DC United Academy - aa strong academy or not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They do seem to be making changes for the better, however, it's costing the parents money. So much for academy teams being free.

Because the parents are not knowledgeable and have too much pride to understand they are suckers. So many people are asking us if we are trying out for the new RDS. It is a joke. I have to stay silent because you really can't convince people who chase shiny objects.

[Anonymous]

The RDS must be a blatant money grab where the club is spamming for participants, because we got the e-mail invitation and our U11 kid is nowhere near academy level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They do seem to be making changes for the better, however, it's costing the parents money. So much for academy teams being free.

Because the parents are not knowledgeable and have too much pride to understand they are suckers. So many people are asking us if we are trying out for the new RDS. It is a joke. I have to stay silent because you really can't convince people who chase shiny objects.

So we're all clear, the parents of the kids who did the right things at U-littles to develop into players who are desired by the professional club academy are not knowledgeable?
Including the parents of academy players signed to premier league clubs and going on trials.

But you who don't have an academy level player is the knowledgeable parent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just saw 2 kids from the Arlington 2011 signed with Austin. Speaks volumes that people are sending their kids or moving across the country to avoid DCU.

So 2 Arlington 2011s can't make one the strongest academy 2011 roster in the country and went across the country to find a place they could get in

How's that a bad reflection on DC?
They should make their 2011s roster 45 kids?

One of the strongest 2011 academy roster in the country?????? Says who? You? A DCU parent. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Could almost guarantee that the DCU 2011 team wont stack up well against national competition. Regional and local competition they will fare much better. Just on the coaching and playing style and methodology alone, the DCU teams have no chance. They have some talented kids in the system but they will never realize their potential in a system that doesn't prioritize their development.

Then why your unhealthy obsession if they're nothing?

Literally couldn't care less about DCUs teams. Definitely not u15 soccer where half the kids won't even be on the team in a few years because everyone else caught their early puberty size gap. What I do actually care about is any false narrative about the quality of DCUs academy overall. This false narrative is killing youth development in our area because parents think DCU is the end game when it in fact should.be avoided if possible and realistic for a family.

You're going to tell families what's best and realistic and a good fit for them and their child based on the independent failure of you and yours?

how you so wish that were true...it just isn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They do seem to be making changes for the better, however, it's costing the parents money. So much for academy teams being free.

Because the parents are not knowledgeable and have too much pride to understand they are suckers. So many people are asking us if we are trying out for the new RDS. It is a joke. I have to stay silent because you really can't convince people who chase shiny objects.

So we're all clear, the parents of the kids who did the right things at U-littles to develop into players who are desired by the professional club academy are not knowledgeable?
Including the parents of academy players signed to premier league clubs and going on trials.

But you who don't have an academy level player is the knowledgeable parent?

I imagine since DCUA does not start until U14, there are a number of parents on this board like myself with "academy level players" chiming in at U13 and under. Personally, we have been in contact with several other MLS academies with teams at our age and spoken with the parents of several DCUA alumni. It is tough contemplating sending your kids away because you live in the area with the leagues worst academy. If you like the situation at DCUA, good for you. That would make you extremely less knowledgeable than me at this point if you really did do research. It's okay to be in the DCUA academy, proud of your kids achievements and still be objective about where it is in the pantheon of MLS academy development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They do seem to be making changes for the better, however, it's costing the parents money. So much for academy teams being free.

Because the parents are not knowledgeable and have too much pride to understand they are suckers. So many people are asking us if we are trying out for the new RDS. It is a joke. I have to stay silent because you really can't convince people who chase shiny objects.

So we're all clear, the parents of the kids who did the right things at U-littles to develop into players who are desired by the professional club academy are not knowledgeable?
Including the parents of academy players signed to premier league clubs and going on trials.

But you who don't have an academy level player is the knowledgeable parent?

I imagine since DCUA does not start until U14, there are a number of parents on this board like myself with "academy level players" chiming in at U13 and under. Personally, we have been in contact with several other MLS academies with teams at our age and spoken with the parents of several DCUA alumni. It is tough contemplating sending your kids away because you live in the area with the leagues worst academy. If you like the situation at DCUA, good for you. That would make you extremely less knowledgeable than me at this point if you really did do research. It's okay to be in the DCUA academy, proud of your kids achievements and still be objective about where it is in the pantheon of MLS academy development.

