DC United Academy - aa strong academy or not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For thsoe whose kid plays MLSNext or ECNL, are your coaches encouraging you or discouraging you to join DC United Academy? Or perhaps do they give you some information to help you decide whether to take an offer or not?

What are the qualifications of these coaches you're referring to?
Why would you let them decide your kid's fate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Makai Wells, since you brought up his name for the record, was at the U17s camp and didn't make the cut for the WC squad

Since he gave up a top class education to pursue soccer dreams, you sure hope he makes it

That leads us back to the original point the old man made that made you all go silent. You are using DCU to get to Princeton. It's okay. It is your elite lane which is why DCU is based in Loudoun.

Similar to Makai, my kid has been deliberately educated since birth so we don't need the comfort of the Sidwell name to define our kid and his future path. We are following our kids passion. Win or lose, I know that kid is happy. Is yours?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Makai Wells, since you brought up his name for the record, was at the U17s camp and didn't make the cut for the WC squad

Since he gave up a top class education to pursue soccer dreams, you sure hope he makes it

That leads us back to the original point the old man made that made you all go silent. You are using DCU to get to Princeton. It's okay. It is your elite lane which is why DCU is based in Loudoun.

Similar to Makai, my kid has been deliberately educated since birth so we don't need the comfort of the Sidwell name to define our kid and his future path. We are following our kids passion. Win or lose, I know that kid is happy. Is yours?

If you knew the elite lane, you would know no one uses soccer as a planned avenue into Princeton, they doesn't give soccer scholarships

Good for you and your kid. Try to keep your comments less emotional and personal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Makai Wells, since you brought up his name for the record, was at the U17s camp and didn't make the cut for the WC squad

Since he gave up a top class education to pursue soccer dreams, you sure hope he makes it

That leads us back to the original point the old man made that made you all go silent. You are using DCU to get to Princeton. It's okay. It is your elite lane which is why DCU is based in Loudoun.

Similar to Makai, my kid has been deliberately educated since birth so we don't need the comfort of the Sidwell name to define our kid and his future path. We are following our kids passion. Win or lose, I know that kid is happy. Is yours?

you're on dcum calling out people who may be financially well off and or elite society connected?
talk about barking up the wrong tree 🤣

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Makai Wells, since you brought up his name for the record, was at the U17s camp and didn't make the cut for the WC squad

Since he gave up a top class education to pursue soccer dreams, you sure hope he makes it

That leads us back to the original point the old man made that made you all go silent. You are using DCU to get to Princeton. It's okay. It is your elite lane which is why DCU is based in Loudoun.

Similar to Makai, my kid has been deliberately educated since birth so we don't need the comfort of the Sidwell name to define our kid and his future path. We are following our kids passion. Win or lose, I know that kid is happy. Is yours?

If you knew the elite lane, you would know no one uses soccer as a planned avenue into Princeton, they doesn't give soccer scholarships

Good for you and your kid. Try to keep your comments less emotional and personal

Dude, in the DMV, everyone knows you ball in soccer, not necessarily for scholarships but for a hook to get into these hard to get universities. This is the DMV, flush with money and overachieving parents who use sports (and everything else they can) as hooks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Makai Wells, since you brought up his name for the record, was at the U17s camp and didn't make the cut for the WC squad

Since he gave up a top class education to pursue soccer dreams, you sure hope he makes it

That leads us back to the original point the old man made that made you all go silent. You are using DCU to get to Princeton. It's okay. It is your elite lane which is why DCU is based in Loudoun.

Similar to Makai, my kid has been deliberately educated since birth so we don't need the comfort of the Sidwell name to define our kid and his future path. We are following our kids passion. Win or lose, I know that kid is happy. Is yours?

If you knew the elite lane, you would know no one uses soccer as a planned avenue into Princeton, they doesn't give soccer scholarships

Good for you and your kid. Try to keep your comments less emotional and personal

So...it is personal that Philly has accessible and open programming while DCU is safely nestled in Loudoun, accessible through private networks?

I will hang up and listen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to hear more about DCUA's current training and development programs.

From my understanding, the U14 pool trains once a week and then a team is selected sporadically to play in tournaments and against other MLS U14 academies? We have seen the DCUA scout at our games; are they checking out their current pool or scouting others?

For U15 and above, is it really true that they only team train once a day after online classes? I'm assuming there are other workouts during the day - such as individual training or strength training? And that they have access to the academy coaches to do these more individual trainings?

Finally, maybe not for the U14 pool, but for U15 and above, do they have IDPs so that if they are cut, for example, there is some transparency as to why, as well as continuity for wherever they end up.

