Playing ‘up’ in new MLS league. Bad idea?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has your child gone through puberty yet?

That's one of the biggest difference at this age and you can see huge physical differences between kids just a year or two apart.

Op here. He has not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. He has not.

This is usually an argument for *not* playing up. U15 is a year of big gaps opening up in size/speed/strength for the boys. You'll have to be a top technical player to make up for this. However...

Based on the thread above, I assume this is a non-MLS club in the new "MLS League" (i.e. a former DA team). If your club has both U14 and U15 teams in that league, I think it's worth attempting to play up. There may be a big difference in quality this year between those two age groups, as the only age groups MLS academies are required to have are U15 and U17. So at U14, you may play few or no MLS academy teams; and those you do play will have their best 2007s playing up on the "real" U15 team. (Note, the same thing is more or less true for U16-to-U17, for the same reasons.)

That said, I'd have a conversation with the coach now about the ability to play on-age (U14) later in the year if he's not getting enough playing time. And I'd loop your son in to that conversation as much as possible, so everyone has eyes open going in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. He has not.

This is usually an argument for *not* playing up. U15 is a year of big gaps opening up in size/speed/strength for the boys. You'll have to be a top technical player to make up for this. However...

Based on the thread above, I assume this is a non-MLS club in the new "MLS League" (i.e. a former DA team). If your club has both U14 and U15 teams in that league, I think it's worth attempting to play up. There may be a big difference in quality this year between those two age groups, as the only age groups MLS academies are required to have are U15 and U17. So at U14, you may play few or no MLS academy teams; and those you do play will have their best 2007s playing up on the "real" U15 team. (Note, the same thing is more or less true for U16-to-U17, for the same reasons.)

That said, I'd have a conversation with the coach now about the ability to play on-age (U14) later in the year if he's not getting enough playing time. And I'd loop your son in to that conversation as much as possible, so everyone has eyes open going in.

Thank you for your reply. There is no U14 team, which is why he’s been asked to play up. I’m guessing his play time will be minimal. What I suppose I’m asking is: is it worth it to play up if you are not going to get a lot of game play time? He would obviously train with the kids which I imagine would be great for him but is that enough? Will he become a better player this way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for your reply. There is no U14 team, which is why he’s been asked to play up. I’m guessing his play time will be minimal. What I suppose I’m asking is: is it worth it to play up if you are not going to get a lot of game play time? He would obviously train with the kids which I imagine would be great for him but is that enough? Will he become a better player this way?

Previous poster here...

If there was ever a year where the importance of the training environment trumps the opportunity for playing time, this is probably it. Who knows how many games there will be, or how much travel we'll be able to do? We're far more likely to get in a lot of training than to play a lot of games (and even less likely, national showcases and playoffs). So play up to train with the better players and coaches, and be in position next year to play on-age, and be a starter, when life gets back closer to normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for your reply. There is no U14 team, which is why he’s been asked to play up. I’m guessing his play time will be minimal. What I suppose I’m asking is: is it worth it to play up if you are not going to get a lot of game play time? He would obviously train with the kids which I imagine would be great for him but is that enough? Will he become a better player this way?

Previous poster here...

If there was ever a year where the importance of the training environment trumps the opportunity for playing time, this is probably it. Who knows how many games there will be, or how much travel we'll be able to do? We're far more likely to get in a lot of training than to play a lot of games (and even less likely, national showcases and playoffs). So play up to train with the better players and coaches, and be in position next year to play on-age, and be a starter, when life gets back closer to normal.

This is a spot on, pragmatic approach.

[Anonymous]

Hi

Would agree with some of the previous comments. This is the age at which the physical difference makes a HUGE difference, but also the fact that you have no U14 option could push me to support the idea of playing up a bit. He should be able to benefit from the training, and seriously, we're going to have the most @#$% Fall season in history, after last Spring's @#$ season. It really is about training this season--not games.

That said, please note the physical differences can be very significant. There will be players in 'adult' sized bodies with the coordination and balance of younger kids. There are collisions, there is a bit of pushing and shoving, and if your kid is used to being the king of the field he may find there are less talented but more physical players now able to move him off the ball and outrun him to the ball. You need to watch for the risk of injury between these mismatched kids.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thanks so much for the three posters! This information is very helpful. I didn’t even come to think that the reality of this year is such that they probably won’t play games!!!! He would definitely benefit from the trainings, no doubt. Great advice! Thank you all. And thank you to the poster who warned me about potential injuries...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for your reply. There is no U14 team, which is why he’s been asked to play up. I’m guessing his play time will be minimal. What I suppose I’m asking is: is it worth it to play up if you are not going to get a lot of game play time? He would obviously train with the kids which I imagine would be great for him but is that enough? Will he become a better player this way?

Previous poster here...

If there was ever a year where the importance of the training environment trumps the opportunity for playing time, this is probably it. Who knows how many games there will be, or how much travel we'll be able to do? We're far more likely to get in a lot of training than to play a lot of games (and even less likely, national showcases and playoffs). So play up to train with the better players and coaches, and be in position next year to play on-age, and be a starter, when life gets back closer to normal.

This is a spot on, pragmatic approach.

Was just going to post this. +100