DC United Academy - aa strong academy or not
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Anonymous
LOL 😆.. Go ahead and tell that to the outside academies that scooped them up for residency programs. I guess they invest that much money into them because they're not top tier eh? You're funny... |
Anonymous
Yes, the dozens upon dozens of 12, 13, 14, 15 year olds from the dmv whos families have sent them to live with strangers across the country Because the other academies can't find players in or near their regions haha |
Anonymous
| No, 14 to 18 year olds. And yes, they were better than players in their regions. Help us understand why that is so hard to believe? Are you saying academy teams spend 10s of thousands of dollars to school/feed/house these kids just for shits and giggles? |
Anonymous
When you decide to stop the exaggeration of the number of young kids from the dmv living away from home at MLS academies nationwide people may take you semi seriously |
Anonymous
Doesn't matter what you say or do no one takes you or your posts seriously. It's just amusement at this point. You clearly do t know what's up. |
Anonymous
How many times does someone have to say this for you to understand...academies are looking for the best players. Not the best players in their region. And if they can get the player outside the region they will do that. Just so happens DMV is a good region for talent. So no, it isn't surprising that kids go outside the DMV and are selected by other academies Especially since DCU is a trash bin. |
Anonymous
You have a couple years left in a sh#thole academy and then what you got? Probably haven't thought that far have you? Pressed over u14 soccer. You have no idea what's ahead. Feel bad for you because when the separation happens at u17 and your kid is a not at the level, you'll have only one person to blame. Yourself. And DCU. |
Anonymous
At this point that poster is either trolling or ignorant. I think bit of both. |
Anonymous
💯 |
Anonymous
First and foremost, grassroots clubs in our area have better coaches than DCU. This is how most of the kids got to DCU in the first place. Some of the smallest clubs in the DMV have coaches that can actually teach players how to become better players. They are educators in the sport. DCUs coaching slate is not the best and that has almost always been the case. Couple that with a robotic and rudimentary style of play being drilled at DCU and no focus on teaching how to actually play the game, from a learning the game perspective, you're better off outside of DCU. It's not equal footing. DCU players are in a much weaker position in this aspect. Second, playing up means very little if you're not learning anything. At DCU, playing up is a parent appeasement tool, not a real marker of development. If you're playing up and dominating, then you're in the right environment. If not, you're just a tool for optics and the facade of development. DCUs rationale for who plays up and why is so unsophisticated and basic that playing up at DCU is more detrimental to the players. Largely because whether they play up or not, they aren't learning. Playing up can be helpful if done correctly. But DCU doesn't use this tool correctly because they don't care about development. Again, edge to grassroots clubs because playing up is how ALOT of the grassroots clubs actually help develop the kids at younger ages. At DCU playing up doesn't change anything for the player. The learning environment is the same whether you're playing up or on age - weak. Third, whining about bio banding at grassroots clubs shows a laser focus on winning the games. From a development perspective, playing against bio.banded kids may be better for kids that were playing up anyway before they got to DCU. .it all depends on the player and the situation. A good combination of dominating and challenge is a balance alot of professional academies try to strike. It all comes down to learning environment. I would take being bio banded if I was learning at a higher rate. And you're singling out some of the worst bio banding offenders and painting all clubs with that same brush. End of day, grassroots clubs have the flexibility to do almost whatever they want with their rosters, playing time etc. DCU doesn't have this luxury because the league mandates certain things as does the MLS. DCU just has better players.. Without those players, DCU is no better than local grassroots clubs and, for the reasons posted above, and in many instances, worse. At least at other MLS academies, the academy itself is something to be proud of. Facilities, investment, product. DCU is a joke on all of these fronts. Fourth, DCU doesn't have a legitimate pro pathway for the players without a second team. Neither do grassroots clubs. Equal. Fifth, facilities at grassroots clubs are the same as DCUs. Equal footing. Sixth, grassroots clubs have the same amount of players on youth national teams as DCU. None. But this year a grassroots club put a player in the u16 national team camp over ALL the DCU 2009s. Edge grassroots. Seventh, DCU has a weaker college track record than grassroots/local clubs. Just not enough history in the game. Edge grassroots. Could go on and on...bottom line, DCU is not what most think it is. And if you chose to go, you're choosing a medicore at best academy for your son. |
Anonymous
This is accurate. The only real benefit of DCU is the platform and that it used to be free. Now that it is pay to play, the only benefit is the platform. Is the platform worth it at DCU? That is the central question for any player and family. If your ambition is pro soccer, I would argue no, you need to go some place else. If you're focused on college, soccer, I would say it's a toss up between DCU and a local club. At least at a local club you can still focus on being at a top high school and have extra curriculars to boost your resume. DCU you're stuck at their crappy online school that you're paying for! The level is higher at DCU, but that is probably only at the younger ages. The older ages it evens out pretty substantively because again, DCU doesn't teach the kids and players in better systems catch and surpass them quickly. Overall, MLS academies have a stronger reputation nationally. But, DCU's reputation is one of the weakest nationally because it is known that the entire club is a disaster. DCU owns your rights once you sign up and that is a burden on your movement as a player and you're not learning while you're there. There are no restrictions on your movement coming from a grassroots club and you can transfer anywhere for free. If a club overseas is looking at two 18 year old players with similar ability, the one who is free will be taken almost every time. Even if they are slightly less in ability, getting a player for free is very hard overseas. DCU is what people focus on in our area because most people don't know any better. It's what everyone else thinks is the best. And the DMV is mostly about keeping up with the Joneses. Now that DCU is pay to play, the distinctions between DCU and local clubs is very small. |
Anonymous
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So, many interesting takes on DCU and their lack of success as academy and their overall culture and environment. From this, my takeaway if you have other options, take them.
So, I am not in the DMV, but close enough. The area that I am in has sent players to other academies other than DCU even though it's the closet to our location. Columbus, Charlotte and Philly. Two more heading to Philly next year. That will make around 4 or 5 kids from the local club up there. I do know a player going to DCU next year, just for their last year, for the experience. They are currently player with another MLS Next club. Also, if you can make arrangements for other schooling, you are not bound to the $10k cost of DCU. The player I know is able to finish their school in their home district with the online option they offer, for free. |
Anonymous
Great perspective and thank you. Consistent with what I've heard too. If an online school is available in your area and it meshes with DCUs schedule, then that is an option. But if not, you have to pony up or go so replace else. And yes, if a player has other options, definitely explore them or take them. DCU is not the way. |
Anonymous
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Oh, so the rumor is true
There's a thread for people who's kids were rejected, cut or not accepted by dcu academy to moan whine and commiserate pitiful insecurities and despondency Life goes on folks, find other purpose. And if your kid is actually at a high level professional academy but you're here crying and obsessing over DC, you may need to seek professional help. |
Anonymous
Nah, we'll continue to make sure the community is aware of DCU's gross inadequacies until there's change. So that the next parents won't have to send their kids outside of the area to get development. |