MLS announces expansion to its Elite Youth Development Platform

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting assortment of clubs. I don't know much about Achilles, but Alexandria's and SYC's club philosophies are completely different.

It's good for developing kids for them to play against both kinds of clubs. With Alexandria they get a look at a patient team that wants to keep possession and will look to draw them out of position defensively. With SYC they don't have the same level of technical skill or tactical training, but they're big and fast and will run right at you. Challenging, because no one will get time on the ball. Really, an ideal opponent if you're looking to teach kids how to play fast, smart football. Odds are that you'll lose against big, fast teams until U15 or U16. But hopefully being the best U13 team in Virginia isn't your goal.

Brought to you by Alexandria Coaching Staff...

PP here. My kids played neither at Alexandria nor SYC. Seen them both enough, though (and at LMVSC before they all moved to SYC).

I'm from Europe, where clubs have a very different focus. Clubs there want to develop future professionals, and understand that games are opportunities to develop. Winning matches is a secondary concern. A win for a club is creating a player that they can go on to a bigger club.

So yes, focusing on winning the U13 state cup can be (but isn't necessarily) harmful to the goal of best developing players, depending on the coach's outlook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria? Mls league.

Achilles, Alexandria and SYC have been added from the DMV area.

These were the logical three remaining in this area. No surprise here.

SYC plays pretty ugly soccer. They will fit right in.

butthurt there with SYC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting assortment of clubs. I don't know much about Achilles, but Alexandria's and SYC's club philosophies are completely different.

It's good for developing kids for them to play against both kinds of clubs. With Alexandria they get a look at a patient team that wants to keep possession and will look to draw them out of position defensively. With SYC they don't have the same level of technical skill or tactical training, but they're big and fast and will run right at you. Challenging, because no one will get time on the ball. Really, an ideal opponent if you're looking to teach kids how to play fast, smart football. Odds are that you'll lose against big, fast teams until U15 or U16. But hopefully being the best U13 team in Virginia isn't your goal.

Brought to you by Alexandria Coaching Staff...

PP here. My kids played neither at Alexandria nor SYC. Seen them both enough, though (and at LMVSC before they all moved to SYC).

I'm from Europe, where clubs have a very different focus. Clubs there want to develop future professionals, and understand that games are opportunities to develop. Winning matches is a secondary concern. A win for a club is creating a player that they can go on to a bigger club.

So yes, focusing on winning the U13 state cup can be (but isn't necessarily) harmful to the goal of best developing players, depending on the coach's outlook.

Not pp, but are we in Europe??? Time for you to be more "American" my friend!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting assortment of clubs. I don't know much about Achilles, but Alexandria's and SYC's club philosophies are completely different.

It's good for developing kids for them to play against both kinds of clubs. With Alexandria they get a look at a patient team that wants to keep possession and will look to draw them out of position defensively. With SYC they don't have the same level of technical skill or tactical training, but they're big and fast and will run right at you. Challenging, because no one will get time on the ball. Really, an ideal opponent if you're looking to teach kids how to play fast, smart football. Odds are that you'll lose against big, fast teams until U15 or U16. But hopefully being the best U13 team in Virginia isn't your goal.

Brought to you by Alexandria Coaching Staff...

PP here. My kids played neither at Alexandria nor SYC. Seen them both enough, though (and at LMVSC before they all moved to SYC).

I'm from Europe, where clubs have a very different focus. Clubs there want to develop future professionals, and understand that games are opportunities to develop. Winning matches is a secondary concern. A win for a club is creating a player that they can go on to a bigger club.

So yes, focusing on winning the U13 state cup can be (but isn't necessarily) harmful to the goal of best developing players, depending on the coach's outlook.

And since the US doesn't/can't sell youth players to professional clubs, are you advocating a change? Landscape in America is different. Most Americans want to have fun/win, they have no intent on professional soccer. Some, SOME, college soccer but still education-driven. Anybody with a shot at European-level should just go to Europe (like they do in South America).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting assortment of clubs. I don't know much about Achilles, but Alexandria's and SYC's club philosophies are completely different.

It's good for developing kids for them to play against both kinds of clubs. With Alexandria they get a look at a patient team that wants to keep possession and will look to draw them out of position defensively. With SYC they don't have the same level of technical skill or tactical training, but they're big and fast and will run right at you. Challenging, because no one will get time on the ball. Really, an ideal opponent if you're looking to teach kids how to play fast, smart football. Odds are that you'll lose against big, fast teams until U15 or U16. But hopefully being the best U13 team in Virginia isn't your goal.

Brought to you by Alexandria Coaching Staff...