Agree with this poster. Consistent with what has been said on this board thousands of times. It is WIDELY known that DCU is one of the worst if not the worst MLS academy in the entire system. Doesn't mean you can't be proud of your son being in an MLS academy and having that accomplishment. Just know what you've signed up for...A subpar academy that has no real investment in your son becoming a better footballer. You will not find anyone that knows anything about the MLS academy hierarchy that will vouch for DCU and the work they are doing with their youth. Facts. If DCU is your only option, it is what it is, take it. But if you do have other options, explore them and try to avoid DCU because you're in for a rollercoaster of a ride with them as they try to keep the academy afloat with no money, no real resources and no real plan. Add incompetent leadership and you're going no where fast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The RDS must be a blatant money grab where the club is spamming for participants, because we got the e-mail invitation and our U11 kid is nowhere near academy level.

Are you shocked? It is a pure money grab. That is the sole purpose. Use the brand to lure unsuspecting parents into the system to pay money they are already paying to other clubs for a chance at DCU. Knowing that 99 percent of the kids have no shot and hiding the reality that the academy is in fact, a joke. And in the DMV market, it will work. You know it isn't about finding players for DCU because it is open to girls as well. Pathetic of DCU but in a market where money can be made and they are desperate for money, it makes sense. Prey on the parents just like the pay to play clubs do. It's very low of DCU, but I expect nothing less from a classless organization run by a bunch of greedy and inept people that know nothing about the game. Why the entire organization is failing from top to bottom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just saw 2 kids from the Arlington 2011 signed with Austin. Speaks volumes that people are sending their kids or moving across the country to avoid DCU.

So 2 Arlington 2011s can't make one the strongest academy 2011 roster in the country and went across the country to find a place they could get in

How's that a bad reflection on DC?
They should make their 2011s roster 45 kids?

One of the strongest 2011 academy roster in the country?????? Says who? You? A DCU parent. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Could almost guarantee that the DCU 2011 team wont stack up well against national competition. Regional and local competition they will fare much better. Just on the coaching and playing style and methodology alone, the DCU teams have no chance. They have some talented kids in the system but they will never realize their potential in a system that doesn't prioritize their development.

Then why your unhealthy obsession if they're nothing?

Literally couldn't care less about DCUs teams. Definitely not u15 soccer where half the kids won't even be on the team in a few years because everyone else caught their early puberty size gap. What I do actually care about is any false narrative about the quality of DCUs academy overall. This false narrative is killing youth development in our area because parents think DCU is the end game when it in fact should.be avoided if possible and realistic for a family.

Ironically, you make a statement about false narratives when the only narrative being pushed is yours. So is that the false narrative?

You love throwing around the word development because it makes you sound knowledgeable, yet, without details.

If you don't have the beginning elements of all players, physical, mental and technical, plus details of their daily on and off field training both physical and theoretical, then also have metrics milestones to measure growth, how can you state if and what development is or isn't taking place and at what pace?

You can blab and throw catchy words and phrases around hoping folks on dcum don't know better, but occasionally intelligent soccer and youth development people will see your BS

Everyone, and I mean everyone who knows anything about the MLS academy world knows DCU is a complete trash bin. Anyone who says otherwise does not know what they are talking about. No catchy words or phrases. DCU is not a good academy and this is a fact. You can choose to live in an alternate reality and not believe this because you chose them. But don't try to ruin other people's chances at becoming better footballers.

The most insightful thing you can see on this thread is that the poster that defends DCU never actually says DCU is quality. Which is evidence enough that it isn't. They just try to poke minescule holes in positions others have taken showing DCU is a crap place to be. The fact is that no argument can be advanced that DCU is a quality outfit because the argument doesn't exist. If it did you would have seen it already. That is all you need to know.

[Anonymous]

DCU is also the only American MLS club that doesn't have a second team. What that means for the academy players is that there is no pathway to the first team if you're not at the level at 18 (which few kids are). That means most players bounce and go to college. Which is no different than pay to play really.

With no pathway to the first team AND no development happening in the academy at the youth ages, it isn't shocking that DCU has minimal to no representation on the first team from.the academy (the sole purpose of the academy).

