DC United Academy - aa strong academy or not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many MLS Academies have UEFA licenses and equivalent level coaches that specialize in youth development coaching U8 to U13?

Probably very few if any

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the poster about DCU’s limited development window. A more serious approach would cast a much wider net from younger ages, instead of basically just trying to form a regional all star team at U14. This approach also leads them to heavily focus on early developers, as they will tend to be the standout performers when they start scouting to form their U14 team.

You may be right, but, can you explain in detail how, why an academy starting at U14 focuses on early developers but academies starting at U13 and U12 does not?

U9 is ideal. Not u13 or 12

Per the scientific article:

>>"The results reveal that World Cup Qatar 2022 players started playing for professional soccer academies at a median age of 13.2 years (range: 4.2–22.6). In Europe, players started playing for professional youth soccer organizations earlier than players on other continents [χ2 (4) = 142.0, p < 0.001]. We also found a younger starting age in forwards than goalkeepers"<<

Take what you want from this research and remember the numbers are skewed by smaller less sophisticated soccer federations in the world.cup. but in Europe most players are starting in a professional environment early. Full stop.

[Anonymous]

And getting back to the main point of the thread...lack of a grassroots program at the younger ages is just another, of the many many many, reasons why DCU is and will likely continue to be a subpar academy. And it is known that DCU is subpar. anyone who thinks otherwise is just living a lie. It doesn't mean that you can't be proud to be in the organization, you can be. Just like there were proud Commanders fans when the organization was being run into the ground by incompetent ownership and management. But those same fans knew that the organization was crap but still supported them. This is similar for DCU. Crap organization with a solid fan base and this extends to the academy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And getting back to the main point of the thread...lack of a grassroots program at the younger ages is just another, of the many many many, reasons why DCU is and will likely continue to be a subpar academy. And it is known that DCU is subpar. anyone who thinks otherwise is just living a lie. It doesn't mean that you can't be proud to be in the organization, you can be. Just like there were proud Commanders fans when the organization was being run into the ground by incompetent ownership and management. But those same fans knew that the organization was crap but still supported them. This is similar for DCU. Crap organization with a solid fan base and this extends to the academy.

Nothing like starting off displaying ignorance for the world to see.

Grassroots is Grassroots.
Professional Academy is Professional Academy.

Professional academies don't have Grassroots programs.
That's what Grassroots clubs are for.

If your kid was good enough, he would have been chosen by the academy. Get over it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the poster about DCU’s limited development window. A more serious approach would cast a much wider net from younger ages, instead of basically just trying to form a regional all star team at U14. This approach also leads them to heavily focus on early developers, as they will tend to be the standout performers when they start scouting to form their U14 team.

You may be right, but, can you explain in detail how, why an academy starting at U14 focuses on early developers but academies starting at U13 and U12 does not?

U9 is ideal. Not u13 or 12

Per the scientific article:

>>"The results reveal that World Cup Qatar 2022 players started playing for professional soccer academies at a median age of 13.2 years (range: 4.2–22.6). In Europe, players started playing for professional youth soccer organizations earlier than players on other continents [χ2 (4) = 142.0, p < 0.001]. We also found a younger starting age in forwards than goalkeepers"<<

Take what you want from this research and remember the numbers are skewed by smaller less sophisticated soccer federations in the world.cup. but in Europe most players are starting in a professional environment early. Full stop.

In Europe most players that make it to national team levels quality entered professional academies with high level professional licensed, certified, experienced youth development coaches, trainers, nutritionists etc.

How many MLS Club Academies have those youth experts on hand for U8-U10, U11-U13?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And getting back to the main point of the thread...lack of a grassroots program at the younger ages is just another, of the many many many, reasons why DCU is and will likely continue to be a subpar academy. And it is known that DCU is subpar. anyone who thinks otherwise is just living a lie. It doesn't mean that you can't be proud to be in the organization, you can be. Just like there were proud Commanders fans when the organization was being run into the ground by incompetent ownership and management. But those same fans knew that the organization was crap but still supported them. This is similar for DCU. Crap organization with a solid fan base and this extends to the academy.

