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2010-11 USSDA Thread (Sounders FC / Crossfire / WhiteCaps) 5 1

[sounderfan]

What about those talented Sounders KIDS?

http://www.examiner.com/soccer-in-seattle/looking-forward-with-darren-sawatzky-plus-sounders-whitecaps-youth-match-photos

Playing the cynic I ask Darren why Sounders FC should pour thousands and thousands of dollars into players who might just decide to go to college instead of signing at age 17 or 18. “The way the rules work as long as we put a certain number of training dates in with a player over a twelve-month period of time before he leaves (for college), we have first rights to sign that player (in MLS) once they are done with their college eligibility. The reality is that we put a massive investment into these young guys, both in their personal growth and through resources to develop them...at the end of the day we'd love it if a ton of these kids ended up playing in Sounders FC jerseys in front of 60,000 people.”

[sounderfan]

National props to Sounders Academy:
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/2617/youth-soccer/2011/02/01/2333397/en-route-seattle-sounders-academy-not-your-normal-debutant

[sounderfan]

National props to Sounders Academy:
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/2617/youth-soccer/2011/02/01/2333397/en-route-seattle-sounders-academy-not-your-normal-debutant

You know...I sure wish that the Washington Premier people would get a bit of a mention! After all they merged their USSDA program and gave the Sounders quite a few of their best!

[Squash]

National props to Sounders Academy:
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/2617/youth-soccer/2011/02/01/2333397/en-route-seattle-sounders-academy-not-your-normal-debutant

You know...I sure wish that the Washington Premier people would get a bit of a mention! After all they merged their USSDA program and gave the Sounders quite a few of their best!

You are right but I have found in life that most really grounded kids and good individuals tend to remember and thank those they feel  helped them get to where they are now. The most IMPORTANT thing is for the PLAYERS to recognize what got them to where they are and give thanks to WPFC if they feel it's IMPORTANT. My guess is many of these players are very thankful to their former club and hopefully down the road if possible they give back to that very club in some way.

MY old coach said his greatest accomplishment in soccer was when multiple players came back and started coaching others and started making a difference for other kids and the game at the youth level. I guess maybe it meant a little more back then since when I started there was no pay, so you truly were giving back.  I have always felt it would be a valuable lesson for players that get free rides in youth soccer through scholarship or say academy to give back by at least donating a week of time at a camp. No pay, but the simple joy of possibly inspiring the next great player. 

[sounderfan]

Match notes from Sounders Academy / Arsenal...plus Chris' photos!

http://www.examiner.com/soccer-in-seattle/sounders-academy-sweeps-arsenal-hosts-real-salt-lake-today

[sounderfan]

Sounders split with RSL AZ (photos):

http://www.examiner.com/soccer-in-seattle/sounders-academy-splits-with-rsl-arizona-photos

[juggles]

In over 20 years of watching youth soccer the U18 Real Salt Lake team was one of the best I have ever seen.

[jfk]

Just heard that the Academies are not allowed to have tryouts until the current season is over. So that means that the tryouts for state teams will be in a couple weeks and then in July there will be tryouts for the academies. Seems odd that you will have a team for a few months then the top players may leave to go to the Sounders Academy. It looks like Crossfire will have their boys high school age tryouts in Feb. and it says on their website that to be considered for their Academy team you need to go to that tryout. It seems to me that might give crossfire a bit of an advantage.

[Squash]

Just heard that the Academies are not allowed to have tryouts until the current season is over. So that means that the tryouts for state teams will be in a couple weeks and then in July there will be tryouts for the academies. Seems odd that you will have a team for a few months then the top players may leave to go to the Sounders Academy. It looks like Crossfire will have their boys high school age tryouts in Feb. and it says on their website that to be considered for their Academy team you need to go to that tryout. It seems to me that might give crossfire a bit of an advantage.

Seems to me they are being a bit dramatic by requiring you to go to both, and I think they are full of it. If a top player only goes to the Academy tryout are they going to turn that kid away? Not a chance.....which makes the statement more like a hostage demand than a legitimate rule. If in fact you have to go to both, then I don't want to see any players that don't on their roster LOL...of course I'm joking because saying that is a joke on their part. I think they will have a quality team regardless even if they resort to full of crap tactics to pen kids in early.

