DC United Academy - aa strong academy or not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Cheese and Crackers! Wow.

This thread is just bananas. I've posted a bit before when some stuff came up about the DC United online school charges and some other things....

First things first. I do not have a child playing at the academy but do know two past players and a current player. Past player 1 was there, left and came back and is now playing professionally. Player 2 spent most of their later youth career there and is also playing professionally. Both are in the MLS.

Both have said that the experiences there could have been better as many mention. But they made it to where they wanted to be. Was it luck, their hard work, DC United? IDK for sure, but it's great that they did. I do suspect that DCU had less to do with it than anything else.

Current player is new to their program but is at an older age and wanted the experience of playing at an academy level. They are doing online school from their home district and are close enough to be able to commute. FWIW, this player already committed to play college soccer at a Big10 school. So, pro plans weren't in the works before this experience at DCU.

There are local players in my area that have gone to DC United, but there currently 4 kids playing at Union even though DCU is closer. Plus we have others at Columbus, Charlotte, etc. I think that is telling that although DCU isn't the greatest, but if it's an option, it may be better than continuing to play P2P club.

Good luck to all.

Thanks for the neutral data. This is where this conversation goes array. People like me suggest P2P because we are going to Europe by U16. P2P is the most efficient route to effectively managing that move versus giving our rights to DCU. If you don't want to go to Europe, fine. Just don't tell me the DCU academy is a great option for those kids truly looking to go pro with the full support of their parents.

I would not argue that a kid playing D1 soccer, which is not an efficient pro pathway, should stay in P2P versus going to a pro academy for free. He should take that deal 101x out of 100. This conversation has become uneducated because the pro-DCU folks are completely emotional and lack acumen regarding development and simply kiss the DCU ring.

What nobody seems to see is a problem is why would DCU have a spot on an academy team for a player already committed to go to college when the goal should be to produce professionals. Yes, no brainer for the kid, but you mean to tell me they are that limited in the talent pool that they have to accept that kid and they are the only academy covering DC, MD, VA, DE and WV?!? Is nobody curious why Makai Wells is being called up to the U17 USMNT and playing professionally for NE Rev II when he is from DC probably not on the radar when he was here? That is called development and it is crazy that people in DCU don't understand the D word.

GREAT points. If you have European ambition, going to DCU is a negative. Period. Not impossible but a negative because they will.have a say in your move now that they have gotten greedy in the transfer market. P2P allows you to leave to Europe unencumbered which, for European clubs, is gold. A free player that is at the level will be highly sought after. Having to negotiate with DCU, will just be a deterrent and slow your process (which is already complicated).

Players with GENUINE ambition to become professionals leave the DMV market if they have the ability and the means. They do this because DCU cannot develop players with its current setup, methodology, coaching slate and structure. If you're currently at DCU, it doesn't mean that all is lost. It just means that your chances of becoming a pro are just not great for all the reasons already stated....no second, team, no money, no development methodology, no accountability to the players, weak leadership, and a no vision for the future.

In addition to DCU having a seat at your negotiation in a transfer, if you're in DCUs system for a long time, you won't progress as much as a player because their development methodology is weak and players in better systems will be better than you and progress faster than you over time.

What that means is that if you should actually make it to Europe from DCU, the likelihood of your skills being ready to have immediate impact on a competitive,.high level European roster are very slim. You would have to go to a club that sees your potential and is willing to wait to further develop you. At younger ages this is more.realistic. At older ages, much harder as the clubs don't have time to wait on you. There is talent everywhere...

You will need good advisors around you that know know what they are talking about to make the right moves.

Explain why a DCU Academy player product is currently on the roster of a Premier League Senior team at 18 years old if DCU academy cannot produce European level players?
Explain why every MLS academy doesn't also currently have academy products in the top league in the World if DCU is the worst?

Just seeking some logical clarification, not an argument

If someone says you can't cross the Bay Bridge in a Honda, then I see a Honda Accord driving over and make it to the other side, I'd ask for an explanation.

Oh god...here we go again with you. How many times do you have to hear the same thing???

His family had connections and had an agent and was trying desperately to get him out of DCU before DCU squandered all of his precious time as a young player. Not a transfer DCU produced for him. He was sitting on the bench not playing in the MLS...He went to Bournemouths SECOND team which is part of their academy so don't try and paint a picture of something that isnt the case. This is not someone playing in the premier league. So essentially went from being on the first team at DCU to an academy team. He went because he has physical traits that are attractive to a club and he had a good agent. Did he come.from.DCU, yes but I would gamble large sums that if you asked him or anyone close to him who developed him it wouldn't be DCU. And in fact, I would also gamble that they would say DCU was a hindrance to his development

But hold on to that one example, because there aren't many others. And there won't be many others any time soon.

Also an interesting example because there is a NYRB Academy product who is a key piece in the Bournemouth first team, Tyler Adams. From the NYRB website: Tyler was the "First player to graduate the Red Bulls Regional Development School (RDS) program and progress all the way through the academy system to a professional contract … Introduced to the organization through the Red Bulls RDS program at the age of 10 … Two years later, Adams joined the Red Bulls academy U-13 team … Quickly progressed through the Red Bulls U-14 and U-16 sides …"

We'll see what happens with DCUA's new RDS program, but they don't have an U-13 or U-14 squad at the moment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCU’s academy pathway to pro is suffering by not having an MLS Next Pro team.

Why does dcu not have a team in mlsn pro?

The reason DCU doesn't have a mlsnp team is complicated but it essentially comes down to what plagues the entire club and slows its progress in everything it does from the first team to the academy - MONEY.

DCUs situation in terms of a satellite club is unique. 27 of MLS's 29 clubs own and operate teams in MLS Next Pro, which is classified by U.S. Soccer as a third-division league. D.C. and CF Montréal are the two exceptions, with the Canadian side running an under-23 side in Ligue1 Québec.

DCUs situation is more complicated: The club launched Loudoun United as a USL Championship side in 2018, a period in which MLS satellites were being placed in that league and USL League One depending on the parent organization's preferences.

MLS later announced MLS Next Pro, which Loudoun did not join because the USL wanted to compete with the MLS. That club remains in the USL Championship, though DCU sold their controlling stake in Loudoun to Attain Sports in order to be able to make a move on a mlsnp team.

The owner of DCU has signaled that they have every intention of creating a team and this signal came two years ago. But nothing since. This delay is in large part due to the fact that in order to have the team, the MLS is strongly suggesting that the team build a soccer specific stadium that is of course smaller than Audi field to help foster connections with the local community and build the fan base further. Some MLS clubs operate their mlsnp team out of their first team stadiums but MLS is trying to get away from this model to penetrate new areas of the country and bring in more fans.

For DCU this means Baltimore is the target area for expansion. Because they feel like Baltimore is close enough to Philly for Philly to make consistent attempts to take those local players but also because it has been a traditionally strong area for talent in the DMV. The problem is that the stadium will cost 200m+ and DCU doesn't want to pay that and they are trying to find ways to offset that cost but all efforts have failed. Why we are here today with no mlsnp team.

DCU is one of two teams in all of the MLS to not have a full pathway to the pro team. Why it is almost impossible to reach pro soccer from DCU unless your player is ready at 17 or 18, which most players are not. So, the PP saying DCU is a dead end for pro soccer is absolutely right for this reason alone. If you couple that with how bad the academy is, the chances are even less.

Is it correct that now Loudoun Utd is going to be fully owned by Revolution and the GM is a known extramarital home wrecker?

Loudoun United and Virginia Revolution merged last Spring which was actually a really savvy play. If you really think about it and are paying attention, this merger places this entity in a much stronger position than DCU in terms of potential growth and development of youth players. They have and own the facilities (DCU borrows their facilities, including Raventek fields and Segra), they have a youth setup and a professional pathway in house, they have a strong hold on the NVA talent base and they start the youth pipeline young at the grassroots level (something DCU fails to do). If they can get the coaching and the methodology right and build some partnerships with outside clubs in Europe or abroad, it could be very a very powerful alternative professional pathway for our kids in the DMV. The USL pathway is totally slept on. It is a legit pathway in this country.

DCU just has the MLS badge and that does carry weight because MLS is the highest level of football in this country. But without that badge, DCU would literally be FAR inferior to what Loudoun and Va revolution have and will continue to create.

Can't opine on the GM.. I genuinely don't know and don't care.

https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1336909#:~:text=LEESBURG%2C%20Va.,soccer%20in%20the%20United%20States.

Any kid at Virginia Revolution after U13 that is DCU good enough quality is taking a DCU offer if offered

All the other marketing and PR stuff you listed sounds nice but doesn't change that

Unfortunately, you are right. That is why it is disappointing that folks will still drink the kool-aid and ego bump of the badge over the best actual pathway.

"best actual pathway" is only the one that has a proven track record of developing U-littles to significant professional contracts at high level divisions senior clubs

Anything else is speculation

As always, spoken like someone who doesn't know sh#t about what they are talking about.

Past success does not predict future success. DCUs current state as a club and as an academy is not the best of anything. Definitely not the best pathway to pro football for all the reasons stated.

People like you are the reason why football can't progress in this country. You accept the status quo because you dont have the b#lls to.demand better for your kid and you're too scared to do something that isn't accepted by your peers. This attitude almost guarantees your son won't be a pro.

Not the PP but don’t follow the whole “demand better” thing that keeps getting brought up. Unless you are ok with moving or sending your DS to another academy, you are left with DCUA or P2P clubs as “best” options for your DS in this area. Between the 2, my DS would go to DCUA.

DCU ownership will sell when $$ make sense. I can demand till I’m blue in the face. They shouldn’t care because I’m not entitled to anything when it comes their private academy that is not charging me.

This is called apathy. Did you settle for your spouse as well?

Man, I guess I should demand more from my kids next Father’s Day respective to the marketplace. Ya’ll really don’t give a 💩.

If you don’t demand more or believe in your kids, what do you believe in?!

And you, Mr apathy, WTF are you even talking about?