Again, if your goal is professional football, DCU is a dead end for that. Very hard and so many obstacles within DCUs system. Better target for college soccer but I would argue that you're taking a hit academically in DCUs program and that could limit your ceiling in terms of the bat school you could get into.

[Anonymous]

DCU is for college. I thought everyone knew this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCU is for college. I thought everyone knew this.

Apparently not since the current DCUA academy parents are so defensive. We don’t follow DCUA in any capacity and have paid money to other academies in order to have a home grown protected list defense.

Makai Wells just made the U17 national team. He went to Sidwell which is a better position than most for college.

He left for Barca AZ, is now on NE Revs II and just made his first USYNT camp.

That is the route an apsiring professional footballer from the DMV takes when the parents actually know the system because Barca AZ school system is a mess academically compared to Sidwell for college.

However, when you have a child who wants to get after it, you make tough decisions since DCUA does not have it’s stuff together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just saw 2 kids from the Arlington 2011 signed with Austin. Speaks volumes that people are sending their kids or moving across the country to avoid DCU.

So 2 Arlington 2011s can't make one the strongest academy 2011 roster in the country and went across the country to find a place they could get in

How's that a bad reflection on DC?
They should make their 2011s roster 45 kids?

One of the strongest 2011 academy roster in the country?????? Says who? You? A DCU parent. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Could almost guarantee that the DCU 2011 team wont stack up well against national competition. Regional and local competition they will fare much better. Just on the coaching and playing style and methodology alone, the DCU teams have no chance. They have some talented kids in the system but they will never realize their potential in a system that doesn't prioritize their development.

Then why your unhealthy obsession if they're nothing?

Literally couldn't care less about DCUs teams. Definitely not u15 soccer where half the kids won't even be on the team in a few years because everyone else caught their early puberty size gap. What I do actually care about is any false narrative about the quality of DCUs academy overall. This false narrative is killing youth development in our area because parents think DCU is the end game when it in fact should.be avoided if possible and realistic for a family.

Ironically, you make a statement about false narratives when the only narrative being pushed is yours. So is that the false narrative?

You love throwing around the word development because it makes you sound knowledgeable, yet, without details.

If you don't have the beginning elements of all players, physical, mental and technical, plus details of their daily on and off field training both physical and theoretical, then also have metrics milestones to measure growth, how can you state if and what development is or isn't taking place and at what pace?

You can blab and throw catchy words and phrases around hoping folks on dcum don't know better, but occasionally intelligent soccer and youth development people will see your BS

Everyone, and I mean everyone who knows anything about the MLS academy world knows DCU is a complete trash bin. Anyone who says otherwise does not know what they are talking about. No catchy words or phrases. DCU is not a good academy and this is a fact. You can choose to live in an alternate reality and not believe this because you chose them. But don't try to ruin other people's chances at becoming better footballers.

The most insightful thing you can see on this thread is that the poster that defends DCU never actually says DCU is quality. Which is evidence enough that it isn't. They just try to poke minescule holes in positions others have taken showing DCU is a crap place to be. The fact is that no argument can be advanced that DCU is a quality outfit because the argument doesn't exist. If it did you would have seen it already. That is all you need to know.

In the academic and intellectual world, one counters a factual argument with opposing factual arguments.
Hence the never ending arguments around religion between believers and the agnostic.

Whats the intellectual factual argument and response to "DC United is the worst academy"?
Especially when the individual making the claim can neither qualify nor quantify with data.

What's the academic intellectual response to "DC doesn't develop players"?
When the person making the argument cannot present metrics?

What's the response to "DC spends the least of every academy"
When the accuser cannot present budgets or expenditures for all academies?

So you see, there's an accuser but not a defender, because there's nothing to actually defend.

May as well argue NY pizza vs Chicago pizza or ice cream vs cake for endless pontifications

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCU is also the only American MLS club that doesn't have a second team. What that means for the academy players is that there is no pathway to the first team if you're not at the level at 18 (which few kids are). That means most players bounce and go to college. Which is no different than pay to play really.

With no pathway to the first team AND no development happening in the academy at the youth ages, it isn't shocking that DCU has minimal to no representation on the first team from.the academy (the sole purpose of the academy).

Again, if your goal is professional football, DCU is a dead end for that. Very hard and so many obstacles within DCUs system. Better target for college soccer but I would argue that you're taking a hit academically in DCUs program and that could limit your ceiling in terms of the bat school you could get into.

