DC United Academy - aa strong academy or not

[Anonymous]

I know what I'm talking about and am super confident in that. Do you?

You sound like a person who needs to go for a nature retreat.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Also my first day posting here. And I can tell you that one of the players on Arlington U19 that kicked the crap out of DCU this weekend was actually on DCU until this year. He could not longer pretend that DCU was making him a better player. Looks like he made a wise move.

U18 onwards is time to perform

Looking for youth development at U19 you missed the boat

In November Alexandria U19s beat Philly Union. So let's also say Philly Union is crap based on the lack of football knowledge and logic in this gossip forum

Right, because the development pathway for a youth footballer ceases to exist when they are 17 years old????? What a complete joke. Shows how little you know about development of footballers and how much parents believe these false narratives about the player pathway. Why most European clubs have a U19 AND a second team (u21 or u23) to continue to nurture the talent because they all develop at different rates. DCU has neither of these opportunities for the players because they don't actually care about developing pros in the academy. The academy is the cost of doing business in the MLS and if a player does happen to surface from the academy they certainly leverage that. They don't put everything they have into building players and selling them. Just isn't the focus.

Wrong again lol. DC has a U19 and a U23.

Great. And DCU still can't develop them.

lol how about you tell me what your definition of “develop” is? Especially for a U23? If by U23 you need development and aren’t standing out, then you are probably one of the people who didn’t know there was a U23 team because you weren’t offered the spot to move on in the club. Will they all get contracts? No. That’s not how professional soccer works. Some will do MLS Next Pro when it’s available. Some will play USL Championship or USL 1. Some will finish great college careers and move on. That’s the reality of any professional sport.

My view is that development of a footballer never ends until they are done playing. Even the best of pros are still developing and getting better. And many change clubs to further themselves and their careers. Why someone like Jamie Vardy for example could get to the Premier League from the 4th and 5th division at 25. It comes down to the learning environment you're in and how that environment impacts your progression as a player. DCU's learning environment and methodology is not strong in any of the ages really and there is no focus or accountability for the kids improving. When you have accountability and a systematic way of measuring how the kids are progressing individually as players then you're in an environment that is more focused on your development. Without that, you're just out there practicing and playing with no real north star for how, why and by what means you should be getting better. This is DCU in a nutshell. At u14 or at the oldest age. Playing and practicing but no real focus on how to make each kid better and closer to a professional. They all need different things but are treated pretty much the same. At U23 you're right, some decisions need to be made about the best path if you're not first team material. But after U19 we are talking more about pro soccer than academy soccer. Different calculations.

I will agree with your first sentence and that’s about it. Every player continues to learn throughout their career. But at some point, the responsibility transfers from the club to the player. The club can provide resources and opportunities but the player has to put the work in to improve. Talking more about the older players. DCU has the focus you speak of for the younger players and they are developing them tactically, technically, and the soccer iq. The coaching staff is being held accountable. Not that anyone will consider that is why ppl are or have left. They aren’t going to lower the level of expectations because not all scouted players can continue to the next level. That’s the reality of playing for a MLS academy. It’s meant to develop the talent for the first team. It’s still a business. It’s a significant investment. So it’s a delicate balance of business and development but they are developing.

I definitely agree with the notion of responsibility transferring to the player at some point. That is a well stated point. Especially at the older ages. The older teams aren't focusing on skill development more on how to actually assemble the teams and deploy them to win the games. So we are in agreement there for sure.

Where I disagree is when you say DCU has the focus. I just don't see that and haven't experienced that. Maybe you have. If you have, definitely tell us how and in what ways they have this focus. Hiring a new doc is a step in the right direction but there isn't much else going on.

I greatly respect the tone and politeness in your message actually and it also seems like you are reasonable unlike some others on this thread. But, how are you drawing the conclusion that DCU is in fact developing players?

We know it's a business. But if selling players is their business, they are really bad at it.

I understand that not everyone has had the same experience and there is a number of reasons why that may occur, but I do want to share that not everyone is having a negative experience with the club. Good players are now transitioning into a great player because of the time, coaching and resources DC has provided. The quality of play they experience when playing MLS vs MLS is much more competitive and quicker than the ECNL that many were playing in even if some see the record as an issue. The teams have consistently been competitive in play and for staff looking at pro potential, that is sometimes more important than the outcome although none of them want to lose or tie obviously. I have seen a variety of experiences with coaching staff- mostly positive. But even the negative was still a positive learning experience for the players and the rest have been exceptional. The current staff are great coaches that are pushing these kids to the next level and challenging them. The quality of training and play is what I expect for this level. The expectation is that you have the foundational skills already developed and they continue to practice them. The focus is more on the mental aspect of the game at this point and developing that more. The opportunities that have come include national team exposure (attending trainings and games regularly) and D1 colleges showing interest (attending trainings and games regularly) and something many weren't getting at that frequency or level while in the ECNL. The current first team staff involvement with the academy has been increased significantly since Rooney has left. The GM has been very involved, accessible, and visible which was not the case previously. They are using the first team training and format in their trainings at the academy level for consistency and ease of transition. They invite players to the first team trainings often. The addition of the schooling, and then movement to it for no additional cost to families for multiple age groups is a huge improvement and allows player extra time on the field and in the gym which was previously limited due to facility constraints and school commitments. This is a major step that was keeping them behind other MLS Academies who had their kids together training together all day and bonding off the field constantly. That access matters when you were only getting the boys together for a 2-hour training 3-4 times a week. So, while some count VA Revolution facilities against them, I see it as a smart use of resources that provided access to school facilities/gym/fields at a fraction of what Loudoun United charges for Segra and it resolved the accessibility issue at IPC for the gym and fields since the first team, Spirit, and DC Power are all housed in that facility and share resources. They still train and play at Segra in the evenings for the majority of the age groups. Is there more work to be done? Absolutely but they are a good club with movement to becoming a great club. I think people forget that up until relatively recently (compared to other MLS academies) DC United was previously a pay to play set up. Once they moved to the new structure, they have continued to increase investment and build each year but that requires money and time. There are financial constraints that prevent it from being done all at once because that would be a crazy expense and unrealistic for any team. When you look at the progression, they continue to improve and invest. I just think many don't consider all of these steps as a big picture of what they are building.

