Reply to DC United Academy - aa strong academy or not

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[quote=Anonymous]Homegrown contracts in the MLS, across the ENTIRE MLS, are generally not good deals for the players.  Only good for the clubs.  Sophisticated player movement is a concept that the US is just getting a handle on. If the clubs are just getting a handle on it, then you KNOW parents are mostly ignorant on it and the implications for their children. Why the MLS gets away with these homegrown deals and people think they are these amazing situations. Avoiding contracts before the age of 18 is the optimum path coming from the US. Unless real money is being offered.   And when you're 18, sign a legit pro deal with real money if you have the level.  These homegrown deals are pure bullsh#t and gives MLS real power over players.  But the players aren't getting nearly as much value out of the contracts. Even if you're at a very good academy like Salt Lake or Philly or Red Bulls, homegrown contracts are still questionable because of the leverage the clubs have. But at least at those clubs there is a pathway for development with second teams and in house loans  At DCU the homegrown route is about as dumb as it gets because there is no pathway and no commitment to player development.  So basically you're just giving your rights away for minimal in return.

To make matters even worse, DCU has one of the worst first teams in the entire league and are in complete rebuild mode from top to bottom.  The owners are too impatient to build from the bottom (which could give an academy player a chance).  So academy players have no chance of getting real minutes because they want to win now.  They will try and spend this off-season to get impact players and of course you may see a PR fueled signing or two.  That is the playbook. But for a youth player, this is something you don't want to see because you know your chances of getting minutes are almost zero.  This latest homegrown wasn't even playing all the minutes in the academy!  15 year old midfielder with no professional experience and only two years in a professional academy OR an established veteran who has a track record of being a pro (even if just in the USL).  It's a no brainer.

When signing any deal you have to look at the totality of the circumstances you're in and the broader implications of your deal.  The bottom line is that a homegrown deal at DCU, in its current state, flat out sucks for the player especially if he is not going to be a contributor to the first team..

European clubs bring their academy players in TO ACTUALLY PLAY in the first team.  Not for PR and numbers.  Manipulating this kids future for PR and numbers is about right for DCU.  [/quote]

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