Many love to use the clubs, the teams, the coaches, the refs, the other parents etc as red herrings, distractions, excuses for why they failed their child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the poster about DCU’s limited development window. A more serious approach would cast a much wider net from younger ages, instead of basically just trying to form a regional all star team at U14. This approach also leads them to heavily focus on early developers, as they will tend to be the standout performers when they start scouting to form their U14 team.

You may be right, but, can you explain in detail how, why an academy starting at U14 focuses on early developers but academies starting at U13 and U12 does not?

U9 is ideal. Not u13 or 12

Per the scientific article:

>>"The results reveal that World Cup Qatar 2022 players started playing for professional soccer academies at a median age of 13.2 years (range: 4.2–22.6). In Europe, players started playing for professional youth soccer organizations earlier than players on other continents [χ2 (4) = 142.0, p < 0.001]. We also found a younger starting age in forwards than goalkeepers"<<

Take what you want from this research and remember the numbers are skewed by smaller less sophisticated soccer federations in the world.cup. but in Europe most players are starting in a professional environment early. Full stop.

Brazil and Argentina aren't in Europe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the poster about DCU’s limited development window. A more serious approach would cast a much wider net from younger ages, instead of basically just trying to form a regional all star team at U14. This approach also leads them to heavily focus on early developers, as they will tend to be the standout performers when they start scouting to form their U14 team.

You may be right, but, can you explain in detail how, why an academy starting at U14 focuses on early developers but academies starting at U13 and U12 does not?

U9 is ideal. Not u13 or 12

Per the scientific article:

>>"The results reveal that World Cup Qatar 2022 players started playing for professional soccer academies at a median age of 13.2 years (range: 4.2–22.6). In Europe, players started playing for professional youth soccer organizations earlier than players on other continents [χ2 (4) = 142.0, p < 0.001]. We also found a younger starting age in forwards than goalkeepers"<<

Take what you want from this research and remember the numbers are skewed by smaller less sophisticated soccer federations in the world.cup. but in Europe most players are starting in a professional environment early. Full stop.

In Europe most players that make it to national team levels quality entered professional academies with high level professional licensed, certified, experienced youth development coaches, trainers, nutritionists etc.

How many MLS Club Academies have those youth experts on hand for U8-U10, U11-U13?

I can tell you who definitely doesn't have it, DCUA. Better academies are closer to Europe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the poster about DCU’s limited development window. A more serious approach would cast a much wider net from younger ages, instead of basically just trying to form a regional all star team at U14. This approach also leads them to heavily focus on early developers, as they will tend to be the standout performers when they start scouting to form their U14 team.

You may be right, but, can you explain in detail how, why an academy starting at U14 focuses on early developers but academies starting at U13 and U12 does not?

U9 is ideal. Not u13 or 12

Per the scientific article:

>>"The results reveal that World Cup Qatar 2022 players started playing for professional soccer academies at a median age of 13.2 years (range: 4.2–22.6). In Europe, players started playing for professional youth soccer organizations earlier than players on other continents [χ2 (4) = 142.0, p < 0.001]. We also found a younger starting age in forwards than goalkeepers"<<

Take what you want from this research and remember the numbers are skewed by smaller less sophisticated soccer federations in the world.cup. but in Europe most players are starting in a professional environment early. Full stop.

In Europe most players that make it to national team levels quality entered professional academies with high level professional licensed, certified, experienced youth development coaches, trainers, nutritionists etc.

How many MLS Club Academies have those youth experts on hand for U8-U10, U11-U13?

I can tell you who definitely doesn't have it, DCUA. Better academies are closer to Europe.

Name the ones in MLS that have similar level programs and levels of professional certified experts to say Chelsea or Marseille or Arsenal or Granada for U8s thru U13's
Provide the evidence as well. Thanks.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When it comes to Pro Academies, DC United is behind the ball. They were the last pay to play program and only changed when MLS Next made them. With that being said they seem like they are trying to change thing. Their past Director didn’t do much to help the program but again things seem to be changing. They are still a ways off from being a top academy. The other problem is from the top, what is the plan with these players. Are they truly trying to develop players to go into their pro team? Who knows, not every pro club has a major focus on youth develop. Why focus on it if you don’t plan on using the players in it. It’s an expensive expense. DC is still a good 10 years out from being considered a top youth academy with other MLS programs

More opinions.