Thank you!

Yes the DCU futures train once a week 1.5 hours at either the MD or VA location. About once a month they have an event or games and pull rosters from the programs. DCU will make offers for U15 for anyone they choose. They could make offers for kids in the current program or outside of it. There are already way more kids in the futures than slots for U15 so time will tell who gets an offer.

I don’t think U15 and above do class together but I am not sure. It is my understanding they train 1.5 hours a day and then the boys are free to do whatever and do their schooling there or at home, etc. I have no clue about other trainings or strength training, etc.

I am pretty sure the boys gets IDPs in U15 and above. If a kid is cut I have no idea if the IDP lays out why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Makai Wells, since you brought up his name for the record, was at the U17s camp and didn't make the cut for the WC squad

Since he gave up a top class education to pursue soccer dreams, you sure hope he makes it

That leads us back to the original point the old man made that made you all go silent. You are using DCU to get to Princeton. It's okay. It is your elite lane which is why DCU is based in Loudoun.

Similar to Makai, my kid has been deliberately educated since birth so we don't need the comfort of the Sidwell name to define our kid and his future path. We are following our kids passion. Win or lose, I know that kid is happy. Is yours?

If you knew the elite lane, you would know no one uses soccer as a planned avenue into Princeton, they doesn't give soccer scholarships

Good for you and your kid. Try to keep your comments less emotional and personal

So...it is personal that Philly has accessible and open programming while DCU is safely nestled in Loudoun, accessible through private networks?

I will hang up and listen.

I'll take Made-Up scenarios for $200 Alex

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Makai Wells, since you brought up his name for the record, was at the U17s camp and didn't make the cut for the WC squad

Since he gave up a top class education to pursue soccer dreams, you sure hope he makes it

That leads us back to the original point the old man made that made you all go silent. You are using DCU to get to Princeton. It's okay. It is your elite lane which is why DCU is based in Loudoun.

Similar to Makai, my kid has been deliberately educated since birth so we don't need the comfort of the Sidwell name to define our kid and his future path. We are following our kids passion. Win or lose, I know that kid is happy. Is yours?

If you knew the elite lane, you would know no one uses soccer as a planned avenue into Princeton, they doesn't give soccer scholarships

Good for you and your kid. Try to keep your comments less emotional and personal

So...it is personal that Philly has accessible and open programming while DCU is safely nestled in Loudoun, accessible through private networks?

I will hang up and listen.

I'll take Made-Up scenarios for $200 Alex

https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/stadium/transportation - location of the facility and its accessibility

https://www.the-swag.org/#abouttheswag - one program that is feeding their youth teams

DMV residents routinely take the train to train up there. I am not interested in spending an hour to go to Loudoun daily so I will not go to Philly. However, if Philly is funding programming starting at age 4 and DCU does not really get involved until a kid is 14, what is the special sauce that makes DCU so unique other than Bethesda, Arlington, VDA, SYC, Coppermine, RCU and Beach carrying their jockstrap?

I'll take I got anonymous bar but not backbone for $300 Alex.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Makai Wells, since you brought up his name for the record, was at the U17s camp and didn't make the cut for the WC squad

Since he gave up a top class education to pursue soccer dreams, you sure hope he makes it

That leads us back to the original point the old man made that made you all go silent. You are using DCU to get to Princeton. It's okay. It is your elite lane which is why DCU is based in Loudoun.

Similar to Makai, my kid has been deliberately educated since birth so we don't need the comfort of the Sidwell name to define our kid and his future path. We are following our kids passion. Win or lose, I know that kid is happy. Is yours?

If you knew the elite lane, you would know no one uses soccer as a planned avenue into Princeton, they doesn't give soccer scholarships

Good for you and your kid. Try to keep your comments less emotional and personal

So...it is personal that Philly has accessible and open programming while DCU is safely nestled in Loudoun, accessible through private networks?

I will hang up and listen.

I'll take Made-Up scenarios for $200 Alex

https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/stadium/transportation - location of the facility and its accessibility

https://www.the-swag.org/#abouttheswag - one program that is feeding their youth teams

DMV residents routinely take the train to train up there. I am not interested in spending an hour to go to Loudoun daily so I will not go to Philly. However, if Philly is funding programming starting at age 4 and DCU does not really get involved until a kid is 14, what is the special sauce that makes DCU so unique other than Bethesda, Arlington, VDA, SYC, Coppermine, RCU and Beach carrying their jockstrap?

I'll take I got anonymous bar but not backbone for $300 Alex.

