DC United Academy - aa strong academy or not

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:dcu should inquire about this 2010 phenom from fVU, kid is a scorer made next round usa id

DCU 2010 need new blood both D and O. VDA has the crop

Unless your DC fit the player profile, chances are slim

what's the profile?

Generally speaking, with some exceptions, physically mature kids that can be classified as early bloomers. Why a lot of the DCU teams are really good at u14 and start to fade quickly after that. DCU has known that as a system it can't teach the kids so they have resorted to just trying to be bigger, faster and stronger which they also know will win games in the short term. But as most know, this only gets your so far. Maybe the new director changes this player profile and the development methodology but that is still to be seen. If you have a smaller kid in DCUs system, it is very hard for them to get on the ball because it is in the air so much for bigger kids to run on it. If you play in the back or on the wing, DCU could be ok if you value touch rate. In the middle, DCUs style of play is a travesty. And because the kids aren't being taught how to share the ball efficiently, the touch rate overall at DCU isn't great. You'll see a lot of running hard but also a lot of really poor decisions, over dribbling and long balls. The player profile almost guarantees this.

Agree with this. Not a DCU hater - wish them the best since they are our local MLS Academy. Not saying it’s good or bad but DCU does seem to have a type. Big, fast and strong, but not necessarily skilled. Couple of examples are the striker from 2011 Brave last year and the striker from 2012 Arlington this year. Again, wish these players all the best but there really does appear to be a profile DCU likes.

My DS local mlsnext club played against DCU twice this season and I saw their U14's and U15's from the sidelines upclose

Saying they have a type and profile of only big players is flat-out not true. Both teams clearly and obviously have all types and sizes with several small players playing up

Not sure what agenda PP is on

This is legit. I think though, they will definitely take players they see as projects based on size and physical attributes. This is true of Red Bulls as well.

No one said there aren't all sizes and types at DCU. Just that they prefer bigger and faster kids.

Because they selected other kids over yours doesn't create a reality from the picture you're trying to paint

The truth is they have all types and sizes on their teams and people who have actually seen the teams know this

I'm pretty sure the PP said there are different types of players. Can't argue with that. Just that if they had to choose they are choosing early bloomers.

Then explain why that isn't reflected in the actual teams, but only exists in words here?

They must use filters on IG to make all their giants look smaller and younger

It exists on the teams. Not always in height but in terms of physically developed. Again early bloomers

So they're short and several playing up but also more physically developed gotcha

So, where do we find academies with nothing but late developers?
I thought Relative Age Effect studies were born from the fact that all youth sports prefer early bloomers?

Right, relative age effect impacts all youth sports and DCU is no different. You're supporting the size and speed bias point. There is no academy with nothing but late developers. But there are a lot of academies that have a recruiting methodology and view on player profiles that just destroys DCUs and often times those academies have a sophisticated view on late developers and how to actually develop them because they need different opportunities and environments. DCU treats all the kids the same way, which is again why it is a less than mediocre academy.

You're clearly a parent with a younger child in the DCU system. U14 You are only a year or so out from the kids getting excited about oranges after the games. Get some more years under your belt and then come back to the discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not specific to DCU, but at the mls academy level, what profile are they looking for? How do they predict who has pro potential at the u10-u13 (before puberty) age groups? Any insight?

What most people forget is that MLS (the league) is running the show. What that means is that they have a product they want to sell and a vision for what they want that product to look like. It is known that MLS is a physical league with big fast and strong players (good athletes) but not the most skilled players, that emphasizes goal scoring and tackling because that is what Americans (who lack football sophistication) can easily understand in the game. Of course there are exceptions and different types of players in the league but in order to meet expectations of the league, the academies generally need to produce players with this type of profile. And this is what you see at many of the academies across the MLS system, including DCU. There are of course exceptions but a significant amount of players across the system fit this profile. So if your kid is big, fast, has power and has slightly better than average skills, he is probably off to a good start for the MLS academy system. Sucks that it is this way and the emphasis isn't on skills and IQ, but it IS this way.