You must be too F-ing stupid to understand the premise. I'm not moving or sending my son away at his age. My choices are DCUA or P2P. You can demand better from either option, sure. Neither has to acquiesce to your demands. Based on your position, sounds like DCUA certainly hasn't. You want to start a movement? Good for you and go right ahead! Apathy has nothing to do with it. I'm selfish and make decisions based on real life options. I don't see the point in taking on DCUA in the hope that over time someone else's kid gets the benefits of my demands. I believe my son will get whatever is coming to him, based on his talent and the amount of work he's willing to put in. If your DS is good enough, doors will open. Get over yourself!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Cheese and Crackers! Wow.

This thread is just bananas. I've posted a bit before when some stuff came up about the DC United online school charges and some other things....

First things first. I do not have a child playing at the academy but do know two past players and a current player. Past player 1 was there, left and came back and is now playing professionally. Player 2 spent most of their later youth career there and is also playing professionally. Both are in the MLS.

Both have said that the experiences there could have been better as many mention. But they made it to where they wanted to be. Was it luck, their hard work, DC United? IDK for sure, but it's great that they did. I do suspect that DCU had less to do with it than anything else.

Current player is new to their program but is at an older age and wanted the experience of playing at an academy level. They are doing online school from their home district and are close enough to be able to commute. FWIW, this player already committed to play college soccer at a Big10 school. So, pro plans weren't in the works before this experience at DCU.

There are local players in my area that have gone to DC United, but there currently 4 kids playing at Union even though DCU is closer. Plus we have others at Columbus, Charlotte, etc. I think that is telling that although DCU isn't the greatest, but if it's an option, it may be better than continuing to play P2P club.

Good luck to all.

Thanks for the neutral data. This is where this conversation goes array. People like me suggest P2P because we are going to Europe by U16. P2P is the most efficient route to effectively managing that move versus giving our rights to DCU. If you don't want to go to Europe, fine. Just don't tell me the DCU academy is a great option for those kids truly looking to go pro with the full support of their parents.

I would not argue that a kid playing D1 soccer, which is not an efficient pro pathway, should stay in P2P versus going to a pro academy for free. He should take that deal 101x out of 100. This conversation has become uneducated because the pro-DCU folks are completely emotional and lack acumen regarding development and simply kiss the DCU ring.

What nobody seems to see is a problem is why would DCU have a spot on an academy team for a player already committed to go to college when the goal should be to produce professionals. Yes, no brainer for the kid, but you mean to tell me they are that limited in the talent pool that they have to accept that kid and they are the only academy covering DC, MD, VA, DE and WV?!? Is nobody curious why Makai Wells is being called up to the U17 USMNT and playing professionally for NE Rev II when he is from DC probably not on the radar when he was here? That is called development and it is crazy that people in DCU don't understand the D word.

GREAT points. If you have European ambition, going to DCU is a negative. Period. Not impossible but a negative because they will.have a say in your move now that they have gotten greedy in the transfer market. P2P allows you to leave to Europe unencumbered which, for European clubs, is gold. A free player that is at the level will be highly sought after. Having to negotiate with DCU, will just be a deterrent and slow your process (which is already complicated).

Players with GENUINE ambition to become professionals leave the DMV market if they have the ability and the means. They do this because DCU cannot develop players with its current setup, methodology, coaching slate and structure. If you're currently at DCU, it doesn't mean that all is lost. It just means that your chances of becoming a pro are just not great for all the reasons already stated....no second, team, no money, no development methodology, no accountability to the players, weak leadership, and a no vision for the future.

In addition to DCU having a seat at your negotiation in a transfer, if you're in DCUs system for a long time, you won't progress as much as a player because their development methodology is weak and players in better systems will be better than you and progress faster than you over time.

What that means is that if you should actually make it to Europe from DCU, the likelihood of your skills being ready to have immediate impact on a competitive,.high level European roster are very slim. You would have to go to a club that sees your potential and is willing to wait to further develop you. At younger ages this is more.realistic. At older ages, much harder as the clubs don't have time to wait on you. There is talent everywhere...

You will need good advisors around you that know know what they are talking about to make the right moves.

Explain why a DCU Academy player product is currently on the roster of a Premier League Senior team at 18 years old if DCU academy cannot produce European level players?
Explain why every MLS academy doesn't also currently have academy products in the top league in the World if DCU is the worst?

Just seeking some logical clarification, not an argument

If someone says you can't cross the Bay Bridge in a Honda, then I see a Honda Accord driving over and make it to the other side, I'd ask for an explanation.

Oh god...here we go again with you. How many times do you have to hear the same thing???

His family had connections and had an agent and was trying desperately to get him out of DCU before DCU squandered all of his precious time as a young player. Not a transfer DCU produced for him. He was sitting on the bench not playing in the MLS...He went to Bournemouths SECOND team which is part of their academy so don't try and paint a picture of something that isnt the case. This is not someone playing in the premier league. So essentially went from being on the first team at DCU to an academy team. He went because he has physical traits that are attractive to a club and he had a good agent. Did he come.from.DCU, yes but I would gamble large sums that if you asked him or anyone close to him who developed him it wouldn't be DCU. And in fact, I would also gamble that they would say DCU was a hindrance to his development

But hold on to that one example, because there aren't many others. And there won't be many others any time soon.

Facts: He is a DC United Academy Product who is currently on the AFC Bournemouth FIRST TEAM

https://www.afcb.co.uk/teams

Many players parents know people. That may open doors easier, but only talent and potential keeps you there.

Your biased madness is perfect in our current political climate.

-"DCU cannot produce Professional Players to top European teams so don't go there"

But DCU academy has a player currently at a Premier League Club

-"DCU didn't get him there, Santa Clause did"

But if he went from Philly Union academy to Bournemouth, you'd say Philly did it 😆😄
You need a big red nose and bunch of balloons

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Cheese and Crackers! Wow.

This thread is just bananas. I've posted a bit before when some stuff came up about the DC United online school charges and some other things....

First things first. I do not have a child playing at the academy but do know two past players and a current player. Past player 1 was there, left and came back and is now playing professionally. Player 2 spent most of their later youth career there and is also playing professionally. Both are in the MLS.

Both have said that the experiences there could have been better as many mention. But they made it to where they wanted to be. Was it luck, their hard work, DC United? IDK for sure, but it's great that they did. I do suspect that DCU had less to do with it than anything else.

Current player is new to their program but is at an older age and wanted the experience of playing at an academy level. They are doing online school from their home district and are close enough to be able to commute. FWIW, this player already committed to play college soccer at a Big10 school. So, pro plans weren't in the works before this experience at DCU.

There are local players in my area that have gone to DC United, but there currently 4 kids playing at Union even though DCU is closer. Plus we have others at Columbus, Charlotte, etc. I think that is telling that although DCU isn't the greatest, but if it's an option, it may be better than continuing to play P2P club.

Good luck to all.

Thanks for the neutral data. This is where this conversation goes array. People like me suggest P2P because we are going to Europe by U16. P2P is the most efficient route to effectively managing that move versus giving our rights to DCU. If you don't want to go to Europe, fine. Just don't tell me the DCU academy is a great option for those kids truly looking to go pro with the full support of their parents.

I would not argue that a kid playing D1 soccer, which is not an efficient pro pathway, should stay in P2P versus going to a pro academy for free. He should take that deal 101x out of 100. This conversation has become uneducated because the pro-DCU folks are completely emotional and lack acumen regarding development and simply kiss the DCU ring.

What nobody seems to see is a problem is why would DCU have a spot on an academy team for a player already committed to go to college when the goal should be to produce professionals. Yes, no brainer for the kid, but you mean to tell me they are that limited in the talent pool that they have to accept that kid and they are the only academy covering DC, MD, VA, DE and WV?!? Is nobody curious why Makai Wells is being called up to the U17 USMNT and playing professionally for NE Rev II when he is from DC probably not on the radar when he was here? That is called development and it is crazy that people in DCU don't understand the D word.

By what process are non Europeans leaving America at 16 and going to Europe to a club or academy and registering with the national federation and association without legally meeting one of the two UEFA, FIFA exceptions?

How does DCU or any academy in America identify a player at 13, 14 that has already committed to going to college as their only goal unless the parents and player announces that?
Who at 13 is at a level that they are good enough for a MLS academy, go through the trouble of getting into an academy, but their only goal and ambition is UVA?

When the PP mentioned the plan to go to Europe, I kinda am curious about the above question as well. How, unless the exceptions are met.

Also, I made the comment about the player that joined DCU late - ie their final year and already had committed to play at a Big10 school. DCU was well aware of that when he came on board at their academy. So, it wasn't like they were joining the academy as a freshman in HS.

an exception would have to be met. I don't think anyone is debating that. For s transfer under the age of 16 without a passport you need an exception. Clearly.

Then why is the anti-dc poster constantly referring to all of dcum just easily packing up our under 18 year old kids and sending them to clubs in Europe?

(btw, most of our kids can't make it unto elite youth clubs in Europe or wouldn't even be invited)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCU’s academy pathway to pro is suffering by not having an MLS Next Pro team.

Why does dcu not have a team in mlsn pro?

The reason DCU doesn't have a mlsnp team is complicated but it essentially comes down to what plagues the entire club and slows its progress in everything it does from the first team to the academy - MONEY.

DCUs situation in terms of a satellite club is unique. 27 of MLS's 29 clubs own and operate teams in MLS Next Pro, which is classified by U.S. Soccer as a third-division league. D.C. and CF Montréal are the two exceptions, with the Canadian side running an under-23 side in Ligue1 Québec.

DCUs situation is more complicated: The club launched Loudoun United as a USL Championship side in 2018, a period in which MLS satellites were being placed in that league and USL League One depending on the parent organization's preferences.

MLS later announced MLS Next Pro, which Loudoun did not join because the USL wanted to compete with the MLS. That club remains in the USL Championship, though DCU sold their controlling stake in Loudoun to Attain Sports in order to be able to make a move on a mlsnp team.

The owner of DCU has signaled that they have every intention of creating a team and this signal came two years ago. But nothing since. This delay is in large part due to the fact that in order to have the team, the MLS is strongly suggesting that the team build a soccer specific stadium that is of course smaller than Audi field to help foster connections with the local community and build the fan base further. Some MLS clubs operate their mlsnp team out of their first team stadiums but MLS is trying to get away from this model to penetrate new areas of the country and bring in more fans.

