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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Why is the DC United model so different from the Philadelphia MLS team model, if you go to their website, they have tons of outreach to young players and seem to have a great track record of developing home grown talent. What can we do as local fans and parents to help steer DC United in this direction, the stadium is absolutely gorgeous and they have a chance of making a real impact in this community.[/quote]

Because Union has ownership that really cares and invests in the club.  DCU had owners that only care about game day revenue.  BIG difference
  Won't change until ownership changes.  If you're a fan of DCU, your mission should be to get ownership out like the Commanders with Dan Snyder.  [/quote]

The vast difference is compounded by the fact that the two other academies in DCU'S Flex league are Philadelphia Union and New York Red Bulls.  Which are arguably, if not, the top academies in the US.[/quote]

Anyone know the head to head match-ups results for DCU academy teams versus Philly and Red Bulls this season?[/quote]

Even if DCU won all those games, it wouldn't matter.  The program is subpar, is now pay to play with parents having to pony up for schooling, has not produced a pro for the first team in at least 3 years, and isn't about developing your son.  Doesn't get any worse than DCU when you're talking MLS academies.  Philly and Red Bulls are just in a different league in terms of their academies.  Its like comparing a Red Roof Inn with a Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton.  Just not a fair comparison as they don't compete for the same business.  This is exactly analogous to DCU.  They aren't competing for the same customers...Philly and Red bulls are really trying to produce pro players.  DCU is just trying to satisfy the league by having an operational academy.  [/quote]

The problem also is that the majority of the parents in the DMV don't have perspective on what football is like outside of the DMV or in other countries.  The reality is that the US youth system is so far behind Europe and South America and it's not close.  US is getting better and that is clear but still a long ways to go.  What we call really good players here are mostly average players overseas.  It isn't about the skills.  It is about the IQ and understanding of the game.  European players are being taught methodically and in a sophisticated way how to approach the game from very young ages.  We run kids through cones and make them run hills and laps but leave the mind alone.  Why we have physical and fast players that mostly lack significant game IQ.  You see that on our national team as well even from the players that have gone over seas.  They are just now starting to catch up.

Philly and Red Bulls are close to modeling Europe.  Why they are so much better.  DCU is no better than your local club and it is pay to play just like they are.  When you add up all the strikes against them, DCU is just a very tough sell if you genuinely have ambition to be a pro player.  If you're just going through the motions and you just want your kid to go to college/play college soccer, even then DCU is a total gamble...end of day, your son HAS to get better and separate himself in some way.  Much harder at DCU to do this because they aren't about development and your son won't get any individualized attention or training.  If DCU was completely free, MAYBE...But paying for DCU is actually and genuinely not a smart play.[/quote]

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