Anonymous wrote:

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The problem with that argument is that they already have an huge recruiting advantage, just by virtue of being the only pro club in the area, and it doesn't seem to be helping.

They will lose that MLS name advantage when they move to Loundoun. No one cart their kids all the way out there in to that traffic hellhole to train. Therefore, Arlington DA should get a huge boost.

Around in circles we go. Most kids at DCU are not any closer to Arlington than other DAs viewed as comparable to or better than DCU. Dream on.

You think Maryland kids will go to Loundoun? At rush hour? Really?

Kids on my children’s team do. Kids from Bethesda, Silver Spring.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The problem with that argument is that they already have an huge recruiting advantage, just by virtue of being the only pro club in the area, and it doesn't seem to be helping.

They will lose that MLS name advantage when they move to Loundoun. No one cart their kids all the way out there in to that traffic hellhole to train. Therefore, Arlington DA should get a huge boost.

Around in circles we go. Most kids at DCU are not any closer to Arlington than other DAs viewed as comparable to or better than DCU. Dream on.

You think Maryland kids will go to Loundoun? At rush hour? Really?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The problem with that argument is that they already have an huge recruiting advantage, just by virtue of being the only pro club in the area, and it doesn't seem to be helping.

They will lose that MLS name advantage when they move to Loundoun. No one cart their kids all the way out there in to that traffic hellhole to train. Therefore, Arlington DA should get a huge boost.

Around in circles we go. Most kids at DCU are not any closer to Arlington than other DAs viewed as comparable to or better than DCU. Dream on.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The problem with that argument is that they already have an huge recruiting advantage, just by virtue of being the only pro club in the area, and it doesn't seem to be helping.

They will lose that MLS name advantage when they move to Loundoun. No one cart their kids all the way out there in to that traffic hellhole to train. Therefore, Arlington DA should get a huge boost.

Anonymous wrote:
The problem with that argument is that they already have an huge recruiting advantage, just by virtue of being the only pro club in the area, and it doesn't seem to be helping.

Anonymous wrote:Too many parents pass judgement on teams without watching them play

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is the argument that another poster was making. Once it is the only tier 1 DA, it will get better because kids will naturally choose the higher tier.

The reason players haven't been choosing it is it is a crap program. VDA was on their heels last year, and even Richmond United''s U19 team last year was ahead of DCU in its standings. (No one is more shocked than I by that).

There should be no special status to MLS academies. It should be a meritocracy.

Completely disagree. The best players in the area should be funneled to single team.

They should be. What I'm arguing is that which team that is should be a meritocracy, not an MLS by USSF divine right.

I'm with those that disagree. Of course the MLS DA teams should be the ultimate destination for serious kids. The goal of the DA program is to produce more and better pros, which is going to require training with the first team of the top pro team in the area. Plus, all MLS DAs other than DCU and MN United are free. It is only in our area (and Minneapolis, where you are much better off going to Shattuck St. Mary's DA) that the non-MLS DA clubs are often better and offer better training than DCU.

And if the MLS club isn't doing its job? Competition for tier 1 spots would certainly light a fire under some clubs. If DCU had proven itself, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but a youth player needs to be developed well to even be able to go pro. And let's be honest. Most MLS DA players won't/can't go pro. I agree with the goal, but the MLS club has to get the job first, and be rewarded for that second.

And what exactly has Arlington done to demonstrate that it would do anything better than DCU at this point?

I guess we can find out this Sunday. They play at Greenbriar. U14s at 12. U15s at 2.

Again, this is the problem - confusing results with development. So if you lose, does that mean Arlington has inferior development? No, not necessarily. Just as going to second in girls DA division tells you little if anything other than an improvement in win-loss relative to teams, many of whom undergo roster changes year over year. This sounds more and more like the girls soccer threads. Though results certainly tell you more as the kids get older, people who need to use results to determine the quality of play and coaching generally don’t know or understand anything about either.

I agree with you, but I didn't say anything about results. If I did, I would have said check the DA site Monday morning to find out who won.

I'm saying come to the games. Watch how the teams play. Which team - notwithstanding talent/ athleticism - actually looks like it is better coached?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is the argument that another poster was making. Once it is the only tier 1 DA, it will get better because kids will naturally choose the higher tier.

The reason players haven't been choosing it is it is a crap program. VDA was on their heels last year, and even Richmond United''s U19 team last year was ahead of DCU in its standings. (No one is more shocked than I by that).

There should be no special status to MLS academies. It should be a meritocracy.

Completely disagree. The best players in the area should be funneled to single team.

They should be. What I'm arguing is that which team that is should be a meritocracy, not an MLS by USSF divine right.

I'm with those that disagree. Of course the MLS DA teams should be the ultimate destination for serious kids. The goal of the DA program is to produce more and better pros, which is going to require training with the first team of the top pro team in the area. Plus, all MLS DAs other than DCU and MN United are free. It is only in our area (and Minneapolis, where you are much better off going to Shattuck St. Mary's DA) that the non-MLS DA clubs are often better and offer better training than DCU.

