MLS announces expansion to its Elite Youth Development Platform

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dude you're creating your own argument. Nobody said it's the most important or only important thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let's try again and see if you can get it this time. I'll try to be more clear. You can try to read complete sentences.

When it comes to matching up against the DCU teams, the problem for teams like SYC who tend to rely on athleticism combined with some individual skill, is that the DCU teams are even more athletic and skillful. Much more so in fact. So while SYC teams may normally have an athletic advantage against the competition they are used to facing, they will be at a distinct disadvantage going against DCU, and that will be a problem for them.

That was in response to the post above which noted that SYC players will present a challenge for DCU because they are "big and fast and will run right at you," so "no one will get time on the ball." Compared to the competition they are used to facing - Bethesda, Armor, NYRB, Philly Union, not to mention what they get every day in practice - SYC's speed is not going to be seen as challenging by anyone on DCU.


Athleticism in soccer is not a problem. Coaching youth teams to rely on athleticism is though. Because everyone at the top level is a superior athlete. Athleticism is a given at that point. It's just not enough.

[Anonymous]

MLS academy parent here... I think many of these clubs will play in the new league only at younger ages, at least at first. They want to have a critical mass of clubs regionally, especially for the pre-HS years (U13, U14), so travel is reduced. Not sure which of these newly added clubs will play above those ages right away. I agree with some of the comments above that these previously-EDP clubs were "available" in a way that the previously-DA clubs (Arl, VDA, Rich) weren't, after jumping to ECNL so quickly. I could see those clubs joining the MLS league in the years ahead, once it's a bit more proven and the risk is lower.

MLS academies are only required to field teams at U15 and U17. Indeed, that is all DCU is fielding this year. If they field teams at the other ages, they will play a schedule just like the non-MLS academies. But at U15 and U17, the plan is that MLS academies will play a different schedule weighted much more towards other MLS academies, with less frequent "crossover" games against non-MLS teams. You may have seen reference to the "professional player pathway" vs. "elite player pathway"--that's what these terms mean.

So, in some ways, it is less important than in the DA that the other clubs in the league be the *absolute best* clubs today. The MLS academies are going to play their top teams (U15 and U17) against other MLS teams and international competition (with *some* games against regional non-MLS teams). So they have substantially "solved" their complaint about level of competition in the DA with this unbalanced schedule in the new league, even before the other clubs were penciled in.

Also, a few comments make it sound like MLS is adding clubs just "for the money". I don't think there's much truth to this. I think the whole point is to get to a critical mass of clubs in key regions. Before this week, Bethesda and Armour U13 academy teams would have had to drive two hours or more for every game that wasn't against each other. Now there are five clubs in the DMV (plus DCU).

Finally, a major caveat: none of this might matter in 2020-21! Might not be able to play any games outside the local area; might not be able to play any games at all. So let's all be thankful for the boys playing any soccer at all this year, even if it's just training and friendlies.

[Anonymous]

I still don't understand why so many clubs jumped to ECNL so quickly. ECNL has been proven to be terrible on the boys side.

I know many parents who are still steaming because of this...

[Anonymous]

Dude I like how you're talking about how coaches coach players to rely on athleticism. Give some evidence if you're gonna just drop baseless assertions.

If athletic kids beat you because you're slow, they don't need to be technical and building up patterns of play. Play simple. If it's easy to go past your slow opponent, do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let's try again and see if you can get it this time. I'll try to be more clear. You can try to read complete sentences.

When it comes to matching up against the DCU teams, the problem for teams like SYC who tend to rely on athleticism combined with some individual skill, is that the DCU teams are even more athletic and skillful. Much more so in fact. So while SYC teams may normally have an athletic advantage against the competition they are used to facing, they will be at a distinct disadvantage going against DCU, and that will be a problem for them.

That was in response to the post above which noted that SYC players will present a challenge for DCU because they are "big and fast and will run right at you," so "no one will get time on the ball." Compared to the competition they are used to facing - Bethesda, Armor, NYRB, Philly Union, not to mention what they get every day in practice - SYC's speed is not going to be seen as challenging by anyone on DCU.


