They are talking about youth national team standouts like Andrew Carleton, Chris Durkin, Bryan Reynolds, etc. who were signed to home-grown contracts at 15 or 16 and haven't seen much (if any) time with the first team in MLS. |
His father certainly does. I think they know what they are talking about. It’s pretty much agreed upon by just about anyone with soccer knowledge. I was in Europe recently for a Champions League game and 2nd half Phil Foden 17-years old came in for Man City with a credible amount of playing time. He has since been in the starting line-up. 17-years old on the best team in England currently. Christ even US high schools these days follow bullshit seniority for Varsity team mostly—not ability. |
HS sports is different as you want to give your seniors the best chance to be scouted, the others will have their time once they become seniors as well. It's completely different scenario as you may only get three years to show your talent, unless you were playing varsity as a freshman. |
Most of the players serious about playing in pro's seek out U23 teams during the off season as well joining USL teams to maintain their fitness and skills. Funny thing is at 22 yo playing in college ball you may a bigger, stronger player but may not have increased your skills since you were 18 as college soccer training is mainly fitness and enhancing athletic ability. |
Not so sure about that. We were getting scouted much younger than Senior Year at HS games and getting All-Met, All-Region, etc. in our sophomore/junior years. Scouts aren't really a huge part of the HS scene these days. They tend to go to DA/club soccer games. |
+1 HS soccer is in the SPRING in VA. Nobody is scouting a HS senior in April for college starting in the Fall. Kids are all committed by then. |
My HS team won VA State with 1/2 my travel team our Freshmen year. I am glad our HS didn't abide by the 'seniority' rules. They actually cut a lot of upper classmen. |
Unless the game is convenient for the college coach or they have seen the kid already there is pretty much no scouting of consequence at HS Soccer games. |
Sounds like the people on this forum are much more knowledgeable about the college scouting than pro team scouting. I wonder if we as parents increased our interest and knowledge about pro team scouting, then maybe our DC will have more opportunities to play in pro teams. |
This is exactly what I was thinking and what Kyle Martino says is needed in this country. Looks like Chicago is already getting started.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2017/12/06/in-player-development-u-s-soccer-foundation-seeks-to-maximize-mini-pitches/?utm_term=.11c6ca32407f |
Alexandria is way ahead of this. They have been installing futsal goals on their outdoor courts. Most residents in Alexandria City (not ffx) are more into soccer than basketball anyways. |
Alexandria (city) has already been doing this. |
Ok, just because your city is doing this doesn't mean in the DC area, everyone is doing this. No kid in Falls Church thinks, "hey guys, let's take a metrobus to Alexandria to play in their parks!". Just about every public park for children has some kind of basketball-like court, I hope one day soccer attains this level of popularity. |
I interpreted the comment as showing that any town in this area is perfectly capable of doing the same. There are many things that Alexandria does as a town and club worthy of admiration and emulation. If you have seen their U10 boys red team play (the entire team plays up against 2007 elite competition) in the EDP) you know what I mean. If we lived closer, we would play there without question. |
Please clarify, you mean you would encourage your child to go to the public courts where any kid can show up and play after school white you're at work or at home? Or are you saying that Alexandria as a club uses the courts for their travel players, and you would sign up your children to play for the club? |