We're waiting for you to layout the "private network" scenario to get into DCU Academy

That was a waste of time with stating the Philly Union obvious

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which players from the DC area that chose to go to another academy other than DCU are on the USYNT at the U17s World Cup?

Not sure what the point of your question is. Everyone on this forum already knows you want people to think DCUA is good enough. That’s fine.

If you’re still trying to argue that DCUA is comparable to any other academy, not a single person in this forum or in the DMV community believes that. I mean many in DMV soccer thinks it’s the same as any other P2P club in the area. 🤷🏽‍♀️

You can make your same tired arguments over and over again, it won’t change any minds, unless it’s to turn someone anti-DCUA.

Actually, you're making the same copy and paste tires emotional biased arguments and I just point out the personal biased narrative not backed by facts, logic and reality

If all the so-called ballers from the DMV that you claim have chosen other academies than DCU because DCU would hold them back from reaching highest heights, then logic suggests they will be at the highest heights

All you have to do, simply, to prove your thesis is show the successful end results that can be proven and verified

Since no kids from the DC area chose a path other than DCU and are at the U17 WC, that means your assertions are a pipe dream-state versus reality.
For that age group definitely.

Let's revisit at the next Youth WC, shall we?

Interesting. You keep moving the goal posts. First, it is why try to be a professional, less than 1% make it. Now it is become the top 20-ish player in your age group and have the political connections to make it happen? That is the only reason it is justified to leave.

Listen, I get it. I was not prepared to send my kid away until I learned that the best way for my kid to pursue his passion is to send him away. Let's play by your new limited rules though.

I honestly don’t know how final selections work but Makai Wells has recently featured for USMNT U17 although he may not be on the final WC roster. I think most people on this board would settle for that achievement, correct? He plays for Rev II. He left to be developed. If he were in DCU, he would NOT have an opportunity to be to further “developed” under DCU II because it does not exist.

A second team is ideal standard for professional football development to bridge the academy to professional development. Per their most recent interview, DCU owners want a 2nd team but have been ineffective for years in securing one.

USMNT U-16’s have two players from the DMV who left:

Andoulaye Diogo and Samuel Gallego. Both from the DMV at Philly Union in spite of DCU. That is a pretty high ratio of DMV kids to left to states in the Union to roster spots if you follow my logic :wink:.

I only chimed back in originally because of the U8 parent who appeared to be a novice. His now deleted comment shows that if it was him he may have the same limited mindset of those currently at DCU. It's okay if you don't want to leave. I did not originally either and I am not sending my kid away this young.

The only people who think you have to go to DCU are the same pretentious parents who think you need to be at Bethesda to develop these days. The old days are gone. Look at our tournament participation. People are questioning why they need to participate in WAGS, Bethesda Premier Cup and Jefferson. Local teams that traditionally attended Potomac Memorial head up north for FC Delco and EDP tournaments. The cat is out of the bag in the younger age groups. Philly openly talks about its commitment to serving our community at events up there. Alexandria and SYC play their pre-academy teams in the Acela league with the Red Bulls and Philly Union academy teams.

At the end of the day, each person makes their own choice. Just don't believe that if you want to become a professional footballer, playing at DCU out of the DMV is your only choice or even the preferred one based on your family circumstances and how good your kid is. If you do stay with DCU, good luck and I'll still be rooting for you.

So no player left the dmv for another academy and is at the U17s World Cup representing the USA, but players from the academy they went to are?

Newsflash, u17 world cup participation doesn't make a good academy. Flawed argument

I believe PP was pointing out just going to a name brand academy isn't enough for the individual to become cream of the crop

But going to a name brand academy can increase your chances. DCU is not even close to that.

Going to any MLS academy with the right personal connections along with skill, talent, character and potential increases your chances of getting into professional ranks

"increase your chances" is all relative

Very true. I agree with this. The difference is that better academies give you better options and chances. DCU is not one of those acsdemies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Makai Wells, since you brought up his name for the record, was at the U17s camp and didn't make the cut for the WC squad

Since he gave up a top class education to pursue soccer dreams, you sure hope he makes it

What is your point? The player left DCUs system and has achieved more than ANY player in his age group at DCU or even in any age group at DCUs academy. FACTS.

Aren't there DCU kids in the final training pool for U15 and U16 USYNT?
He made it to final training pool of U17s

So what's the achievement above and beyond.

NO. He played in official GAMES with the US National Team...very different than a a pool player in the region. No DCU player has suited up for the youth national team.in a game against another nation from the academy under the age of 18 since Gavin Turner in 2021. Using the US national team as a success metric for DCU is just not a good approach.