They only cheapen themselves by making such demands that in reality makes zero sense.

[Rock27]

Just heard that the Academies are not allowed to have tryouts until the current season is over. So that means that the tryouts for state teams will be in a couple weeks and then in July there will be tryouts for the academies. Seems odd that you will have a team for a few months then the top players may leave to go to the Sounders Academy. It looks like Crossfire will have their boys high school age tryouts in Feb. and it says on their website that to be considered for their Academy team you need to go to that tryout. It seems to me that might give crossfire a bit of an advantage.

It sort of messes up anyone trying to get on a team and has no desire to go to the academy.  Players are hanging onto spots only to leave and go to the academy in June.  This happened last year when 2 A players moved up to the academy team after March tryouts and made A team.  But it was good news for 2 B team players as they were invited up and have stayed with the A team.  Now it will be interesting to see what happens again this year.

[Old Dog]

In over 20 years of watching youth soccer the U18 Real Salt Lake team was one of the best I have ever seen.

Juggles,  can you believe it. We agree on something. LOL

Was a great team to watch play. The unselfish runs they made off the ball was in another class.

[juggles]

 

[Squash]

In over 20 years of watching youth soccer the U18 Real Salt Lake team was one of the best I have ever seen.

Juggles,  can you believe it. We agree on something. LOL

Was a great team to watch play. The unselfish runs they made off the ball was in another class.

Just curious where are they out of and is their draw of kids from sereno, cisco, and the other good boys clubs?

[El Matarife]

Squash,

I'm too lazy to do it right now, but Google RSL AZ Academy and you will find a bunch of  recent articles on them.  They are kind of the showpiece of the Academy right now because they run a full residency Academy unlike the other Academy teams.

[Old Dog]

Squash,

I'm too lazy to do it right now, but Google RSL AZ Academy and you will find a bunch of  recent articles on them.  They are kind of the showpiece of the Academy right now because they run a full residency Academy unlike the other Academy teams.

talking to a Parent from RSL the cost is $1000 per month for a full time resident and $750 a month for a commuter if my ears heard right.

[Old Dog]

Squash,

I'm too lazy to do it right now, but Google RSL AZ Academy and you will find a bunch of  recent articles on them.  They are kind of the showpiece of the Academy right now because they run a full residency Academy unlike the other Academy teams.

talking to a Parent from RSL the cost is $1000 per month for a full time resident and $750 a month for a commuter if my ears heard right.

Sorry to add more, this has caused problems in the MLS in regards to home grown status. The question they are kicking around now becuase of the RSL success is does a player have to live in the State or can you "import" them to a residency.

Don't know ifs this is true or not.

[EWSoccer64]

Squash,

I'm too lazy to do it right now, but Google RSL AZ Academy and you will find a bunch of  recent articles on them.  They are kind of the showpiece of the Academy right now because they run a full residency Academy unlike the other Academy teams.

talking to a Parent from RSL the cost is $1000 per month for a full time resident and $750 a month for a commuter if my ears heard right.

Sorry to add more, this has caused problems in the MLS in regards to home grown status. The question they are kicking around now becuase of the RSL success is does a player have to live in the State or can you "import" them to a residency.

Don't know ifs this is true or not.

Soccerwise, what RSL is reported to be doing makes alot of sense.   Importing players, fulltime residency, that will end up being more successful, turn out better products, than the other methods being used.   Of course, it takes money to do it.   Wonder if there is going to be conflict between RSL and Bradenton?

[Old Dog]

Squash,

I'm too lazy to do it right now, but Google RSL AZ Academy and you will find a bunch of  recent articles on them.  They are kind of the showpiece of the Academy right now because they run a full residency Academy unlike the other Academy teams.

talking to a Parent from RSL the cost is $1000 per month for a full time resident and $750 a month for a commuter if my ears heard right.

Sorry to add more, this has caused problems in the MLS in regards to home grown status. The question they are kicking around now becuase of the RSL success is does a player have to live in the State or can you "import" them to a residency.

Don't know ifs this is true or not.