PP here. My kids played neither at Alexandria nor SYC. Seen them both enough, though (and at LMVSC before they all moved to SYC).

I'm from Europe, where clubs have a very different focus. Clubs there want to develop future professionals, and understand that games are opportunities to develop. Winning matches is a secondary concern. A win for a club is creating a player that they can go on to a bigger club.

So yes, focusing on winning the U13 state cup can be (but isn't necessarily) harmful to the goal of best developing players, depending on the coach's outlook.

And since the US doesn't/can't sell youth players to professional clubs, are you advocating a change? Landscape in America is different. Most Americans want to have fun/win, they have no intent on professional soccer. Some, SOME, college soccer but still education-driven. Anybody with a shot at European-level should just go to Europe (like they do in South America).

You are not wrong. You are also not helping syc look better 🤣

[Anonymous]

So MLS Elite Youth Development Platform is kind of like top division of CCL or EDP or NCSL?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting assortment of clubs. I don't know much about Achilles, but Alexandria's and SYC's club philosophies are completely different.

It's good for developing kids for them to play against both kinds of clubs. With Alexandria they get a look at a patient team that wants to keep possession and will look to draw them out of position defensively. With SYC they don't have the same level of technical skill or tactical training, but they're big and fast and will run right at you. Challenging, because no one will get time on the ball. Really, an ideal opponent if you're looking to teach kids how to play fast, smart football. Odds are that you'll lose against big, fast teams until U15 or U16. But hopefully being the best U13 team in Virginia isn't your goal.

Brought to you by Alexandria Coaching Staff...

PP here. My kids played neither at Alexandria nor SYC. Seen them both enough, though (and at LMVSC before they all moved to SYC).

I'm from Europe, where clubs have a very different focus. Clubs there want to develop future professionals, and understand that games are opportunities to develop. Winning matches is a secondary concern. A win for a club is creating a player that they can go on to a bigger club.

So yes, focusing on winning the U13 state cup can be (but isn't necessarily) harmful to the goal of best developing players, depending on the coach's outlook.

And since the US doesn't/can't sell youth players to professional clubs, are you advocating a change? Landscape in America is different. Most Americans want to have fun/win, they have no intent on professional soccer. Some, SOME, college soccer but still education-driven. Anybody with a shot at European-level should just go to Europe (like they do in South America).

You are not wrong. You are also not helping syc look better 🤣

SYC, Alexandria, etc don't need help looking better. They've got great teams in both genders across their age groups. Why do you think they're in the MLS EDP division? Stroke of luck?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting assortment of clubs. I don't know much about Achilles, but Alexandria's and SYC's club philosophies are completely different.

It's good for developing kids for them to play against both kinds of clubs. With Alexandria they get a look at a patient team that wants to keep possession and will look to draw them out of position defensively. With SYC they don't have the same level of technical skill or tactical training, but they're big and fast and will run right at you. Challenging, because no one will get time on the ball. Really, an ideal opponent if you're looking to teach kids how to play fast, smart football. Odds are that you'll lose against big, fast teams until U15 or U16. But hopefully being the best U13 team in Virginia isn't your goal.

Agree that Alexandria can be an interesting matchup for MLS teams because while they are not at the same level athletically or technically, they may have an advantage tactically (at least compared to DC). Problem for a club like SYC who tends to rely on athleticism (and a few skilled individuals) is that the DC players on the whole are both more athletic and more skilled.

I don't think this has anything to do with competitiveness though. MLS teams will still schedule friendlies against the best local teams in their areas regardless of league affiliation. This is all about a recruiting base. The non-MLS clubs invited into this league are agreeing to be feeder clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting assortment of clubs. I don't know much about Achilles, but Alexandria's and SYC's club philosophies are completely different.

It's good for developing kids for them to play against both kinds of clubs. With Alexandria they get a look at a patient team that wants to keep possession and will look to draw them out of position defensively. With SYC they don't have the same level of technical skill or tactical training, but they're big and fast and will run right at you. Challenging, because no one will get time on the ball. Really, an ideal opponent if you're looking to teach kids how to play fast, smart football. Odds are that you'll lose against big, fast teams until U15 or U16. But hopefully being the best U13 team in Virginia isn't your goal.

Agree that Alexandria can be an interesting matchup for MLS teams because while they are not at the same level athletically or technically, they may have an advantage tactically (at least compared to DC). Problem for a club like SYC who tends to rely on athleticism (and a few skilled individuals) is that the DC players on the whole are both more athletic and more skilled.