For DCU this means Baltimore is the target area for expansion. Because they feel like Baltimore is close enough to Philly for Philly to make consistent attempts to take those local players but also because it has been a traditionally strong area for talent in the DMV. The problem is that the stadium will cost 200m+ and DCU doesn't want to pay that and they are trying to find ways to offset that cost but all efforts have failed. Why we are here today with no mlsnp team.

DCU is one of two teams in all of the MLS to not have a full pathway to the pro team. Why it is almost impossible to reach pro soccer from DCU unless your player is ready at 17 or 18, which most players are not. So, the PP saying DCU is a dead end for pro soccer is absolutely right for this reason alone. If you couple that with how bad the academy is, the chances are even less.

Is it correct that now Loudoun Utd is going to be fully owned by Revolution and the GM is a known extramarital home wrecker?

Loudoun United and Virginia Revolution merged last Spring which was actually a really savvy play. If you really think about it and are paying attention, this merger places this entity in a much stronger position than DCU in terms of potential growth and development of youth players. They have and own the facilities (DCU borrows their facilities, including Raventek fields and Segra), they have a youth setup and a professional pathway in house, they have a strong hold on the NVA talent base and they start the youth pipeline young at the grassroots level (something DCU fails to do). If they can get the coaching and the methodology right and build some partnerships with outside clubs in Europe or abroad, it could be very a very powerful alternative professional pathway for our kids in the DMV. The USL pathway is totally slept on. It is a legit pathway in this country.

DCU just has the MLS badge and that does carry weight because MLS is the highest level of football in this country. But without that badge, DCU would literally be FAR inferior to what Loudoun and Va revolution have and will continue to create.

Can't opine on the GM.. I genuinely don't know and don't care.

https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1336909#:~:text=LEESBURG%2C%20Va.,soccer%20in%20the%20United%20States.

Any kid at Virginia Revolution after U13 that is DCU good enough quality is taking a DCU offer if offered

All the other marketing and PR stuff you listed sounds nice but doesn't change that

Unfortunately, you are right. That is why it is disappointing that folks will still drink the kool-aid and ego bump of the badge over the best actual pathway.

"best actual pathway" is only the one that has a proven track record of developing U-littles to significant professional contracts at high level divisions senior clubs

Anything else is speculation

As always, spoken like someone who doesn't know sh#t about what they are talking about.

Past success does not predict future success. DCUs current state as a club and as an academy is not the best of anything. Definitely not the best pathway to pro football for all the reasons stated.

People like you are the reason why football can't progress in this country. You accept the status quo because you dont have the b#lls to.demand better for your kid and you're too scared to do something that isn't accepted by your peers. This attitude almost guarantees your son won't be a pro.

Not the PP but don’t follow the whole “demand better” thing that keeps getting brought up. Unless you are ok with moving or sending your DS to another academy, you are left with DCUA or P2P clubs as “best” options for your DS in this area. Between the 2, my DS would go to DCUA.

DCU ownership will sell when $$ make sense. I can demand till I’m blue in the face. They shouldn’t care because I’m not entitled to anything when it comes their private academy that is not charging me.

This is called apathy. Did you settle for your spouse as well?

Man, I guess I should demand more from my kids next Father’s Day respective to the marketplace. Ya’ll really don’t give a 💩.

If you don’t demand more or believe in your kids, what do you believe in?!

And you, Mr apathy, WTF are you even talking about?

You must be too F-ing stupid to understand the premise. I'm not moving or sending my son away at his age. My choices are DCUA or P2P. You can demand better from either option, sure. Neither has to acquiesce to your demands. Based on your position, sounds like DCUA certainly hasn't. You want to start a movement? Good for you and go right ahead! Apathy has nothing to do with it. I'm selfish and make decisions based on real life options. I don't see the point in taking on DCUA in the hope that over time someone else's kid gets the benefits of my demands. I believe my son will get whatever is coming to him, based on his talent and the amount of work he's willing to put in. If your DS is good enough, doors will open. Get over yourself!

You're giving their motives way too much credit
Its far from honorable and honest in it's intentions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Cheese and Crackers! Wow.

This thread is just bananas. I've posted a bit before when some stuff came up about the DC United online school charges and some other things....

First things first. I do not have a child playing at the academy but do know two past players and a current player. Past player 1 was there, left and came back and is now playing professionally. Player 2 spent most of their later youth career there and is also playing professionally. Both are in the MLS.

Both have said that the experiences there could have been better as many mention. But they made it to where they wanted to be. Was it luck, their hard work, DC United? IDK for sure, but it's great that they did. I do suspect that DCU had less to do with it than anything else.

Current player is new to their program but is at an older age and wanted the experience of playing at an academy level. They are doing online school from their home district and are close enough to be able to commute. FWIW, this player already committed to play college soccer at a Big10 school. So, pro plans weren't in the works before this experience at DCU.

There are local players in my area that have gone to DC United, but there currently 4 kids playing at Union even though DCU is closer. Plus we have others at Columbus, Charlotte, etc. I think that is telling that although DCU isn't the greatest, but if it's an option, it may be better than continuing to play P2P club.

Good luck to all.

Thanks for the neutral data. This is where this conversation goes array. People like me suggest P2P because we are going to Europe by U16. P2P is the most efficient route to effectively managing that move versus giving our rights to DCU. If you don't want to go to Europe, fine. Just don't tell me the DCU academy is a great option for those kids truly looking to go pro with the full support of their parents.

I would not argue that a kid playing D1 soccer, which is not an efficient pro pathway, should stay in P2P versus going to a pro academy for free. He should take that deal 101x out of 100. This conversation has become uneducated because the pro-DCU folks are completely emotional and lack acumen regarding development and simply kiss the DCU ring.

What nobody seems to see is a problem is why would DCU have a spot on an academy team for a player already committed to go to college when the goal should be to produce professionals. Yes, no brainer for the kid, but you mean to tell me they are that limited in the talent pool that they have to accept that kid and they are the only academy covering DC, MD, VA, DE and WV?!? Is nobody curious why Makai Wells is being called up to the U17 USMNT and playing professionally for NE Rev II when he is from DC probably not on the radar when he was here? That is called development and it is crazy that people in DCU don't understand the D word.

GREAT points. If you have European ambition, going to DCU is a negative. Period. Not impossible but a negative because they will.have a say in your move now that they have gotten greedy in the transfer market. P2P allows you to leave to Europe unencumbered which, for European clubs, is gold. A free player that is at the level will be highly sought after. Having to negotiate with DCU, will just be a deterrent and slow your process (which is already complicated).

Players with GENUINE ambition to become professionals leave the DMV market if they have the ability and the means. They do this because DCU cannot develop players with its current setup, methodology, coaching slate and structure. If you're currently at DCU, it doesn't mean that all is lost. It just means that your chances of becoming a pro are just not great for all the reasons already stated....no second, team, no money, no development methodology, no accountability to the players, weak leadership, and a no vision for the future.

In addition to DCU having a seat at your negotiation in a transfer, if you're in DCUs system for a long time, you won't progress as much as a player because their development methodology is weak and players in better systems will be better than you and progress faster than you over time.

What that means is that if you should actually make it to Europe from DCU, the likelihood of your skills being ready to have immediate impact on a competitive,.high level European roster are very slim. You would have to go to a club that sees your potential and is willing to wait to further develop you. At younger ages this is more.realistic. At older ages, much harder as the clubs don't have time to wait on you. There is talent everywhere...

You will need good advisors around you that know know what they are talking about to make the right moves.

Explain why a DCU Academy player product is currently on the roster of a Premier League Senior team at 18 years old if DCU academy cannot produce European level players?
Explain why every MLS academy doesn't also currently have academy products in the top league in the World if DCU is the worst?

Just seeking some logical clarification, not an argument

If someone says you can't cross the Bay Bridge in a Honda, then I see a Honda Accord driving over and make it to the other side, I'd ask for an explanation.

Oh god...here we go again with you. How many times do you have to hear the same thing???

His family had connections and had an agent and was trying desperately to get him out of DCU before DCU squandered all of his precious time as a young player. Not a transfer DCU produced for him. He was sitting on the bench not playing in the MLS...He went to Bournemouths SECOND team which is part of their academy so don't try and paint a picture of something that isnt the case. This is not someone playing in the premier league. So essentially went from being on the first team at DCU to an academy team. He went because he has physical traits that are attractive to a club and he had a good agent. Did he come.from.DCU, yes but I would gamble large sums that if you asked him or anyone close to him who developed him it wouldn't be DCU. And in fact, I would also gamble that they would say DCU was a hindrance to his development

But hold on to that one example, because there aren't many others. And there won't be many others any time soon.

Facts: He is a DC United Academy Product who is currently on the AFC Bournemouth FIRST TEAM

https://www.afcb.co.uk/teams

Many players parents know people. That may open doors easier, but only talent and potential keeps you there.

Your biased madness is perfect in our current political climate.

-"DCU cannot produce Professional Players to top European teams so don't go there"

But DCU academy has a player currently at a Premier League Club

-"DCU didn't get him there, Santa Clause did"

But if he went from Philly Union academy to Bournemouth, you'd say Philly did it 😆😄
You need a big red nose and bunch of balloons

Maybe click through to see how many appearances he's had with the first team. Then go check the line-ups for their development squad and tell me facts about how he's on the FIRST TEAM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Cheese and Crackers! Wow.

This thread is just bananas. I've posted a bit before when some stuff came up about the DC United online school charges and some other things....

First things first. I do not have a child playing at the academy but do know two past players and a current player. Past player 1 was there, left and came back and is now playing professionally. Player 2 spent most of their later youth career there and is also playing professionally. Both are in the MLS.

Both have said that the experiences there could have been better as many mention. But they made it to where they wanted to be. Was it luck, their hard work, DC United? IDK for sure, but it's great that they did. I do suspect that DCU had less to do with it than anything else.

Current player is new to their program but is at an older age and wanted the experience of playing at an academy level. They are doing online school from their home district and are close enough to be able to commute. FWIW, this player already committed to play college soccer at a Big10 school. So, pro plans weren't in the works before this experience at DCU.

There are local players in my area that have gone to DC United, but there currently 4 kids playing at Union even though DCU is closer. Plus we have others at Columbus, Charlotte, etc. I think that is telling that although DCU isn't the greatest, but if it's an option, it may be better than continuing to play P2P club.

Good luck to all.