Soccerwise, what RSL is reported to be doing makes alot of sense.   Importing players, fulltime residency, that will end up being more successful, turn out better products, than the other methods being used.   Of course, it takes money to do it.   Wonder if there is going to be conflict between RSL and Bradenton?

I have seen both play (Bradenton and RSL). I think RSL wins 2 out of 3 times.

Which in it self is funny because Bradenton is free.

[juggles]

Squash,

I'm too lazy to do it right now, but Google RSL AZ Academy and you will find a bunch of  recent articles on them.  They are kind of the showpiece of the Academy right now because they run a full residency Academy unlike the other Academy teams.

talking to a Parent from RSL the cost is $1000 per month for a full time resident and $750 a month for a commuter if my ears heard right.

  The cost you heard is correct. The facility is the old one used by the San Francisco Giants for spring training. The old baseball field was turned into a soccer field and the resident players live in an old hotel and attend Casa Grande high school. there are plans to have a school program on site at some point in the future. They draw their players from Arizona,Utah,New Mexico,and Nevada. There may also be some Texas kids too. There appear to be a number of foreign born kids as well. My guess is that this is the future of how all the MLS youth programs will be run in the future with the parent teams signing their youth players to contracts.

[ThiKuBC]

Whitecaps already run a program like this and have done-so for years. You can look at their MLS roster, loaned-out players, and recent sales (Straith and Gage) to see how effective it is to have programs like this. The other MLS clubs are catching-up now that it is "worthwhile". The Caps could do it without issue as part of USL and then NASL.

[juggles]

Squash,

I'm too lazy to do it right now, but Google RSL AZ Academy and you will find a bunch of  recent articles on them.  They are kind of the showpiece of the Academy right now because they run a full residency Academy unlike the other Academy teams.

talking to a Parent from RSL the cost is $1000 per month for a full time resident and $750 a month for a commuter if my ears heard right.

Sorry to add more, this has caused problems in the MLS in regards to home grown status. The question they are kicking around now becuase of the RSL success is does a player have to live in the State or can you "import" them to a residency.

Don't know ifs this is true or not.

Soccerwise, what RSL is reported to be doing makes alot of sense.   Importing players, fulltime residency, that will end up being more successful, turn out better products, than the other methods being used.   Of course, it takes money to do it.   Wonder if there is going to be conflict between RSL and Bradenton?

 This program is totally different from the one in Bradenton in that the Florida program is for the U17 National team pool only so there would be no conflict .In theory the Bradenton program SHOULD have the BEST U17 players in the country but I am sure that it is certainly not always the case.

[juggles]

Whitecaps already run a program like this and have done-so for years. You can look at their MLS roster, loaned-out players, and recent sales (Straith and Gage) to see how effective it is to have programs like this. The other MLS clubs are catching-up now that it is "worthwhile". The Caps could do it without issue as part of USL and then NASL.

  However,isn't their academy a mixture of ages? I know when the U18 Sounders academy team played them in Bellingham the Whitecaps had players who were 19 and 20 years old;some of whom have played professionally in other countries.

[ThiKuBC]

The residency maxes out at about 20 years of age. Here is a link to their current roster: http://club.whitecapsfc.com/pdl/roster/default.aspx

You can see a couple listed as '91 and one listed as '89. I don't know what their pro careers may have included or not. I don't know which ones played v. Sounders Academy.

Yes, some of these guys have had time with the Whitecaps first team in NASL and USL.

They will be developing u14, u16, u18 for USSDA if/when granted a spot in the league and if u14 is added to USSDA. The BC Premier League would be the feeder for the USSDA teams except for situations when/if kids moved here I suppose.

[EWSoccer64]

>>>>Soccerwise, what RSL is reported to be doing makes alot of sense.   Importing players, fulltime residency, that will end up being more successful, turn out better products, than the other methods being used.   Of course, it takes money to do it.   Wonder if there is going to be conflict between RSL and Bradenton?

 This program is totally different from the one in Bradenton in that the Florida program is for the U17 National team pool only so there would be no conflict .In theory the Bradenton program SHOULD have the BEST U17 players in the country but I am sure that it is certainly not always the case.<<<<

Not so different as all that, Juggles.  Both are full time, residency soccer players for youth.  With schooling.   Yes, the Bradenton program is for the U-17s on the National team roster.   However, what if some of the kids at RCL type MLS Academies are selected?   One would think that - at least eventually - these academies would be a major source of youth national team players.   Would the clubs release their players to Bradenton?   Would these academies make Bradenton redundant?