I don't think this has anything to do with competitiveness though. MLS teams will still schedule friendlies against the best local teams in their areas regardless of league affiliation. This is all about a recruiting base. The non-MLS clubs invited into this league are agreeing to be feeder clubs.

okay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting assortment of clubs. I don't know much about Achilles, but Alexandria's and SYC's club philosophies are completely different.

It's good for developing kids for them to play against both kinds of clubs. With Alexandria they get a look at a patient team that wants to keep possession and will look to draw them out of position defensively. With SYC they don't have the same level of technical skill or tactical training, but they're big and fast and will run right at you. Challenging, because no one will get time on the ball. Really, an ideal opponent if you're looking to teach kids how to play fast, smart football. Odds are that you'll lose against big, fast teams until U15 or U16. But hopefully being the best U13 team in Virginia isn't your goal.

Agree that Alexandria can be an interesting matchup for MLS teams because while they are not at the same level athletically or technically, they may have an advantage tactically (at least compared to DC). Problem for a club like SYC who tends to rely on athleticism (and a few skilled individuals) is that the DC players on the whole are both more athletic and more skilled.

I don't think this has anything to do with competitiveness though. MLS teams will still schedule friendlies against the best local teams in their areas regardless of league affiliation. This is all about a recruiting base. The non-MLS clubs invited into this league are agreeing to be feeder clubs.

How you manage to see athleticism on a sport as a "problem" is beyond ridiculous in any sport or any club for that matter...

How's your kid doing??? top level player I bet...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting assortment of clubs. I don't know much about Achilles, but Alexandria's and SYC's club philosophies are completely different.

It's good for developing kids for them to play against both kinds of clubs. With Alexandria they get a look at a patient team that wants to keep possession and will look to draw them out of position defensively. With SYC they don't have the same level of technical skill or tactical training, but they're big and fast and will run right at you. Challenging, because no one will get time on the ball. Really, an ideal opponent if you're looking to teach kids how to play fast, smart football. Odds are that you'll lose against big, fast teams until U15 or U16. But hopefully being the best U13 team in Virginia isn't your goal.

Agree that Alexandria can be an interesting matchup for MLS teams because while they are not at the same level athletically or technically, they may have an advantage tactically (at least compared to DC). Problem for a club like SYC who tends to rely on athleticism (and a few skilled individuals) is that the DC players on the whole are both more athletic and more skilled.

I don't think this has anything to do with competitiveness though. MLS teams will still schedule friendlies against the best local teams in their areas regardless of league affiliation. This is all about a recruiting base. The non-MLS clubs invited into this league are agreeing to be feeder clubs.

How you manage to see athleticism on a sport as a "problem" is beyond ridiculous in any sport or any club for that matter...

How's your kid doing??? top level player I bet...

Don't bother. The guy that considers it a problem is just your typical person who thinks that athletes aren't found in soccer or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting assortment of clubs. I don't know much about Achilles, but Alexandria's and SYC's club philosophies are completely different.

It's good for developing kids for them to play against both kinds of clubs. With Alexandria they get a look at a patient team that wants to keep possession and will look to draw them out of position defensively. With SYC they don't have the same level of technical skill or tactical training, but they're big and fast and will run right at you. Challenging, because no one will get time on the ball. Really, an ideal opponent if you're looking to teach kids how to play fast, smart football. Odds are that you'll lose against big, fast teams until U15 or U16. But hopefully being the best U13 team in Virginia isn't your goal.

Agree that Alexandria can be an interesting matchup for MLS teams because while they are not at the same level athletically or technically, they may have an advantage tactically (at least compared to DC). Problem for a club like SYC who tends to rely on athleticism (and a few skilled individuals) is that the DC players on the whole are both more athletic and more skilled.

I don't think this has anything to do with competitiveness though. MLS teams will still schedule friendlies against the best local teams in their areas regardless of league affiliation. This is all about a recruiting base. The non-MLS clubs invited into this league are agreeing to be feeder clubs.

How you manage to see athleticism on a sport as a "problem" is beyond ridiculous in any sport or any club for that matter...

How's your kid doing??? top level player I bet...

PP, you are so right. Just look how focus on athleticism in soccer has lead to world domination by the USMNT!! Oh wait . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting assortment of clubs. I don't know much about Achilles, but Alexandria's and SYC's club philosophies are completely different.

It's good for developing kids for them to play against both kinds of clubs. With Alexandria they get a look at a patient team that wants to keep possession and will look to draw them out of position defensively. With SYC they don't have the same level of technical skill or tactical training, but they're big and fast and will run right at you. Challenging, because no one will get time on the ball. Really, an ideal opponent if you're looking to teach kids how to play fast, smart football. Odds are that you'll lose against big, fast teams until U15 or U16. But hopefully being the best U13 team in Virginia isn't your goal.

