MLS starts up a Youth system

[the shelts]

Did anyone else see the halftime interview of the MLS vs Chelsea game??

Commish Don G. said the MLS wants to (well actually not wants to but WILL) set up a youth system based on geographical allocation? He used the analogy (a rather odd but US based analogy) of Kobe Bryant drafted for the 76'ers and not the LA Lakers based off of the fact that he was from Philly.

Am I the only one who sees very serious problems for the Super Y and PDL here? If MLS is successful it could cripple the leagues.

[Dr.Phil]

That would make the MLS unfare because of states like Ca

[Calexico77]

Am I the only one who sees very serious problems for the Super Y and PDL here? If MLS is successful it could cripple the leagues.

MLS is only in 11 cities right now, 12 next year. They have no presence in the south east, or north west of the country. MLS is decades away from being in a position to do real harm to the flexible, constantly shifting structure of the PDL. If anything, MLS could provide stability to the Super Y and the PDL.

[wjarrettc]

That would make the MLS unfare because of states like Ca

You think that's the only thing that makes MLS unfair? :)

[Mikey mouse]

Did anyone else see the halftime interview of the MLS vs Chelsea game??

Commish Don G. said the MLS wants to (well actually not wants to but WILL) set up a youth system based on geographical allocation? He used the analogy (a rather odd but US based analogy) of Kobe Bryant drafted for the 76'ers and not the LA Lakers based off of the fact that he was from Philly.

Am I the only one who sees very serious problems for the Super Y and PDL here? If MLS is successful it could cripple the leagues.


MLS already have youth team, several playing in the Super Y league.

Why this is big news is that it gives the team they are afflilated with first dibs on the player where now, say NYRB have player that they want to sign that has gone through their youth system, they have to let everyone else have a shoot at him as well.

I dont' think it will be a big threat and I think MLS would be wise to align therir youth teams with the super Y and US, which would be a good thing for USL

[NORML]

Am I the only one who sees very serious problems for the Super Y and PDL here? If MLS is successful it could cripple the leagues.

For the Super Y and PDL? No. There are already MLS "affiliates" in these leagues and if anything the Garber announcement means the MLS teams will have first dibs on the players in their youth system.

But for the future of USL-1 and 2? Maybe. Especially if those USL-1 and 2 teams have an interest in forming their own youth system. It all depends on what geographical allocation means.

[Onionsack]

Am I the only one who sees very serious problems for the Super Y and PDL here? If MLS is successful it could cripple the leagues.

Well the Red Bulls have completely dominated Super Y this year at all 4 age levels.

The lost the U-20 final on Pks in an upset, but that was their worst and first youth team.

I dont see it as a problem, the other teams are just going to have to do a better job to compete.

As for the regional thing, its unfair to a point. Yes the larger markets like NY and LA will have a greater sample size to work with but that comes at a higher price in cost if they try to catch everyone. Its only rights for those players that play for the acadamy team, not every single player from that region.

So teams like SLC or Columbus that have a smaller size can implement their systems without a massive cost because they have less people to unearth, and less compition in that market to get those players on the youth team.

Chicago has a large population but also have to compete with the Magic and Soccers for players.

[JohnR]

Chicago has a large population but also have to compete with the Magic and Soccers for players.

The real battle is SoCal. The #10 U15 team in SoCal can beat anybody in the country on a given day, the vast majority of State Cup Champs pretty much every day.

Plus, both Chivas and Galaxy in town.

If the MLS Academy idea ever takes off, that will be one almighty fight for talent, and there is a whole lot of talent there.

[monster]

This won't preclude anyone else from developing kids. Just that those kids will have to (likely) go into the draft when they turn pro. This is just an alternative - I see it taking a looooooooooooooooong time before MLS "academies" are the dominant developer of talent in the U.S. - the club system is too entrenched.

[JohnR]

This won't preclude anyone else from developing kids. Just that those kids will have to (likely) go into the draft when they turn pro.

Right.