Thanks for the neutral data. This is where this conversation goes array. People like me suggest P2P because we are going to Europe by U16. P2P is the most efficient route to effectively managing that move versus giving our rights to DCU. If you don't want to go to Europe, fine. Just don't tell me the DCU academy is a great option for those kids truly looking to go pro with the full support of their parents.

I would not argue that a kid playing D1 soccer, which is not an efficient pro pathway, should stay in P2P versus going to a pro academy for free. He should take that deal 101x out of 100. This conversation has become uneducated because the pro-DCU folks are completely emotional and lack acumen regarding development and simply kiss the DCU ring.

What nobody seems to see is a problem is why would DCU have a spot on an academy team for a player already committed to go to college when the goal should be to produce professionals. Yes, no brainer for the kid, but you mean to tell me they are that limited in the talent pool that they have to accept that kid and they are the only academy covering DC, MD, VA, DE and WV?!? Is nobody curious why Makai Wells is being called up to the U17 USMNT and playing professionally for NE Rev II when he is from DC probably not on the radar when he was here? That is called development and it is crazy that people in DCU don't understand the D word.

GREAT points. If you have European ambition, going to DCU is a negative. Period. Not impossible but a negative because they will.have a say in your move now that they have gotten greedy in the transfer market. P2P allows you to leave to Europe unencumbered which, for European clubs, is gold. A free player that is at the level will be highly sought after. Having to negotiate with DCU, will just be a deterrent and slow your process (which is already complicated).

Players with GENUINE ambition to become professionals leave the DMV market if they have the ability and the means. They do this because DCU cannot develop players with its current setup, methodology, coaching slate and structure. If you're currently at DCU, it doesn't mean that all is lost. It just means that your chances of becoming a pro are just not great for all the reasons already stated....no second, team, no money, no development methodology, no accountability to the players, weak leadership, and a no vision for the future.

In addition to DCU having a seat at your negotiation in a transfer, if you're in DCUs system for a long time, you won't progress as much as a player because their development methodology is weak and players in better systems will be better than you and progress faster than you over time.

What that means is that if you should actually make it to Europe from DCU, the likelihood of your skills being ready to have immediate impact on a competitive,.high level European roster are very slim. You would have to go to a club that sees your potential and is willing to wait to further develop you. At younger ages this is more.realistic. At older ages, much harder as the clubs don't have time to wait on you. There is talent everywhere...

You will need good advisors around you that know know what they are talking about to make the right moves.

Explain why a DCU Academy player product is currently on the roster of a Premier League Senior team at 18 years old if DCU academy cannot produce European level players?
Explain why every MLS academy doesn't also currently have academy products in the top league in the World if DCU is the worst?

Just seeking some logical clarification, not an argument

If someone says you can't cross the Bay Bridge in a Honda, then I see a Honda Accord driving over and make it to the other side, I'd ask for an explanation.

Oh god...here we go again with you. How many times do you have to hear the same thing???

His family had connections and had an agent and was trying desperately to get him out of DCU before DCU squandered all of his precious time as a young player. Not a transfer DCU produced for him. He was sitting on the bench not playing in the MLS...He went to Bournemouths SECOND team which is part of their academy so don't try and paint a picture of something that isnt the case. This is not someone playing in the premier league. So essentially went from being on the first team at DCU to an academy team. He went because he has physical traits that are attractive to a club and he had a good agent. Did he come.from.DCU, yes but I would gamble large sums that if you asked him or anyone close to him who developed him it wouldn't be DCU. And in fact, I would also gamble that they would say DCU was a hindrance to his development

But hold on to that one example, because there aren't many others. And there won't be many others any time soon.

Facts: He is a DC United Academy Product who is currently on the AFC Bournemouth FIRST TEAM

https://www.afcb.co.uk/teams

Many players parents know people. That may open doors easier, but only talent and potential keeps you there.

Your biased madness is perfect in our current political climate.

-"DCU cannot produce Professional Players to top European teams so don't go there"

But DCU academy has a player currently at a Premier League Club

-"DCU didn't get him there, Santa Clause did"

But if he went from Philly Union academy to Bournemouth, you'd say Philly did it 😆😄
You need a big red nose and bunch of balloons

Maybe click through to see how many appearances he's had with the first team. Then go check the line-ups for their development squad and tell me facts about how he's on the FIRST TEAM.

You're a sad, pitiful, despicable HATER!

So the AFC Bournemouth website is lying and he's not listed clearly on their First Team

Your negativity and bad karma is probably a reflection of your failures, hence your constant need to feel better by putting down the accomplishments of this player.

Sad little person. Be gone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Cheese and Crackers! Wow.

This thread is just bananas. I've posted a bit before when some stuff came up about the DC United online school charges and some other things....

First things first. I do not have a child playing at the academy but do know two past players and a current player. Past player 1 was there, left and came back and is now playing professionally. Player 2 spent most of their later youth career there and is also playing professionally. Both are in the MLS.

Both have said that the experiences there could have been better as many mention. But they made it to where they wanted to be. Was it luck, their hard work, DC United? IDK for sure, but it's great that they did. I do suspect that DCU had less to do with it than anything else.

Current player is new to their program but is at an older age and wanted the experience of playing at an academy level. They are doing online school from their home district and are close enough to be able to commute. FWIW, this player already committed to play college soccer at a Big10 school. So, pro plans weren't in the works before this experience at DCU.

There are local players in my area that have gone to DC United, but there currently 4 kids playing at Union even though DCU is closer. Plus we have others at Columbus, Charlotte, etc. I think that is telling that although DCU isn't the greatest, but if it's an option, it may be better than continuing to play P2P club.

Good luck to all.

Thanks for the neutral data. This is where this conversation goes array. People like me suggest P2P because we are going to Europe by U16. P2P is the most efficient route to effectively managing that move versus giving our rights to DCU. If you don't want to go to Europe, fine. Just don't tell me the DCU academy is a great option for those kids truly looking to go pro with the full support of their parents.

I would not argue that a kid playing D1 soccer, which is not an efficient pro pathway, should stay in P2P versus going to a pro academy for free. He should take that deal 101x out of 100. This conversation has become uneducated because the pro-DCU folks are completely emotional and lack acumen regarding development and simply kiss the DCU ring.

What nobody seems to see is a problem is why would DCU have a spot on an academy team for a player already committed to go to college when the goal should be to produce professionals. Yes, no brainer for the kid, but you mean to tell me they are that limited in the talent pool that they have to accept that kid and they are the only academy covering DC, MD, VA, DE and WV?!? Is nobody curious why Makai Wells is being called up to the U17 USMNT and playing professionally for NE Rev II when he is from DC probably not on the radar when he was here? That is called development and it is crazy that people in DCU don't understand the D word.

GREAT points. If you have European ambition, going to DCU is a negative. Period. Not impossible but a negative because they will.have a say in your move now that they have gotten greedy in the transfer market. P2P allows you to leave to Europe unencumbered which, for European clubs, is gold. A free player that is at the level will be highly sought after. Having to negotiate with DCU, will just be a deterrent and slow your process (which is already complicated).

Players with GENUINE ambition to become professionals leave the DMV market if they have the ability and the means. They do this because DCU cannot develop players with its current setup, methodology, coaching slate and structure. If you're currently at DCU, it doesn't mean that all is lost. It just means that your chances of becoming a pro are just not great for all the reasons already stated....no second, team, no money, no development methodology, no accountability to the players, weak leadership, and a no vision for the future.

In addition to DCU having a seat at your negotiation in a transfer, if you're in DCUs system for a long time, you won't progress as much as a player because their development methodology is weak and players in better systems will be better than you and progress faster than you over time.

What that means is that if you should actually make it to Europe from DCU, the likelihood of your skills being ready to have immediate impact on a competitive,.high level European roster are very slim. You would have to go to a club that sees your potential and is willing to wait to further develop you. At younger ages this is more.realistic. At older ages, much harder as the clubs don't have time to wait on you. There is talent everywhere...

You will need good advisors around you that know know what they are talking about to make the right moves.

Explain why a DCU Academy player product is currently on the roster of a Premier League Senior team at 18 years old if DCU academy cannot produce European level players?
Explain why every MLS academy doesn't also currently have academy products in the top league in the World if DCU is the worst?

Just seeking some logical clarification, not an argument

If someone says you can't cross the Bay Bridge in a Honda, then I see a Honda Accord driving over and make it to the other side, I'd ask for an explanation.

Oh god...here we go again with you. How many times do you have to hear the same thing???

His family had connections and had an agent and was trying desperately to get him out of DCU before DCU squandered all of his precious time as a young player. Not a transfer DCU produced for him. He was sitting on the bench not playing in the MLS...He went to Bournemouths SECOND team which is part of their academy so don't try and paint a picture of something that isnt the case. This is not someone playing in the premier league. So essentially went from being on the first team at DCU to an academy team. He went because he has physical traits that are attractive to a club and he had a good agent. Did he come.from.DCU, yes but I would gamble large sums that if you asked him or anyone close to him who developed him it wouldn't be DCU. And in fact, I would also gamble that they would say DCU was a hindrance to his development

But hold on to that one example, because there aren't many others. And there won't be many others any time soon.

Facts: He is a DC United Academy Product who is currently on the AFC Bournemouth FIRST TEAM

https://www.afcb.co.uk/teams

Many players parents know people. That may open doors easier, but only talent and potential keeps you there.

Your biased madness is perfect in our current political climate.

-"DCU cannot produce Professional Players to top European teams so don't go there"

But DCU academy has a player currently at a Premier League Club

-"DCU didn't get him there, Santa Clause did"

But if he went from Philly Union academy to Bournemouth, you'd say Philly did it 😆😄
You need a big red nose and bunch of balloons

Maybe click through to see how many appearances he's had with the first team. Then go check the line-ups for their development squad and tell me facts about how he's on the FIRST TEAM.

You're a sad, pitiful, despicable HATER!

So the AFC Bournemouth website is lying and he's not listed clearly on their First Team

Your negativity and bad karma is probably a reflection of your failures, hence your constant need to feel better by putting down the accomplishments of this player.

Sad little person. Be gone

oh my. nothing against the player, at all. great accomplishments. hopefully he'll have more. but you . . . just be accurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Cheese and Crackers! Wow.

