DC United Academy - aa strong academy or not

[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.

"Personally, we have been in contact with several other MLS academies with teams at our age..."

How did all these MLS academies find out about your DS and how did they reach out?

Should be good info for others with younger sons

[Anonymous]

Gotta love these delusional IG parents on here talking about sending their 12 year old superstar to whichever top mls academy where ever across the country on a pipe dream fantasy to all become Christian Pulisic

99.999% of them gonna end up the same place as kids from local clubs.
Whether from MLSN, MLSN2, ECNL, EDP.
From Richmond United to Baltimore Armour and all clubs in between

Thats the reality. Proven year after year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Fantastic summary. Not sure anything else needs to be said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Fantastic summary. Not sure anything else needs to be said.

Strange that a club valued in the top 30 in the world can be said to have no money and no resources

If they have a new academy director and new senior head coach, is it the owners that are being called the incompetent leaders?

When you say no plan, the academy for 25/26 season is just winging it day by day?

So they just overhauled the academy system and philosophy starting this season according to reports, yet simultaneously have no plan.
That's odd

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Fantastic summary. Not sure anything else needs to be said.

Strange that a club valued in the top 30 in the world can be said to have no money and no resources

If they have a new academy director and new senior head coach, is it the owners that are being called the incompetent leaders?

When you say no plan, the academy for 25/26 season is just winging it day by day?

So they just overhauled the academy system and philosophy starting this season according to reports, yet simultaneously have no plan.
That's odd

I had to look it up and according to Forbes, you're right:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinteitelbaum/2025/05/30/the-worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams-2025/

So, it remains crazy that a club, with so much equity and such a high valuation has not been able to turn around their on field performance nor build an amazing academy is just mind boggling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Fantastic summary. Not sure anything else needs to be said.

Strange that a club valued in the top 30 in the world can be said to have no money and no resources

If they have a new academy director and new senior head coach, is it the owners that are being called the incompetent leaders?

When you say no plan, the academy for 25/26 season is just winging it day by day?

So they just overhauled the academy system and philosophy starting this season according to reports, yet simultaneously have no plan.
That's odd

I had to look it up and according to Forbes, you're right:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinteitelbaum/2025/05/30/the-worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams-2025/

So, it remains crazy that a club, with so much equity and such a high valuation has not been able to turn around their on field performance nor build an amazing academy is just mind boggling.

It's amazing that MLS teams are on the list with so much less revenue and growth (DCU 1%) vs European clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

"Personally, we have been in contact with several other MLS academies with teams at our age..."

How did all these MLS academies find out about your DS and how did they reach out?

Should be good info for others with younger sons

Guesting and networking. Don’t overhype your kid. Just show up and be a great parent. Don’t worry about flight level, playing time, positions, etc. Once coaches and other parents see you as a reliable family, you become valuable. If you guest up north in NJ and PA, you are always 1-2 degrees away from Red Bulls and Union which have people and families on the ground. We have learned this community is small, especially in the NE/Mid-Atlantic corridor. We weren’t actively looking for any opportunities. We were just looking to fill in empty weekends and then one thing led to another based on my child’s play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

DC has a U14 squad

DC doesn't have a MLS Next Pro team

DC has academy products on the first team and first teams elsewhere and in Europe
(what is the "average" number of academy players on a MLS club senior team?)
Academy players to Senior teams vary in every club, league and level.

We're in the DC area where private education is common and tuition under $20K per year is considered bargain basement

Being at the academy is optional and going to another academy gives you no more or less than +/- 1% chance of going professional

I doubt there's a MLS academy out there churning out high percentage of Pros and keeping it a secret

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Fantastic summary. Not sure anything else needs to be said.

Strange that a club valued in the top 30 in the world can be said to have no money and no resources

If they have a new academy director and new senior head coach, is it the owners that are being called the incompetent leaders?

When you say no plan, the academy for 25/26 season is just winging it day by day?

So they just overhauled the academy system and philosophy starting this season according to reports, yet simultaneously have no plan.
That's odd

I had to look it up and according to Forbes, you're right:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinteitelbaum/2025/05/30/the-worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams-2025/

So, it remains crazy that a club, with so much equity and such a high valuation has not been able to turn around their on field performance nor build an amazing academy is just mind boggling.

So you're just going to conveniently ignore the facts that the academy had a complete overhaul to start the 25/26 season?
And the new head coach with European success and experience at clubs with world class academies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Fantastic summary. Not sure anything else needs to be said.

Strange that a club valued in the top 30 in the world can be said to have no money and no resources

If they have a new academy director and new senior head coach, is it the owners that are being called the incompetent leaders?

When you say no plan, the academy for 25/26 season is just winging it day by day?

So they just overhauled the academy system and philosophy starting this season according to reports, yet simultaneously have no plan.
That's odd

I had to look it up and according to Forbes, you're right:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinteitelbaum/2025/05/30/the-worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams-2025/

So, it remains crazy that a club, with so much equity and such a high valuation has not been able to turn around their on field performance nor build an amazing academy is just mind boggling.

They are terrific short-term business men and poor long-term strategic thinkers.

Union just opened up a facility that is accessible to their youth. A larger facility but like the new Bethesda facility. BSC’s facility is in Gaithersburg and not accessible. DCU is in Leesburg and not really accessible. Union facility is accessible. Union also funds SWAG, developing inner city kids starting at 4 which supplements the wealthier kids coming from Delco and other areas to create the ideal mix of footballers.