I appreciate this view and you taking the time to send it. And I don't disagree with you that DCU is moving forward. But they have a long way to go. I am very well versed in DCUs history as a club and an academy. And saw the pay to play days. Are they better than that? Yes. Are they at Philly Union? No. There is no question about that. What you've outlined is the basics of running a credible academy. I don't give them much credit for that. If they didn't do these things then what are they doing? I think DCU does the bare minimum to stay credible in the competitive landscape. Are some experiences positive? Of course and I don't doubt that. I just doubt whether the system they have in place can consistently produce pro players. Maybe they are years from that. If so, that also means right now, they are years from that.

Thanks for a reasonable discussion. I understand your stance. Sounds like we see the same thing but disagree on how we view it as far as positive/negative which is ok. I just took issue with a lot of the half truths or factually incorrect information I saw being shared here that I didn't think was fair to DCU or the players. Having a conversation about club structure and investment is very different than jumping on a forum and saying "They suck so bad because I said so." and then digging in your heals when someone points out the inaccuracy or lack of proof in what is being said.

I hear you and agree. We are maybe glass half full vs glass half empty. Which is ok like you said.

My view is club structure and investment is why the academy is falling behind and performing poorly compared to others.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Also my first day posting here. And I can tell you that one of the players on Arlington U19 that kicked the crap out of DCU this weekend was actually on DCU until this year. He could not longer pretend that DCU was making him a better player. Looks like he made a wise move.

U18 onwards is time to perform

Looking for youth development at U19 you missed the boat

In November Alexandria U19s beat Philly Union. So let's also say Philly Union is crap based on the lack of football knowledge and logic in this gossip forum

Right, because the development pathway for a youth footballer ceases to exist when they are 17 years old????? What a complete joke. Shows how little you know about development of footballers and how much parents believe these false narratives about the player pathway. Why most European clubs have a U19 AND a second team (u21 or u23) to continue to nurture the talent because they all develop at different rates. DCU has neither of these opportunities for the players because they don't actually care about developing pros in the academy. The academy is the cost of doing business in the MLS and if a player does happen to surface from the academy they certainly leverage that. They don't put everything they have into building players and selling them. Just isn't the focus.

Where did anyone say pathway stops at U17?
The statement was that Performance Stage begins at U18

At U18 onwards, you are expected to be able to be inserted into a Senior Team squad and Perform. Hence Performance Stage.

The Senior Staff aren't taking a U19 player from the academy who is in Development stage (learning basics and how to execute consistently)

When you talk about people not knowing this and not knowing that about academy level soccer, you better know who you're talking to.
Your ignorance can fly with some, not with all.

Right just like the first team at Barca didn't take Lamine Yamal when he was on u19s. Just like union didn't take cavan Sullivan for first and second team at 15. Good call.

Your post contradicts itself. U18 onwards you're expected to be able to insert into first team. But no senior staff are taking u19s?

You said u18 on are in performance stage (which I agree with). Next sentence you say they are in development phase.

I know what I'm talking about and am super confident in that. Do you?

What the hell are you babbling about.

I clearly said the Senior Staff isn't taking a U19 who is in Development stage.
They are only taking one who can Perform.

There is no place I said U18 is Development stage, because I'm the first person to introduce the fact in this thread that they are not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also my first day posting here. And I can tell you that one of the players on Arlington U19 that kicked the crap out of DCU this weekend was actually on DCU until this year. He could not longer pretend that DCU was making him a better player. Looks like he made a wise move.

U18 onwards is time to perform

Looking for youth development at U19 you missed the boat

In November Alexandria U19s beat Philly Union. So let's also say Philly Union is crap based on the lack of football knowledge and logic in this gossip forum

OK, I am fine with that. Most of the MLS academies are nothing but talent brokers. They recruit a bunch of already skilled players and hope to sell 1 out of 100 to legitimate teams overseas.

I tend to agree with this. Although there are a few academies that are decent developers of talent. Not great, but decent. DCU is absolutely not one of them.

Yes, they are all about winning.

That's why the stronger players in each age group train with and play with older age groups.
No development happening there.

Playing up does not equal development If you're not impacting the game playing up the same way you would be doing on age then playing up is much less beneficial. Barely hanging on playing up is a move backwards not forwards.

No development is happening at DCU, that is absolutely correct.

Then tell us the exact steps dcua should be doing with them for their development that's not being done.

Be very precise when laying it out.

Since training with older age groups and playing against older competition (which is a development philosophy in every top academy in the world) is a negative thing at dcua.

That's DCUs job not mine. Training in older ages is a great tool when used correctly. DCU just doesn't use that tool correctly. They often play kids up that are physically developed and who are also not absolutely dominating on age. Meaning there is a lot they can still learn playing on age about how to actually play. Instead they have them rely on their size to get by instead of their technical ability and smarts. It's a balance and that balance is usually not well maintained at DCU. The product of that is a mindset that physical dominance is the way to play. When that runs out, the players struggle. You start to see this at u15 and u16. And it carries to older ages. It's a hard balance to strike and it takes some real strategy and thinking around player management and progression. Something that I don't see at DCU. Of course playing up can be helpful the decision just needs to be made strategically along many dimensions not just you're big enough and fast enough to play up, go ahead.

So to be clear, you feel they lack player development because you think they pull kids up based on size and not skill? Your suggestion is that they keep players at their age level where they bulldoze smaller kids over and aren't challenged to improve or highlight their technical side? You are right, once they are pulled up, it is exposed who has technical skills vs. who is just a big kid. For the right kids, the move will force them to either improve their technical side and adapt. For the others, it reveals they aren't technically where they should be to play academy. I'm not sure that is a bad thing. In MLS soccer it is like everything else, those who have the natural abilities and can adapt go to the next level. There are a lot of smaller players who have ridiculous technical skills but struggle with the physical side because of their size. That eventually all works itself out which is why you hear less about them. The physical/muscular structure eventually finds itself on some kind of level playing ground even if there are different heights. The bigger players who dominate physically but aren't technically strong are exposed. That's the nature of the game no matter where you play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC has 3 16 yr olds down in Florida for pre season with the first team from the U18 team, if your kid is good that’s what happens, if not you’re on a forum bragging about your kid playing at Arlington

So what? Again, DCUs way of trying to show development when no development is actually happening. Those three show up on the first team or get sold, then we can talk. Until then, all DCU facade of development.

