DC United Academy ID session this weekend

[Anonymous]

It is 20 mins technical session for warm up, 25 mins 6v6 small side game and finally divided into 3 teams, played 8v8 scrimmage with keepers on the half pitch for about 30mins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At DC United ID session for 07,08 group right now. About 25 kids showed up. U17 dcu academy coach is leading a training session.

That's pretty low, but expected given that there is no U13 (next year's 08s) and the move to Loudon is on the cards. I think previous ID sessions were probably double that number.

Very low.

[Anonymous]

If these are the kids DCU will select academy players from, their 07 teams will be bad next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If these are the kids DCU will select academy players from, their 07 teams will be bad next year.

They know 80-90% of the team already. Those kids weren’t there.

[Anonymous]

Then what is the point of offering these ID sessions?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If these are the kids DCU will select academy players from, their 07 teams will be bad next year.

They know 80-90% of the team already. Those kids weren’t there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Then what is the point of offering these ID sessions?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If these are the kids DCU will select academy players from, their 07 teams will be bad next year.

They know 80-90% of the team already. Those kids weren’t there.

Probably to fill out the other 10-20% of the roster?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Then what is the point of offering these ID sessions?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If these are the kids DCU will select academy players from, their 07 teams will be bad next year.

They know 80-90% of the team already. Those kids weren’t there.

One session can EASILY miss a talented player if they are on a poor team, having a poor day, or playing out of position. They have these ID sessions to put a name to players and then have a few more before the official 'tryout'. Hopefully over a few sessions they can get an idea what a player is capable of doing and how they might fit into the team, rather than judging on rather short data set of a half dozen touches over 30 minutes.

[Anonymous]

My kid went there and had fun, please update here if new "free" session comes up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Then what is the point of offering these ID sessions?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If these are the kids DCU will select academy players from, their 07 teams will be bad next year.

They know 80-90% of the team already. Those kids weren’t there.

One session can EASILY miss a talented player if they are on a poor team, having a poor day, or playing out of position. They have these ID sessions to put a name to players and then have a few more before the official 'tryout'. Hopefully over a few sessions they can get an idea what a player is capable of doing and how they might fit into the team, rather than judging on rather short data set of a half dozen touches over 30 minutes.

I've been a travel coach for almost 20 years and the comment above is absolutely true. There are some positions on the field that are inherently high traffic areas where those kids will get the ball more and when you add in the concept of show what you know vs showing off, some kids don't even get a touch on the ball. I'm not going to lie, seeing a kid hustle is a first indication of effort. I personally don't mind a show boater as long as it's not overkill.

[Anonymous]

A month passed, did anyone receive the updates?
Is there another session scheduled?
Also, how good are the DC United academy teams? Best in the area?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Also, how good are the DC United academy teams? Best in the area?

Depends on the age group.

[Anonymous]

if you can make the drive to Pa Union much better program