This thread is just bananas. I've posted a bit before when some stuff came up about the DC United online school charges and some other things....

First things first. I do not have a child playing at the academy but do know two past players and a current player. Past player 1 was there, left and came back and is now playing professionally. Player 2 spent most of their later youth career there and is also playing professionally. Both are in the MLS.

Both have said that the experiences there could have been better as many mention. But they made it to where they wanted to be. Was it luck, their hard work, DC United? IDK for sure, but it's great that they did. I do suspect that DCU had less to do with it than anything else.

Current player is new to their program but is at an older age and wanted the experience of playing at an academy level. They are doing online school from their home district and are close enough to be able to commute. FWIW, this player already committed to play college soccer at a Big10 school. So, pro plans weren't in the works before this experience at DCU.

There are local players in my area that have gone to DC United, but there currently 4 kids playing at Union even though DCU is closer. Plus we have others at Columbus, Charlotte, etc. I think that is telling that although DCU isn't the greatest, but if it's an option, it may be better than continuing to play P2P club.

Good luck to all.

Thanks for the neutral data. This is where this conversation goes array. People like me suggest P2P because we are going to Europe by U16. P2P is the most efficient route to effectively managing that move versus giving our rights to DCU. If you don't want to go to Europe, fine. Just don't tell me the DCU academy is a great option for those kids truly looking to go pro with the full support of their parents.

I would not argue that a kid playing D1 soccer, which is not an efficient pro pathway, should stay in P2P versus going to a pro academy for free. He should take that deal 101x out of 100. This conversation has become uneducated because the pro-DCU folks are completely emotional and lack acumen regarding development and simply kiss the DCU ring.

What nobody seems to see is a problem is why would DCU have a spot on an academy team for a player already committed to go to college when the goal should be to produce professionals. Yes, no brainer for the kid, but you mean to tell me they are that limited in the talent pool that they have to accept that kid and they are the only academy covering DC, MD, VA, DE and WV?!? Is nobody curious why Makai Wells is being called up to the U17 USMNT and playing professionally for NE Rev II when he is from DC probably not on the radar when he was here? That is called development and it is crazy that people in DCU don't understand the D word.

GREAT points. If you have European ambition, going to DCU is a negative. Period. Not impossible but a negative because they will.have a say in your move now that they have gotten greedy in the transfer market. P2P allows you to leave to Europe unencumbered which, for European clubs, is gold. A free player that is at the level will be highly sought after. Having to negotiate with DCU, will just be a deterrent and slow your process (which is already complicated).

Players with GENUINE ambition to become professionals leave the DMV market if they have the ability and the means. They do this because DCU cannot develop players with its current setup, methodology, coaching slate and structure. If you're currently at DCU, it doesn't mean that all is lost. It just means that your chances of becoming a pro are just not great for all the reasons already stated....no second, team, no money, no development methodology, no accountability to the players, weak leadership, and a no vision for the future.

In addition to DCU having a seat at your negotiation in a transfer, if you're in DCUs system for a long time, you won't progress as much as a player because their development methodology is weak and players in better systems will be better than you and progress faster than you over time.

What that means is that if you should actually make it to Europe from DCU, the likelihood of your skills being ready to have immediate impact on a competitive,.high level European roster are very slim. You would have to go to a club that sees your potential and is willing to wait to further develop you. At younger ages this is more.realistic. At older ages, much harder as the clubs don't have time to wait on you. There is talent everywhere...

You will need good advisors around you that know know what they are talking about to make the right moves.

Explain why a DCU Academy player product is currently on the roster of a Premier League Senior team at 18 years old if DCU academy cannot produce European level players?
Explain why every MLS academy doesn't also currently have academy products in the top league in the World if DCU is the worst?

Just seeking some logical clarification, not an argument

If someone says you can't cross the Bay Bridge in a Honda, then I see a Honda Accord driving over and make it to the other side, I'd ask for an explanation.

Oh god...here we go again with you. How many times do you have to hear the same thing???

His family had connections and had an agent and was trying desperately to get him out of DCU before DCU squandered all of his precious time as a young player. Not a transfer DCU produced for him. He was sitting on the bench not playing in the MLS...He went to Bournemouths SECOND team which is part of their academy so don't try and paint a picture of something that isnt the case. This is not someone playing in the premier league. So essentially went from being on the first team at DCU to an academy team. He went because he has physical traits that are attractive to a club and he had a good agent. Did he come.from.DCU, yes but I would gamble large sums that if you asked him or anyone close to him who developed him it wouldn't be DCU. And in fact, I would also gamble that they would say DCU was a hindrance to his development

But hold on to that one example, because there aren't many others. And there won't be many others any time soon.

Facts: He is a DC United Academy Product who is currently on the AFC Bournemouth FIRST TEAM

https://www.afcb.co.uk/teams

Many players parents know people. That may open doors easier, but only talent and potential keeps you there.

Your biased madness is perfect in our current political climate.

-"DCU cannot produce Professional Players to top European teams so don't go there"

But DCU academy has a player currently at a Premier League Club

-"DCU didn't get him there, Santa Clause did"

But if he went from Philly Union academy to Bournemouth, you'd say Philly did it 😆😄
You need a big red nose and bunch of balloons

Maybe click through to see how many appearances he's had with the first team. Then go check the line-ups for their development squad and tell me facts about how he's on the FIRST TEAM.

I just clicked on the link for the club website and it clearly shows him under the first team

I'm not very experienced with stuff at this level so I may sound stupid asking if there are multiple first teams? why is someone insisting he's not when the club says he is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Cheese and Crackers! Wow.

This thread is just bananas. I've posted a bit before when some stuff came up about the DC United online school charges and some other things....

First things first. I do not have a child playing at the academy but do know two past players and a current player. Past player 1 was there, left and came back and is now playing professionally. Player 2 spent most of their later youth career there and is also playing professionally. Both are in the MLS.

Both have said that the experiences there could have been better as many mention. But they made it to where they wanted to be. Was it luck, their hard work, DC United? IDK for sure, but it's great that they did. I do suspect that DCU had less to do with it than anything else.

Current player is new to their program but is at an older age and wanted the experience of playing at an academy level. They are doing online school from their home district and are close enough to be able to commute. FWIW, this player already committed to play college soccer at a Big10 school. So, pro plans weren't in the works before this experience at DCU.

There are local players in my area that have gone to DC United, but there currently 4 kids playing at Union even though DCU is closer. Plus we have others at Columbus, Charlotte, etc. I think that is telling that although DCU isn't the greatest, but if it's an option, it may be better than continuing to play P2P club.

Good luck to all.

Thanks for the neutral data. This is where this conversation goes array. People like me suggest P2P because we are going to Europe by U16. P2P is the most efficient route to effectively managing that move versus giving our rights to DCU. If you don't want to go to Europe, fine. Just don't tell me the DCU academy is a great option for those kids truly looking to go pro with the full support of their parents.

I would not argue that a kid playing D1 soccer, which is not an efficient pro pathway, should stay in P2P versus going to a pro academy for free. He should take that deal 101x out of 100. This conversation has become uneducated because the pro-DCU folks are completely emotional and lack acumen regarding development and simply kiss the DCU ring.

What nobody seems to see is a problem is why would DCU have a spot on an academy team for a player already committed to go to college when the goal should be to produce professionals. Yes, no brainer for the kid, but you mean to tell me they are that limited in the talent pool that they have to accept that kid and they are the only academy covering DC, MD, VA, DE and WV?!? Is nobody curious why Makai Wells is being called up to the U17 USMNT and playing professionally for NE Rev II when he is from DC probably not on the radar when he was here? That is called development and it is crazy that people in DCU don't understand the D word.

GREAT points. If you have European ambition, going to DCU is a negative. Period. Not impossible but a negative because they will.have a say in your move now that they have gotten greedy in the transfer market. P2P allows you to leave to Europe unencumbered which, for European clubs, is gold. A free player that is at the level will be highly sought after. Having to negotiate with DCU, will just be a deterrent and slow your process (which is already complicated).

Players with GENUINE ambition to become professionals leave the DMV market if they have the ability and the means. They do this because DCU cannot develop players with its current setup, methodology, coaching slate and structure. If you're currently at DCU, it doesn't mean that all is lost. It just means that your chances of becoming a pro are just not great for all the reasons already stated....no second, team, no money, no development methodology, no accountability to the players, weak leadership, and a no vision for the future.

In addition to DCU having a seat at your negotiation in a transfer, if you're in DCUs system for a long time, you won't progress as much as a player because their development methodology is weak and players in better systems will be better than you and progress faster than you over time.

What that means is that if you should actually make it to Europe from DCU, the likelihood of your skills being ready to have immediate impact on a competitive,.high level European roster are very slim. You would have to go to a club that sees your potential and is willing to wait to further develop you. At younger ages this is more.realistic. At older ages, much harder as the clubs don't have time to wait on you. There is talent everywhere...

You will need good advisors around you that know know what they are talking about to make the right moves.

Explain why a DCU Academy player product is currently on the roster of a Premier League Senior team at 18 years old if DCU academy cannot produce European level players?
Explain why every MLS academy doesn't also currently have academy products in the top league in the World if DCU is the worst?

Just seeking some logical clarification, not an argument

If someone says you can't cross the Bay Bridge in a Honda, then I see a Honda Accord driving over and make it to the other side, I'd ask for an explanation.

Oh god...here we go again with you. How many times do you have to hear the same thing???

His family had connections and had an agent and was trying desperately to get him out of DCU before DCU squandered all of his precious time as a young player. Not a transfer DCU produced for him. He was sitting on the bench not playing in the MLS...He went to Bournemouths SECOND team which is part of their academy so don't try and paint a picture of something that isnt the case. This is not someone playing in the premier league. So essentially went from being on the first team at DCU to an academy team. He went because he has physical traits that are attractive to a club and he had a good agent. Did he come.from.DCU, yes but I would gamble large sums that if you asked him or anyone close to him who developed him it wouldn't be DCU. And in fact, I would also gamble that they would say DCU was a hindrance to his development

But hold on to that one example, because there aren't many others. And there won't be many others any time soon.

Facts: He is a DC United Academy Product who is currently on the AFC Bournemouth FIRST TEAM

https://www.afcb.co.uk/teams

Many players parents know people. That may open doors easier, but only talent and potential keeps you there.

