Devann Yao in France?

[Dave Marino-Nachison]

Yao played for St. Mirren's U19s earlier this month in a match against Rangers.

http://www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ReserveDetail/0,,5~1487997,00.html

He's not listed with their U19s or first team, so will look into this a bit more.

[Shaydee]

http://www.thisisamericansoccer.com/tias-special-guests/the-curious-case-of-devann-yao/

great article about Devann

[Smithsoccer1721]

http://www.thisisamericansoccer.com/tias-special-guests/the-curious-case-of-devann-yao/

great article about Devann

Good article. Seems like if Metz is offering another trial that he should be able to get a gig in MLS or USL. Hope for the best for him.

[Peretz48]

http://www.thisisamericansoccer.com/tias-special-guests/the-curious-case-of-devann-yao/

great article about Devann
It sounds like the advice he's getting is a bit scattered. Common sense would say that unless MLS teams have players that have suffered significant long-term injuries there won't be any roster space for Yao, assuming he shows well. USL might be a better option right now. The Metz trial is intriguing, and if Yao goes that route, someone needs to take him aside and preach patience.

[m vann]

That was an outstanding article. I learned more about Devann in 10 minutes than I did in 5 yrs. of this thread. The article demonstrates exactly how difficult it is to develop talent and how our system is skewed. It make me really sympathetic towards Devann. Then I read how Devann was robbed, in some ways, of his teenage years, some of it unluck with clubs and some his own doing. I can see how the kid is reserved, shy, and a little bit of an outcast. It's got to be hard bouncing around place to place, unsettled. It seems he just shakes off the stress but it has to be nerve wrecking and eating at him. I got the impression his only "home" is on the pitch. That's where he feels most comfortable and he comes out of his shell. Reading it seems he does have talent. He does has something there for others to see and judge. For his shake I hope he does find a place. I hope this agent does everything in his power to put Devann in the right direction. Devann and his agent need to hit up every USL team. Someone needs to set him up to chat with Max Cream who similarly bounced around Europe at very early age. Cream settled at Cleveland City. Maybe Devann should try them. If it's true Chivas has called that's not bad. Preki found Justin Braun, when he was 19, playing in an adult league in Salt Lake and he found a gem in Jorge Flores who won Sueño MLS. Plus Chukwudi Chijindu, undrafted from UConn, trialed nuermous places in europe and landed there. He has looked solid in 2 games, totalling 40 minutes. So if there's a team and coach in MLS that is open to the obscure it's Preki and Chivas.

[SeaOtter]

It sounds like the advice he's getting is a bit scattered. Common sense would say that unless MLS teams have players that have suffered significant long-term injuries there won't be any roster space for Yao, assuming he shows well. USL might be a better option right now. The Metz trial is intriguing, and if Yao goes that route, someone needs to take him aside and preach patience.

Needs to go and have a chat with Quentin Westburg about that.:D

[arsenalfc08]

An amazing article, one of the best I've read. I'm really pulling for this kid. I can see why MLS teams can't take him because of roster spots but not even giving him a trial. Just look at the kids resume, its outstanding. I just can't understand why no one is giving this kid a chance.

I hope he goes to Metz for the trial but he seems to want to stay in North America and I can't blame him. He's been gone since 13, still in the country but gone from his hometown/state.

Maybe MLS has a thing against young talent who have come through the Euro system. The same thing happened with Manzonelli. Though I can't see how coming up through a Euro academy is bad for MLS. If anything it makes these kids better IMO.

I hope Devann lands somewhere, he deserves another chance.

[odsum5387]

=
Maybe MLS has a thing against young talent who have come through the Euro system. The same thing happened with Manzonelli. Though I can't see how coming up through a Euro academy is bad for MLS. If anything it makes these kids better IMO.

I think that assertion is unfounded. Manzonelli was released because he wasn't good enough to justify a roster spot with the new rules.

This is the same reason Osorio could not sign Yao after his trial. As the article said, RBNY would have to waive one of its four developmental players. Jeremy Hall has shown incredible potential and has already started matches. Danleigh Borman has gotten a ton of playing time and looked great. Most are calling for him to start on the left wing. Mbuta is a guy who some say has a shot to unseat Dane Richards on the right wing. The only question mark is Zimmerman, but reports out of preseason camp stated that he looked very good.

There is no bias. Unfortunately, until MLS expands the rosters again, this is going to be the way things are.

This was an excellent article and I hope he latches on somewhere. USL seems to be his best bet stateside.

[arsenalfc08]

I think that assertion is unfounded. Manzonelli was released because he wasn't good enough to justify a roster spot with the new rules.

This is the same reason Osorio could not sign Yao after his trial. As the article said, RBNY would have to waive one of its four developmental players. Jeremy Hall has shown incredible potential and has already started matches. Danleigh Borman has gotten a ton of playing time and looked great. Most are calling for him to start on the left wing. Mbuta is a guy who some say has a shot to unseat Dane Richards on the right wing. The only question mark is Zimmerman, but reports out of preseason camp stated that he looked very good.

There is no bias. Unfortunately, until MLS expands the rosters again, this is going to be the way things are.

This was an excellent article and I hope he latches on somewhere. USL seems to be his best bet stateside.

I said it because a lot of other MLS teams passed up on him, not even giving him a trial. The article alluded it was because he hadn't come up through the US system and he was an unknown. But I'd think his impressive resume would warrant a trial with some other clubs.

I hope he goes to Metz. Surely they will find something to like since he'll be there for a week or 2, instead of the 3 day trials he was getting (or not getting) in MLS.

Or like M Vann said, maybe someone like Preki will give him a chance. He's done it numerous times, giving chances to players who didn't come up the "traditional way" through college.