What a desperate pitiful litte person you are.
No matter what the academy is doing, you say it's not a development tool, because it's dcua.
But if Philly Union did the same exact thing, you sing their praises like a 9 year old girl cheering for Taylor Swift.

Loser

HAHA!! You're done...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also my first day posting here. And I can tell you that one of the players on Arlington U19 that kicked the crap out of DCU this weekend was actually on DCU until this year. He could not longer pretend that DCU was making him a better player. Looks like he made a wise move.

U18 onwards is time to perform

Looking for youth development at U19 you missed the boat

In November Alexandria U19s beat Philly Union. So let's also say Philly Union is crap based on the lack of football knowledge and logic in this gossip forum

OK, I am fine with that. Most of the MLS academies are nothing but talent brokers. They recruit a bunch of already skilled players and hope to sell 1 out of 100 to legitimate teams overseas.

I tend to agree with this. Although there are a few academies that are decent developers of talent. Not great, but decent. DCU is absolutely not one of them.

Yes, they are all about winning.

That's why the stronger players in each age group train with and play with older age groups.
No development happening there.

Playing up does not equal development If you're not impacting the game playing up the same way you would be doing on age then playing up is much less beneficial. Barely hanging on playing up is a move backwards not forwards.

No development is happening at DCU, that is absolutely correct.

Then tell us the exact steps dcua should be doing with them for their development that's not being done.

Be very precise when laying it out.

Since training with older age groups and playing against older competition (which is a development philosophy in every top academy in the world) is a negative thing at dcua.

That's DCUs job not mine. Training in older ages is a great tool when used correctly. DCU just doesn't use that tool correctly. They often play kids up that are physically developed and who are also not absolutely dominating on age. Meaning there is a lot they can still learn playing on age about how to actually play. Instead they have them rely on their size to get by instead of their technical ability and smarts. It's a balance and that balance is usually not well maintained at DCU. The product of that is a mindset that physical dominance is the way to play. When that runs out, the players struggle. You start to see this at u15 and u16. And it carries to older ages. It's a hard balance to strike and it takes some real strategy and thinking around player management and progression. Something that I don't see at DCU. Of course playing up can be helpful the decision just needs to be made strategically along many dimensions not just you're big enough and fast enough to play up, go ahead.

So wait, you can contradict anything and everything dcua does as not being done for development, but You can't say what they should be doing that they're not doing?

Then you sir are a Bigger Fraud than we first thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also my first day posting here. And I can tell you that one of the players on Arlington U19 that kicked the crap out of DCU this weekend was actually on DCU until this year. He could not longer pretend that DCU was making him a better player. Looks like he made a wise move.

U18 onwards is time to perform

Looking for youth development at U19 you missed the boat

In November Alexandria U19s beat Philly Union. So let's also say Philly Union is crap based on the lack of football knowledge and logic in this gossip forum

Right, because the development pathway for a youth footballer ceases to exist when they are 17 years old????? What a complete joke. Shows how little you know about development of footballers and how much parents believe these false narratives about the player pathway. Why most European clubs have a U19 AND a second team (u21 or u23) to continue to nurture the talent because they all develop at different rates. DCU has neither of these opportunities for the players because they don't actually care about developing pros in the academy. The academy is the cost of doing business in the MLS and if a player does happen to surface from the academy they certainly leverage that. They don't put everything they have into building players and selling them. Just isn't the focus.

Where did anyone say pathway stops at U17?
The statement was that Performance Stage begins at U18

At U18 onwards, you are expected to be able to be inserted into a Senior Team squad and Perform. Hence Performance Stage.

The Senior Staff aren't taking a U19 player from the academy who is in Development stage (learning basics and how to execute consistently)

When you talk about people not knowing this and not knowing that about academy level soccer, you better know who you're talking to.
Your ignorance can fly with some, not with all.

Right just like the first team at Barca didn't take Lamine Yamal when he was on u19s. Just like union didn't take cavan Sullivan for first and second team at 15. Good call.

Your post contradicts itself. U18 onwards you're expected to be able to insert into first team. But no senior staff are taking u19s?

You said u18 on are in performance stage (which I agree with). Next sentence you say they are in development phase.

I know what I'm talking about and am super confident in that. Do you?

What the hell are you babbling about.

I clearly said the Senior Staff isn't taking a U19 who is in Development stage.
They are only taking one who can Perform.

There is no place I said U18 is Development stage, because I'm the first person to introduce the fact in this thread that they are not.

And why is this relevant?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also my first day posting here. And I can tell you that one of the players on Arlington U19 that kicked the crap out of DCU this weekend was actually on DCU until this year. He could not longer pretend that DCU was making him a better player. Looks like he made a wise move.

U18 onwards is time to perform

Looking for youth development at U19 you missed the boat

In November Alexandria U19s beat Philly Union. So let's also say Philly Union is crap based on the lack of football knowledge and logic in this gossip forum

Right, because the development pathway for a youth footballer ceases to exist when they are 17 years old????? What a complete joke. Shows how little you know about development of footballers and how much parents believe these false narratives about the player pathway. Why most European clubs have a U19 AND a second team (u21 or u23) to continue to nurture the talent because they all develop at different rates. DCU has neither of these opportunities for the players because they don't actually care about developing pros in the academy. The academy is the cost of doing business in the MLS and if a player does happen to surface from the academy they certainly leverage that. They don't put everything they have into building players and selling them. Just isn't the focus.

Wrong again lol. DC has a U19 and a U23.

Great. And DCU still can't develop them.

lol how about you tell me what your definition of “develop” is? Especially for a U23? If by U23 you need development and aren’t standing out, then you are probably one of the people who didn’t know there was a U23 team because you weren’t offered the spot to move on in the club. Will they all get contracts? No. That’s not how professional soccer works. Some will do MLS Next Pro when it’s available. Some will play USL Championship or USL 1. Some will finish great college careers and move on. That’s the reality of any professional sport.

