Achilles has 3 players in European academies ATM. |
The above poster is not wrong. Other teams like Arlington and VDA are feeder clubs and have agreements w/DC United so they have to take a look a x number of kids from those clubs. Nothing really materializes but it's good instagram content for the clubs. |
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I thought the poster comparing SYC, BSC, and Achilles was pretty fair and accurate. It's not saying one is better than the other- depends a lot on the player, their goals. We are an Achilles family but have friends at SYC and BSC and I think those have been better platforms for certain players.
Agree that Achilles does not promote its players that get trials at and offers from or go to MLS Academies. They have players that have gone to Philly Union, Red Bulls, DC United (and several boomerang players who returned from DCU), and players with trials and offers from a variety of other academies. As has been mentioned, they have three players now in Europe (and maybe one or two more to come in a year or two), though that path at younger ages is dependent on having the right passport. There is at least one player that I am pretty sure is leaving for an MLS academy out of the region this year but has not been publicly announced. I agree with what was said above about Achilles not caring about winning at younger ages and focusing on technical skills and a particular style of play - it's part of the philosophy that has kept us there but with respect to academy offers, I think it has its downsides, particularly for those looking at non-DCU academies (not winning means not making tournaments where the scouts are in attendance). |
Revolution and Loudoun charging about $5K yearly and the only thing promoted is the “coaches” salaries. Make it make sense. |
loophole is that they will take players but cut them whenever. This year, many players got cut two weeks after the invite. |
What loophole? You’re saying that DC gave offers to many players from Arlington and VDA who signed with DC and then DC rescinded the offers? Do tell. |
I am not one of these people that think everybody on here is crazy. Some of the best information I have obtained in this “business” has sadly come from these pages. I know MLS academies can be cutthroat. Are you saying that MLS academies have cut kids without giving them a full year after the commitment? If so, which ones? This excludes DCU cutting all of the U14’s which I think was an unfortunate mistake but a one-time restructuring if I take the most positive perspective on that situation. |
Did European Category 1 academies send scouts to Achilles games, select players, sign transfer deals with Achilles? I'm trying to understand what it means that a grassroots club in Maryland has players in a European academy Kids with European passports leave here through family decisions from EDP, ECNL etc clubs and relocate to Europe all the time |
How does any club cut an age group? Thought you can only cut players Do you mean they no longer have a program that includes that age group? |
Whatever vernacular appeases you. Kids committed to DCU and then they “no longer” have a team for the whole age group. |
This is old news—it’s been over a year since they discontinued the U14 age group and introduced the “futures” program. Many of those kids will be on the ‘26-‘27 U15 team. |
True Someone definitely stomping for salacious headline for likes All the U15 incoming kids are from that U14 Futures group |
For incoming future U14-U15, DCU cut from practices right away if they don't perform. Signed players can get cut whenever per the contract or stay on the team as the full time bench and practice squad to provide numbers to starters practices. |
provide numbers to starters practices..huh? |
Is this a Steven King novel? |