Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about things like: how are the coaches? How is the training staff? What is the focus of training? what is the play style? Do they tailor training to a style or concentrate on individual strengths? (e.g. are they looking for kids to fit a system or the most talented players with disparate skills). Are there positive aspects to the academy?

Here are the positives of DCU from my pov:

Speed of play/level: Each training cohort (age group) has some of the best kids in the area and that translates to higher speed of play in practice. As you progress as a player, the speed of play only gets faster and the easier you can adapt to the speed of play the more successful a player will be. Speed of play can't be adapted overnight so the sooner a player is tested at a high speed of play, the sooner they will know their current ceiling. The more a player plays with slow speeds, the harder it will be for the player to make the jump to a higher level as they get older. The body gets too conditioned to that (slower) speed.

Transportation to practice. They do provide a bus system to the kids which helps a lot of parents.

Its free: Parents save money by having their kid at DCU. Free gear and boots. Kids and parents benefit.

Exposure: MLS academies have the most exposure in our youth system to scouts.

Video: They do take video of the kids in training and games and that is helpful for them to see themselves. Coaches do use the video for feedback. This is more common now everywhere so not something differentiating.

Pro Pathway: The only place in the DMV with a pro pathway in house. They can sign a kid to a pro contract at any time.

I can't really think of much else.

Coaches aren't great. Training is just ok. Depends on how you evaluate a training. If touches is important to you in a training, then DCU will disappoint. Focus of training depends on the day and the team. There is some thought into that. But not too sophisticated. Play style is direct football usually teams send the ball to the wings/forwards from the back line, usually in the air and have big and fast kids run with the ball. Literally that. Building up play is very uncommon. Tailoring training to individuals is not something you'll experience. Its a drill based training environment with emphasis on the drills and how to execute the drills, less on how the drills translate to the games of help the players become better players (they just run the drills). They look for kids that fit the system with some exceptions. Usually bigger and more developed kids are favored over the smaller kids. Not in all cases, but most.

These advantages are the basics of any academy team however. Good write up though.

This is mainly conjecture and opinions.
You could plug many teams names into this generic write-up

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When it comes to Pro Academies, DC United is behind the ball. They were the last pay to play program and only changed when MLS Next made them. With that being said they seem like they are trying to change thing. Their past Director didn’t do much to help the program but again things seem to be changing. They are still a ways off from being a top academy. The other problem is from the top, what is the plan with these players. Are they truly trying to develop players to go into their pro team? Who knows, not every pro club has a major focus on youth develop. Why focus on it if you don’t plan on using the players in it. It’s an expensive expense. DC is still a good 10 years out from being considered a top youth academy with other MLS programs

More opinions.

Unless you can definitively produce for example in data and other verifiable facts and measurements how they are 10 years behind other MLS programs.
Thanks

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about things like: how are the coaches? How is the training staff? What is the focus of training? what is the play style? Do they tailor training to a style or concentrate on individual strengths? (e.g. are they looking for kids to fit a system or the most talented players with disparate skills). Are there positive aspects to the academy?

Here are the positives of DCU from my pov:

Speed of play/level: Each training cohort (age group) has some of the best kids in the area and that translates to higher speed of play in practice. As you progress as a player, the speed of play only gets faster and the easier you can adapt to the speed of play the more successful a player will be. Speed of play can't be adapted overnight so the sooner a player is tested at a high speed of play, the sooner they will know their current ceiling. The more a player plays with slow speeds, the harder it will be for the player to make the jump to a higher level as they get older. The body gets too conditioned to that (slower) speed.

Transportation to practice. They do provide a bus system to the kids which helps a lot of parents.

Its free: Parents save money by having their kid at DCU. Free gear and boots. Kids and parents benefit.

Exposure: MLS academies have the most exposure in our youth system to scouts.

Video: They do take video of the kids in training and games and that is helpful for them to see themselves. Coaches do use the video for feedback. This is more common now everywhere so not something differentiating.

Pro Pathway: The only place in the DMV with a pro pathway in house. They can sign a kid to a pro contract at any time.

I can't really think of much else.

Coaches aren't great. Training is just ok. Depends on how you evaluate a training. If touches is important to you in a training, then DCU will disappoint. Focus of training depends on the day and the team. There is some thought into that. But not too sophisticated. Play style is direct football usually teams send the ball to the wings/forwards from the back line, usually in the air and have big and fast kids run with the ball. Literally that. Building up play is very uncommon. Tailoring training to individuals is not something you'll experience. Its a drill based training environment with emphasis on the drills and how to execute the drills, less on how the drills translate to the games of help the players become better players (they just run the drills). They look for kids that fit the system with some exceptions. Usually bigger and more developed kids are favored over the smaller kids. Not in all cases, but most.

These advantages are the basics of any academy team however. Good write up though.

Very true. Just feeds the point that DCU isn't doing anything very special.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about things like: how are the coaches? How is the training staff? What is the focus of training? what is the play style? Do they tailor training to a style or concentrate on individual strengths? (e.g. are they looking for kids to fit a system or the most talented players with disparate skills). Are there positive aspects to the academy?

Here are the positives of DCU from my pov:

Speed of play/level: Each training cohort (age group) has some of the best kids in the area and that translates to higher speed of play in practice. As you progress as a player, the speed of play only gets faster and the easier you can adapt to the speed of play the more successful a player will be. Speed of play can't be adapted overnight so the sooner a player is tested at a high speed of play, the sooner they will know their current ceiling. The more a player plays with slow speeds, the harder it will be for the player to make the jump to a higher level as they get older. The body gets too conditioned to that (slower) speed.

Transportation to practice. They do provide a bus system to the kids which helps a lot of parents.

Its free: Parents save money by having their kid at DCU. Free gear and boots. Kids and parents benefit.

Exposure: MLS academies have the most exposure in our youth system to scouts.

Video: They do take video of the kids in training and games and that is helpful for them to see themselves. Coaches do use the video for feedback. This is more common now everywhere so not something differentiating.

Pro Pathway: The only place in the DMV with a pro pathway in house. They can sign a kid to a pro contract at any time.

I can't really think of much else.

Coaches aren't great. Training is just ok. Depends on how you evaluate a training. If touches is important to you in a training, then DCU will disappoint. Focus of training depends on the day and the team. There is some thought into that. But not too sophisticated. Play style is direct football usually teams send the ball to the wings/forwards from the back line, usually in the air and have big and fast kids run with the ball. Literally that. Building up play is very uncommon. Tailoring training to individuals is not something you'll experience. Its a drill based training environment with emphasis on the drills and how to execute the drills, less on how the drills translate to the games of help the players become better players (they just run the drills). They look for kids that fit the system with some exceptions. Usually bigger and more developed kids are favored over the smaller kids. Not in all cases, but most.

These advantages are the basics of any academy team however. Good write up though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When it comes to Pro Academies, DC United is behind the ball. They were the last pay to play program and only changed when MLS Next made them. With that being said they seem like they are trying to change thing. Their past Director didn’t do much to help the program but again things seem to be changing. They are still a ways off from being a top academy. The other problem is from the top, what is the plan with these players. Are they truly trying to develop players to go into their pro team? Who knows, not every pro club has a major focus on youth develop. Why focus on it if you don’t plan on using the players in it. It’s an expensive expense. DC is still a good 10 years out from being considered a top youth academy with other MLS programs

More opinions.

Unless you can definitively produce for example in data and other verifiable facts and measurements how they are 10 years behind other MLS programs.
Thanks

Can you provide evidence that they are not 10 years behind???

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about things like: how are the coaches? How is the training staff? What is the focus of training? what is the play style? Do they tailor training to a style or concentrate on individual strengths? (e.g. are they looking for kids to fit a system or the most talented players with disparate skills). Are there positive aspects to the academy?

Here are the positives of DCU from my pov:

Speed of play/level: Each training cohort (age group) has some of the best kids in the area and that translates to higher speed of play in practice. As you progress as a player, the speed of play only gets faster and the easier you can adapt to the speed of play the more successful a player will be. Speed of play can't be adapted overnight so the sooner a player is tested at a high speed of play, the sooner they will know their current ceiling. The more a player plays with slow speeds, the harder it will be for the player to make the jump to a higher level as they get older. The body gets too conditioned to that (slower) speed.

Transportation to practice. They do provide a bus system to the kids which helps a lot of parents.

Its free: Parents save money by having their kid at DCU. Free gear and boots. Kids and parents benefit.

Exposure: MLS academies have the most exposure in our youth system to scouts.

Video: They do take video of the kids in training and games and that is helpful for them to see themselves. Coaches do use the video for feedback. This is more common now everywhere so not something differentiating.

Pro Pathway: The only place in the DMV with a pro pathway in house. They can sign a kid to a pro contract at any time.

I can't really think of much else.

Coaches aren't great. Training is just ok. Depends on how you evaluate a training. If touches is important to you in a training, then DCU will disappoint. Focus of training depends on the day and the team. There is some thought into that. But not too sophisticated. Play style is direct football usually teams send the ball to the wings/forwards from the back line, usually in the air and have big and fast kids run with the ball. Literally that. Building up play is very uncommon. Tailoring training to individuals is not something you'll experience. Its a drill based training environment with emphasis on the drills and how to execute the drills, less on how the drills translate to the games of help the players become better players (they just run the drills). They look for kids that fit the system with some exceptions. Usually bigger and more developed kids are favored over the smaller kids. Not in all cases, but most.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When it comes to Pro Academies, DC United is behind the ball. They were the last pay to play program and only changed when MLS Next made them. With that being said they seem like they are trying to change thing. Their past Director didn’t do much to help the program but again things seem to be changing. They are still a ways off from being a top academy. The other problem is from the top, what is the plan with these players. Are they truly trying to develop players to go into their pro team? Who knows, not every pro club has a major focus on youth develop. Why focus on it if you don’t plan on using the players in it. It’s an expensive expense. DC is still a good 10 years out from being considered a top youth academy with other MLS programs

More opinions.

Unless you can definitively produce for example in data and other verifiable facts and measurements how they are 10 years behind other MLS programs.
Thanks

Anonymous wrote:When it comes to Pro Academies, DC United is behind the ball. They were the last pay to play program and only changed when MLS Next made them. With that being said they seem like they are trying to change thing. Their past Director didn’t do much to help the program but again things seem to be changing. They are still a ways off from being a top academy. The other problem is from the top, what is the plan with these players. Are they truly trying to develop players to go into their pro team? Who knows, not every pro club has a major focus on youth develop. Why focus on it if you don’t plan on using the players in it. It’s an expensive expense. DC is still a good 10 years out from being considered a top youth academy with other MLS programs

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about things like: how are the coaches? How is the training staff? What is the focus of training? what is the play style? Do they tailor training to a style or concentrate on individual strengths? (e.g. are they looking for kids to fit a system or the most talented players with disparate skills). Are there positive aspects to the academy?

Here are the positives of DCU from my pov:

Speed of play/level: Each training cohort (age group) has some of the best kids in the area and that translates to higher speed of play in practice. As you progress as a player, the speed of play only gets faster and the easier you can adapt to the speed of play the more successful a player will be. Speed of play can't be adapted overnight so the sooner a player is tested at a high speed of play, the sooner they will know their current ceiling. The more a player plays with slow speeds, the harder it will be for the player to make the jump to a higher level as they get older. The body gets too conditioned to that (slower) speed.

Transportation to practice. They do provide a bus system to the kids which helps a lot of parents.

Its free: Parents save money by having their kid at DCU. Free gear and boots. Kids and parents benefit.

Exposure: MLS academies have the most exposure in our youth system to scouts.

Video: They do take video of the kids in training and games and that is helpful for them to see themselves. Coaches do use the video for feedback. This is more common now everywhere so not something differentiating.

Pro Pathway: The only place in the DMV with a pro pathway in house. They can sign a kid to a pro contract at any time.

I can't really think of much else.

Coaches aren't great. Training is just ok. Depends on how you evaluate a training. If touches is important to you in a training, then DCU will disappoint. Focus of training depends on the day and the team. There is some thought into that. But not too sophisticated. Play style is direct football usually teams send the ball to the wings/forwards from the back line, usually in the air and have big and fast kids run with the ball. Literally that. Building up play is very uncommon. Tailoring training to individuals is not something you'll experience. Its a drill based training environment with emphasis on the drills and how to execute the drills, less on how the drills translate to the games of help the players become better players (they just run the drills). They look for kids that fit the system with some exceptions. Usually bigger and more developed kids are favored over the smaller kids. Not in all cases, but most.

thanks for taking the time. I appreciate what sounds like an informed and valid viewpoint.

Sorry, meant to say "valuable" not valid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about things like: how are the coaches? How is the training staff? What is the focus of training? what is the play style? Do they tailor training to a style or concentrate on individual strengths? (e.g. are they looking for kids to fit a system or the most talented players with disparate skills). Are there positive aspects to the academy?

Here are the positives of DCU from my pov:

Speed of play/level: Each training cohort (age group) has some of the best kids in the area and that translates to higher speed of play in practice. As you progress as a player, the speed of play only gets faster and the easier you can adapt to the speed of play the more successful a player will be. Speed of play can't be adapted overnight so the sooner a player is tested at a high speed of play, the sooner they will know their current ceiling. The more a player plays with slow speeds, the harder it will be for the player to make the jump to a higher level as they get older. The body gets too conditioned to that (slower) speed.

Transportation to practice. They do provide a bus system to the kids which helps a lot of parents.

Its free: Parents save money by having their kid at DCU. Free gear and boots. Kids and parents benefit.

Exposure: MLS academies have the most exposure in our youth system to scouts.

Video: They do take video of the kids in training and games and that is helpful for them to see themselves. Coaches do use the video for feedback. This is more common now everywhere so not something differentiating.

Pro Pathway: The only place in the DMV with a pro pathway in house. They can sign a kid to a pro contract at any time.

I can't really think of much else.

Coaches aren't great. Training is just ok. Depends on how you evaluate a training. If touches is important to you in a training, then DCU will disappoint. Focus of training depends on the day and the team. There is some thought into that. But not too sophisticated. Play style is direct football usually teams send the ball to the wings/forwards from the back line, usually in the air and have big and fast kids run with the ball. Literally that. Building up play is very uncommon. Tailoring training to individuals is not something you'll experience. Its a drill based training environment with emphasis on the drills and how to execute the drills, less on how the drills translate to the games of help the players become better players (they just run the drills). They look for kids that fit the system with some exceptions. Usually bigger and more developed kids are favored over the smaller kids. Not in all cases, but most.

These advantages are the basics of any academy team however. Good write up though.

Anonymous wrote:When it comes to Pro Academies, DC United is behind the ball. They were the last pay to play program and only changed when MLS Next made them. With that being said they seem like they are trying to change thing. Their past Director didn’t do much to help the program but again things seem to be changing. They are still a ways off from being a top academy. The other problem is from the top, what is the plan with these players. Are they truly trying to develop players to go into their pro team? Who knows, not every pro club has a major focus on youth develop. Why focus on it if you don’t plan on using the players in it. It’s an expensive expense. DC is still a good 10 years out from being considered a top youth academy with other MLS programs

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about things like: how are the coaches? How is the training staff? What is the focus of training? what is the play style? Do they tailor training to a style or concentrate on individual strengths? (e.g. are they looking for kids to fit a system or the most talented players with disparate skills). Are there positive aspects to the academy?

Here are the positives of DCU from my pov:

Speed of play/level: Each training cohort (age group) has some of the best kids in the area and that translates to higher speed of play in practice. As you progress as a player, the speed of play only gets faster and the easier you can adapt to the speed of play the more successful a player will be. Speed of play can't be adapted overnight so the sooner a player is tested at a high speed of play, the sooner they will know their current ceiling. The more a player plays with slow speeds, the harder it will be for the player to make the jump to a higher level as they get older. The body gets too conditioned to that (slower) speed.

Transportation to practice. They do provide a bus system to the kids which helps a lot of parents.

Its free: Parents save money by having their kid at DCU. Free gear and boots. Kids and parents benefit.

Exposure: MLS academies have the most exposure in our youth system to scouts.

Video: They do take video of the kids in training and games and that is helpful for them to see themselves. Coaches do use the video for feedback. This is more common now everywhere so not something differentiating.

Pro Pathway: The only place in the DMV with a pro pathway in house. They can sign a kid to a pro contract at any time.

I can't really think of much else.