Your biased madness is perfect in our current political climate.

-"DCU cannot produce Professional Players to top European teams so don't go there"

But DCU academy has a player currently at a Premier League Club

-"DCU didn't get him there, Santa Clause did"

But if he went from Philly Union academy to Bournemouth, you'd say Philly did it 😆😄
You need a big red nose and bunch of balloons

Maybe click through to see how many appearances he's had with the first team. Then go check the line-ups for their development squad and tell me facts about how he's on the FIRST TEAM.

I just clicked on the link for the club website and it clearly shows him under the first team

I'm not very experienced with stuff at this level so I may sound stupid asking if there are multiple first teams? why is someone insisting he's not when the club says he is

I don't want this to be taken as anything against the player. But click on his photo to see how many appearances he's made with the first team. It's none. He's in a great spot for future opportunities, but he's playing with the developmental team. Again, nothing against the player, just against the unhinged person above calling people Haters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Cheese and Crackers! Wow.

This thread is just bananas. I've posted a bit before when some stuff came up about the DC United online school charges and some other things....

First things first. I do not have a child playing at the academy but do know two past players and a current player. Past player 1 was there, left and came back and is now playing professionally. Player 2 spent most of their later youth career there and is also playing professionally. Both are in the MLS.

Both have said that the experiences there could have been better as many mention. But they made it to where they wanted to be. Was it luck, their hard work, DC United? IDK for sure, but it's great that they did. I do suspect that DCU had less to do with it than anything else.

Current player is new to their program but is at an older age and wanted the experience of playing at an academy level. They are doing online school from their home district and are close enough to be able to commute. FWIW, this player already committed to play college soccer at a Big10 school. So, pro plans weren't in the works before this experience at DCU.

There are local players in my area that have gone to DC United, but there currently 4 kids playing at Union even though DCU is closer. Plus we have others at Columbus, Charlotte, etc. I think that is telling that although DCU isn't the greatest, but if it's an option, it may be better than continuing to play P2P club.

Good luck to all.

Thanks for the neutral data. This is where this conversation goes array. People like me suggest P2P because we are going to Europe by U16. P2P is the most efficient route to effectively managing that move versus giving our rights to DCU. If you don't want to go to Europe, fine. Just don't tell me the DCU academy is a great option for those kids truly looking to go pro with the full support of their parents.

I would not argue that a kid playing D1 soccer, which is not an efficient pro pathway, should stay in P2P versus going to a pro academy for free. He should take that deal 101x out of 100. This conversation has become uneducated because the pro-DCU folks are completely emotional and lack acumen regarding development and simply kiss the DCU ring.

What nobody seems to see is a problem is why would DCU have a spot on an academy team for a player already committed to go to college when the goal should be to produce professionals. Yes, no brainer for the kid, but you mean to tell me they are that limited in the talent pool that they have to accept that kid and they are the only academy covering DC, MD, VA, DE and WV?!? Is nobody curious why Makai Wells is being called up to the U17 USMNT and playing professionally for NE Rev II when he is from DC probably not on the radar when he was here? That is called development and it is crazy that people in DCU don't understand the D word.

GREAT points. If you have European ambition, going to DCU is a negative. Period. Not impossible but a negative because they will.have a say in your move now that they have gotten greedy in the transfer market. P2P allows you to leave to Europe unencumbered which, for European clubs, is gold. A free player that is at the level will be highly sought after. Having to negotiate with DCU, will just be a deterrent and slow your process (which is already complicated).

Players with GENUINE ambition to become professionals leave the DMV market if they have the ability and the means. They do this because DCU cannot develop players with its current setup, methodology, coaching slate and structure. If you're currently at DCU, it doesn't mean that all is lost. It just means that your chances of becoming a pro are just not great for all the reasons already stated....no second, team, no money, no development methodology, no accountability to the players, weak leadership, and a no vision for the future.

In addition to DCU having a seat at your negotiation in a transfer, if you're in DCUs system for a long time, you won't progress as much as a player because their development methodology is weak and players in better systems will be better than you and progress faster than you over time.

What that means is that if you should actually make it to Europe from DCU, the likelihood of your skills being ready to have immediate impact on a competitive,.high level European roster are very slim. You would have to go to a club that sees your potential and is willing to wait to further develop you. At younger ages this is more.realistic. At older ages, much harder as the clubs don't have time to wait on you. There is talent everywhere...

You will need good advisors around you that know know what they are talking about to make the right moves.

Explain why a DCU Academy player product is currently on the roster of a Premier League Senior team at 18 years old if DCU academy cannot produce European level players?
Explain why every MLS academy doesn't also currently have academy products in the top league in the World if DCU is the worst?

Just seeking some logical clarification, not an argument

If someone says you can't cross the Bay Bridge in a Honda, then I see a Honda Accord driving over and make it to the other side, I'd ask for an explanation.

Oh god...here we go again with you. How many times do you have to hear the same thing???

His family had connections and had an agent and was trying desperately to get him out of DCU before DCU squandered all of his precious time as a young player. Not a transfer DCU produced for him. He was sitting on the bench not playing in the MLS...He went to Bournemouths SECOND team which is part of their academy so don't try and paint a picture of something that isnt the case. This is not someone playing in the premier league. So essentially went from being on the first team at DCU to an academy team. He went because he has physical traits that are attractive to a club and he had a good agent. Did he come.from.DCU, yes but I would gamble large sums that if you asked him or anyone close to him who developed him it wouldn't be DCU. And in fact, I would also gamble that they would say DCU was a hindrance to his development

But hold on to that one example, because there aren't many others. And there won't be many others any time soon.

Facts: He is a DC United Academy Product who is currently on the AFC Bournemouth FIRST TEAM

https://www.afcb.co.uk/teams

Many players parents know people. That may open doors easier, but only talent and potential keeps you there.

Your biased madness is perfect in our current political climate.

-"DCU cannot produce Professional Players to top European teams so don't go there"

But DCU academy has a player currently at a Premier League Club

-"DCU didn't get him there, Santa Clause did"

But if he went from Philly Union academy to Bournemouth, you'd say Philly did it 😆😄
You need a big red nose and bunch of balloons

Maybe click through to see how many appearances he's had with the first team. Then go check the line-ups for their development squad and tell me facts about how he's on the FIRST TEAM.

I just clicked on the link for the club website and it clearly shows him under the first team

I'm not very experienced with stuff at this level so I may sound stupid asking if there are multiple first teams? why is someone insisting he's not when the club says he is

I don't want this to be taken as anything against the player. But click on his photo to see how many appearances he's made with the first team. It's none. He's in a great spot for future opportunities, but he's playing with the developmental team. Again, nothing against the player, just against the unhinged person above calling people Haters.

I still don't understand what the number of appearances has to do with whether he's listed by the club on their website as on the first team or not?

Seems you have an extreme agenda and your character may not be far off from what the other PP is saying

Let no one be this way towards you and your children
Give unto others as you'd like to receive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCU’s academy pathway to pro is suffering by not having an MLS Next Pro team.

Why does dcu not have a team in mlsn pro?

The reason DCU doesn't have a mlsnp team is complicated but it essentially comes down to what plagues the entire club and slows its progress in everything it does from the first team to the academy - MONEY.

DCUs situation in terms of a satellite club is unique. 27 of MLS's 29 clubs own and operate teams in MLS Next Pro, which is classified by U.S. Soccer as a third-division league. D.C. and CF Montréal are the two exceptions, with the Canadian side running an under-23 side in Ligue1 Québec.

DCUs situation is more complicated: The club launched Loudoun United as a USL Championship side in 2018, a period in which MLS satellites were being placed in that league and USL League One depending on the parent organization's preferences.

MLS later announced MLS Next Pro, which Loudoun did not join because the USL wanted to compete with the MLS. That club remains in the USL Championship, though DCU sold their controlling stake in Loudoun to Attain Sports in order to be able to make a move on a mlsnp team.

The owner of DCU has signaled that they have every intention of creating a team and this signal came two years ago. But nothing since. This delay is in large part due to the fact that in order to have the team, the MLS is strongly suggesting that the team build a soccer specific stadium that is of course smaller than Audi field to help foster connections with the local community and build the fan base further. Some MLS clubs operate their mlsnp team out of their first team stadiums but MLS is trying to get away from this model to penetrate new areas of the country and bring in more fans.

For DCU this means Baltimore is the target area for expansion. Because they feel like Baltimore is close enough to Philly for Philly to make consistent attempts to take those local players but also because it has been a traditionally strong area for talent in the DMV. The problem is that the stadium will cost 200m+ and DCU doesn't want to pay that and they are trying to find ways to offset that cost but all efforts have failed. Why we are here today with no mlsnp team.

DCU is one of two teams in all of the MLS to not have a full pathway to the pro team. Why it is almost impossible to reach pro soccer from DCU unless your player is ready at 17 or 18, which most players are not. So, the PP saying DCU is a dead end for pro soccer is absolutely right for this reason alone. If you couple that with how bad the academy is, the chances are even less.

Is it correct that now Loudoun Utd is going to be fully owned by Revolution and the GM is a known extramarital home wrecker?

Loudoun United and Virginia Revolution merged last Spring which was actually a really savvy play. If you really think about it and are paying attention, this merger places this entity in a much stronger position than DCU in terms of potential growth and development of youth players. They have and own the facilities (DCU borrows their facilities, including Raventek fields and Segra), they have a youth setup and a professional pathway in house, they have a strong hold on the NVA talent base and they start the youth pipeline young at the grassroots level (something DCU fails to do). If they can get the coaching and the methodology right and build some partnerships with outside clubs in Europe or abroad, it could be very a very powerful alternative professional pathway for our kids in the DMV. The USL pathway is totally slept on. It is a legit pathway in this country.

DCU just has the MLS badge and that does carry weight because MLS is the highest level of football in this country. But without that badge, DCU would literally be FAR inferior to what Loudoun and Va revolution have and will continue to create.

Can't opine on the GM.. I genuinely don't know and don't care.

https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1336909#:~:text=LEESBURG%2C%20Va.,soccer%20in%20the%20United%20States.

Any kid at Virginia Revolution after U13 that is DCU good enough quality is taking a DCU offer if offered

All the other marketing and PR stuff you listed sounds nice but doesn't change that

Unfortunately, you are right. That is why it is disappointing that folks will still drink the kool-aid and ego bump of the badge over the best actual pathway.

