoccer's rankings.  These are gamechanging, dynamic players.  Just because someone is designated as a homegrown does not mean they have to be signed as a home grown, just that the Sounders have a shot at them before everyone else.  

TopDrawerSoccer's rankings, are these the same folks who did not know who Darwin Jones was? Just Checking.

No, this is the one that ranks him in the top 100 and has 9 different articles with him mentioned.  Heres a thought:  Instead of being both rude and wrong, you could be excited about the talent coming out of Seattle. Darwin Jones is a prime example of that talent.

Yes, look at when all those articles were written. They had no clue who he was until this year. BTW, read what I wrote and then tell me it was rude. We will see, 5 players you say are going pro. Time will tell. I think we have some great players, but I do not see the same as you. Will not be the first time I was wrong.

[El Matarife]

1. Your post was dripping with sarcasm.

2. Who cares when the articles were written?  Would you rather he get lauded at U15 and forgotten by U17?  The ony thing that matters is where you are when you finish.

3. Please reread my posts.  Nowhere did I say these kids were going pro.  I said they, in my opinion, were strong candidates for the homegrown player rule.  Again, it means nothing more than the Sounders have first crack if they DO go pro.  You are allowed to have 10 (I believe) players on the list and considering this is their first year in existance it would only make sense.

[1usa1]

Heard that there were going to be around 40 players at the U 18 tryouts today. Wonder how many will be picked since you can have a large roster.