If the goal is professional football with contracts of significance, can you please list with the data the MLS Academies that are graduating more than 2% (being generous) of players to such levels?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just saw 2 kids from the Arlington 2011 signed with Austin. Speaks volumes that people are sending their kids or moving across the country to avoid DCU.

So 2 Arlington 2011s can't make one the strongest academy 2011 roster in the country and went across the country to find a place they could get in

How's that a bad reflection on DC?
They should make their 2011s roster 45 kids?

One of the strongest 2011 academy roster in the country?????? Says who? You? A DCU parent. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Could almost guarantee that the DCU 2011 team wont stack up well against national competition. Regional and local competition they will fare much better. Just on the coaching and playing style and methodology alone, the DCU teams have no chance. They have some talented kids in the system but they will never realize their potential in a system that doesn't prioritize their development.

Then why your unhealthy obsession if they're nothing?

Literally couldn't care less about DCUs teams. Definitely not u15 soccer where half the kids won't even be on the team in a few years because everyone else caught their early puberty size gap. What I do actually care about is any false narrative about the quality of DCUs academy overall. This false narrative is killing youth development in our area because parents think DCU is the end game when it in fact should.be avoided if possible and realistic for a family.

Ironically, you make a statement about false narratives when the only narrative being pushed is yours. So is that the false narrative?

You love throwing around the word development because it makes you sound knowledgeable, yet, without details.

If you don't have the beginning elements of all players, physical, mental and technical, plus details of their daily on and off field training both physical and theoretical, then also have metrics milestones to measure growth, how can you state if and what development is or isn't taking place and at what pace?

You can blab and throw catchy words and phrases around hoping folks on dcum don't know better, but occasionally intelligent soccer and youth development people will see your BS

Everyone, and I mean everyone who knows anything about the MLS academy world knows DCU is a complete trash bin. Anyone who says otherwise does not know what they are talking about. No catchy words or phrases. DCU is not a good academy and this is a fact. You can choose to live in an alternate reality and not believe this because you chose them. But don't try to ruin other people's chances at becoming better footballers.

The most insightful thing you can see on this thread is that the poster that defends DCU never actually says DCU is quality. Which is evidence enough that it isn't. They just try to poke minescule holes in positions others have taken showing DCU is a crap place to be. The fact is that no argument can be advanced that DCU is a quality outfit because the argument doesn't exist. If it did you would have seen it already. That is all you need to know.

In the academic and intellectual world, one counters a factual argument with opposing factual arguments.
Hence the never ending arguments around religion between believers and the agnostic.

Whats the intellectual factual argument and response to "DC United is the worst academy"?
Especially when the individual making the claim can neither qualify nor quantify with data.

What's the academic intellectual response to "DC doesn't develop players"?
When the person making the argument cannot present metrics?

What's the response to "DC spends the least of every academy"
When the accuser cannot present budgets or expenditures for all academies?

So you see, there's an accuser but not a defender, because there's nothing to actually defend.

May as well argue NY pizza vs Chicago pizza or ice cream vs cake for endless pontifications

What's the academic and intellectual response to DC United does not have a U14 squad?

What's the academic and intellectual response to DC United does not have an MLS Next Pro squad?

What's the academic and intellectual response to DC United has a below average number of academy products on the first team?

What's the academic and intellectual response to DC United charges its players for a remote education?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCU is for college. I thought everyone knew this.

Apparently not since the current DCUA academy parents are so defensive. We don’t follow DCUA in any capacity and have paid money to other academies in order to have a home grown protected list defense.

Makai Wells just made the U17 national team. He went to Sidwell which is a better position than most for college.

He left for Barca AZ, is now on NE Revs II and just made his first USYNT camp.

That is the route an apsiring professional footballer from the DMV takes when the parents actually know the system because Barca AZ school system is a mess academically compared to Sidwell for college.

However, when you have a child who wants to get after it, you make tough decisions since DCUA does not have it’s stuff together.

The education part caught my attention

It's a gigantic leap to leave one of the best private schools in the country and move away from home at a young age in a slim hopeful pursuit of a rare rewarding professional soccer career.

If he had left for Europe or was on a Cavan Sullivan path it would seem less risky

Vast numbers of kids rotate through the USYNT pools without future professional successes