And no DCU kids will make the actual national team. Largely because US Soccer knows DCU can't develop talent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which players from the DC area that chose to go to another academy other than DCU are on the USYNT at the U17s World Cup?

Not sure what the point of your question is. Everyone on this forum already knows you want people to think DCUA is good enough. That’s fine.

If you’re still trying to argue that DCUA is comparable to any other academy, not a single person in this forum or in the DMV community believes that. I mean many in DMV soccer thinks it’s the same as any other P2P club in the area. 🤷🏽‍♀️

You can make your same tired arguments over and over again, it won’t change any minds, unless it’s to turn someone anti-DCUA.

Actually, you're making the same copy and paste tires emotional biased arguments and I just point out the personal biased narrative not backed by facts, logic and reality

If all the so-called ballers from the DMV that you claim have chosen other academies than DCU because DCU would hold them back from reaching highest heights, then logic suggests they will be at the highest heights

All you have to do, simply, to prove your thesis is show the successful end results that can be proven and verified

Since no kids from the DC area chose a path other than DCU and are at the U17 WC, that means your assertions are a pipe dream-state versus reality.
For that age group definitely.

Let's revisit at the next Youth WC, shall we?

Interesting. You keep moving the goal posts. First, it is why try to be a professional, less than 1% make it. Now it is become the top 20-ish player in your age group and have the political connections to make it happen? That is the only reason it is justified to leave.

Listen, I get it. I was not prepared to send my kid away until I learned that the best way for my kid to pursue his passion is to send him away. Let's play by your new limited rules though.

I honestly don’t know how final selections work but Makai Wells has recently featured for USMNT U17 although he may not be on the final WC roster. I think most people on this board would settle for that achievement, correct? He plays for Rev II. He left to be developed. If he were in DCU, he would NOT have an opportunity to be to further “developed” under DCU II because it does not exist.

A second team is ideal standard for professional football development to bridge the academy to professional development. Per their most recent interview, DCU owners want a 2nd team but have been ineffective for years in securing one.

USMNT U-16’s have two players from the DMV who left:

Andoulaye Diogo and Samuel Gallego. Both from the DMV at Philly Union in spite of DCU. That is a pretty high ratio of DMV kids to left to states in the Union to roster spots if you follow my logic :wink:.

I only chimed back in originally because of the U8 parent who appeared to be a novice. His now deleted comment shows that if it was him he may have the same limited mindset of those currently at DCU. It's okay if you don't want to leave. I did not originally either and I am not sending my kid away this young.

The only people who think you have to go to DCU are the same pretentious parents who think you need to be at Bethesda to develop these days. The old days are gone. Look at our tournament participation. People are questioning why they need to participate in WAGS, Bethesda Premier Cup and Jefferson. Local teams that traditionally attended Potomac Memorial head up north for FC Delco and EDP tournaments. The cat is out of the bag in the younger age groups. Philly openly talks about its commitment to serving our community at events up there. Alexandria and SYC play their pre-academy teams in the Acela league with the Red Bulls and Philly Union academy teams.

At the end of the day, each person makes their own choice. Just don't believe that if you want to become a professional footballer, playing at DCU out of the DMV is your only choice or even the preferred one based on your family circumstances and how good your kid is. If you do stay with DCU, good luck and I'll still be rooting for you.

So no player left the dmv for another academy and is at the U17s World Cup representing the USA, but players from the academy they went to are?

Newsflash, u17 world cup participation doesn't make a good academy. Flawed argument

I believe PP was pointing out just going to a name brand academy isn't enough for the individual to become cream of the crop

But going to a name brand academy can increase your chances. DCU is not even close to that.

Going to any MLS academy with the right personal connections along with skill, talent, character and potential increases your chances of getting into professional ranks

"increase your chances" is all relative

Very true. I agree with this. The difference is that better academies give you better options and chances. DCU is not one of those acsdemies

As an agent and manager to professional players both national and international, I'd have to say the academy is irrelevant unless extreme external relationship issues exist

The player and their network takes precedence for their future

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which players from the DC area that chose to go to another academy other than DCU are on the USYNT at the U17s World Cup?

Grading a

Not sure what the point of your question is. Everyone on this forum already knows you want people to think DCUA is good enough. That’s fine.

If you’re still trying to argue that DCUA is comparable to any other academy, not a single person in this forum or in the DMV community believes that. I mean many in DMV soccer thinks it’s the same as any other P2P club in the area. 🤷🏽‍♀️

You can make your same tired arguments over and over again, it won’t change any minds, unless it’s to turn someone anti-DCUA.