And if the MLS club isn't doing its job? Competition for tier 1 spots would certainly light a fire under some clubs. If DCU had proven itself, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but a youth player needs to be developed well to even be able to go pro. And let's be honest. Most MLS DA players won't/can't go pro. I agree with the goal, but the MLS club has to get the job first, and be rewarded for that second.

And what exactly has Arlington done to demonstrate that it would do anything better than DCU at this point?

I guess we can find out this Sunday. They play at Greenbriar. U14s at 12. U15s at 2.

Again, this is the problem - confusing results with development. So if you lose, does that mean Arlington has inferior development? No, not necessarily. Just as going to second in girls DA division tells you little if anything other than an improvement in win-loss relative to teams, many of whom undergo roster changes year over year. This sounds more and more like the girls soccer threads. Though results certainly tell you more as the kids get older, people who need to use results to determine the quality of play and coaching generally don’t know or understand anything about either.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is the argument that another poster was making. Once it is the only tier 1 DA, it will get better because kids will naturally choose the higher tier.

The reason players haven't been choosing it is it is a crap program. VDA was on their heels last year, and even Richmond United''s U19 team last year was ahead of DCU in its standings. (No one is more shocked than I by that).

There should be no special status to MLS academies. It should be a meritocracy.

Completely disagree. The best players in the area should be funneled to single team.

They should be. What I'm arguing is that which team that is should be a meritocracy, not an MLS by USSF divine right.

I'm with those that disagree. Of course the MLS DA teams should be the ultimate destination for serious kids. The goal of the DA program is to produce more and better pros, which is going to require training with the first team of the top pro team in the area. Plus, all MLS DAs other than DCU and MN United are free. It is only in our area (and Minneapolis, where you are much better off going to Shattuck St. Mary's DA) that the non-MLS DA clubs are often better and offer better training than DCU.

And if the MLS club isn't doing its job? Competition for tier 1 spots would certainly light a fire under some clubs. If DCU had proven itself, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but a youth player needs to be developed well to even be able to go pro. And let's be honest. Most MLS DA players won't/can't go pro. I agree with the goal, but the MLS club has to get the job first, and be rewarded for that second.

And what exactly has Arlington done to demonstrate that it would do anything better than DCU at this point?

I guess we can find out this Sunday. They play at Greenbriar. U14s at 12. U15s at 2.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is the argument that another poster was making. Once it is the only tier 1 DA, it will get better because kids will naturally choose the higher tier.

The reason players haven't been choosing it is it is a crap program. VDA was on their heels last year, and even Richmond United''s U19 team last year was ahead of DCU in its standings. (No one is more shocked than I by that).

There should be no special status to MLS academies. It should be a meritocracy.

Completely disagree. The best players in the area should be funneled to single team.

They should be. What I'm arguing is that which team that is should be a meritocracy, not an MLS by USSF divine right.

I'm with those that disagree. Of course the MLS DA teams should be the ultimate destination for serious kids. The goal of the DA program is to produce more and better pros, which is going to require training with the first team of the top pro team in the area. Plus, all MLS DAs other than DCU and MN United are free. It is only in our area (and Minneapolis, where you are much better off going to Shattuck St. Mary's DA) that the non-MLS DA clubs are often better and offer better training than DCU.

And if the MLS club isn't doing its job? Competition for tier 1 spots would certainly light a fire under some clubs. If DCU had proven itself, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but a youth player needs to be developed well to even be able to go pro. And let's be honest. Most MLS DA players won't/can't go pro. I agree with the goal, but the MLS club has to get the job first, and be rewarded for that second.

And what exactly has Arlington done to demonstrate that it would do anything better than DCU at this point?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is the argument that another poster was making. Once it is the only tier 1 DA, it will get better because kids will naturally choose the higher tier.

The reason players haven't been choosing it is it is a crap program. VDA was on their heels last year, and even Richmond United''s U19 team last year was ahead of DCU in its standings. (No one is more shocked than I by that).

There should be no special status to MLS academies. It should be a meritocracy.

Completely disagree. The best players in the area should be funneled to single team.

They should be. What I'm arguing is that which team that is should be a meritocracy, not an MLS by USSF divine right.

I'm with those that disagree. Of course the MLS DA teams should be the ultimate destination for serious kids. The goal of the DA program is to produce more and better pros, which is going to require training with the first team of the top pro team in the area. Plus, all MLS DAs other than DCU and MN United are free. It is only in our area (and Minneapolis, where you are much better off going to Shattuck St. Mary's DA) that the non-MLS DA clubs are often better and offer better training than DCU.

And if the MLS club isn't doing its job? Competition for tier 1 spots would certainly light a fire under some clubs. If DCU had proven itself, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but a youth player needs to be developed well to even be able to go pro. And let's be honest. Most MLS DA players won't/can't go pro. I agree with the goal, but the MLS club has to get the job first, and be rewarded for that second.

If the MLS team isn't doing it's job, we end up with what we have now. A lot of the more talented kids stay at the non-MLS academies for most of their career and then move over to DCU when they are older to take advantage of the opportunity to train with DC United and/or play for Loudoun United. Some have stayed at their home club and guest played with DCU's academy, and some have moved up to Philadelphia Union or to other great MLS acadmies. If D1 is your goal, then you are better off at Bethesda or one of the other non-MLS academies.

