Academies:the good and bad ones

[soccermilitant]

I love the idea of the youth acadmies but some of the academies are better then others
The "good" ones:
Dc United,Houston,Chivas USA,NYRB,Colorado,Chicago
The "decent" ones:
Columbus ,FC dallas,Toronto
The "bad ones":
KC,LA,RSL,NE,

As for san Jose and Seattle seattle's so far looks like is going to be a first class youth development..San Jose i dont know what the deal is with them?

[monster]

What are your judging criteria?

[soccermilitant]

the setup and structure of the academies

[monster]

the setup and structure of the academies
Feel free to be more vague.

[devioustrevor]

So TFC's Academy team was in the main draw of the Dallas tournament, played well and has already had players signed from the Academy by European teams but that makes the Academy set-up 'decent'?

I too am a little interested in the judging criteria.

[devioustrevor]

Also, how does your criteria work once Vancouver joins the MLS? The Whitecaps Residency program shames every other Academy set-up in North America.

[boomersooner027]

The FCD U-16's were undefeated up until the last game of the season where a bunch of the best players played for the U-18's. Both of the teams got into the DA playoffs which are going on this weekend, and both have had players called up to the youth national teams.

[Stan Collins]

The question is certainly interesting. I'd like to look into it to establish some criteria. Right now mine would be almost as vague as the original posters, so even though I've tried to read a lot about them, my effort below, putting them in similar categories, is decidedly first draft.

Good:
FCD, NYRB, Chivas*, TFC*
Decent:
DCU, RSL, Columbus, Chicago, LA
Poor/Early/Developing:
NE, Colorado, Houston, maybe KC*, SEA
Special award for not having a team without a very good excuse:
SJ

I can think of a couple of criteria that when I get time I'll try to flesh out to come up with a better effort.

[Earthshaker]

As for san Jose and Seattle seattle's so far looks like is going to be a first class youth development..San Jose i dont know what the deal is with them?

During a Q&A at a recent season ticket holder only event Quakes boss David Alioto reiterated the team's intention to develop a youth academy, mentioned the scope of their "territory", and their desire to bring the best players into the Quakes fold. Right now they are negotiating with the city of San Jose to have a 9.3 acre parcel next to the stadium site become a youth soccer complex paid for by the city of San Jose. In 2000 the voters of the city passed a $200 million bond to pay for sports fields etc. and have so far San Jose has been dragging its feet on spending any of it. Granted, only 4 fields would fit in that space, but, it is better than nothing, and they won't need to use any of it for parking since they can use the stadium parking. The Quakes Youth Academy would have access to these fields, and of course they would be available for public use.
In the interim, the Quakes will be leasing 2.4 cres of the site for a $1 million all grass training field, (paid for by the Quakes). Once everything is built it should be nice. Team stadium, team traing headquarters, and youth academy all on the same site, in a central location, with great access.:cool:

[boomersooner027]

Well FC Dallas, NYRB and DC United are the 3 MLS teams to have one of their two academy teams in either the U16 or U18 Finals week so those are probably the top 3 American MLS academies.

[MARCH_]

Well FC Dallas, NYRB and DC United are the 3 MLS teams to have one of their two academy teams in either the U16 or U18 Finals week so those are probably the top 3 American MLS academies.
Link?

[boomersooner027]

http://ynt-ussoccer.blogspot.com/

[Count]

I'm going to take a wild guess and say that the thread starter doesn't have any idea WTF he's talking about.

[mbar]

I'm going to take a wild guess and say that the thread starter doesn't have any idea WTF he's talking about.

Perhaps, but it seems like there is a real lack of information and understanding about these academies. I'd love to see a real analysis of the different programs. I wouldn't know where to look for one.

[boomersooner027]

Perhaps, but it seems like there is a real lack of information and understanding about these academies. I'd love to see a real analysis of the different programs. I wouldn't know where to look for one.

What kind of analysis do you want? I can give you a ton of info on the FC Dallas Academy. I don't really know the coaches of any other teams, but FCD is coached by Oscar Pareja and I've gotta think that's at least the biggest name coach among MLS teams.

FCD is adding a U14 team that is all paid for by the club next year...I don't believe any other MLS team has one that is sponsored by the team.

Last year I believe the final games were broadcast on ESPNU...I'd love to see that again this year.

[pwip]

I'm going to take a wild guess and say that the thread starter doesn't have any idea WTF he's talking about.

:D yup. it's the old lob a wild ass grenade into BS and see what happens.

professional academies are judged by the pro players they produce.

[Chowda]

Besides developing players for the league, the idea behind the academies is to get a few prospects a year claimed before they go off to college. Team success is a symptom of good development, not a cause.

And everyone knows the Revs were late to the game, but they do have U-18's and U-16's as well as being one of the few academies that are fully funded. I fail to see how they have a "bad" or "poor" academy.

[pwip]

Red Bulls is the one MLS club who is ahead of the curve. everyone else are in the same boat.

[devioustrevor]

Perhaps, but it seems like there is a real lack of information and understanding about these academies. I'd love to see a real analysis of the different programs. I wouldn't know where to look for one.


Toronto FC's Academy is coached by former Canadian NT player Jason Bent who played professionally in Germany (Zwickau), MLS (Colorado) and England (Plymouth Argyle).

TFC's U-18 and U-16 teams play in the Canadian Soccer League. A semi-professional league based mostly in Southern Ontario. It's level is approximately that of USL-2. USL-1 Monteal Impact also have their reserve team playing in the CSL. Toronto FC's academy currently has players identified with 4 nationalities, Canadian, Jamaican, Chilean and Greek.

Former TFC Academy goalkeeper Lucas Birnstingl signed this past season with Dundee of the Scottish First Division (one level below the Scottish Premier League).

In this year's Dallas Cup, Toronto FC's Academy drew the youth team of Mexican First Division side Tigres 1-1, beating the youth side of Italian Giants AC Milan 3-0 and losing to the youth side of English Premier League side Manchester City 4-0.

[boomersooner027]

In this year's Dallas Cup, Toronto FC's Academy drew the youth team of Mexican First Division side Tigres 1-1, beating the youth side of Italian Giants AC Milan 3-0 and losing to the youth side of English Premier League side Manchester City 4-0.

That AC Milan team was a farce...that was certainly not the best players they have at that age...not trying to take anything away from TFC, just saying that team was terrible.

@Chowda, I'm pretty sure every MLS team that has teams in the Development Academy is funded from within...I could be wrong, but I believe every DA team has to be funded by the team.

Pwip is 100% right in saying NYRB was way ahead of everyone else...the gap is starting to close, but they will always have one of the top teams considering all the multinational talent they will have to choose from...same goes for FC Dallas and the LA teams.

Whoever's team hosts the SUM cup next year has the burden of scouting every team for us...sorry, you have no choice :D