In younger kids scouts look for many things. But above all else I would say scouts try to answer one general question first and that is: does the player have the ability to change and alter the game in some way (are they a difference maker) and/or do they dominate the game or aspects of the game. I would also say, in addition to the above, generally many scouts look for qualities in four main macro buckets: technical, tactical, physical and mental. At these younger ages, technical may mean quality of first touch, comfort with the ball, using both feet to pass and shoot, quality of passing, collecting the ball in tight space, 1v1 ability and beating players. Tactical may mean do they have a baseline understanding of what they are supposed to be doing on the field in the positions they play, how well do they move off the ball, do they understand the concept of space and or have spatial awareness, do they read the game. Physical may mean do they have physical attributes that make a difference, size, speed, power, quickness, work rate/stamina and what is their potential in each of these areas. Alot of kids are big and fast now but will tap out at 14/15. Mental may mean, what is their demeanor on the field, are they the leader and or do they clearly possess leadership qualities already, how do they deal with failures and successes on the field, how do they interact with teammates and opposing side, what type of energy do they give off in the game, so they have crazy parents yelling at them on the sidelines (no one wants to deal with them).

All of these things play a factor in scouting. But if you have a u10 kid I would say foster a love of the game above all else and establish a strong relationship with the ball. The better a players skills are the easier it is to make a difference. And it isn't fancy moves. Skills that allow the player to have immediate impact and are simple to execute. IG is killing this in our youth players. Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not specific to DCU, but at the mls academy level, what profile are they looking for? How do they predict who has pro potential at the u10-u13 (before puberty) age groups? Any insight?

What most people forget is that MLS (the league) is running the show. What that means is that they have a product they want to sell and a vision for what they want that product to look like. It is known that MLS is a physical league with big fast and strong players (good athletes) but not the most skilled players, that emphasizes goal scoring and tackling because that is what Americans (who lack football sophistication) can easily understand in the game. Of course there are exceptions and different types of players in the league but in order to meet expectations of the league, the academies generally need to produce players with this type of profile. And this is what you see at many of the academies across the MLS system, including DCU. There are of course exceptions but a significant amount of players across the system fit this profile. So if your kid is big, fast, has power and has slightly better than average skills, he is probably off to a good start for the MLS academy system. Sucks that it is this way and the emphasis isn't on skills and IQ, but it IS this way.

In younger kids scouts look for many things. But above all else I would say scouts try to answer one general question first and that is: does the player have the ability to change and alter the game in some way (are they a difference maker) and/or do they dominate the game or aspects of the game. I would also say, in addition to the above, generally many scouts look for qualities in four main macro buckets: technical, tactical, physical and mental. At these younger ages, technical may mean quality of first touch, comfort with the ball, using both feet to pass and shoot, quality of passing, collecting the ball in tight space, 1v1 ability and beating players. Tactical may mean do they have a baseline understanding of what they are supposed to be doing on the field in the positions they play, how well do they move off the ball, do they understand the concept of space and or have spatial awareness, do they read the game. Physical may mean do they have physical attributes that make a difference, size, speed, power, quickness, work rate/stamina and what is their potential in each of these areas. Alot of kids are big and fast now but will tap out at 14/15. Mental may mean, what is their demeanor on the field, are they the leader and or do they clearly possess leadership qualities already, how do they deal with failures and successes on the field, how do they interact with teammates and opposing side, what type of energy do they give off in the game, so they have crazy parents yelling at them on the sidelines (no one wants to deal with them).

All of these things play a factor in scouting. But if you have a u10 kid I would say foster a love of the game above all else and establish a strong relationship with the ball. The better a players skills are the easier it is to make a difference. And it isn't fancy moves. Skills that allow the player to have immediate impact and are simple to execute. IG is killing this in our youth players. Hope this helps.

This is a great explanation, thank you!

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:dcu should inquire about this 2010 phenom from fVU, kid is a scorer made next round usa id

DCU 2010 need new blood both D and O. VDA has the crop

Unless your DC fit the player profile, chances are slim

what's the profile?

Generally speaking, with some exceptions, physically mature kids that can be classified as early bloomers. Why a lot of the DCU teams are really good at u14 and start to fade quickly after that. DCU has known that as a system it can't teach the kids so they have resorted to just trying to be bigger, faster and stronger which they also know will win games in the short term. But as most know, this only gets your so far. Maybe the new director changes this player profile and the development methodology but that is still to be seen. If you have a smaller kid in DCUs system, it is very hard for them to get on the ball because it is in the air so much for bigger kids to run on it. If you play in the back or on the wing, DCU could be ok if you value touch rate. In the middle, DCUs style of play is a travesty. And because the kids aren't being taught how to share the ball efficiently, the touch rate overall at DCU isn't great. You'll see a lot of running hard but also a lot of really poor decisions, over dribbling and long balls. The player profile almost guarantees this.