"best actual pathway" is only the one that has a proven track record of developing U-littles to significant professional contracts at high level divisions senior clubs

Anything else is speculation

As always, spoken like someone who doesn't know sh#t about what they are talking about.

Past success does not predict future success. DCUs current state as a club and as an academy is not the best of anything. Definitely not the best pathway to pro football for all the reasons stated.

People like you are the reason why football can't progress in this country. You accept the status quo because you dont have the b#lls to.demand better for your kid and you're too scared to do something that isn't accepted by your peers. This attitude almost guarantees your son won't be a pro.

Not the PP but don’t follow the whole “demand better” thing that keeps getting brought up. Unless you are ok with moving or sending your DS to another academy, you are left with DCUA or P2P clubs as “best” options for your DS in this area. Between the 2, my DS would go to DCUA.

DCU ownership will sell when $$ make sense. I can demand till I’m blue in the face. They shouldn’t care because I’m not entitled to anything when it comes their private academy that is not charging me.

This is called apathy. Did you settle for your spouse as well?

Man, I guess I should demand more from my kids next Father’s Day respective to the marketplace. Ya’ll really don’t give a 💩.

If you don’t demand more or believe in your kids, what do you believe in?!

It's a great point and I agree. The majority of parents in the DMV soccer world believe in following the masses and doing what everyone else is doing. This is why the majority of them don't have truly high level.kids. Because high level kids are doing the OPPOSITE of what everyone else is doing because they are trying to distinguish themselves, not fit in.

Sounds like you get it. And because you get it, your kid will have a better chance of achieving his dreams.

Sounds like you both need learn the difference between correlation and causation. What is your definition of "truly high level?" You are talking in terms of "pros!" If that's the case, the fact is "the [overwhelming] majority of" us, INCLUDING YOU, don't have future pros.

Posters like you talk so much ish about P2P, but you're oozing with the same smugness that you rail against. You get on this board acting like there are soooo many exceptionally talented kids that suffer harm from DCU not being the best, or even among the best academies cause it can't be that your DS just isn't good enough! I hope you have the resources to help your kid do something with his life when the sport ends and he has to pay his bills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Cheese and Crackers! Wow.

This thread is just bananas. I've posted a bit before when some stuff came up about the DC United online school charges and some other things....

First things first. I do not have a child playing at the academy but do know two past players and a current player. Past player 1 was there, left and came back and is now playing professionally. Player 2 spent most of their later youth career there and is also playing professionally. Both are in the MLS.

Both have said that the experiences there could have been better as many mention. But they made it to where they wanted to be. Was it luck, their hard work, DC United? IDK for sure, but it's great that they did. I do suspect that DCU had less to do with it than anything else.

Current player is new to their program but is at an older age and wanted the experience of playing at an academy level. They are doing online school from their home district and are close enough to be able to commute. FWIW, this player already committed to play college soccer at a Big10 school. So, pro plans weren't in the works before this experience at DCU.

There are local players in my area that have gone to DC United, but there currently 4 kids playing at Union even though DCU is closer. Plus we have others at Columbus, Charlotte, etc. I think that is telling that although DCU isn't the greatest, but if it's an option, it may be better than continuing to play P2P club.

Good luck to all.

Thanks for the neutral data. This is where this conversation goes array. People like me suggest P2P because we are going to Europe by U16. P2P is the most efficient route to effectively managing that move versus giving our rights to DCU. If you don't want to go to Europe, fine. Just don't tell me the DCU academy is a great option for those kids truly looking to go pro with the full support of their parents.

I would not argue that a kid playing D1 soccer, which is not an efficient pro pathway, should stay in P2P versus going to a pro academy for free. He should take that deal 101x out of 100. This conversation has become uneducated because the pro-DCU folks are completely emotional and lack acumen regarding development and simply kiss the DCU ring.

What nobody seems to see is a problem is why would DCU have a spot on an academy team for a player already committed to go to college when the goal should be to produce professionals. Yes, no brainer for the kid, but you mean to tell me they are that limited in the talent pool that they have to accept that kid and they are the only academy covering DC, MD, VA, DE and WV?!? Is nobody curious why Makai Wells is being called up to the U17 USMNT and playing professionally for NE Rev II when he is from DC probably not on the radar when he was here? That is called development and it is crazy that people in DCU don't understand the D word.

GREAT points. If you have European ambition, going to DCU is a negative. Period. Not impossible but a negative because they will.have a say in your move now that they have gotten greedy in the transfer market. P2P allows you to leave to Europe unencumbered which, for European clubs, is gold. A free player that is at the level will be highly sought after. Having to negotiate with DCU, will just be a deterrent and slow your process (which is already complicated).

Players with GENUINE ambition to become professionals leave the DMV market if they have the ability and the means. They do this because DCU cannot develop players with its current setup, methodology, coaching slate and structure. If you're currently at DCU, it doesn't mean that all is lost. It just means that your chances of becoming a pro are just not great for all the reasons already stated....no second, team, no money, no development methodology, no accountability to the players, weak leadership, and a no vision for the future.

In addition to DCU having a seat at your negotiation in a transfer, if you're in DCUs system for a long time, you won't progress as much as a player because their development methodology is weak and players in better systems will be better than you and progress faster than you over time.

What that means is that if you should actually make it to Europe from DCU, the likelihood of your skills being ready to have immediate impact on a competitive,.high level European roster are very slim. You would have to go to a club that sees your potential and is willing to wait to further develop you. At younger ages this is more.realistic. At older ages, much harder as the clubs don't have time to wait on you. There is talent everywhere...

You will need good advisors around you that know know what they are talking about to make the right moves.

Explain why a DCU Academy player product is currently on the roster of a Premier League Senior team at 18 years old if DCU academy cannot produce European level players?
Explain why every MLS academy doesn't also currently have academy products in the top league in the World if DCU is the worst?

Just seeking some logical clarification, not an argument

If someone says you can't cross the Bay Bridge in a Honda, then I see a Honda Accord driving over and make it to the other side, I'd ask for an explanation.

Oh god...here we go again with you. How many times do you have to hear the same thing???

His family had connections and had an agent and was trying desperately to get him out of DCU before DCU squandered all of his precious time as a young player. Not a transfer DCU produced for him. He was sitting on the bench not playing in the MLS...He went to Bournemouths SECOND team which is part of their academy so don't try and paint a picture of something that isnt the case. This is not someone playing in the premier league. So essentially went from being on the first team at DCU to an academy team. He went because he has physical traits that are attractive to a club and he had a good agent. Did he come.from.DCU, yes but I would gamble large sums that if you asked him or anyone close to him who developed him it wouldn't be DCU. And in fact, I would also gamble that they would say DCU was a hindrance to his development

But hold on to that one example, because there aren't many others. And there won't be many others any time soon.

Facts: He is a DC United Academy Product who is currently on the AFC Bournemouth FIRST TEAM

https://www.afcb.co.uk/teams

Many players parents know people. That may open doors easier, but only talent and potential keeps you there.

Your biased madness is perfect in our current political climate.

-"DCU cannot produce Professional Players to top European teams so don't go there"

But DCU academy has a player currently at a Premier League Club

-"DCU didn't get him there, Santa Clause did"

But if he went from Philly Union academy to Bournemouth, you'd say Philly did it 😆😄
You need a big red nose and bunch of balloons

Maybe click through to see how many appearances he's had with the first team. Then go check the line-ups for their development squad and tell me facts about how he's on the FIRST TEAM.

I just clicked on the link for the club website and it clearly shows him under the first team

I'm not very experienced with stuff at this level so I may sound stupid asking if there are multiple first teams? why is someone insisting he's not when the club says he is

I don't want this to be taken as anything against the player. But click on his photo to see how many appearances he's made with the first team. It's none. He's in a great spot for future opportunities, but he's playing with the developmental team. Again, nothing against the player, just against the unhinged person above calling people Haters.

I still don't understand what the number of appearances has to do with whether he's listed by the club on their website as on the first team or not?

Seems you have an extreme agenda and your character may not be far off from what the other PP is saying

Let no one be this way towards you and your children
Give unto others as you'd like to receive

what are you talking about? Calm down. And just be accurate. What good does it do anyone to misrepresent his team placement? He's not in the lineup for first team matches. That's all. And since you're not good at it, let me help you make your point. Maybe mention that after his success, his parents have chosen to keep his younger brother, a highly touted prospect, with DCUA academy. They must see something positive in the environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Cheese and Crackers! Wow.

This thread is just bananas. I've posted a bit before when some stuff came up about the DC United online school charges and some other things....

First things first. I do not have a child playing at the academy but do know two past players and a current player. Past player 1 was there, left and came back and is now playing professionally. Player 2 spent most of their later youth career there and is also playing professionally. Both are in the MLS.

Both have said that the experiences there could have been better as many mention. But they made it to where they wanted to be. Was it luck, their hard work, DC United? IDK for sure, but it's great that they did. I do suspect that DCU had less to do with it than anything else.

Current player is new to their program but is at an older age and wanted the experience of playing at an academy level. They are doing online school from their home district and are close enough to be able to commute. FWIW, this player already committed to play college soccer at a Big10 school. So, pro plans weren't in the works before this experience at DCU.

There are local players in my area that have gone to DC United, but there currently 4 kids playing at Union even though DCU is closer. Plus we have others at Columbus, Charlotte, etc. I think that is telling that although DCU isn't the greatest, but if it's an option, it may be better than continuing to play P2P club.

Good luck to all.

Thanks for the neutral data. This is where this conversation goes array. People like me suggest P2P because we are going to Europe by U16. P2P is the most efficient route to effectively managing that move versus giving our rights to DCU. If you don't want to go to Europe, fine. Just don't tell me the DCU academy is a great option for those kids truly looking to go pro with the full support of their parents.

I would not argue that a kid playing D1 soccer, which is not an efficient pro pathway, should stay in P2P versus going to a pro academy for free. He should take that deal 101x out of 100. This conversation has become uneducated because the pro-DCU folks are completely emotional and lack acumen regarding development and simply kiss the DCU ring.