My view is that development of a footballer never ends until they are done playing. Even the best of pros are still developing and getting better. And many change clubs to further themselves and their careers. Why someone like Jamie Vardy for example could get to the Premier League from the 4th and 5th division at 25. It comes down to the learning environment you're in and how that environment impacts your progression as a player. DCU's learning environment and methodology is not strong in any of the ages really and there is no focus or accountability for the kids improving. When you have accountability and a systematic way of measuring how the kids are progressing individually as players then you're in an environment that is more focused on your development. Without that, you're just out there practicing and playing with no real north star for how, why and by what means you should be getting better. This is DCU in a nutshell. At u14 or at the oldest age. Playing and practicing but no real focus on how to make each kid better and closer to a professional. They all need different things but are treated pretty much the same. At U23 you're right, some decisions need to be made about the best path if you're not first team material. But after U19 we are talking more about pro soccer than academy soccer. Different calculations.

I will agree with your first sentence and that’s about it. Every player continues to learn throughout their career. But at some point, the responsibility transfers from the club to the player. The club can provide resources and opportunities but the player has to put the work in to improve. Talking more about the older players. DCU has the focus you speak of for the younger players and they are developing them tactically, technically, and the soccer iq. The coaching staff is being held accountable. Not that anyone will consider that is why ppl are or have left. They aren’t going to lower the level of expectations because not all scouted players can continue to the next level. That’s the reality of playing for a MLS academy. It’s meant to develop the talent for the first team. It’s still a business. It’s a significant investment. So it’s a delicate balance of business and development but they are developing.

I definitely agree with the notion of responsibility transferring to the player at some point. That is a well stated point. Especially at the older ages. The older teams aren't focusing on skill development more on how to actually assemble the teams and deploy them to win the games. So we are in agreement there for sure.

Where I disagree is when you say DCU has the focus. I just don't see that and haven't experienced that. Maybe you have. If you have, definitely tell us how and in what ways they have this focus. Hiring a new doc is a step in the right direction but there isn't much else going on.

I greatly respect the tone and politeness in your message actually and it also seems like you are reasonable unlike some others on this thread. But, how are you drawing the conclusion that DCU is in fact developing players?

We know it's a business. But if selling players is their business, they are really bad at it.

I understand that not everyone has had the same experience and there is a number of reasons why that may occur, but I do want to share that not everyone is having a negative experience with the club. Good players are now transitioning into a great player because of the time, coaching and resources DC has provided. The quality of play they experience when playing MLS vs MLS is much more competitive and quicker than the ECNL that many were playing in even if some see the record as an issue. The teams have consistently been competitive in play and for staff looking at pro potential, that is sometimes more important than the outcome although none of them want to lose or tie obviously. I have seen a variety of experiences with coaching staff- mostly positive. But even the negative was still a positive learning experience for the players and the rest have been exceptional. The current staff are great coaches that are pushing these kids to the next level and challenging them. The quality of training and play is what I expect for this level. The expectation is that you have the foundational skills already developed and they continue to practice them. The focus is more on the mental aspect of the game at this point and developing that more. The opportunities that have come include national team exposure (attending trainings and games regularly) and D1 colleges showing interest (attending trainings and games regularly) and something many weren't getting at that frequency or level while in the ECNL. The current first team staff involvement with the academy has been increased significantly since Rooney has left. The GM has been very involved, accessible, and visible which was not the case previously. They are using the first team training and format in their trainings at the academy level for consistency and ease of transition. They invite players to the first team trainings often. The addition of the schooling, and then movement to it for no additional cost to families for multiple age groups is a huge improvement and allows player extra time on the field and in the gym which was previously limited due to facility constraints and school commitments. This is a major step that was keeping them behind other MLS Academies who had their kids together training together all day and bonding off the field constantly. That access matters when you were only getting the boys together for a 2-hour training 3-4 times a week. So, while some count VA Revolution facilities against them, I see it as a smart use of resources that provided access to school facilities/gym/fields at a fraction of what Loudoun United charges for Segra and it resolved the accessibility issue at IPC for the gym and fields since the first team, Spirit, and DC Power are all housed in that facility and share resources. They still train and play at Segra in the evenings for the majority of the age groups. Is there more work to be done? Absolutely but they are a good club with movement to becoming a great club. I think people forget that up until relatively recently (compared to other MLS academies) DC United was previously a pay to play set up. Once they moved to the new structure, they have continued to increase investment and build each year but that requires money and time. There are financial constraints that prevent it from being done all at once because that would be a crazy expense and unrealistic for any team. When you look at the progression, they continue to improve and invest. I just think many don't consider all of these steps as a big picture of what they are building.

I appreciate this view and you taking the time to send it. And I don't disagree with you that DCU is moving forward. But they have a long way to go. I am very well versed in DCUs history as a club and an academy. And saw the pay to play days. Are they better than that? Yes. Are they at Philly Union? No. There is no question about that. What you've outlined is the basics of running a credible academy. I don't give them much credit for that. If they didn't do these things then what are they doing? I think DCU does the bare minimum to stay credible in the competitive landscape. Are some experiences positive? Of course and I don't doubt that. I just doubt whether the system they have in place can consistently produce pro players. Maybe they are years from that. If so, that also means right now, they are years from that.

Thanks for a reasonable discussion. I understand your stance. Sounds like we see the same thing but disagree on how we view it as far as positive/negative which is ok. I just took issue with a lot of the half truths or factually incorrect information I saw being shared here that I didn't think was fair to DCU or the players. Having a conversation about club structure and investment is very different than jumping on a forum and saying "They suck so bad because I said so." and then digging in your heals when someone points out the inaccuracy or lack of proof in what is being said.

I hear you and agree. We are maybe glass half full vs glass half empty. Which is ok like you said.

My view is club structure and investment is why the academy is falling behind and performing poorly compared to others.

Please detail exactly and precisely where and what the club structure flaws are in comparison to All the other MLS clubs.
(So we can understand the differences you know)

Please detail how much and where exactly dcu investment is going towards the academy. Then show that of the other academies.
Then show a direct correlation between successful investment to academies performance.

Since you say they are performing poorly, please provide the measuring points you're using with them against the other 30 academies.