Unless you can definitively produce for example in data and other verifiable facts and measurements how they are 10 years behind other MLS programs.
Thanks

And just like that, the "facts, truths and verifiable evidence" dork checking in.

Own facility. Own field. Residency program. Overseas tournaments. Just a few of what the academy teams that are 10 years ahead have.

Now tell us why DCU is on par? And don't do off tangent asking questions of how those things help develop kids.

You are stating facts about the facilities not being owned by DCU
Not facts that they are 10 years behind.

Stop dancing around the question. How is DCU on par with what RedBulls or Union are doing?

Who said they were?

How many academies are on par and can afford to do what Red Bulls are doing?

Red Bulls are taking teams to Austria and Germany to play against other clubs they own, multiple times a year.

Get real.

Chicago Fire, Philadelphia Union, Charlotte FC, LA Galaxy, to name a few. All went to Europe for friendlies and tournaments.

My son's EDP1 team goes to Europe for tournaments.
I won't be expecting except maybe 1 of them to see D1 or Pro

Ok? What's your point? We're talking MLS academy kids here...

The point is, your team going to Europe for a couple games isn't an automatic magic wand for individual development success catapulting you to the top professional levels.

Thanks for the obvious I guess? Your EDP1 teams aren't playing the same European teams as the academy kids. And it's more for experience and the potential exposure.

Really?
I guess your opinion weighs more than facts?

We've played academy teams from top clubs in Europe at the Surf Cup Salou
But maybe me being there I'm mistaken and you're right.

I'm sure they brought their full squad and not their 5th string for your EDP1 team. I'm sorry you blew so much money on that trip.

How miserable and filled with self-hate are you?

Yes, I'm sure when Porto, Man City, PSG, Real Madrid, Lyon, Bilbao etc are planning for a tournament, they see a EDP1 team from USA and create their approach.

Are you saying EDP teams are lower level so the teams don't care to do any planning? Or saying it's a ridiculous thought that teams would hold scouting/planning sessions before a match?

FYI, MLS academy teams hold scouting/game plan sessions before every match. Is it not the same in European academies?

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When it comes to Pro Academies, DC United is behind the ball. They were the last pay to play program and only changed when MLS Next made them. With that being said they seem like they are trying to change thing. Their past Director didn’t do much to help the program but again things seem to be changing. They are still a ways off from being a top academy. The other problem is from the top, what is the plan with these players. Are they truly trying to develop players to go into their pro team? Who knows, not every pro club has a major focus on youth develop. Why focus on it if you don’t plan on using the players in it. It’s an expensive expense. DC is still a good 10 years out from being considered a top youth academy with other MLS programs

More opinions.

Unless you can definitively produce for example in data and other verifiable facts and measurements how they are 10 years behind other MLS programs.
Thanks

And just like that, the "facts, truths and verifiable evidence" dork checking in.

Own facility. Own field. Residency program. Overseas tournaments. Just a few of what the academy teams that are 10 years ahead have.

Now tell us why DCU is on par? And don't do off tangent asking questions of how those things help develop kids.

You are stating facts about the facilities not being owned by DCU
Not facts that they are 10 years behind.

Stop dancing around the question. How is DCU on par with what RedBulls or Union are doing?

Who said they were?

How many academies are on par and can afford to do what Red Bulls are doing?

Red Bulls are taking teams to Austria and Germany to play against other clubs they own, multiple times a year.

Get real.

Chicago Fire, Philadelphia Union, Charlotte FC, LA Galaxy, to name a few. All went to Europe for friendlies and tournaments.

My son's EDP1 team goes to Europe for tournaments.
I won't be expecting except maybe 1 of them to see D1 or Pro

Ok? What's your point? We're talking MLS academy kids here...

The point is, your team going to Europe for a couple games isn't an automatic magic wand for individual development success catapulting you to the top professional levels.

Thanks for the obvious I guess? Your EDP1 teams aren't playing the same European teams as the academy kids. And it's more for experience and the potential exposure.

