USSF Development Academy 2.0

RSL is on a roll.................

Game finished RSL 3 FCD 0 and it could have been worse. Saucedo was involved in all three goals. One being a ~35 yard chip over the FCD keeper. [start watching from minute 30 of the game.]



They also absolutely demolished the Galaxy in this competition.

They'll play Stoke in the final.

 

Yup, he is really good. Hopefully before the season is out he is signing an hg deal.

 

Not sure if he is Mexican-American or not but if he is, you know Mexican clubs are gonna be after him. He reminds me a lot of Marco Fabian.

 

Every highlight I've seen of Saucedo he's showed off a powerful shot.

 

Good comparison.

 

http://www.socceramerica.com/article/57520/nycfc-affiliates-with-eight-new-york-area-youth-cl.html

NYCFC affiliates with eight local clubs, including Blau-Weiss Gottschee who are the only DA club that they have affiliated with. Blau-Weiss used to operate as the Cosmos affiliate. The article does not say if NYCFC intend to use Blau-Weiss in the same way or if they intend to create their own separate NYCFC development academy.

 

3rd place Gen Ad Cup match going on right now:

FC Dallas Youth ‏@FCDallasYouth 6m
GA Cup: The #FCDallas U16s lead Flamengo 1-0 at halftime. #DTID!

The RSL versus Stoke final will be streamed via MLS:

http://www.mlssoccer.com/generationadidascup/2013

Should be starting at 12 pm eastern time according to the site.

 

Game has started between Stoke and RSL. The US U18 Saucedo is playing wide left today as opposed to the middle.

 

Justen Glad, starting at CB in this game..............just missed a great chance on a header. Another fantastic delivery from Saucedo on a corner.

It should be noted that Martin Vasquez is coaching RSL in this game.

 

Well, there you go. Goal #5 of the tournament for Sebastian Saucedo. RSL up 1-0.

It was one of those long-distance free-kicks that manages to get thru everybody and into the goal.

 

FC Dallas Youth ‏@FCDallasYouth 1m
GA Cup: #FCDallas takes 3rd place in the tournament after a 1-0 win over Flamengo. #DTID!

 

half-time. 1-0 RSL over Stoke.

RSL have dominated this one so far. Not much for Herrera to do in goal...................

 

Stoke equalized in the second half. 1-1 FT and onto a shootout.

 

2-2 after three rounds. Glad with a poor pk saved, then Herrera makes a kick save to keep it 2-2.

 

Stoke takes a 3-2 lead after RSL's Doughty hits the post.

 

Aaron Herrera's pk saved. Stoke wins the tournament.

 

This was a pretty even match overall. RSL had periods of dominance especially in the first half. Stoke did a lot better in the second half.

 

RSL starting centerback Miles Stray was the only '98 they had who played significant minutes. He looked as if he could be an option for the U-17s, especially if they are looking for a centerback with more aerial ability than Velela and Arellano (not saying he's necessarily a better player overall).

 

Jonathan Yardley ‏@jtyardley 3h
Sebastian Saucedo wins well-deserved Golden Ball, Golden Boot as MVP and top scorer of tournament for @RealSaltLake.

 

So I had looked at the ages of some of the MLS youth teams, and it was kind of interesting.

RSL for instance had 19 of their 20 players they brought born within the first 6 months of a given year. 16 '97s and 4 '98s.

7 97 Q1
8 97 Q2
0 97 Q3
1 97 Q4

1 98 Q1
3 98 Q2
0 98 Q3
0 98 Q4

0 99 Q1
0 99 Q2
0 99 Q3


FC Dallas 11 of 18 players born within the first 6 months, 8 of whom were '97s. They brought 3 '98s and 1 '99 (so 14 '97s).

8 97 Q1
2 97 Q2
3 97 Q3
2 97 Q4

1 98 Q1
0 98 Q2
1 98 Q3
1 98 Q4

0 99 Q1
0 99 Q2
1 99 Q3


LA had 14 of 20 players born withing the first 6 months of a year. They brought '16 97s and 4 '98s.
9 97 Q1
3 97 Q2
3 97 Q3
1 97 Q4

2 98 Q1
0 98 Q2
2 98 Q3
0 98 Q4

0 99 Q1
0 99 Q2
0 99 Q3

San Jose had just 11 of 20 players born within the first 6 months of the year. They brought 15 '97s, 3 '98s, and 2 '99s. The age distribution by month seemed almost intentional, its well distributed over the entire year.. They brought the fewest 1st and 2nd quarter birth '97s of the teams I looked at.

4 97 Q1
4 97 Q2
4 97 Q3
3 97 Q4

0 98 Q1
1 98 Q2
1 98 Q3
1 98 Q4

1 99 Q1
1 99 Q2
0 99 Q3

Philly had what was probably by far the youngest roster. While 17 of 20 players were born in the first 6 months of the year, they only had 10 '97s, 5 '98s, and 5 99s.

6 97 Q1
4 97 Q2
0 97 Q3
0 97 Q4

3 98 Q1
1 98 Q2
1 98 Q3
0 98 Q4

3 99 Q1
0 99 Q2
2 99 Q3

 

Stoke is typical outdated English style and in second half took their foot of the pedal

 

He looks well suited to play one of the "outside" mid roles in RSLs system. Didnt see anything from him that makes me think he can play the role of a 10l, or other exceptionally "creative" role at a higher level, but he looked to move well, played hard, and my god does he have a cannon of a right foot. You can see him stepping in for a Grabavoy or Gil, move the ball well, find a poket of space outside the area or make an intellegent run into the box, and rip a shot off.

 

Clubs are starting to book their places in the DA playoffs:

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/development-academy-recap:-easter-gifts_aid32866

Last week, three teams booked their spots in the postseason as PDA U18, Real Salt Lake Arizona U16, and LA Galaxy U16 all confirmed an extended season. In the coming weeks, dozens of more teams will join them.

 

I know this is pre-academy, but I like it when our youngsters get to test themselves at this level:

ACADEMY: Chicago Fire U-13s headed to Italy for Abano Youth Tournament

http://m.chicago-fire.com/news/2014...ire-u-13s-headed-italy-abano-youth-tournament

 

Biggest turnarounds in the DA this season:

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/biggest-turnarounds-in-the-dev-academy_aid32908