You may be telling the truth, but without any measurements, data, performance indicators, its all your views and opinions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC has 3 16 yr olds down in Florida for pre season with the first team from the U18 team, if your kid is good that’s what happens, if not you’re on a forum bragging about your kid playing at Arlington

So what? Again, DCUs way of trying to show development when no development is actually happening. Those three show up on the first team or get sold, then we can talk. Until then, all DCU facade of development.

Oh right. Cool. Give me your kids name and I’ll see if he’s there. No? Was he at a national team camp and had to miss and that’s why? Also no? So multiple DC kids on a better pathway to pro and national play than most but hey, Arlington won a scrimmage game used for season prep. Good job.

I don't care about Arlington winning a game against a younger DCU squad. That is irrelevant. What matters is the development of the kids. DCU has proven, over and over again, that it can't develop talent consistently. It can't even keep it's leadership or coaches because the entire program and organization is dysfunctional and on a shoe string budget. I hope all of those kids do great things with soccer and hopefully they all succeed. But there are realities of soccer development that just can't be overlooked. With a soccer education fully garnered at DCU, a known inferior development system with minimal funding, the chips are stacked against them. It just is what it is. Better chances at pro soccer than if a player was at Arlington for sure. But Arlington isn't the competition. The other MLS academies are. And they are pretty much all running circles around DCU.

No organization is perfect. Changes continue being made to bring the academy to the next level. A huge investment this year with adding a school option which expands next year. It takes time and money which you don’t want to allow for. You just think it should all be built instantly. Philly Union didn’t build theirs instantly. The other MLS residential programs and systems weren’t built instantly. Did DCU start up behind them, yes. So it takes time to catch up but they have great talent. They may not win every game but they aren’t getting blown out regularly. And a preseason scrimmage is not the measure for that. They are competitive with a lot of international and national team players. The new academy director is already implementing changes to continue to grow the academy and take them to the next level. The old director made changes to do that also. It takes time. Period. But the kids out their with talent and busting their tales don’t deserve the commentary from someone who’s sitting at home on their couch with zero pro soccer experience trying to discredit their work or sell other local talent on why they shouldn’t consider the club.

You have literally no idea who has what experience. Wouldn't go there

LOL went there. Because if you do, what the heck are you doing on DC Urban Mom? If you are a pro coach, or even one of their past or present staff, why would you care about an "urban mom" forum on the internet? And if you don't, then you are just a disgruntled parent. So either way, it's not a good look.

Ever thought that someone could move from another country and be one of the moms and dads now in our area just like everyone else trying to understand this ridiculous football culture here.

You're new and trying to understand while simultaneously being a historical expert on the local academy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also my first day posting here. And I can tell you that one of the players on Arlington U19 that kicked the crap out of DCU this weekend was actually on DCU until this year. He could not longer pretend that DCU was making him a better player. Looks like he made a wise move.

U18 onwards is time to perform

Looking for youth development at U19 you missed the boat

In November Alexandria U19s beat Philly Union. So let's also say Philly Union is crap based on the lack of football knowledge and logic in this gossip forum

OK, I am fine with that. Most of the MLS academies are nothing but talent brokers. They recruit a bunch of already skilled players and hope to sell 1 out of 100 to legitimate teams overseas.

I tend to agree with this. Although there are a few academies that are decent developers of talent. Not great, but decent. DCU is absolutely not one of them.

Yes, they are all about winning.

That's why the stronger players in each age group train with and play with older age groups.
No development happening there.

Playing up does not equal development If you're not impacting the game playing up the same way you would be doing on age then playing up is much less beneficial. Barely hanging on playing up is a move backwards not forwards.

No development is happening at DCU, that is absolutely correct.

Then tell us the exact steps dcua should be doing with them for their development that's not being done.

Be very precise when laying it out.

Since training with older age groups and playing against older competition (which is a development philosophy in every top academy in the world) is a negative thing at dcua.

That's DCUs job not mine. Training in older ages is a great tool when used correctly. DCU just doesn't use that tool correctly. They often play kids up that are physically developed and who are also not absolutely dominating on age. Meaning there is a lot they can still learn playing on age about how to actually play. Instead they have them rely on their size to get by instead of their technical ability and smarts. It's a balance and that balance is usually not well maintained at DCU. The product of that is a mindset that physical dominance is the way to play. When that runs out, the players struggle. You start to see this at u15 and u16. And it carries to older ages. It's a hard balance to strike and it takes some real strategy and thinking around player management and progression. Something that I don't see at DCU. Of course playing up can be helpful the decision just needs to be made strategically along many dimensions not just you're big enough and fast enough to play up, go ahead.

So to be clear, you feel they lack player development because you think they pull kids up based on size and not skill? Your suggestion is that they keep players at their age level where they bulldoze smaller kids over and aren't challenged to improve or highlight their technical side? You are right, once they are pulled up, it is exposed who has technical skills vs. who is just a big kid. For the right kids, the move will force them to either improve their technical side and adapt. For the others, it reveals they aren't technically where they should be to play academy. I'm not sure that is a bad thing. In MLS soccer it is like everything else, those who have the natural abilities and can adapt go to the next level. There are a lot of smaller players who have ridiculous technical skills but struggle with the physical side because of their size. That eventually all works itself out which is why you hear less about them. The physical/muscular structure eventually finds itself on some kind of level playing ground even if there are different heights. The bigger players who dominate physically but aren't technically strong are exposed. That's the nature of the game no matter where you play.

No. My view is that they pull kids up based only on size and speed and then don't actually teach them how to be better. It is the teaching where the deficiency is.

I agree that kids need to be challenged physically too if they are physically more developed. But again, it needs to be managed the right way and strategically in the best interest of each kid. Seen so many kids running hard and trying to bulldoze older kids and not learn a damn thing about football in the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC has 3 16 yr olds down in Florida for pre season with the first team from the U18 team, if your kid is good that’s what happens, if not you’re on a forum bragging about your kid playing at Arlington

So what? Again, DCUs way of trying to show development when no development is actually happening. Those three show up on the first team or get sold, then we can talk. Until then, all DCU facade of development.

Oh right. Cool. Give me your kids name and I’ll see if he’s there. No? Was he at a national team camp and had to miss and that’s why? Also no? So multiple DC kids on a better pathway to pro and national play than most but hey, Arlington won a scrimmage game used for season prep. Good job.

