I don't think they're confined so much as they're barred from specific areas, I think it's 75 miles from an MLS stadium. I could be wrong, though.
I did a rough map-graphic type thing a while back showing the radii of influence for the Union, RBNY, and DCU ... I'll try to find it. -EDIT- Found it: https://www.bigsoccer.com/community/...opment-thread-r.1498199/page-14#post-27764167
Isn't the 75 mile rule just for marketing territory? I thought scouting/talent territory was handled differently. Like the whole state of PA or something.
Interesting interview with a Youth Sports Developer on Forbes. Not directly related to Soccer, but interesting in this conversation.
Probably seems like this should go under the "other teams" thread, since it's RBNY centric, but similar to the LA Galaxy/LA Galaxy II, our friends in North Jersey will be fielding a USL Pro team beginning in 2015. http://www.soccerbyives.net/2014/03/bulls-planning-start.html How does this impact the Union directly? Then there's this tidbit: Perhaps the new fields/facilities at PPL Park, when they are finished, could also be the Union's USL Pro team's field, as well as for the "first" team's USOC games. And, if this were to happen, what would that mean for the future of the City Islanders?
I think you're reading too much into these comments. MLS doesn't want to force everyone to start a new USL team; they just want everyone to get their reserve players into the USL through one of the two mechanisms available (creating a new team OR affiliating with an existing team). In other words, at the end of 2015, MLS won't be telling Philly to dump Harrisburg; they'll be telling teams like Chicago and Dallas that they need to get out of the Reserve League and into the USL.
Perhaps. With Roxburgh's quotes coming right after the author's statements about RBNY and LAG having USL Pro teams, it sure doesn't come off as the lower division loan thing would be a preferred thing anymore. I mean, how else can you interpret this statement?
Whatever ends up happening with the union's USL plans long term, I can't imagine it impacting Harrisburg too much. They existed before the Union and they own most of their players as it is. Probably more Union-HCI USOC matchups would be the biggest difference if the Union did their own USL team
Some teams like Houston have come out and said they have no intention of starting a USL Pro team. So we already know some will continue to affiliate, others will create their own. I want to know how MLS regulates this. LA can now sign Messi to a USL contract, loan him to Galaxy and not even take a DP hit.
Not intending to and - according to that SBI article - being pushed by the league are two different things. Funny that the same writer (Franco Panizo) posts on the league site, with the MLS-version having some commentary removed. No mention of the league's "push to have its clubs establish USL Pro teams". http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...-usl-pro-side-2015-we-see-it-big-big-advantag
No, LA can't. Can LA sign players to their USL team on whatever terms they see fit? Most likely. Those contracts are between the player and LAGII. If LA wants to offer someone $10 million a year to play in the third division, my guess is they can do that--although I haven't seen the paperwork, so I don't know for sure. Can LA then loan that player to its MLS team? No, it can't. To play for the Galaxy, the player needs an MLS contract, whether it's a sale or a loan. If the player is loaned to MLS (not to LA), MLS negotiates and approves the loan agreement. LA can't cut MLS (and the MLSPU) out of the picture.
Found a little preview about a big match up for the Philadelphia Union Academy team this weekend Link: Dev. Academy Preview
Both McLaughlin and Hernandez have been added to HCI's roster. https://twitter.com/mk_27/status/446705738615107584 damani richards recently removed from city islanders roster. @philaunion homegrowns jimmy mclaughlin & cristhian hernandez added #DOOP— MK_27 (@mk_27) March 20, 2014
I feel like at this point we should start seeing something from Hernandez. This is what, year three for him? (I might be wrong on that...)
I've been saying that this year that Pfeffer should be getting playing time, Hernandez also shouldn't be far behind. If neither player is where you think they should be, and they probably will never get there, cut them or sell them, end of story. If the HGs aren't good enough, that's sports. Players get cut all the time from teams around the world and the Union are no different. While I want Pfeffer, Hernandez and McLaughlin to work out, the reality that all three will is slim at best.
How long until Hernandez gets a green card? That might factor in to the decision. I remember reading last year that Hernandez is further along than Jimmy who is a year older. EDIT: Paging @D-Wall , who is next in line for a HG contract?
It doesn't help their development that Hack is far more hesitant to play them than Nowak was. For someone who is highly touted as being great at youth development, I really critical of how Hack brings along his young players.
Its hit and miss. Just today FC Dallas released their 532nd HG player of the 545 that they have already signed to HG contracts. Win some, lose some.
My money is on Madison after this years NCAA season. I don't think he will go 4 years. I don't think we will sign Steffen as he wants to go to Europe (according to rumors). For those that don't know about Darius, he has some serious speed. I for one would like to see him developed with the team and not in college. I am not sure about who is after that. Kerith is doing a good job writing about the team, and he has been watching them. I wonder if the Reserve Game is open to the public this weekend. I saw that Chris Gomez was called up. He is on the outskirts of the YNT, and committed to Syracuse.