If the U follow their own trend, they should be preparing to sign the next home grown. Only real potential candidate would be Z Steffen but do they bring in an other young goalie? Anyone else
What about Billy McConnell? http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2012/08/cup-win-inspires-u17-defender-mcconnell
I assume we'll claim Darius Madison as a homegrown at some point..... maybe similar to McLaughlin style? He had a year of college this year, then maybe is signed as a HGP for next? (pure speculation)
I expect Zack Steffen will end up playing at least a couple years at Maryland (just as MacMath did before him). He's only 17.
He needs a few more years in college though. He's only played 4 games for Virginia this year according to Top Drawer Soccer with 0 goals and 0 assists. He needs to show some production first like McLaughlin did.
From Virginia's website http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/madison_darius00.html 14 appearances and 12 starts if I'm reading this right? 2 goals, and it looks like one was a PK.... maybe another year or so? Still seems promising.
I don't want to become Dallas where our roster is full of homegrown players who don't see the field. If a player merits the contract, I'm happy to see them signed up (especially if the play defense). But i'd be just as happy to start seeing McLaughlin, Hernandez, or Pfeffer not just getting but earning first team minutes on a consistent basis. The jury is still out on this route for developing players - the mediocre players and late bloomers seem to need more opportunities to play than are currently being offered through MLS and its reserve league.
Darius Madison is probably a better bet than Billy McConnell. First Madison is a yr older and is on the same track as McLaughlin ( 1yr of college). He was named to the all rookie squad. McConnell is ability wise a natural defender and will probably need a few college pounds before peaking interest. But I agree with the Heat, if the Homegrown is not going to be challenging for a starting role or at least significant time, as it sits now, not sure if it is worth it for the kid. How about Christiano Francois - who is down in Maryland? I am not sure he saw the minutes that he was used to down there but you can not teach his kind of speed. Colton Storm?
I think the Union really need to loan these players out so they are at least getting minutes. Unless they have shown that they can make our 18 regularly then we need them to get playing time. The reserve matches add some but not enough. If you are young and not playing it is harder to improve. The kids have shown to have promise in the big team minutes they have gotten, mostly in friendlies and I hope they continue to improve. I am definitely a home town fan and always hope players from our area do well like Jameer Nelson. It is even better when they are doing it for the hometown or national/Olympic teams.
I suggested McConnell for two main reasons: we don't really need someone else in the forward/midfield positions when we're chock full already; some defensive depth would be nice. McConnell is the only (?) academy player to get a dedicated write-up on the team's site* * which means he's the nest HG signing, or is future with the Union ain't happening. But enough with the youth movement already. Don't sign a homegrown for the sake of signing a homegrown.
Plus, Madison is only 5'8". We have enough Smurf strikers for now. Give him some more time in college, especially a good one like Virginia.
He is also more capable of starting and playing significant time than Madison, who would likely ride the bench for two years. My point was, if Madison was 6'2", he'd be worth a call up, despite how raw he is. However, since he is the same height as most of our other strikers while also not as experienced as the rest of them, he might as well stay in college so he can receive minutes.
Madison subbed out of Virginia's game in the tournament against Lafayette after 39 minutes.... http://www.ncaa.com/game/soccer-men/d1/2012/11/15/lafayette-virginia 0-0 at HT.
Is Andrew O'Malley from ND not eligible to be a homegrown because he wasn't a part of our academy system? He is from West Chester and went to Salesianum in DE. He is a starting CB for Notre Dame currently.
they should have been getting big minutes at HCI. I know mclaughlin and jordan played a bit there, but these HGs should be playing regularly there... close to home, formal affiliate, good competition. no reason not to do this IMO
Hackworth seems to have been more willing to do this than Nowak. List of Union players and how many games they got with HCI this season: McLaughlin: 7 games (347 minutes) Jordan: 8 games (720 minutes) Hoppenot: 3 games (201 minutes, 1 goal) Hoffman: 2 games (106 minutes) On top of that, MLS Reserve league is scheduled for 10 games I believe (subject to cancellation and rescheduling a bit though). These players usually feature in those games as well. Hoffman and Hoppenot fit the mold of usage from last year. The occassional game to keep sharp or fit. Jordan and McLaughlin both went on extended loans this year and that is something we may hope to see more of next year.