I don't care about Arlington winning a game against a younger DCU squad. That is irrelevant. What matters is the development of the kids. DCU has proven, over and over again, that it can't develop talent consistently. It can't even keep it's leadership or coaches because the entire program and organization is dysfunctional and on a shoe string budget. I hope all of those kids do great things with soccer and hopefully they all succeed. But there are realities of soccer development that just can't be overlooked. With a soccer education fully garnered at DCU, a known inferior development system with minimal funding, the chips are stacked against them. It just is what it is. Better chances at pro soccer than if a player was at Arlington for sure. But Arlington isn't the competition. The other MLS academies are. And they are pretty much all running circles around DCU.

No organization is perfect. Changes continue being made to bring the academy to the next level. A huge investment this year with adding a school option which expands next year. It takes time and money which you don’t want to allow for. You just think it should all be built instantly. Philly Union didn’t build theirs instantly. The other MLS residential programs and systems weren’t built instantly. Did DCU start up behind them, yes. So it takes time to catch up but they have great talent. They may not win every game but they aren’t getting blown out regularly. And a preseason scrimmage is not the measure for that. They are competitive with a lot of international and national team players. The new academy director is already implementing changes to continue to grow the academy and take them to the next level. The old director made changes to do that also. It takes time. Period. But the kids out their with talent and busting their tales don’t deserve the commentary from someone who’s sitting at home on their couch with zero pro soccer experience trying to discredit their work or sell other local talent on why they shouldn’t consider the club.

You have literally no idea who has what experience. Wouldn't go there

LOL went there. Because if you do, what the heck are you doing on DC Urban Mom? If you are a pro coach, or even one of their past or present staff, why would you care about an "urban mom" forum on the internet? And if you don't, then you are just a disgruntled parent. So either way, it's not a good look.

Ever thought that someone could move from another country and be one of the moms and dads now in our area just like everyone else trying to understand this ridiculous football culture here.

You're new and trying to understand while simultaneously being a historical expert on the local academy?

Not same person obviously...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also my first day posting here. And I can tell you that one of the players on Arlington U19 that kicked the crap out of DCU this weekend was actually on DCU until this year. He could not longer pretend that DCU was making him a better player. Looks like he made a wise move.

U18 onwards is time to perform

Looking for youth development at U19 you missed the boat

In November Alexandria U19s beat Philly Union. So let's also say Philly Union is crap based on the lack of football knowledge and logic in this gossip forum

Right, because the development pathway for a youth footballer ceases to exist when they are 17 years old????? What a complete joke. Shows how little you know about development of footballers and how much parents believe these false narratives about the player pathway. Why most European clubs have a U19 AND a second team (u21 or u23) to continue to nurture the talent because they all develop at different rates. DCU has neither of these opportunities for the players because they don't actually care about developing pros in the academy. The academy is the cost of doing business in the MLS and if a player does happen to surface from the academy they certainly leverage that. They don't put everything they have into building players and selling them. Just isn't the focus.

Wrong again lol. DC has a U19 and a U23.

Great. And DCU still can't develop them.

lol how about you tell me what your definition of “develop” is? Especially for a U23? If by U23 you need development and aren’t standing out, then you are probably one of the people who didn’t know there was a U23 team because you weren’t offered the spot to move on in the club. Will they all get contracts? No. That’s not how professional soccer works. Some will do MLS Next Pro when it’s available. Some will play USL Championship or USL 1. Some will finish great college careers and move on. That’s the reality of any professional sport.

My view is that development of a footballer never ends until they are done playing. Even the best of pros are still developing and getting better. And many change clubs to further themselves and their careers. Why someone like Jamie Vardy for example could get to the Premier League from the 4th and 5th division at 25. It comes down to the learning environment you're in and how that environment impacts your progression as a player. DCU's learning environment and methodology is not strong in any of the ages really and there is no focus or accountability for the kids improving. When you have accountability and a systematic way of measuring how the kids are progressing individually as players then you're in an environment that is more focused on your development. Without that, you're just out there practicing and playing with no real north star for how, why and by what means you should be getting better. This is DCU in a nutshell. At u14 or at the oldest age. Playing and practicing but no real focus on how to make each kid better and closer to a professional. They all need different things but are treated pretty much the same. At U23 you're right, some decisions need to be made about the best path if you're not first team material. But after U19 we are talking more about pro soccer than academy soccer. Different calculations.

I will agree with your first sentence and that’s about it. Every player continues to learn throughout their career. But at some point, the responsibility transfers from the club to the player. The club can provide resources and opportunities but the player has to put the work in to improve. Talking more about the older players. DCU has the focus you speak of for the younger players and they are developing them tactically, technically, and the soccer iq. The coaching staff is being held accountable. Not that anyone will consider that is why ppl are or have left. They aren’t going to lower the level of expectations because not all scouted players can continue to the next level. That’s the reality of playing for a MLS academy. It’s meant to develop the talent for the first team. It’s still a business. It’s a significant investment. So it’s a delicate balance of business and development but they are developing.

I definitely agree with the notion of responsibility transferring to the player at some point. That is a well stated point. Especially at the older ages. The older teams aren't focusing on skill development more on how to actually assemble the teams and deploy them to win the games. So we are in agreement there for sure.

Where I disagree is when you say DCU has the focus. I just don't see that and haven't experienced that. Maybe you have. If you have, definitely tell us how and in what ways they have this focus. Hiring a new doc is a step in the right direction but there isn't much else going on.

I greatly respect the tone and politeness in your message actually and it also seems like you are reasonable unlike some others on this thread. But, how are you drawing the conclusion that DCU is in fact developing players?

We know it's a business. But if selling players is their business, they are really bad at it.