Actually, you're making the same copy and paste tires emotional biased arguments and I just point out the personal biased narrative not backed by facts, logic and reality

If all the so-called ballers from the DMV that you claim have chosen other academies than DCU because DCU would hold them back from reaching highest heights, then logic suggests they will be at the highest heights

All you have to do, simply, to prove your thesis is show the successful end results that can be proven and verified

Since no kids from the DC area chose a path other than DCU and are at the U17 WC, that means your assertions are a pipe dream-state versus reality.
For that age group definitely.

Let's revisit at the next Youth WC, shall we?

Interesting. You keep moving the goal posts. First, it is why try to be a professional, less than 1% make it. Now it is become the top 20-ish player in your age group and have the political connections to make it happen? That is the only reason it is justified to leave.

Listen, I get it. I was not prepared to send my kid away until I learned that the best way for my kid to pursue his passion is to send him away. Let's play by your new limited rules though.

I honestly don’t know how final selections work but Makai Wells has recently featured for USMNT U17 although he may not be on the final WC roster. I think most people on this board would settle for that achievement, correct? He plays for Rev II. He left to be developed. If he were in DCU, he would NOT have an opportunity to be to further “developed” under DCU II because it does not exist.

A second team is ideal standard for professional football development to bridge the academy to professional development. Per their most recent interview, DCU owners want a 2nd team but have been ineffective for years in securing one.

USMNT U-16’s have two players from the DMV who left:

Andoulaye Diogo and Samuel Gallego. Both from the DMV at Philly Union in spite of DCU. That is a pretty high ratio of DMV kids to left to states in the Union to roster spots if you follow my logic :wink:.

I only chimed back in originally because of the U8 parent who appeared to be a novice. His now deleted comment shows that if it was him he may have the same limited mindset of those currently at DCU. It's okay if you don't want to leave. I did not originally either and I am not sending my kid away this young.

The only people who think you have to go to DCU are the same pretentious parents who think you need to be at Bethesda to develop these days. The old days are gone. Look at our tournament participation. People are questioning why they need to participate in WAGS, Bethesda Premier Cup and Jefferson. Local teams that traditionally attended Potomac Memorial head up north for FC Delco and EDP tournaments. The cat is out of the bag in the younger age groups. Philly openly talks about its commitment to serving our community at events up there. Alexandria and SYC play their pre-academy teams in the Acela league with the Red Bulls and Philly Union academy teams.

At the end of the day, each person makes their own choice. Just don't believe that if you want to become a professional footballer, playing at DCU out of the DMV is your only choice or even the preferred one based on your family circumstances and how good your kid is. If you do stay with DCU, good luck and I'll still be rooting for you.

So no player left the dmv for another academy and is at the U17s World Cup representing the USA, but players from the academy they went to are?

Newsflash, u17 world cup participation doesn't make a good academy. Flawed argument

I believe PP was pointing out just going to a name brand academy isn't enough for the individual to become cream of the crop

But going to a name brand academy can increase your chances. DCU is not even close to that.

Going to any MLS academy with the right personal connections along with skill, talent, character and potential increases your chances of getting into professional ranks

"increase your chances" is all relative

Very true. I agree with this. The difference is that better academies give you better options and chances. DCU is not one of those acsdemies

As an agent and manager to professional players both national and international, I'd have to say the academy is irrelevant unless extreme external relationship issues exist

The player and their network takes precedence for their future

BS. Creating another personality? 🙄 😆

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Makai Wells, since you brought up his name for the record, was at the U17s camp and didn't make the cut for the WC squad

Since he gave up a top class education to pursue soccer dreams, you sure hope he makes it

What is your point? The player left DCUs system and has achieved more than ANY player in his age group at DCU or even in any age group at DCUs academy. FACTS.

Aren't there DCU kids in the final training pool for U15 and U16 USYNT?
He made it to final training pool of U17s

So what's the achievement above and beyond.

NO. He played in official GAMES with the US National Team...very different than a a pool player in the region. No DCU player has suited up for the youth national team.in a game against another nation from the academy under the age of 18 since Gavin Turner in 2021. Using the US national team as a success metric for DCU is just not a good approach.

And no DCU kids will make the actual national team. Largely because US Soccer knows DCU can't develop talent.

Don't see anyone pushing metrics to prove anything for DCU

See someone repeatedly saying provide metrics behind lofty rhetoric for what other academies are doing for players

That said, you're saying going to a friendly game to determine quality for final roster cut and not making it deserves more credit?