[bastante]

What about the 'older' kids? The college players?

I understand that NCAA rules forbid these teams to practice/train as a team in the off season (they can get together for a recruit session). But it is my understanding up to six can be together/train anytime they want. So, theoretically, you could have any small mix of players  train together strategically throughout the year if they want...and do.

If this were optimized, one would expect greater improvement from these players annually, especially since they often live in the same proximity the whole year.

Thoughts?

[Shuksan]

Good article today on growing rift between MLS and non-MLS Academies:

(including Sawatzky quotes!)

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/2617/youth-soccer/2011/02/18/2358431/en-route-mls-academies-distance-themselves-from-the-pack

[juggles]

>>>>Soccerwise, what RSL is reported to be doing makes alot of sense.   Importing players, fulltime residency, that will end up being more successful, turn out better products, than the other methods being used.   Of course, it takes money to do it.   Wonder if there is going to be conflict between RSL and Bradenton?

 This program is totally different from the one in Bradenton in that the Florida program is for the U17 National team pool only so there would be no conflict .In theory the Bradenton program SHOULD have the BEST U17 players in the country but I am sure that it is certainly not always the case.<<<<

Not so different as all that, Juggles.  Both are full time, residency soccer players for youth.  With schooling.   Yes, the Bradenton program is for the U-17s on the National team roster.   However, what if some of the kids at RCL type MLS Academies are selected?   One would think that - at least eventually - these academies would be a major source of youth national team players.   Would the clubs release their players to Bradenton?   Would these academies make Bradenton redundant?

   I would suspect that in the future you are absolutely correct about the MLS academies making Bradenton obsolete. I was contrasting what the present situation is.

[EWSoccer64]

Good article today on growing rift between MLS and non-MLS Academies:

(including Sawatzky quotes!)

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/2617/youth-soccer/2011/02/18/2358431/en-route-mls-academies-distance-themselves-from-the-pack

That was indeed an interesting article.   I suspect that there is not going to be more than a handful - max of five - academies that can close the gap with the MLS academies.  Instead, the gap is going to widen.   Taking a look at the signings, it seems as if a dozen "home grown" players have been given contracts n the recent week.       
   Once the first academy graduate is sold to a European team for seven figures, the rush will be on for full time residency academies as well as junior partner satellite clubs.  It will be interesting to see when and how the fighting starts over a player leaving one academy to join another.  Also the issue of college eligibility is going to raise its head.   And then there will be labor laws, corporate claims to minors under 18, and kids jumping from an academy to go to Europe before they turn 18.  It will be interesting times!

  Right now, it seems like everyone is going one year at atime, and there is no real plan for the future.

[coldnwet]

I am not so sure the current results show what the article was saying.... with these results in mind, it would seem that the MLS clubsare trying to give a false, if not total lie as to how the other clubs are doing... let's look at the 18's.... this is the group that would gravitate towards the MLS clubs.....

http://ussda.demosphere.com/Standings/2010-2011/27484530.html

Sure there are soem clubs that have trouble but if you look at the scores there are a lot of tight divisions.

Speaking of that, someone should ask "King Sawatzky" what happened this year? The crossfire teams who lost a good crop of kids to the Sounders still managed to play them close in both age groups. I do not recall the scores, but easily looked up.

What I dislike more than bad coaches is coaches that try to take opportunity away from kids.

The odds of any kid actually playing )or starting) on the Soundersfrom the local area isnot very good. Plus, you would only last a few years until the next kid comes along. Sounders better than college? Hardly... and any coach that feeds you that line should be removed.

[Squash]

Results are not the full picture regardless of MLS or club. The Academy teams are expensive to operate and at a cost that can effect a club and the majority of it's players for what? Oh that's right a very small minority who would be playing in college anyways.

I agree that it's false hope to think any will play pro, you may get one out of 100 and that's not what you sell a program on or being about. All the kids should be thinking college in the end.