I understand that not everyone has had the same experience and there is a number of reasons why that may occur, but I do want to share that not everyone is having a negative experience with the club. Good players are now transitioning into a great player because of the time, coaching and resources DC has provided. The quality of play they experience when playing MLS vs MLS is much more competitive and quicker than the ECNL that many were playing in even if some see the record as an issue. The teams have consistently been competitive in play and for staff looking at pro potential, that is sometimes more important than the outcome although none of them want to lose or tie obviously. I have seen a variety of experiences with coaching staff- mostly positive. But even the negative was still a positive learning experience for the players and the rest have been exceptional. The current staff are great coaches that are pushing these kids to the next level and challenging them. The quality of training and play is what I expect for this level. The expectation is that you have the foundational skills already developed and they continue to practice them. The focus is more on the mental aspect of the game at this point and developing that more. The opportunities that have come include national team exposure (attending trainings and games regularly) and D1 colleges showing interest (attending trainings and games regularly) and something many weren't getting at that frequency or level while in the ECNL. The current first team staff involvement with the academy has been increased significantly since Rooney has left. The GM has been very involved, accessible, and visible which was not the case previously. They are using the first team training and format in their trainings at the academy level for consistency and ease of transition. They invite players to the first team trainings often. The addition of the schooling, and then movement to it for no additional cost to families for multiple age groups is a huge improvement and allows player extra time on the field and in the gym which was previously limited due to facility constraints and school commitments. This is a major step that was keeping them behind other MLS Academies who had their kids together training together all day and bonding off the field constantly. That access matters when you were only getting the boys together for a 2-hour training 3-4 times a week. So, while some count VA Revolution facilities against them, I see it as a smart use of resources that provided access to school facilities/gym/fields at a fraction of what Loudoun United charges for Segra and it resolved the accessibility issue at IPC for the gym and fields since the first team, Spirit, and DC Power are all housed in that facility and share resources. They still train and play at Segra in the evenings for the majority of the age groups. Is there more work to be done? Absolutely but they are a good club with movement to becoming a great club. I think people forget that up until relatively recently (compared to other MLS academies) DC United was previously a pay to play set up. Once they moved to the new structure, they have continued to increase investment and build each year but that requires money and time. There are financial constraints that prevent it from being done all at once because that would be a crazy expense and unrealistic for any team. When you look at the progression, they continue to improve and invest. I just think many don't consider all of these steps as a big picture of what they are building.

I appreciate this view and you taking the time to send it. And I don't disagree with you that DCU is moving forward. But they have a long way to go. I am very well versed in DCUs history as a club and an academy. And saw the pay to play days. Are they better than that? Yes. Are they at Philly Union? No. There is no question about that. What you've outlined is the basics of running a credible academy. I don't give them much credit for that. If they didn't do these things then what are they doing? I think DCU does the bare minimum to stay credible in the competitive landscape. Are some experiences positive? Of course and I don't doubt that. I just doubt whether the system they have in place can consistently produce pro players. Maybe they are years from that. If so, that also means right now, they are years from that.

Until you can list your expertise, credentials, certifications, licenses and experience with youth academies based on insider direct connections at top international clubs, your opinion is the same as a drunk at the sports bar at 2am arguing which QB had the sweetest throw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also my first day posting here. And I can tell you that one of the players on Arlington U19 that kicked the crap out of DCU this weekend was actually on DCU until this year. He could not longer pretend that DCU was making him a better player. Looks like he made a wise move.

U18 onwards is time to perform

Looking for youth development at U19 you missed the boat

In November Alexandria U19s beat Philly Union. So let's also say Philly Union is crap based on the lack of football knowledge and logic in this gossip forum

Right, because the development pathway for a youth footballer ceases to exist when they are 17 years old????? What a complete joke. Shows how little you know about development of footballers and how much parents believe these false narratives about the player pathway. Why most European clubs have a U19 AND a second team (u21 or u23) to continue to nurture the talent because they all develop at different rates. DCU has neither of these opportunities for the players because they don't actually care about developing pros in the academy. The academy is the cost of doing business in the MLS and if a player does happen to surface from the academy they certainly leverage that. They don't put everything they have into building players and selling them. Just isn't the focus.

Where did anyone say pathway stops at U17?
The statement was that Performance Stage begins at U18

At U18 onwards, you are expected to be able to be inserted into a Senior Team squad and Perform. Hence Performance Stage.

The Senior Staff aren't taking a U19 player from the academy who is in Development stage (learning basics and how to execute consistently)

When you talk about people not knowing this and not knowing that about academy level soccer, you better know who you're talking to.
Your ignorance can fly with some, not with all.

Right just like the first team at Barca didn't take Lamine Yamal when he was on u19s. Just like union didn't take cavan Sullivan for first and second team at 15. Good call.

Your post contradicts itself. U18 onwards you're expected to be able to insert into first team. But no senior staff are taking u19s?

You said u18 on are in performance stage (which I agree with). Next sentence you say they are in development phase.

I know what I'm talking about and am super confident in that. Do you?

What the hell are you babbling about.

I clearly said the Senior Staff isn't taking a U19 who is in Development stage.
They are only taking one who can Perform.

There is no place I said U18 is Development stage, because I'm the first person to introduce the fact in this thread that they are not.

And why is this relevant?

Follow the thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also my first day posting here. And I can tell you that one of the players on Arlington U19 that kicked the crap out of DCU this weekend was actually on DCU until this year. He could not longer pretend that DCU was making him a better player. Looks like he made a wise move.

U18 onwards is time to perform

Looking for youth development at U19 you missed the boat

In November Alexandria U19s beat Philly Union. So let's also say Philly Union is crap based on the lack of football knowledge and logic in this gossip forum

OK, I am fine with that. Most of the MLS academies are nothing but talent brokers. They recruit a bunch of already skilled players and hope to sell 1 out of 100 to legitimate teams overseas.

I tend to agree with this. Although there are a few academies that are decent developers of talent. Not great, but decent. DCU is absolutely not one of them.

Yes, they are all about winning.

That's why the stronger players in each age group train with and play with older age groups.
No development happening there.

Playing up does not equal development If you're not impacting the game playing up the same way you would be doing on age then playing up is much less beneficial. Barely hanging on playing up is a move backwards not forwards.

No development is happening at DCU, that is absolutely correct.

Then tell us the exact steps dcua should be doing with them for their development that's not being done.

Be very precise when laying it out.

Since training with older age groups and playing against older competition (which is a development philosophy in every top academy in the world) is a negative thing at dcua.