DCU owners are terrific businessmen who have strategically grown a business on the backs of the community which it does not invest in.

Their financial success is much different than their long-term success and it is very expensive to run a club when you don’t have much talent in your system that comes through the first team or that you can sell and reinvest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

"Personally, we have been in contact with several other MLS academies with teams at our age..."

How did all these MLS academies find out about your DS and how did they reach out?

Should be good info for others with younger sons

Guesting and networking. Don’t overhype your kid. Just show up and be a great parent. Don’t worry about flight level, playing time, positions, etc. Once coaches and other parents see you as a reliable family, you become valuable. If you guest up north in NJ and PA, you are always 1-2 degrees away from Red Bulls and Union which have people and families on the ground. We have learned this community is small, especially in the NE/Mid-Atlantic corridor. We weren’t actively looking for any opportunities. We were just looking to fill in empty weekends and then one thing led to another based on my child’s play.

If you're playing MLS Next on a local DMV club, don't you play Philly and NYRB?
Why do you need to guest up north for them to see you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

DC has a U14 squad

DC doesn't have a MLS Next Pro team

DC has academy products on the first team and first teams elsewhere and in Europe
(what is the "average" number of academy players on a MLS club senior team?)
Academy players to Senior teams vary in every club, league and level.

We're in the DC area where private education is common and tuition under $20K per year is considered bargain basement

Being at the academy is optional and going to another academy gives you no more or less than +/- 1% chance of going professional

I doubt there's a MLS academy out there churning out high percentage of Pros and keeping it a secret

The average professional footballer is not coming from a DCUM profile. That works until 14-15 but then the mental struggle kicks in and a kid with 6k+ square feet home in Loudoun and a 529 funded my grandpa worth $500k is going to mail it in and explore more high-percentage options of success than a kid without such luxuries. That is precisely what the DCUA model gets wrong.

[Anonymous]

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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.

Fantastic summary. Not sure anything else needs to be said.

Strange that a club valued in the top 30 in the world can be said to have no money and no resources

If they have a new academy director and new senior head coach, is it the owners that are being called the incompetent leaders?

When you say no plan, the academy for 25/26 season is just winging it day by day?

So they just overhauled the academy system and philosophy starting this season according to reports, yet simultaneously have no plan.
That's odd

I had to look it up and according to Forbes, you're right:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinteitelbaum/2025/05/30/the-worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams-2025/

So, it remains crazy that a club, with so much equity and such a high valuation has not been able to turn around their on field performance nor build an amazing academy is just mind boggling.

They are terrific short-term business men and poor long-term strategic thinkers.

Union just opened up a facility that is accessible to their youth. A larger facility but like the new Bethesda facility. BSC’s facility is in Gaithersburg and not accessible. DCU is in Leesburg and not really accessible. Union facility is accessible. Union also funds SWAG, developing inner city kids starting at 4 which supplements the wealthier kids coming from Delco and other areas to create the ideal mix of footballers.

DCU owners are terrific businessmen who have strategically grown a business on the backs of the community which it does not invest in.

Their financial success is much different than their long-term success and it is very expensive to run a club when you don’t have much talent in your system that comes through the first team or that you can sell and reinvest.

How much money is Philly making selling Academy players regularly?
Is there a link to that info?

[Anonymous]

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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?

DC has a U14 squad

DC doesn't have a MLS Next Pro team

DC has academy products on the first team and first teams elsewhere and in Europe
(what is the "average" number of academy players on a MLS club senior team?)
Academy players to Senior teams vary in every club, league and level.

We're in the DC area where private education is common and tuition under $20K per year is considered bargain basement

Being at the academy is optional and going to another academy gives you no more or less than +/- 1% chance of going professional

I doubt there's a MLS academy out there churning out high percentage of Pros and keeping it a secret

The average professional footballer is not coming from a DCUM profile. That works until 14-15 but then the mental struggle kicks in and a kid with 6k+ square feet home in Loudoun and a 529 funded my grandpa worth $500k is going to mail it in and explore more high-percentage options of success than a kid without such luxuries. That is precisely what the DCUA model gets wrong.

Nice story

All these poor suffering kids from other academies know da struggle is real
(they all were on scholarships during the U-littles pay-to-play years and arrived at training after taking 4 busses and walking 8 miles)

DC Academy has a Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Ferrari loaner car program for service drop-off

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

"Personally, we have been in contact with several other MLS academies with teams at our age..."

How did all these MLS academies find out about your DS and how did they reach out?

Should be good info for others with younger sons

Guesting and networking. Don’t overhype your kid. Just show up and be a great parent. Don’t worry about flight level, playing time, positions, etc. Once coaches and other parents see you as a reliable family, you become valuable. If you guest up north in NJ and PA, you are always 1-2 degrees away from Red Bulls and Union which have people and families on the ground. We have learned this community is small, especially in the NE/Mid-Atlantic corridor. We weren’t actively looking for any opportunities. We were just looking to fill in empty weekends and then one thing led to another based on my child’s play.

If you're playing MLS Next on a local DMV club, don't you play Philly and NYRB?
Why do you need to guest up north for them to see you?

MLS Next starts at U13. Us parents of at U12 and below are talking. I think I specifically said we did not do anything for anybody to see us or exposure. We were filling in empty weekends by guesting and coaches and parents saw our kid can ball and then conversations start happening.

This is the exact attitude other clubs and parents are looking to avoid. The strategic positioning, I must win at everything parent that are so prevalent in the DMV.