An important point is that academies, so far for MLS, have not been effective in producing cost-effective players. I happened across this report on the Prozone software website (I think its the software MLS uses to create the detailed statistics you find in game reports). There is a link to the full paper near the bottom of the story. The report is focused on their development of a player quality measure they call AREA. Not a focus of the report, but what jumped out at me was in Table 1. NCAA-background players are the 'best buys' for MLS currently. They tend to produce better quality by their measure, on average, than any of the other sources for players. Academy players have the lowest quality by their measure, on average. But, Academy players also tend to end up costing more than college players. They are quick to caution that the academy system in MLS is still developing and may yet provide better quality players than NCAA. But, the NCAA is currently the best source of players.
I thought in one of their midweek games this year they had like 3 or 4 guys on the pitch from their academy at the same time...
i think this is the case because of two things: 1. a lot of academy players are still going to college and the ones that are really good enough are going outside the US to continue their career. look at jordan allen, probably one of the top youth talents in the country, he's committed to going to virginia to play college ball. when he finishes his college career, will you consider him a college player or an academy player? hence, the value of the academy has not even really been seen yet. 2. the academy system hasnt even really gone a full cycle yet. what i mean by that is we have yet to really see a u-15 kid develop into his mid to late twenties/into their prime soccer age. the bradenton academy and project 2010 produced some of the greatest MLS talent we've ever seen, those players are now in their primes and its obvious as they bring a great amount of talent to the league RIGHT NOW. but those guys started more than 10 years ago in that camp/academy. we're still a good 5+ years away from really seeing the first academy players entering their prime.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/05/21/power-5-center-backs-head-heart-unite-5 If BorLave doesn't make this list as 1 and 2 (or 1 and 3) its an absolute joke. Oh, and I think Schuler would be in the top 10
So, does anyone else feel strange pulling for the Gals pull out a win against the Quakes on Saturday, or is this another weekend you're hoping for a meteor strike @ the HDC?
all results will be welcomed. though, i'm pulling for a draw as it would mean a) SJ dropped 4 points to CBus and LAG b) LA sits in the cellar of the West still c) RSL maintains the top spot in the west
meteor strike #1, but if that doesnt happen than a gals win or draw. just need the quakes to keep dropping points (and quite frankly they are damn lucky they even got 2 points in their last 2 matches, stealing goals at the brink of losses). also need seattle to drop points this week.
Well, Columbus held the Quakes to a draw (and maybe should have won) on Saturday, maybe they'll do the same (or better) against Seattle this week.
It's early enough that you still want everyone to draw. The biggest point-getter threats are Seattle and KC, so I can see rooting for them to lose.
Just guessing on how many ounces you get in a large beer at the game, but at 12 oz, at stadium prices, your RSL keg would be the low low price of ~$1320
I was drinking some lovely caffeine-free diet Mountain Dew today. It's kind of like the real thing, except it's mostly just chemicals and water. And nothing like the real thing.
How long does it typically take 700 to get their podcasts up? I missed On Frame last night and would like to listen to it at work...
The interview segments are on there already: http://espn.kall700sports.com/category/recent-interviews/ (Max Bretos, Jeff Cassar, and Kyle Reynish) I think the whole show will show up later this afternoon.
Great, now we're going to have six pages comparing sodas to strikers and how none of them are as good as the ones in Europe.
Minnesota beats Des Moines which means we'll be making a trip to Minnesota on May 29. or... http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Lamar-...-to-Host-Third-Round-Game-in-US-Open-Cup.aspx we could try to buy the hosting rights off of Minnesota if they were a smaller team (smaller than they are) then this might have a chance at working as is, I doubt the Stars will be willing to let us buy it off of 'em so, get ready to watch a shitty online stream of RSL reserves vs some team you've likely never heard of
I really don't like that this is an option. Even if it benefits us, it's rather stupid. Oh well, get to see RSL on May 29th now YAY!
ya, its funny. so instead of doing some behind closed doors bidding war for the option of hosting the game between the teams, now the team just pays off the other team. of course a smaller team is going to take the money (which quite honestly cant be THAT much, what? $10k?). it just goes to show you how much of a joke the US Open Cup really is.