That's DCUs job not mine. Training in older ages is a great tool when used correctly. DCU just doesn't use that tool correctly. They often play kids up that are physically developed and who are also not absolutely dominating on age. Meaning there is a lot they can still learn playing on age about how to actually play. Instead they have them rely on their size to get by instead of their technical ability and smarts. It's a balance and that balance is usually not well maintained at DCU. The product of that is a mindset that physical dominance is the way to play. When that runs out, the players struggle. You start to see this at u15 and u16. And it carries to older ages. It's a hard balance to strike and it takes some real strategy and thinking around player management and progression. Something that I don't see at DCU. Of course playing up can be helpful the decision just needs to be made strategically along many dimensions not just you're big enough and fast enough to play up, go ahead.

So to be clear, you feel they lack player development because you think they pull kids up based on size and not skill? Your suggestion is that they keep players at their age level where they bulldoze smaller kids over and aren't challenged to improve or highlight their technical side? You are right, once they are pulled up, it is exposed who has technical skills vs. who is just a big kid. For the right kids, the move will force them to either improve their technical side and adapt. For the others, it reveals they aren't technically where they should be to play academy. I'm not sure that is a bad thing. In MLS soccer it is like everything else, those who have the natural abilities and can adapt go to the next level. There are a lot of smaller players who have ridiculous technical skills but struggle with the physical side because of their size. That eventually all works itself out which is why you hear less about them. The physical/muscular structure eventually finds itself on some kind of level playing ground even if there are different heights. The bigger players who dominate physically but aren't technically strong are exposed. That's the nature of the game no matter where you play.

No. My view is that they pull kids up based only on size and speed and then don't actually teach them how to be better. It is the teaching where the deficiency is.

I agree that kids need to be challenged physically too if they are physically more developed. But again, it needs to be managed the right way and strategically in the best interest of each kid. Seen so many kids running hard and trying to bulldoze older kids and not learn a damn thing about football in the process.

You do realize that some kids may be initially recruited because they appear to stand out and it ends up being that they just aren't meant for academy play right? There are some kids that even with all the training, teaching, and development in the world will be good players but not pathway to pro players. So, as they move up in age (whether their age or an older group) the players that are on that pathway start to progress, and they get can't keep up. This is usually where parents get upset because Johnny was crushing it from u6-U12/U14 and all of the sudden they are a bench player and struggling. DC gives players a reasonable catch-up period and opportunity to learn/improve/adapt/develop and then they will eventually have an honest conversation that perhaps this isn't the right move for the player. It's a hard pill to swallow for a lot of parents who were sure Johnny was the next homegrown because he was carrying defenders on his back down the field and unstoppable at U8 but now he is struggling with the speed and skill of the games. It's up to the kids to accept the teaching/training and put the work in to figure out how to get by the kids the older kids. The opportunities are there. Some choose to learn, and some choose to try to do what always worked and not deviate from it. That is where the crossroads for pathway to pro and just a good player is...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also my first day posting here. And I can tell you that one of the players on Arlington U19 that kicked the crap out of DCU this weekend was actually on DCU until this year. He could not longer pretend that DCU was making him a better player. Looks like he made a wise move.

U18 onwards is time to perform

Looking for youth development at U19 you missed the boat

In November Alexandria U19s beat Philly Union. So let's also say Philly Union is crap based on the lack of football knowledge and logic in this gossip forum

OK, I am fine with that. Most of the MLS academies are nothing but talent brokers. They recruit a bunch of already skilled players and hope to sell 1 out of 100 to legitimate teams overseas.

I tend to agree with this. Although there are a few academies that are decent developers of talent. Not great, but decent. DCU is absolutely not one of them.

Yes, they are all about winning.

That's why the stronger players in each age group train with and play with older age groups.
No development happening there.

Playing up does not equal development If you're not impacting the game playing up the same way you would be doing on age then playing up is much less beneficial. Barely hanging on playing up is a move backwards not forwards.

No development is happening at DCU, that is absolutely correct.

Then tell us the exact steps dcua should be doing with them for their development that's not being done.

Be very precise when laying it out.

Since training with older age groups and playing against older competition (which is a development philosophy in every top academy in the world) is a negative thing at dcua.

That's DCUs job not mine. Training in older ages is a great tool when used correctly. DCU just doesn't use that tool correctly. They often play kids up that are physically developed and who are also not absolutely dominating on age. Meaning there is a lot they can still learn playing on age about how to actually play. Instead they have them rely on their size to get by instead of their technical ability and smarts. It's a balance and that balance is usually not well maintained at DCU. The product of that is a mindset that physical dominance is the way to play. When that runs out, the players struggle. You start to see this at u15 and u16. And it carries to older ages. It's a hard balance to strike and it takes some real strategy and thinking around player management and progression. Something that I don't see at DCU. Of course playing up can be helpful the decision just needs to be made strategically along many dimensions not just you're big enough and fast enough to play up, go ahead.

So to be clear, you feel they lack player development because you think they pull kids up based on size and not skill? Your suggestion is that they keep players at their age level where they bulldoze smaller kids over and aren't challenged to improve or highlight their technical side? You are right, once they are pulled up, it is exposed who has technical skills vs. who is just a big kid. For the right kids, the move will force them to either improve their technical side and adapt. For the others, it reveals they aren't technically where they should be to play academy. I'm not sure that is a bad thing. In MLS soccer it is like everything else, those who have the natural abilities and can adapt go to the next level. There are a lot of smaller players who have ridiculous technical skills but struggle with the physical side because of their size. That eventually all works itself out which is why you hear less about them. The physical/muscular structure eventually finds itself on some kind of level playing ground even if there are different heights. The bigger players who dominate physically but aren't technically strong are exposed. That's the nature of the game no matter where you play.

No. My view is that they pull kids up based only on size and speed and then don't actually teach them how to be better. It is the teaching where the deficiency is.

I agree that kids need to be challenged physically too if they are physically more developed. But again, it needs to be managed the right way and strategically in the best interest of each kid. Seen so many kids running hard and trying to bulldoze older kids and not learn a damn thing about football in the process.

Glad you prefaced with "your view"
Since it's wrong and inaccurate

You are completely locked on the stereotype of every academy kid being selected on the basis of Relative Age Effect and are physically mature Goliaths, you skip the intellectual intelligent step of actually seeing the Individual kids who are actually at the academy.