If the league was pro/rel and DCU went down to the second tier, they would still have the same problems they do now. There's no way to fix the problem until the owners invest in the Academy.

Would be interesting show of support and confidence from MLS to require or incentivize rostering of academy players. Too bad they are not taking development more seriously.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is the argument that another poster was making. Once it is the only tier 1 DA, it will get better because kids will naturally choose the higher tier.

The reason players haven't been choosing it is it is a crap program. VDA was on their heels last year, and even Richmond United''s U19 team last year was ahead of DCU in its standings. (No one is more shocked than I by that).

There should be no special status to MLS academies. It should be a meritocracy.

Completely disagree. The best players in the area should be funneled to single team.

They should be. What I'm arguing is that which team that is should be a meritocracy, not an MLS by USSF divine right.

I'm with those that disagree. Of course the MLS DA teams should be the ultimate destination for serious kids. The goal of the DA program is to produce more and better pros, which is going to require training with the first team of the top pro team in the area. Plus, all MLS DAs other than DCU and MN United are free. It is only in our area (and Minneapolis, where you are much better off going to Shattuck St. Mary's DA) that the non-MLS DA clubs are often better and offer better training than DCU.

And if the MLS club isn't doing its job? Competition for tier 1 spots would certainly light a fire under some clubs. If DCU had proven itself, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but a youth player needs to be developed well to even be able to go pro. And let's be honest. Most MLS DA players won't/can't go pro. I agree with the goal, but the MLS club has to get the job first, and be rewarded for that second.

If the MLS team isn't doing it's job, we end up with what we have now. A lot of the more talented kids stay at the non-MLS academies for most of their career and then move over to DCU when they are older to take advantage of the opportunity to train with DC United and/or play for Loudoun United. Some have stayed at their home club and guest played with DCU's academy, and some have moved up to Philadelphia Union or to other great MLS acadmies. If D1 is your goal, then you are better off at Bethesda or one of the other non-MLS academies.

If the league was pro/rel and DCU went down to the second tier, they would still have the same problems they do now. There's no way to fix the problem until the owners invest in the Academy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is the argument that another poster was making. Once it is the only tier 1 DA, it will get better because kids will naturally choose the higher tier.

The reason players haven't been choosing it is it is a crap program. VDA was on their heels last year, and even Richmond United''s U19 team last year was ahead of DCU in its standings. (No one is more shocked than I by that).

There should be no special status to MLS academies. It should be a meritocracy.

Completely disagree. The best players in the area should be funneled to single team.

They should be. What I'm arguing is that which team that is should be a meritocracy, not an MLS by USSF divine right.

I'm with those that disagree. Of course the MLS DA teams should be the ultimate destination for serious kids. The goal of the DA program is to produce more and better pros, which is going to require training with the first team of the top pro team in the area. Plus, all MLS DAs other than DCU and MN United are free. It is only in our area (and Minneapolis, where you are much better off going to Shattuck St. Mary's DA) that the non-MLS DA clubs are often better and offer better training than DCU.

And if the MLS club isn't doing its job? Competition for tier 1 spots would certainly light a fire under some clubs. If DCU had proven itself, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but a youth player needs to be developed well to even be able to go pro. And let's be honest. Most MLS DA players won't/can't go pro. I agree with the goal, but the MLS club has to get the job first, and be rewarded for that second.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is the argument that another poster was making. Once it is the only tier 1 DA, it will get better because kids will naturally choose the higher tier.

The reason players haven't been choosing it is it is a crap program. VDA was on their heels last year, and even Richmond United''s U19 team last year was ahead of DCU in its standings. (No one is more shocked than I by that).

There should be no special status to MLS academies. It should be a meritocracy.

Completely disagree. The best players in the area should be funneled to single team.

They should be. What I'm arguing is that which team that is should be a meritocracy, not an MLS by USSF divine right.

I'm with those that disagree. Of course the MLS DA teams should be the ultimate destination for serious kids. The goal of the DA program is to produce more and better pros, which is going to require training with the first team of the top pro team in the area. Plus, all MLS DAs other than DCU and MN United are free. It is only in our area (and Minneapolis, where you are much better off going to Shattuck St. Mary's DA) that the non-MLS DA clubs are often better and offer better training than DCU.

And if the MLS club isn't doing its job? Competition for tier 1 spots would certainly light a fire under some clubs. If DCU had proven itself, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but a youth player needs to be developed well to even be able to go pro. And let's be honest. Most MLS DA players won't/can't go pro. I agree with the goal, but the MLS club has to get the job first, and be rewarded for that second.

And what exactly has Arlington done to demonstrate that it would do anything better than DCU at this point?

Let's put Arlington aside for a moment. Maybe that club isn't Arlington or maybe it is. Maybe that club is VDA. Whatever.

What about the principle? How grossly does DCU have to fail and to manipulate the system to be held to a lower standard and get away with it? When does it finally get held accountable?