Agree with this. Not a DCU hater - wish them the best since they are our local MLS Academy. Not saying it’s good or bad but DCU does seem to have a type. Big, fast and strong, but not necessarily skilled. Couple of examples are the striker from 2011 Brave last year and the striker from 2012 Arlington this year. Again, wish these players all the best but there really does appear to be a profile DCU likes.

My DS local mlsnext club played against DCU twice this season and I saw their U14's and U15's from the sidelines upclose

Saying they have a type and profile of only big players is flat-out not true. Both teams clearly and obviously have all types and sizes with several small players playing up

Not sure what agenda PP is on

This is legit. I think though, they will definitely take players they see as projects based on size and physical attributes. This is true of Red Bulls as well.

No one said there aren't all sizes and types at DCU. Just that they prefer bigger and faster kids.

Because they selected other kids over yours doesn't create a reality from the picture you're trying to paint

The truth is they have all types and sizes on their teams and people who have actually seen the teams know this

I'm pretty sure the PP said there are different types of players. Can't argue with that. Just that if they had to choose they are choosing early bloomers.

Then explain why that isn't reflected in the actual teams, but only exists in words here?

They must use filters on IG to make all their giants look smaller and younger

It exists on the teams. Not always in height but in terms of physically developed. Again early bloomers

So they're short and several playing up but also more physically developed gotcha

So, where do we find academies with nothing but late developers?
I thought Relative Age Effect studies were born from the fact that all youth sports prefer early bloomers?

Right, relative age effect impacts all youth sports and DCU is no different. You're supporting the size and speed bias point. There is no academy with nothing but late developers. But there are a lot of academies that have a recruiting methodology and view on player profiles that just destroys DCUs and often times those academies have a sophisticated view on late developers and how to actually develop them because they need different opportunities and environments. DCU treats all the kids the same way, which is again why it is a less than mediocre academy.

You're clearly a parent with a younger child in the DCU system. U14 You are only a year or so out from the kids getting excited about oranges after the games. Get some more years under your belt and then come back to the discussion.

You're clearly wrong and ignorant passing off your thoughts, conjecture and opinion as facts and knowledge, pretending to be a genius

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not specific to DCU, but at the mls academy level, what profile are they looking for? How do they predict who has pro potential at the u10-u13 (before puberty) age groups? Any insight?

What most people forget is that MLS (the league) is running the show. What that means is that they have a product they want to sell and a vision for what they want that product to look like. It is known that MLS is a physical league with big fast and strong players (good athletes) but not the most skilled players, that emphasizes goal scoring and tackling because that is what Americans (who lack football sophistication) can easily understand in the game. Of course there are exceptions and different types of players in the league but in order to meet expectations of the league, the academies generally need to produce players with this type of profile. And this is what you see at many of the academies across the MLS system, including DCU. There are of course exceptions but a significant amount of players across the system fit this profile. So if your kid is big, fast, has power and has slightly better than average skills, he is probably off to a good start for the MLS academy system. Sucks that it is this way and the emphasis isn't on skills and IQ, but it IS this way.

In younger kids scouts look for many things. But above all else I would say scouts try to answer one general question first and that is: does the player have the ability to change and alter the game in some way (are they a difference maker) and/or do they dominate the game or aspects of the game. I would also say, in addition to the above, generally many scouts look for qualities in four main macro buckets: technical, tactical, physical and mental. At these younger ages, technical may mean quality of first touch, comfort with the ball, using both feet to pass and shoot, quality of passing, collecting the ball in tight space, 1v1 ability and beating players. Tactical may mean do they have a baseline understanding of what they are supposed to be doing on the field in the positions they play, how well do they move off the ball, do they understand the concept of space and or have spatial awareness, do they read the game. Physical may mean do they have physical attributes that make a difference, size, speed, power, quickness, work rate/stamina and what is their potential in each of these areas. Alot of kids are big and fast now but will tap out at 14/15. Mental may mean, what is their demeanor on the field, are they the leader and or do they clearly possess leadership qualities already, how do they deal with failures and successes on the field, how do they interact with teammates and opposing side, what type of energy do they give off in the game, so they have crazy parents yelling at them on the sidelines (no one wants to deal with them).

