Could be. DC and the Red Bulls are finishing up a preseason game right now. Agudelo and Najar both started.
Another thing, i really love to hear about Academy's, up and comping players, and young promising talent. However, i think there really think they NEED to bring back the reserve league. It is a must! i think thats the only way we are going to see the full potential of these players. You get better in practice, and learn from games. a reserve league setup with the NASL, and likewise for a "Major League Soccer Academy" consiting of MLS teams, and NASL.
Colorado's reserves did well and a bunch of their developmental roster players stepped up to the first team. However, that's totally independent of the Rapids Academy, which hasn't had a very high profile in terms of MLS signings or YNT callups. Remember that the former reserve league was basically a flop. They played only 10 games and even with 28 man rosters, teams never had enough healthy players to field a full XI, so they would draft in random guys to fill the gaps. As a result, it was viewed as a joke by pretty much everybody, including players and coaches. With 24 man rosters now, the idea of re-starting the reserve league in the immediate near-term is a non-starter. If MLS re-expands rosters and, more importantly, this NCAA rules reform goes through, a reserve league will become a much more attractive option. We just need to get rid of the rule that amateurs lose NCAA eligibility if they play alongside pros.
Exactly 28 man rosters, and player pool can be some players from the academy teams. But yea this rule needs to clear, and i think once it does it will appear. Hence the reason why Vancouver is aable to keep their academy setup
Doesn't mean he can't be added to their homegrown list if he decides to play. The subject is not who was developed by academies but who could be added to their homegrown list.
If I am reading what you are saying right then you don't understand the homegrown rule (not being mean, just stating a fact). In order to be added as a homegrown player the player has to be a member of that team's academy for 2 years prior to being signed to the first team (though I think Levya was less for FCD for some reason). If the player goes to college before he meets the minimum amount of time he can not be signed as a homegrown player (see Dilly Duka). I don't know the specifics on any Sounders product so I can't be of any help on that. But they would need to meet those requirements to be a homegrown player and signed directly.
That is what I thought until I saw this (a repost from GOALSeattle) Answer from Darren Sawatzky, Sounders FC Youth Direcor... "The actual rule is 80 training dates over 12 months. And, it is not related to the U18 group alone. A player can be added to the Home Grown list at any time from the U14 age group up. In order to be a “Home Grown Player” for an MLS team, the player must train 80 dates over a 12 month period of time preceding the Home Grown Player distinction. These rules can change but this is the current rule for players in the MLS youth systems."
Which is correct, but it doesn't take into account all the other nuances of the rule. Again, I don't know the specifics of the Seattle youth players. However, if the player was in a team that rolled into the Sounders academy, then they would need to be in the actual Sounders academy for a year. At least that is my understanding of the whole situation, and seeing how this is MLS I could be wrong.
I guess that's where we need more information. I would think that there would have to be some sort of grandfathering in for teams like Philly and Seattle whose senior teams haven't existed long enough to comply with the two year minimum.
The Dynamo said they were going to have a press conference today at 1, but it got postponed till next week for whatever reason. However, a fellow dynamo fan found this little gem: Dynamo sign Academy Player Navas
Not surprising given the amount of time he saw during the preseason. Now hopefully NY can seal the deal on Agudelo. That would cap off an impressive crop of young players (including the GA signings) this offseason (and a couple of the late year academy signings).
Apparently according to the NY post Agudelo refused MLS's first offer and is awaiting a reply. Hopefully he's signed soon.
It's official now: http://houston.mlsnet.com/news/team..._id=8726740&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&team=t200
DC brought Andy Najar down to Charleston for their games in the Carolina Challenge Cup. He starts the second half of the game vs RSL out on the right side of midfield.
This kid could be something special. According to Buzz (in whom I trust regarding all things FCD) there is interest from both sides to sign. But there are..........legal/logistical/citizenship/nationality issues with him.
DC has signed Andy Najar from its academy. Najar is considered one of the top 10 youth talents in the U.S. and the second player DC has signed from its academy. http://twitter.com/SoccerInsider/status/10893170333