Agree that Alexandria can be an interesting matchup for MLS teams because while they are not at the same level athletically or technically, they may have an advantage tactically (at least compared to DC). Problem for a club like SYC who tends to rely on athleticism (and a few skilled individuals) is that the DC players on the whole are both more athletic and more skilled.

I don't think this has anything to do with competitiveness though. MLS teams will still schedule friendlies against the best local teams in their areas regardless of league affiliation. This is all about a recruiting base. The non-MLS clubs invited into this league are agreeing to be feeder clubs.

How you manage to see athleticism on a sport as a "problem" is beyond ridiculous in any sport or any club for that matter...

How's your kid doing??? top level player I bet...

PP, you are so right. Just look how focus on athleticism in soccer has lead to world domination by the USMNT!! Oh wait . . .

Yeah, it's not that. USMNT has sucked because of their comparability to the rest of the world in all things soccer. You think Messi doesn't have explosive separation speed? Cristiano? Compare the strength and power of MLS to any top European league, or national team to national team. Aside from better ability with the ball, they're also better athletes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting assortment of clubs. I don't know much about Achilles, but Alexandria's and SYC's club philosophies are completely different.

It's good for developing kids for them to play against both kinds of clubs. With Alexandria they get a look at a patient team that wants to keep possession and will look to draw them out of position defensively. With SYC they don't have the same level of technical skill or tactical training, but they're big and fast and will run right at you. Challenging, because no one will get time on the ball. Really, an ideal opponent if you're looking to teach kids how to play fast, smart football. Odds are that you'll lose against big, fast teams until U15 or U16. But hopefully being the best U13 team in Virginia isn't your goal.

Agree that Alexandria can be an interesting matchup for MLS teams because while they are not at the same level athletically or technically, they may have an advantage tactically (at least compared to DC). Problem for a club like SYC who tends to rely on athleticism (and a few skilled individuals) is that the DC players on the whole are both more athletic and more skilled.

I don't think this has anything to do with competitiveness though. MLS teams will still schedule friendlies against the best local teams in their areas regardless of league affiliation. This is all about a recruiting base. The non-MLS clubs invited into this league are agreeing to be feeder clubs.

Going back to talk and rave about European soccer? Someone needs a one-way ticket here, please!


How you manage to see athleticism on a sport as a "problem" is beyond ridiculous in any sport or any club for that matter...

How's your kid doing??? top level player I bet...

PP, you are so right. Just look how focus on athleticism in soccer has lead to world domination by the USMNT!! Oh wait . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an interesting assortment of clubs. I don't know much about Achilles, but Alexandria's and SYC's club philosophies are completely different.

It's good for developing kids for them to play against both kinds of clubs. With Alexandria they get a look at a patient team that wants to keep possession and will look to draw them out of position defensively. With SYC they don't have the same level of technical skill or tactical training, but they're big and fast and will run right at you. Challenging, because no one will get time on the ball. Really, an ideal opponent if you're looking to teach kids how to play fast, smart football. Odds are that you'll lose against big, fast teams until U15 or U16. But hopefully being the best U13 team in Virginia isn't your goal.

Agree that Alexandria can be an interesting matchup for MLS teams because while they are not at the same level athletically or technically, they may have an advantage tactically (at least compared to DC). Problem for a club like SYC who tends to rely on athleticism (and a few skilled individuals) is that the DC players on the whole are both more athletic and more skilled.

I don't think this has anything to do with competitiveness though. MLS teams will still schedule friendlies against the best local teams in their areas regardless of league affiliation. This is all about a recruiting base. The non-MLS clubs invited into this league are agreeing to be feeder clubs.

How you manage to see athleticism on a sport as a "problem" is beyond ridiculous in any sport or any club for that matter...

How's your kid doing??? top level player I bet...

PP, you are so right. Just look how focus on athleticism in soccer has lead to world domination by the USMNT!! Oh wait . . .

Yeah, it's not that. USMNT has sucked because of their comparability to the rest of the world in all things soccer. You think Messi doesn't have explosive separation speed? Cristiano? Compare the strength and power of MLS to any top European league, or national team to national team. Aside from better ability with the ball, they're also better athletes.

That is the point. It isn't just about athleticism, which in the US is size, strength, and speed, as determined from a young age. The difference between us and Europe is skill on the ball and vision, something the players you mention excel at. So does Pulisic, by the way. Pure athleticism alone is not enough in the long run, although more often than not it will carry the day in the younger age groups.