Athleticism in soccer is not a problem. Coaching youth teams to rely on athleticism is though. Because everyone at the top level is a superior athlete. Athleticism is a given at that point. It's just not enough.

Not sure why you keep bringing up one specific club.... Did little Johnny get rejected by that club? Don't care for your argument above, but please find some counseling for little Johnny's dad!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I still don't understand why so many clubs jumped to ECNL so quickly. ECNL has been proven to be terrible on the boys side.

I'm not from any of those clubs, so this is informed speculation. I'd love to have someone from inside those decisions share the real answers on here. My guess is that:

A) Those three VA clubs (Arl, VDA, Richmond) had a bad taste in their mouth from the DA experience. Perhaps Arlington from the failed efforts to get older ages, and the other two from being banished to the "second division" of the DA (for U19 and U15/17 DA Cup) last year. Maybe some other behind-the-scenes stuff.

B) When the DA disbanded in the middle of Covid, it felt like the music stopping in the game of musical chairs and there were only a couple seats left with ECNL, so they jumped in them.

C) They figured they could probably have a 2nd chance to join MLS league in future years, if it proved successful, thus reducing the FOMO.

But maybe I'm missing something! I agree that going from the DA where a third of games were against MLS academies to ECNL Mid-Atlantic is a step down in the short term (assuming we play any games at all!).

[Anonymous]

Athleticism isn’t a problem, of course.

Over-reliance on size and speed as a discriminator in young athleted (12-15 yrs old) IS a problem in soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Athleticism isn’t a problem, of course.

Over-reliance on size and speed as a discriminator in young athleted (12-15 yrs old) IS a problem in soccer.

How are you going to tell an athletic kid not to take advantage of the unathletic kid? Sounds like problem is not enough development of athletes, or, not enough athletes filling the best competitive ranks. Probably because they still go to other sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I still don't understand why so many clubs jumped to ECNL so quickly. ECNL has been proven to be terrible on the boys side.

I'm not from any of those clubs, so this is informed speculation. I'd love to have someone from inside those decisions share the real answers on here. My guess is that:

A) Those three VA clubs (Arl, VDA, Richmond) had a bad taste in their mouth from the DA experience. Perhaps Arlington from the failed efforts to get older ages, and the other two from being banished to the "second division" of the DA (for U19 and U15/17 DA Cup) last year. Maybe some other behind-the-scenes stuff.

B) When the DA disbanded in the middle of Covid, it felt like the music stopping in the game of musical chairs and there were only a couple seats left with ECNL, so they jumped in them.

C) They figured they could probably have a 2nd chance to join MLS league in future years, if it proved successful, thus reducing the FOMO.

But maybe I'm missing something! I agree that going from the DA where a third of games were against MLS academies to ECNL Mid-Atlantic is a step down in the short term (assuming we play any games at all!).

This could make the constant competition for players between Alexandria and Arlington interesting. Arlington has usually won that battle in the past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Athleticism isn’t a problem, of course.

Over-reliance on size and speed as a discriminator in young athleted (12-15 yrs old) IS a problem in soccer.

How are you going to tell an athletic kid not to take advantage of the unathletic kid? Sounds like problem is not enough development of athletes, or, not enough athletes filling the best competitive ranks. Probably because they still go to other sports.

NP here. I don't think they are saying that athletic kids shouldn't use their athleticism in games. I think they are saying that some coaches rely on athleticism to score goals and win games rather than teach playing out from the back and building through the middle and being patient. instead, the game plan is to kick it deep to the athletic kid sprinting down the field. I'm not saying SYC does this. I don't know. I do know that Alexandria teaches possession sometimes to a fault.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Athleticism isn’t a problem, of course.

Over-reliance on size and speed as a discriminator in young athleted (12-15 yrs old) IS a problem in soccer.

How are you going to tell an athletic kid not to take advantage of the unathletic kid? Sounds like problem is not enough development of athletes, or, not enough athletes filling the best competitive ranks. Probably because they still go to other sports.

