MLS Next
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Anonymous
No, that’s not what that means. The willingness to participate must be mutual. More generally, this pathway is useful now only for players not on MLS Next teams. SYC is not at a significantly lower level. But they are in MLS Next, so like Achilles, Alexandria, and Bethesda, their players are already visible within the system, which also archives game film and all other information about each player in each match from U13 all the way up. |
Anonymous
Not sure about that. I mean, it is a pyramid and those 6 clubs are above SYC and all the ones not on that line just like the DCU academy and Loudoun United is above the P2P clubs. They are differentiated and placed above the rest for a reason. |
Anonymous
I agree on Bethesda very likely having been invited but not wishing to participate. I disagree to some extent on SYC though. Yes DCU will scout players from there, but pathway to pro is more than just getting looked at on tape or even in person. The top kids from the P2P clubs attend practices run by the DCU coaches once a month or so and get a much longer and harder look from DCU, and have a definite headstart in getting recruited. |
Anonymous
Why wouldn't Bethesda have wanted to participate? Can anyone compare Bethesda and PPA? Pros and cons to each? |
Anonymous
I'm not going to go into detail about the programs in general, but as far as the higher levels are concerned, the BSC MLS Next teams are significantly better than the average top PPA team, with the exception of the PPA 09 team, which is pretty even to the 09 BSC team. |
Anonymous
Yeah, the BSC and PPA U13 teams may be the best two teams in the country...I have nothing to do with either, but I may go see them play in the Bethesda Tournament. Although the U13 girls are being forced to play at the Polo Grounds the previous week...I think it would be hilariously sad if the U13 boys had to as well, and this game would have to be played on crappy grass. |
Anonymous
There's definitely a price to pay in terms of indpendence. I think the clubs that do participate have to promise not to talk to any other MLS club about any of the kids for example. There are likely other conditions of which I am not aware. Bethesda may have felt that they were in a strong enough position that they did not gain much from the relationship and di not want to lose their independence. |
Anonymous
I don't think that is an issue MLS clubs have right to any player within a certain number of miles of their club. BSC and every other club around here is well within that mileage cap. |
Anonymous
1. That was not true when the P2P program was formed and Bethesda likely turned down the opportunity to participate. 2. It's still not quite as cut and dried as you suggest and some kids manage to escape. Having the advice and assistance of club coaches who understand the rules and are able to talk to other MLS clubs and provide references is crucial to escaping. |
Anonymous
| What does “has the right to any player” mean? |
Anonymous
| Also what are these kids escaping? |
Anonymous
The MLS clubs claim rights to any player living within 75 miles of the club (not sure if that's the HQ, the stadium, or the practice facility). The club can prevent that player playing for another MLS club - or rarher the other club would be forced to pay a transfer fee should they sign such a player at 17 or 18, even if they had trained the player from 12 years old. The legality of this arrangement is very dubious, but it is how the clubs are currently behaving. |
Anonymous
DCU's massively underfunded youth program. |
Anonymous
I am not sure I understand this. So, if my kid turns out to be good and DCU decides they want him then he can’t play anywhere else? As a parent I have no say in that? Or is this only if he’s playing for one of those 6 clubs and if he plays at BSC he’s “safe”? Or only if he’s on an MLSNext team? |
Anonymous
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Bethesda’s business model is College - not pro. They only advertise pros who came from their club to try to impress the boys themselves.
I think the kids who are headed to pros try to escape the MLS homegrown designation. (Ie DC United has a geographical turf that other teams can’t poach within and vice versa). Meaning if you go pro, you go to DC United whether you want to or not. Aaron Heard escaped this. One of the top U-13 players a few years ago. Went from Bethesda to Philadelphia Union academy and then ditched them for St Louis City academy. But parents had to move into that turf to pull it off. |