All of these things play a factor in scouting. But if you have a u10 kid I would say foster a love of the game above all else and establish a strong relationship with the ball. The better a players skills are the easier it is to make a difference. And it isn't fancy moves. Skills that allow the player to have immediate impact and are simple to execute. IG is killing this in our youth players. Hope this helps.

This is a great explanation, thank you!

All good. And I forgot to add...if you take those four macro buckets and then you rate your child in each of those categories (1-10, 1 being lowest and 10 being highest) the higher they are on the scale, the more likely they have the baseline characteristics that make up a pro player. ALOT can change year to year and even in the season and these ratings will change up and down over time. But if your kid is making a difference and dominating the game at the highest levels, good chance they are on an good trajectory to give themselves a chance to be a pro. Whether they become a pro is a completely different conversation and it doesn't always come down to skills and performance.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:dcu should inquire about this 2010 phenom from fVU, kid is a scorer made next round usa id

DCU 2010 need new blood both D and O. VDA has the crop

Unless your DC fit the player profile, chances are slim

what's the profile?

Generally speaking, with some exceptions, physically mature kids that can be classified as early bloomers. Why a lot of the DCU teams are really good at u14 and start to fade quickly after that. DCU has known that as a system it can't teach the kids so they have resorted to just trying to be bigger, faster and stronger which they also know will win games in the short term. But as most know, this only gets your so far. Maybe the new director changes this player profile and the development methodology but that is still to be seen. If you have a smaller kid in DCUs system, it is very hard for them to get on the ball because it is in the air so much for bigger kids to run on it. If you play in the back or on the wing, DCU could be ok if you value touch rate. In the middle, DCUs style of play is a travesty. And because the kids aren't being taught how to share the ball efficiently, the touch rate overall at DCU isn't great. You'll see a lot of running hard but also a lot of really poor decisions, over dribbling and long balls. The player profile almost guarantees this.

Agree with this. Not a DCU hater - wish them the best since they are our local MLS Academy. Not saying it’s good or bad but DCU does seem to have a type. Big, fast and strong, but not necessarily skilled. Couple of examples are the striker from 2011 Brave last year and the striker from 2012 Arlington this year. Again, wish these players all the best but there really does appear to be a profile DCU likes.

My DS local mlsnext club played against DCU twice this season and I saw their U14's and U15's from the sidelines upclose

Saying they have a type and profile of only big players is flat-out not true. Both teams clearly and obviously have all types and sizes with several small players playing up

Not sure what agenda PP is on

This is legit. I think though, they will definitely take players they see as projects based on size and physical attributes. This is true of Red Bulls as well.

No one said there aren't all sizes and types at DCU. Just that they prefer bigger and faster kids.

Because they selected other kids over yours doesn't create a reality from the picture you're trying to paint

The truth is they have all types and sizes on their teams and people who have actually seen the teams know this

I'm pretty sure the PP said there are different types of players. Can't argue with that. Just that if they had to choose they are choosing early bloomers.

Then explain why that isn't reflected in the actual teams, but only exists in words here?

They must use filters on IG to make all their giants look smaller and younger

It exists on the teams. Not always in height but in terms of physically developed. Again early bloomers

So they're short and several playing up but also more physically developed gotcha

So, where do we find academies with nothing but late developers?
I thought Relative Age Effect studies were born from the fact that all youth sports prefer early bloomers?

Right, relative age effect impacts all youth sports and DCU is no different. You're supporting the size and speed bias point. There is no academy with nothing but late developers. But there are a lot of academies that have a recruiting methodology and view on player profiles that just destroys DCUs and often times those academies have a sophisticated view on late developers and how to actually develop them because they need different opportunities and environments. DCU treats all the kids the same way, which is again why it is a less than mediocre academy.

You're clearly a parent with a younger child in the DCU system. U14 You are only a year or so out from the kids getting excited about oranges after the games. Get some more years under your belt and then come back to the discussion.

You're clearly wrong and ignorant passing off your thoughts, conjecture and opinion as facts and knowledge, pretending to be a genius

Yeah ok. Keep telling yourself that.🥱🥱

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not specific to DCU, but at the mls academy level, what profile are they looking for? How do they predict who has pro potential at the u10-u13 (before puberty) age groups? Any insight?