NP here. I don't think they are saying that athletic kids shouldn't use their athleticism in games. I think they are saying that some coaches rely on athleticism to score goals and win games rather than teach playing out from the back and building through the middle and being patient. instead, the game plan is to kick it deep to the athletic kid sprinting down the field. I'm not saying SYC does this. I don't know. I do know that Alexandria teaches possession sometimes to a fault.

Yeah, it’s a troll fest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I still don't understand why so many clubs jumped to ECNL so quickly. ECNL has been proven to be terrible on the boys side.

I'm not from any of those clubs, so this is informed speculation. I'd love to have someone from inside those decisions share the real answers on here. My guess is that:

A) Those three VA clubs (Arl, VDA, Richmond) had a bad taste in their mouth from the DA experience. Perhaps Arlington from the failed efforts to get older ages, and the other two from being banished to the "second division" of the DA (for U19 and U15/17 DA Cup) last year. Maybe some other behind-the-scenes stuff.

B) When the DA disbanded in the middle of Covid, it felt like the music stopping in the game of musical chairs and there were only a couple seats left with ECNL, so they jumped in them.

C) They figured they could probably have a 2nd chance to join MLS league in future years, if it proved successful, thus reducing the FOMO.

But maybe I'm missing something! I agree that going from the DA where a third of games were against MLS academies to ECNL Mid-Atlantic is a step down in the short term (assuming we play any games at all!).

Yes C, maybe a bit of A, not so much B, but add D) they don't trust the MLS over the next 3-5 years to maintain this league.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Athleticism isn’t a problem, of course.

Over-reliance on size and speed as a discriminator in young athleted (12-15 yrs old) IS a problem in soccer.

How are you going to tell an athletic kid not to take advantage of the unathletic kid? Sounds like problem is not enough development of athletes, or, not enough athletes filling the best competitive ranks. Probably because they still go to other sports.

NP here. I don't think they are saying that athletic kids shouldn't use their athleticism in games. I think they are saying that some coaches rely on athleticism to score goals and win games rather than teach playing out from the back and building through the middle and being patient. instead, the game plan is to kick it deep to the athletic kid sprinting down the field. I'm not saying SYC does this. I don't know. I do know that Alexandria teaches possession sometimes to a fault.

Yeah, it’s a troll fest.

WTF is wrong with you?

That poster is exactly right. No one on here was saying athletic kids shouldn't use their athleticism to their advantage when the opportunity presents itself. However the onus is on coaches to make sure that when that super athlete comes up against an equally super athlete, or maybe an even more super athlete, the player has developed a technical and mental skill set to have a "plan B". For too many athletic players who don't receive the right type of coaching at a young age, their only "plan B" is to lose the ball. At that point they're basically done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I still don't understand why so many clubs jumped to ECNL so quickly. ECNL has been proven to be terrible on the boys side.

I'm not from any of those clubs, so this is informed speculation. I'd love to have someone from inside those decisions share the real answers on here. My guess is that:

A) Those three VA clubs (Arl, VDA, Richmond) had a bad taste in their mouth from the DA experience. Perhaps Arlington from the failed efforts to get older ages, and the other two from being banished to the "second division" of the DA (for U19 and U15/17 DA Cup) last year. Maybe some other behind-the-scenes stuff.

B) When the DA disbanded in the middle of Covid, it felt like the music stopping in the game of musical chairs and there were only a couple seats left with ECNL, so they jumped in them.

C) They figured they could probably have a 2nd chance to join MLS league in future years, if it proved successful, thus reducing the FOMO.

But maybe I'm missing something! I agree that going from the DA where a third of games were against MLS academies to ECNL Mid-Atlantic is a step down in the short term (assuming we play any games at all!).

Yes C, maybe a bit of A, not so much B, but add D) they don't trust the MLS over the next 3-5 years to maintain this league.

They might not trust it, but some of their top players will go to play in it anyway, even if just for DCU U15 and U17. It will be interesting to see how Arlington and VDA deal with those kids.