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[Squash]

I'll just chime in and say, I don't agree with the guy. Some things he says are valid, but splitting 2 million amonst the MLS teams or doing something like that would mean very little to US soccer. Just my opinion of course.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=344957&root=us&cc=5901

[Sitting Bull]

My 2 cents worth; If we lose this option for our youth players, we leave an enormous hole in US Soccer and our road to the world soccer elite.

[Big Youth]

I'm not a Paul Gardner fan, but I think he probably is correct.

The problem isn't that the program chooses undeserving players, and whether the money would have a lot of impact spread out to MLS clubs isn't the correct point of analysis (although Gardner invites that approach).  The problem is that we are spending money and time helping too small of a group of players.  Choosing the right players at ages 15 and 16 is difficult at best, and a gamble in many cases.  Moreover, boys mature at different rates and many picked are overtaken between the ages of 17 and 21 by players not picked, despite the training advantages of the picked players.

The problem is that the residency program is a haven for misapplication of resources, misplaced pride and, given the emphasis, unimpressive results.

[Squash]

I'm not a Paul Gardner fan, but I think he probably is correct.

The problem isn't that the program chooses undeserving players, and whether the money would have a lot of impact spread out to MLS clubs isn't the correct point of analysis (although Gardner invites that approach).  The problem is that we are spending money and time helping too small of a group of players.  Choosing the right players at ages 15 and 16 is difficult at best, and a gamble in many cases.  Moreover, boys mature at different rates and many picked are overtaken between the ages of 17 and 21 by players not picked, despite the training advantages of the picked players.

The problem is that the residency program is a haven for misapplication of resources, misplaced pride and, given the emphasis, unimpressive results.

Actually the results have been impressive in some ways. Many of the past residency players are doing really well in soccer. Some on the full time national team and some will be in 2010. Some in college and some in MLS.

People would like to see our players in europe more often, but rules limit younger players abilities to go to europe until they are 18 in many cases.

There is no perfect system, but thinking MLS could do a better job is foolish. Most of those teams can't even make money, let alone play great soccer. You'd be lining the pockets of people who don't need it. MLS should have academies anyways, without help from US Soccer.

Oh and as for looking at too small of the group. At all levels things get widdled down, and maybe there are some incorrect choices from time to time, but I'll take that over some system that invites 3000 and really only has 40 deserving that chance.

[Big Youth]

Sure, there are successes.  We just disagree as to whether the ratio of successes to washouts justify the money and focus.  As is the case with ODP generally, there isn't a lot of demotion out of the program.  To me, that suggests a certain laziness that infects our national soccer staff generally.

I'm not saying that the MLS currently has a structure that picks up the slack, and I'm not necessarily agreeing with Gardner's suggestions with respect to the MLS.  I'm only agreeing with Gardner to the extent that he finds the current program to be flawed.

[Squash]

Sure, there are successes.  We just disagree as to whether the ratio of successes to washouts justify the money and focus.  As is the case with ODP generally, there isn't a lot of demotion out of the program.  To me, that suggests a certain laziness that infects our national soccer staff generally.

I'm not saying that the MLS currently has a structure that picks up the slack, and I'm not necessarily agreeing with Gardner's suggestions with respect to the MLS.  I'm only agreeing with Gardner to the extent that he finds the current program to be flawed.

I'd agree it has flaws, in fact I know for a "FACT" forwards rarely work on shooting. So maybe in some cases it isn't hte players chosen as much as the training they receive.

I found it stunning to hear they rarely work on the apsects of positions or more accurately stated things that certain positions need to excel at. Kind of scary.

Plus before residency, we basically had nothing. I'll take something over nothing. Not perfect as you say and I agree, but better than nothing. :mrgreen:

[vms]

Granted the US is still in its adolescence relative to the world of futbol, but we are a land of 295M  which is only slightly smaller than the combined populations of Brazil (186M), Mexico (106M) and Netherlands (16M!!!!)What model is used in those countries? We should try to duplicate it. I think we are still not very good at developing the BEST players ...yet

[inthenet]

Very good article.... thanks.  I strongly agree with the article.  Every MLS team should have a youth development team.  Emphasis on ODP has always been strength, speed and lastly skill... with no emphasis on KNOWLEDGE of the game.  How many ODP kids say, "wow, I sure learned a lot today"??  Pro development youth teams would be awesome!  It would also attract the more disadvantaged athlete that chooses another sport over soccer, due to costs.

[redcard]

Please remember that there is no incentive for an MLS team to produce youth players.  Under the MLS structure all players belong to the MLS not the individual teams.  There would have to be a structural change in the way the MSL deals with its players.  

Remember that this structure was put into place because, among other things, the MLS did not want its teams bidding up player salaries.  All in all, I think it is a logical step for the professional clubs to develop serious youth players,but the facts remain that, between college and the MLS, the system has several hurddles to overcome to achieve that kind of system.

[know nothing]

Interesting that the only team I know that has any kind of youth training program in the northwest is a team from England using the Starfire facility.  Not really a youth development program in the same sense that you are talking about, but it is a start.  I also agree with whoever said it that MLS farm programs may be a way to get kids unable to participate in pay-to-play training involved in the game.  Interesting thread on another forum partially blamming uncommited rich girls for the high washout rate in the college ranks.

[Squash]

Interesting that the only team I know that has any kind of youth training program in the northwest is a team from England using the Starfire facility.  Not really a youth development program in the same sense that you are talking about, but it is a start.  I also agree with whoever said it that MLS farm programs may be a way to get kids unable to participate in pay-to-play training involved in the game.  Interesting thread on another forum partially blamming uncommited rich girls for the high washout rate in the college ranks.

Know Nothing you can say gotsoccer here...  I found the thread interesting as well.  :mrgreen: