Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think DCU serves a certain fan base. They are almost single- minded in that focus.

They have no interest in developing players - proof? They keep ending the U-little programs.

The narrative that DC United has no interest in developing players gets thrown out there indiscriminately.
What evidence exists to substantiate this?

Also, what are other clubs locally doing differently/better than DCU to develop players?

-They simply wait until U15 to scoop up talent. (Beating Bethesda at own game)
-They hire a U16 and pay him peanuts - he gets talented players to go on a run last year winning MLS cup. Rise and repeat.
-practice field is downright unsafe for players

-Philly Union
-fully integrates all local teams - down to style of play- all (brand them with union patch)
-offer robust and affordable camps - multiple levels (Rec, ECNL, EDP, MLS Next)
-recruits talent in local schools for their boarding school

If DCU’s practice and home field is unsafe for players then 99.9% of fields in DMV is downright dangerous.

Some of you people replying here… do you know the facts or just second or third hand knowledge?

https://www.ussoccercollective.com/mls/mls-academy-rankings

That is a reputable ranking of MLS academies. It’s not a secret that DCU’s ranking is dismal considering the talent in this soccer-rich metro area. Less dense areas are doing better.

The biggest pro for DCU is the name recognition and that it’s free. But you should definitely keep tabs on your kids development and not relying exclusively on the academy for their development, especially at the younger ages.

So, what are the pros and cons of DCU vs another MLS next (not academy) team? If they aren't good at development, why would a family make that choice?

Anonymous wrote:I wanted to chime in to reinforce a comment made earlier that just because DCU doesn't select your kid, that does not mean that they are not an academy-level player. I am aware of one U15 who was passed over by DCU (and not on the restricted list) but picked up by Philly Union (now at the boarding school), which in my view is a better academy than DCU. I think in that case it came down to style of play (DCU was not looking for his specific skillset/position, whereas Philly Union was).

As said before, it's not about being good. It's about being a fit for what the club/team needs.
You think Philly picked him but they needed a different type of player?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think DCU serves a certain fan base. They are almost single- minded in that focus.

They have no interest in developing players - proof? They keep ending the U-little programs.

The narrative that DC United has no interest in developing players gets thrown out there indiscriminately.
What evidence exists to substantiate this?

Also, what are other clubs locally doing differently/better than DCU to develop players?

-They simply wait until U15 to scoop up talent. (Beating Bethesda at own game)
-They hire a U16 and pay him peanuts - he gets talented players to go on a run last year winning MLS cup. Rise and repeat.
-practice field is downright unsafe for players

-Philly Union
-fully integrates all local teams - down to style of play- all (brand them with union patch)
-offer robust and affordable camps - multiple levels (Rec, ECNL, EDP, MLS Next)
-recruits talent in local schools for their boarding school

DC United starts at U14. Several of the current U14 players are playing up 1 & 2 years.
Are you saying they have to have U8 teams?

Do you have access to formalized reports from reputable sources showing evidence of unsafe playing field?

Philly Union doesn't have a program like Bayern Munich or Ajax or Anderlecht.
Does that mean Philly Union doesn't develop players?
(false equivalency applies)

What are other clubs locally doing differently/better than DCU to develop existing players?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, they will definitely recruit at U11 if the kids are really good. At least that’s what the other parents are saying; we signed up for the extra technical training offered by our club to make sure we’re ready.

I hope this is a joke. "We". Your club is taking your $$

Sorry, It's a joke lol I had to.

I wanted to chime in to reinforce a comment made earlier that just because DCU doesn't select your kid, that does not mean that they are not an academy-level player. I am aware of one U15 who was passed over by DCU (and not on the restricted list) but picked up by Philly Union (now at the boarding school), which in my view is a better academy than DCU. I think in that case it came down to style of play (DCU was not looking for his specific skillset/position, whereas Philly Union was).

Sorry hire U16 coach

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think DCU serves a certain fan base. They are almost single- minded in that focus.

They have no interest in developing players - proof? They keep ending the U-little programs.

The narrative that DC United has no interest in developing players gets thrown out there indiscriminately.
What evidence exists to substantiate this?

Also, what are other clubs locally doing differently/better than DCU to develop players?

-They simply wait until U15 to scoop up talent. (Beating Bethesda at own game)
-They hire a U16 and pay him peanuts - he gets talented players to go on a run last year winning MLS cup. Rise and repeat.
-practice field is downright unsafe for players

-Philly Union
-fully integrates all local teams - down to style of play- all (brand them with union patch)
-offer robust and affordable camps - multiple levels (Rec, ECNL, EDP, MLS Next)
-recruits talent in local schools for their boarding school

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restricted player list only applies to academy teams. Any kid living within 75miles of DCU territory that's on their restricted list cannot join another academy team, unless that team pays fees to DCU for the transfer. They can switch teams as much as they want, as long as it's not to another MLS academy team.

This is the first I’ve heard that it starts at U15. It’s crazy to me though how that list is legally enforceable. I’m assuming the parents sign something agreeing to it in exchange for DCU or an academy officially scouting their kid?

Parents have no say. If you're in the homegrown territory of an academy, they can place your kid on the protected list. There was recently some drama regarding this, I believe a kid out west was trying to play for another academy but his homegrown academy wouldn't allow it even though they weren't going to put him on the team.

Here's some more info on the whole homegrown rules:

https://theathletic.com/3532524/2022/08/23/mls-homegrown-player-territory-rules/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The restricted player list only applies to academy teams. Any kid living within 75miles of DCU territory that's on their restricted list cannot join another academy team, unless that team pays fees to DCU for the transfer. They can switch teams as much as they want, as long as it's not to another MLS academy team.

This is the first I’ve heard that it starts at U15. It’s crazy to me though how that list is legally enforceable. I’m assuming the parents sign something agreeing to it in exchange for DCU or an academy officially scouting their kid?

That list must be so short

Anonymous wrote:The restricted player list only applies to academy teams. Any kid living within 75miles of DCU territory that's on their restricted list cannot join another academy team, unless that team pays fees to DCU for the transfer. They can switch teams as much as they want, as long as it's not to another MLS academy team.

This is the first I’ve heard that it starts at U15. It’s crazy to me though how that list is legally enforceable. I’m assuming the parents sign something agreeing to it in exchange for DCU or an academy officially scouting their kid?

The restricted player list only applies to academy teams. Any kid living within 75miles of DCU territory that's on their restricted list cannot join another academy team, unless that team pays fees to DCU for the transfer. They can switch teams as much as they want, as long as it's not to another MLS academy team.

NP here with MLS Next son. As I understand it, they have trials in the fall and spring. A scout comes to most of our games and even some practices (it's usually the same scout). You can send film to DCU (instructions on the website) but if your player is MLS Next they've been reviewed already.

At U13-14 level, I think the agreement with our club (which has some sort of partnership) is that the coach nominates 2 players and the scout picks 2 other players (if they're not the same players) and often up to 4 players from 1 club will be invited. The scout selected players are usually the same kids each time, as the scout often laser focuses on kids at a young age with potential and watches them develop. That can be frustrating for other kids who may surpass that scouted kid in skill/size (that has happened at our club) and finally at u15 the scout stopped calling up the exact same 2 kids. They all can change a lot at that age.

Last winter they did have an open call, it was announced on their social media with a link. You could sign up that way. I do know of a few players who signed up only to have DCU call and say they didn't need them to come because they had already seen them play in scouted games.

One thing I haven't seen in this thread yet is that DCU has a restricted list I think starting at U15, which means they have an agreement with their local feeder clubs that any player on DCU's restricted list cannot have trials or switch teams to any other MLS next club within 75 miles of DCU. So a restricted player might play for SYC or Bethesda or ASA, he hasn't been offered a spot on DCU, but DCU has the right to place him on their restricted list so that he can't switch teams without DCU's permission. I think I got that right. A parent with their kid on it was explaining it to me, so I might have some of the details wrong but I think I got the big picture.

To the PP, thank you so much for sharing! This is so interesting AND helpful AND kind.