MLS announces expansion to its Elite Youth Development Platform
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Anonymous
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Achilles and Alexandria have been added as the two DMV-area "expansion clubs".
https://www.soccertoday.com/mls-expansion-teams-governance-of-elite-youth-player-platform/ "Major League Soccer MLS today announced a groundbreaking governance structure of its newly created elite youth development platform along with the expansion of 19 additional youth soccer clubs into the platform. The competition will encompass over 11,000 players across 113 clubs and six age groups, including 30 professional MLS academies, 5 USL academies, and 78 additional elite academies. The platform will feature competition across six age groups: U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-19. This new league is planning on starting September 12, depending upon the local area and state guidelines should provide its participating youth soccer club with an excellent springboard to attract new players and a bright future pathway for talented youths." |
Anonymous
| Alexandria? Mls league. |
Anonymous
Achilles, Alexandria and SYC have been added from the DMV area. |
Anonymous
And Springfield |
Anonymous
These were the logical three remaining in this area. No surprise here. |
Anonymous
| So MLS wanted to leave USDA because competition wasn’t great and the answer is to have DC United play Alexandria, SYC, and Achilles? Bizarre. |
Anonymous
Not bizarre if you have seen some of the top boys teams at those clubs play. DCU will still play other MLS teams at U15 and U17 as well as Bethesda. Perhaps MLS knows something you may not or evaluate development differently? Pipeline, VDA and Arlington all bailed on this. Their problem. Plenty of talent in areas around Springfield and Alexandria to support the level of competition. Plenty there already and they will draw other kids who might have considered going to Arlington or VDA. |
Anonymous
| Does Achilles even have teams in multiple age groups? I heard their U14s are strong. Never heard anything about their other teams. SYC definitely have strong U14s and U15s. Not sure about the rest. Alexandria has always had strong teams. Not surprised there. |
Anonymous
SYC plays pretty ugly soccer. They will fit right in. |
Anonymous
DC United is going to play MLS squads. The local teams are there to generate revenue to help pay for the MLS teams. The original boys DA clubs in the region didn’t join the league because it was pretty clear that they were being set up as cash cows or at best feeder systems. The Bethesda, Arlington, Richmond United, VDA, etc... have been to this rodeo before and made the best decision. MLS could only grab clubs who didn’t have any experience with the prior MLS/DA BS that occurred. I feel bad for the families who are going to see this play out. |
Anonymous
Uhhhh.... Bethesda, Baltimore Armor ("original" DA clubs both and with consistent, stellar records in DA for all age groups) joined the MLS league early on. Along with pretty much every other non-MLS DA club in the entire region (PDA, PA Classics, Delco, Cedar Stars). Not sure why Arlington, Richmond and VDA didn't, as they jumped the gun and opted for ECNL right after DA closed. Won't be surprised to see them come the MLS way soon. Some clubs may also have (different) teams playing in both MLS league and ECNL is what I hear. |
Anonymous
| I think some clubs question MLS’s long term commitment to this program given the statements and desire in the past to have a separate league. |
Anonymous
These clubs got burned once, I don't think will be eager to join again. MLS is a walking disaster. |
Anonymous
D’aaaawwww, that’s cute. |
Anonymous
| I think this a lot of fuss about nothing. Is DC United really going to play games against syc? Doubt it. |