Really?
I guess your opinion weighs more than facts?

We've played academy teams from top clubs in Europe at the Surf Cup Salou
But maybe me being there I'm mistaken and you're right.

I'm sure they brought their full squad and not their 5th string for your EDP1 team. I'm sorry you blew so much money on that trip.

How miserable and filled with self-hate are you?

Yes, I'm sure when Porto, Man City, PSG, Real Madrid, Lyon, Bilbao etc are planning for a tournament, they see a EDP1 team from USA and create their approach.

Are you saying EDP teams are lower level so the teams don't care to do any planning? Or saying it's a ridiculous thought that teams would hold scouting/planning sessions before a match?

FYI, MLS academy teams hold scouting/game plan sessions before every match. Is it not the same in European academies?

One person was saying the European academies brought their 5th (no such thing exists) team to a tournament because the EDP team was there.
The other person was pointing out how stupid that statement was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And getting back to the main point of the thread...lack of a grassroots program at the younger ages is just another, of the many many many, reasons why DCU is and will likely continue to be a subpar academy. And it is known that DCU is subpar. anyone who thinks otherwise is just living a lie. It doesn't mean that you can't be proud to be in the organization, you can be. Just like there were proud Commanders fans when the organization was being run into the ground by incompetent ownership and management. But those same fans knew that the organization was crap but still supported them. This is similar for DCU. Crap organization with a solid fan base and this extends to the academy.

Nothing like starting off displaying ignorance for the world to see.

Grassroots is Grassroots.
Professional Academy is Professional Academy.

Professional academies don't have Grassroots programs.
That's what Grassroots clubs are for.

If your kid was good enough, he would have been chosen by the academy. Get over it.

Dumb. Next.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And getting back to the main point of the thread...lack of a grassroots program at the younger ages is just another, of the many many many, reasons why DCU is and will likely continue to be a subpar academy. And it is known that DCU is subpar. anyone who thinks otherwise is just living a lie. It doesn't mean that you can't be proud to be in the organization, you can be. Just like there were proud Commanders fans when the organization was being run into the ground by incompetent ownership and management. But those same fans knew that the organization was crap but still supported them. This is similar for DCU. Crap organization with a solid fan base and this extends to the academy.

Many love to use the clubs, the teams, the coaches, the refs, the other parents etc as red herrings, distractions, excuses for why they failed their child.

And many hold on the false dreams that what they are doing is great even in the face of real facts that what they are doing is stupid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And getting back to the main point of the thread...lack of a grassroots program at the younger ages is just another, of the many many many, reasons why DCU is and will likely continue to be a subpar academy. And it is known that DCU is subpar. anyone who thinks otherwise is just living a lie. It doesn't mean that you can't be proud to be in the organization, you can be. Just like there were proud Commanders fans when the organization was being run into the ground by incompetent ownership and management. But those same fans knew that the organization was crap but still supported them. This is similar for DCU. Crap organization with a solid fan base and this extends to the academy.

Many love to use the clubs, the teams, the coaches, the refs, the other parents etc as red herrings, distractions, excuses for why they failed their child.

And many hold on the false dreams that what they are doing is great even in the face of real facts that what they are doing is stupid

Your kid must be a star in Europe and top call-up for the US team in the 2025 Gold Cup

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And getting back to the main point of the thread...lack of a grassroots program at the younger ages is just another, of the many many many, reasons why DCU is and will likely continue to be a subpar academy. And it is known that DCU is subpar. anyone who thinks otherwise is just living a lie. It doesn't mean that you can't be proud to be in the organization, you can be. Just like there were proud Commanders fans when the organization was being run into the ground by incompetent ownership and management. But those same fans knew that the organization was crap but still supported them. This is similar for DCU. Crap organization with a solid fan base and this extends to the academy.

Many love to use the clubs, the teams, the coaches, the refs, the other parents etc as red herrings, distractions, excuses for why they failed their child.

And many hold on the false dreams that what they are doing is great even in the face of real facts that what they are doing is stupid

If a kid being at dcu academy for free is stupid, then what should the rest of us paying $4K a year to be at Paragon or Achilles do? lol