Coaches aren't great. Training is just ok. Depends on how you evaluate a training. If touches is important to you in a training, then DCU will disappoint. Focus of training depends on the day and the team. There is some thought into that. But not too sophisticated. Play style is direct football usually teams send the ball to the wings/forwards from the back line, usually in the air and have big and fast kids run with the ball. Literally that. Building up play is very uncommon. Tailoring training to individuals is not something you'll experience. Its a drill based training environment with emphasis on the drills and how to execute the drills, less on how the drills translate to the games of help the players become better players (they just run the drills). They look for kids that fit the system with some exceptions. Usually bigger and more developed kids are favored over the smaller kids. Not in all cases, but most.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about things like: how are the coaches? How is the training staff? What is the focus of training? what is the play style? Do they tailor training to a style or concentrate on individual strengths? (e.g. are they looking for kids to fit a system or the most talented players with disparate skills). Are there positive aspects to the academy?

Here are the positives of DCU from my pov:

Speed of play/level: Each training cohort (age group) has some of the best kids in the area and that translates to higher speed of play in practice. As you progress as a player, the speed of play only gets faster and the easier you can adapt to the speed of play the more successful a player will be. Speed of play can't be adapted overnight so the sooner a player is tested at a high speed of play, the sooner they will know their current ceiling. The more a player plays with slow speeds, the harder it will be for the player to make the jump to a higher level as they get older. The body gets too conditioned to that (slower) speed.

Transportation to practice. They do provide a bus system to the kids which helps a lot of parents.

Its free: Parents save money by having their kid at DCU. Free gear and boots. Kids and parents benefit.

Exposure: MLS academies have the most exposure in our youth system to scouts.

Video: They do take video of the kids in training and games and that is helpful for them to see themselves. Coaches do use the video for feedback. This is more common now everywhere so not something differentiating.

Pro Pathway: The only place in the DMV with a pro pathway in house. They can sign a kid to a pro contract at any time.

I can't really think of much else.

Coaches aren't great. Training is just ok. Depends on how you evaluate a training. If touches is important to you in a training, then DCU will disappoint. Focus of training depends on the day and the team. There is some thought into that. But not too sophisticated. Play style is direct football usually teams send the ball to the wings/forwards from the back line, usually in the air and have big and fast kids run with the ball. Literally that. Building up play is very uncommon. Tailoring training to individuals is not something you'll experience. Its a drill based training environment with emphasis on the drills and how to execute the drills, less on how the drills translate to the games of help the players become better players (they just run the drills). They look for kids that fit the system with some exceptions. Usually bigger and more developed kids are favored over the smaller kids. Not in all cases, but most.

thanks for taking the time. I appreciate what sounds like an informed and valid viewpoint.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about things like: how are the coaches? How is the training staff? What is the focus of training? what is the play style? Do they tailor training to a style or concentrate on individual strengths? (e.g. are they looking for kids to fit a system or the most talented players with disparate skills). Are there positive aspects to the academy?

Here are the positives of DCU from my pov:

Speed of play/level: Each training cohort (age group) has some of the best kids in the area and that translates to higher speed of play in practice. As you progress as a player, the speed of play only gets faster and the easier you can adapt to the speed of play the more successful a player will be. Speed of play can't be adapted overnight so the sooner a player is tested at a high speed of play, the sooner they will know their current ceiling. The more a player plays with slow speeds, the harder it will be for the player to make the jump to a higher level as they get older. The body gets too conditioned to that (slower) speed.

Transportation to practice. They do provide a bus system to the kids which helps a lot of parents.

Its free: Parents save money by having their kid at DCU. Free gear and boots. Kids and parents benefit.

Exposure: MLS academies have the most exposure in our youth system to scouts.

Video: They do take video of the kids in training and games and that is helpful for them to see themselves. Coaches do use the video for feedback. This is more common now everywhere so not something differentiating.

Pro Pathway: The only place in the DMV with a pro pathway in house. They can sign a kid to a pro contract at any time.

I can't really think of much else.

Coaches aren't great. Training is just ok. Depends on how you evaluate a training. If touches is important to you in a training, then DCU will disappoint. Focus of training depends on the day and the team. There is some thought into that. But not too sophisticated. Play style is direct football usually teams send the ball to the wings/forwards from the back line, usually in the air and have big and fast kids run with the ball. Literally that. Building up play is very uncommon. Tailoring training to individuals is not something you'll experience. Its a drill based training environment with emphasis on the drills and how to execute the drills, less on how the drills translate to the games of help the players become better players (they just run the drills). They look for kids that fit the system with some exceptions. Usually bigger and more developed kids are favored over the smaller kids. Not in all cases, but most.