What most people forget is that MLS (the league) is running the show. What that means is that they have a product they want to sell and a vision for what they want that product to look like. It is known that MLS is a physical league with big fast and strong players (good athletes) but not the most skilled players, that emphasizes goal scoring and tackling because that is what Americans (who lack football sophistication) can easily understand in the game. Of course there are exceptions and different types of players in the league but in order to meet expectations of the league, the academies generally need to produce players with this type of profile. And this is what you see at many of the academies across the MLS system, including DCU. There are of course exceptions but a significant amount of players across the system fit this profile. So if your kid is big, fast, has power and has slightly better than average skills, he is probably off to a good start for the MLS academy system. Sucks that it is this way and the emphasis isn't on skills and IQ, but it IS this way.

In younger kids scouts look for many things. But above all else I would say scouts try to answer one general question first and that is: does the player have the ability to change and alter the game in some way (are they a difference maker) and/or do they dominate the game or aspects of the game. I would also say, in addition to the above, generally many scouts look for qualities in four main macro buckets: technical, tactical, physical and mental. At these younger ages, technical may mean quality of first touch, comfort with the ball, using both feet to pass and shoot, quality of passing, collecting the ball in tight space, 1v1 ability and beating players. Tactical may mean do they have a baseline understanding of what they are supposed to be doing on the field in the positions they play, how well do they move off the ball, do they understand the concept of space and or have spatial awareness, do they read the game. Physical may mean do they have physical attributes that make a difference, size, speed, power, quickness, work rate/stamina and what is their potential in each of these areas. Alot of kids are big and fast now but will tap out at 14/15. Mental may mean, what is their demeanor on the field, are they the leader and or do they clearly possess leadership qualities already, how do they deal with failures and successes on the field, how do they interact with teammates and opposing side, what type of energy do they give off in the game, so they have crazy parents yelling at them on the sidelines (no one wants to deal with them).

All of these things play a factor in scouting. But if you have a u10 kid I would say foster a love of the game above all else and establish a strong relationship with the ball. The better a players skills are the easier it is to make a difference. And it isn't fancy moves. Skills that allow the player to have immediate impact and are simple to execute. IG is killing this in our youth players. Hope this helps.

This is a great explanation, thank you!

All good. And I forgot to add...if you take those four macro buckets and then you rate your child in each of those categories (1-10, 1 being lowest and 10 being highest) the higher they are on the scale, the more likely they have the baseline characteristics that make up a pro player. ALOT can change year to year and even in the season and these ratings will change up and down over time. But if your kid is making a difference and dominating the game at the highest levels, good chance they are on an good trajectory to give themselves a chance to be a pro. Whether they become a pro is a completely different conversation and it doesn't always come down to skills and performance.

And the importance of dominating "at the highest levels" cannot be underestimated or understated. A lot of kids can do very well against weak competition. But when they go up against tougher competition where the speed of play is much faster and decisions have to be made much quicker , those same skills start to look weak and/or break down. Keep striving for higher levels and faster speed of play. Your player's skills aren't good if they can't execute at speed and under intense pressure. If your kid is playing on cones, on flat surfaces, with no pressure, and no messiness around collection of the ball (ie in the air, with someone on their back, off balance, weaker foot, with no space) there is a ceiling to what they can achieve. That is just what it is. Especially if your ambition is pro football.

[Anonymous]

So no U14 team for DCU next year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So no U14 team for DCU next year?

what happen?

[Anonymous]

Hearing bec of financial issues no u14 team
Next year. They would keep the kids with offers and the strongest can try and play up. The rest just practice? Not clear. Trying to validate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hearing bec of financial issues no u14 team
Next year. They would keep the kids with offers and the strongest can try and play up. The rest just practice? Not clear. Trying to validate.

Would not be surprised if this was true...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hearing bec of financial issues no u14 team
Next year. They would keep the kids with offers and the strongest can try and play up. The rest just practice? Not clear. Trying to validate.

Would not be surprised if this was true...

I would be surprised if this is true...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hearing bec of financial issues no u14 team
Next year. They would keep the kids with offers and the strongest can try and play up. The rest just practice? Not clear. Trying to validate.

I'm hearing that they will only have U19 team and all the players will have part-time jobs to pay for equipment and uniforms

Since people believe anything they read on the forum

[Anonymous]

🤣

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hearing bec of financial issues no u14 team
Next year. They would keep the kids with offers and the strongest can try and play up. The rest just practice? Not clear. Trying to validate.

With DCU literally anything could happen. Finances have always been an issue with the academy.