What nobody seems to see is a problem is why would DCU have a spot on an academy team for a player already committed to go to college when the goal should be to produce professionals. Yes, no brainer for the kid, but you mean to tell me they are that limited in the talent pool that they have to accept that kid and they are the only academy covering DC, MD, VA, DE and WV?!? Is nobody curious why Makai Wells is being called up to the U17 USMNT and playing professionally for NE Rev II when he is from DC probably not on the radar when he was here? That is called development and it is crazy that people in DCU don't understand the D word.

GREAT points. If you have European ambition, going to DCU is a negative. Period. Not impossible but a negative because they will.have a say in your move now that they have gotten greedy in the transfer market. P2P allows you to leave to Europe unencumbered which, for European clubs, is gold. A free player that is at the level will be highly sought after. Having to negotiate with DCU, will just be a deterrent and slow your process (which is already complicated).

Players with GENUINE ambition to become professionals leave the DMV market if they have the ability and the means. They do this because DCU cannot develop players with its current setup, methodology, coaching slate and structure. If you're currently at DCU, it doesn't mean that all is lost. It just means that your chances of becoming a pro are just not great for all the reasons already stated....no second, team, no money, no development methodology, no accountability to the players, weak leadership, and a no vision for the future.

In addition to DCU having a seat at your negotiation in a transfer, if you're in DCUs system for a long time, you won't progress as much as a player because their development methodology is weak and players in better systems will be better than you and progress faster than you over time.

What that means is that if you should actually make it to Europe from DCU, the likelihood of your skills being ready to have immediate impact on a competitive,.high level European roster are very slim. You would have to go to a club that sees your potential and is willing to wait to further develop you. At younger ages this is more.realistic. At older ages, much harder as the clubs don't have time to wait on you. There is talent everywhere...

You will need good advisors around you that know know what they are talking about to make the right moves.

Explain why a DCU Academy player product is currently on the roster of a Premier League Senior team at 18 years old if DCU academy cannot produce European level players?
Explain why every MLS academy doesn't also currently have academy products in the top league in the World if DCU is the worst?

Just seeking some logical clarification, not an argument

If someone says you can't cross the Bay Bridge in a Honda, then I see a Honda Accord driving over and make it to the other side, I'd ask for an explanation.

Oh god...here we go again with you. How many times do you have to hear the same thing???

His family had connections and had an agent and was trying desperately to get him out of DCU before DCU squandered all of his precious time as a young player. Not a transfer DCU produced for him. He was sitting on the bench not playing in the MLS...He went to Bournemouths SECOND team which is part of their academy so don't try and paint a picture of something that isnt the case. This is not someone playing in the premier league. So essentially went from being on the first team at DCU to an academy team. He went because he has physical traits that are attractive to a club and he had a good agent. Did he come.from.DCU, yes but I would gamble large sums that if you asked him or anyone close to him who developed him it wouldn't be DCU. And in fact, I would also gamble that they would say DCU was a hindrance to his development

But hold on to that one example, because there aren't many others. And there won't be many others any time soon.

Facts: He is a DC United Academy Product who is currently on the AFC Bournemouth FIRST TEAM

https://www.afcb.co.uk/teams

Many players parents know people. That may open doors easier, but only talent and potential keeps you there.

Your biased madness is perfect in our current political climate.

-"DCU cannot produce Professional Players to top European teams so don't go there"

But DCU academy has a player currently at a Premier League Club

-"DCU didn't get him there, Santa Clause did"

But if he went from Philly Union academy to Bournemouth, you'd say Philly did it 😆😄
You need a big red nose and bunch of balloons

Maybe click through to see how many appearances he's had with the first team. Then go check the line-ups for their development squad and tell me facts about how he's on the FIRST TEAM.

I just clicked on the link for the club website and it clearly shows him under the first team

I'm not very experienced with stuff at this level so I may sound stupid asking if there are multiple first teams? why is someone insisting he's not when the club says he is

I don't want this to be taken as anything against the player. But click on his photo to see how many appearances he's made with the first team. It's none. He's in a great spot for future opportunities, but he's playing with the developmental team. Again, nothing against the player, just against the unhinged person above calling people Haters.

I still don't understand what the number of appearances has to do with whether he's listed by the club on their website as on the first team or not?

Seems you have an extreme agenda and your character may not be far off from what the other PP is saying

Let no one be this way towards you and your children
Give unto others as you'd like to receive

what are you talking about? Calm down. And just be accurate. What good does it do anyone to misrepresent his team placement? He's not in the lineup for first team matches. That's all. And since you're not good at it, let me help you make your point. Maybe mention that after his success, his parents have chosen to keep his younger brother, a highly touted prospect, with DCUA academy. They must see something positive in the environment.

You're such a hateful envious jealous Hater you can't let it go

Not a single person, except you, mentioned appearances

They said he's listed on the club's website under First Team
Where is the lie?

You're sad a pitiful with zero redeeming qualities
Your kid definitely killed your dreams so you're trying to dump on this kid

You have no shame

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Cheese and Crackers! Wow.

This thread is just bananas. I've posted a bit before when some stuff came up about the DC United online school charges and some other things....

First things first. I do not have a child playing at the academy but do know two past players and a current player. Past player 1 was there, left and came back and is now playing professionally. Player 2 spent most of their later youth career there and is also playing professionally. Both are in the MLS.

Both have said that the experiences there could have been better as many mention. But they made it to where they wanted to be. Was it luck, their hard work, DC United? IDK for sure, but it's great that they did. I do suspect that DCU had less to do with it than anything else.

Current player is new to their program but is at an older age and wanted the experience of playing at an academy level. They are doing online school from their home district and are close enough to be able to commute. FWIW, this player already committed to play college soccer at a Big10 school. So, pro plans weren't in the works before this experience at DCU.

There are local players in my area that have gone to DC United, but there currently 4 kids playing at Union even though DCU is closer. Plus we have others at Columbus, Charlotte, etc. I think that is telling that although DCU isn't the greatest, but if it's an option, it may be better than continuing to play P2P club.

Good luck to all.

Thanks for the neutral data. This is where this conversation goes array. People like me suggest P2P because we are going to Europe by U16. P2P is the most efficient route to effectively managing that move versus giving our rights to DCU. If you don't want to go to Europe, fine. Just don't tell me the DCU academy is a great option for those kids truly looking to go pro with the full support of their parents.

I would not argue that a kid playing D1 soccer, which is not an efficient pro pathway, should stay in P2P versus going to a pro academy for free. He should take that deal 101x out of 100. This conversation has become uneducated because the pro-DCU folks are completely emotional and lack acumen regarding development and simply kiss the DCU ring.

What nobody seems to see is a problem is why would DCU have a spot on an academy team for a player already committed to go to college when the goal should be to produce professionals. Yes, no brainer for the kid, but you mean to tell me they are that limited in the talent pool that they have to accept that kid and they are the only academy covering DC, MD, VA, DE and WV?!? Is nobody curious why Makai Wells is being called up to the U17 USMNT and playing professionally for NE Rev II when he is from DC probably not on the radar when he was here? That is called development and it is crazy that people in DCU don't understand the D word.

GREAT points. If you have European ambition, going to DCU is a negative. Period. Not impossible but a negative because they will.have a say in your move now that they have gotten greedy in the transfer market. P2P allows you to leave to Europe unencumbered which, for European clubs, is gold. A free player that is at the level will be highly sought after. Having to negotiate with DCU, will just be a deterrent and slow your process (which is already complicated).

Players with GENUINE ambition to become professionals leave the DMV market if they have the ability and the means. They do this because DCU cannot develop players with its current setup, methodology, coaching slate and structure. If you're currently at DCU, it doesn't mean that all is lost. It just means that your chances of becoming a pro are just not great for all the reasons already stated....no second, team, no money, no development methodology, no accountability to the players, weak leadership, and a no vision for the future.

In addition to DCU having a seat at your negotiation in a transfer, if you're in DCUs system for a long time, you won't progress as much as a player because their development methodology is weak and players in better systems will be better than you and progress faster than you over time.

What that means is that if you should actually make it to Europe from DCU, the likelihood of your skills being ready to have immediate impact on a competitive,.high level European roster are very slim. You would have to go to a club that sees your potential and is willing to wait to further develop you. At younger ages this is more.realistic. At older ages, much harder as the clubs don't have time to wait on you. There is talent everywhere...

You will need good advisors around you that know know what they are talking about to make the right moves.

Explain why a DCU Academy player product is currently on the roster of a Premier League Senior team at 18 years old if DCU academy cannot produce European level players?
Explain why every MLS academy doesn't also currently have academy products in the top league in the World if DCU is the worst?

Just seeking some logical clarification, not an argument

If someone says you can't cross the Bay Bridge in a Honda, then I see a Honda Accord driving over and make it to the other side, I'd ask for an explanation.

Oh god...here we go again with you. How many times do you have to hear the same thing???

His family had connections and had an agent and was trying desperately to get him out of DCU before DCU squandered all of his precious time as a young player. Not a transfer DCU produced for him. He was sitting on the bench not playing in the MLS...He went to Bournemouths SECOND team which is part of their academy so don't try and paint a picture of something that isnt the case. This is not someone playing in the premier league. So essentially went from being on the first team at DCU to an academy team. He went because he has physical traits that are attractive to a club and he had a good agent. Did he come.from.DCU, yes but I would gamble large sums that if you asked him or anyone close to him who developed him it wouldn't be DCU. And in fact, I would also gamble that they would say DCU was a hindrance to his development

But hold on to that one example, because there aren't many others. And there won't be many others any time soon.

Facts: He is a DC United Academy Product who is currently on the AFC Bournemouth FIRST TEAM

https://www.afcb.co.uk/teams

Many players parents know people. That may open doors easier, but only talent and potential keeps you there.

Your biased madness is perfect in our current political climate.

-"DCU cannot produce Professional Players to top European teams so don't go there"

But DCU academy has a player currently at a Premier League Club

-"DCU didn't get him there, Santa Clause did"

But if he went from Philly Union academy to Bournemouth, you'd say Philly did it 😆😄
You need a big red nose and bunch of balloons

DCU is a piece of crap. I don't care how you try to position it. One player at Bournemouth who DCU neglected and undervalued. And you're proud of that? How does that prove DCU is worth a damn?? It doesn't. A broken clock is right twice a day.