I'll go further, in the initial stages this won't really be about development. It will be about identifying local talent,& bringing them under the MLS tent. The amount of training given to these players will likely be minimal. They will be expected to be nearly finished products who will receive their final refinement from the club.

The attraction to the player will be the fast track to a pro career, plus playing locally rather than being drafted 2000 miles away. The attraction to the club will be a possession that can be used or sold. The question to me is if the player will get enough value out of the attraction that is offered him so that he will agree to become a possession.

I see it taking a looooooooooooooooong time before MLS "academies" are the dominant developer of talent in the U.S. - the club system is too entrenched.

Plus the MLS teams are too few, plus to become a dominant developer of talent means spending a lot more $$ on attracting many kids at an early age, and spending many, many hours training them. MLS is a long, long ways from making that level of commitment.

[drew_VT_6]

Here's a reason why it could hurt USL teams. Say the Rochester Jr Rhinos develop a kid who everyone realizes will be a star. Suddenly an MLS academy snaps them up and Jr Rhinos have nothing to show for the hours and money they've put into the kid.

I really think this is an issue where the USSF needs to step in. But the spineless group in Chicago would never do anything to the deeply entrenched youth soccer people, even if it meant more growth for soccer in this nation.

In England, the bottom feeders are able to stay afloat, by eating the crumbs the big boys give 'em for players they've developed. I think the even smaller crumbs in the US would still help teams in the USL1, 2 and PDL stay alive and possibly thrive. It'd also help US Soccer cast a much wider net than MLS is currently capable of. It'd also help eliminate the ridiculous politics of the pay-to-play ODP system.

[monster]

Here's a reason why it could hurt USL teams. Say the Rochester Jr Rhinos develop a kid who everyone realizes will be a star. Suddenly an MLS academy snaps them up and Jr Rhinos have nothing to show for the hours and money they've put into the kid.

I really think this is an issue where the USSF needs to step in. But the spineless group in Chicago would never do anything to the deeply entrenched youth soccer people, even if it meant more growth for soccer in this nation.

Considering that Garber said it would be Sunil Gulati announcing the plan, I think you're wrong on this one.

And, yes, that could happen, but this pushes teams like the Rhinos to put together pro development plans as well and get kids into their system early to reap the benefits.

[midwestsurfer]

Or could MLS team simply buy-out/merge/align themselves with pre-existing youth academies and clubs.

Seems like that would be easier than creating their own from scratch.

[boomersooner027]

Seems like a good idea to have every MLS team have an elite youth system where players graduate to the PDL team and once they tear it up there they go on to the reserve team and then to the first team.

That would be a very logical setup.

[boomersooner027]

Or could MLS team simply buy-out/merge/align themselves with pre-existing youth academies and clubs.

Seems like that would be easier than creating their own from scratch.

That's what FC Dallas did with a club called Inter here in Dallas. It's kind of a sham though as they basically kept everything the way it was and slapped FCD jerseys and names on the teams.

[JohnR]

That's what FC Dallas did with a club called Inter here in Dallas. It's kind of a sham though as they basically kept everything the way it was and slapped FCD jerseys and names on the teams.

Yep. Chicago Fire - Wheaton Wings. That accomplishes nothing. Less than nothing, because it damages MLS brand. After beating "Fire Juniors" 6-1, the boys aren't impressed with the notion of spending Saturday night watching Fire Seniors play.

[HSEUPASSION]

Here's a reason why it could hurt USL teams. Say the Rochester Jr Rhinos develop a kid who everyone realizes will be a star. Suddenly an MLS academy snaps them up and Jr Rhinos have nothing to show for the hours and money they've put into the kid.

I really think this is an issue where the USSF needs to step in. But the spineless group in Chicago would never do anything to the deeply entrenched youth soccer people, even if it meant more growth for soccer in this nation.

In England, the bottom feeders are able to stay afloat, by eating the crumbs the big boys give 'em for players they've developed. I think the even smaller crumbs in the US would still help teams in the USL1, 2 and PDL stay alive and possibly thrive. It'd also help US Soccer cast a much wider net than MLS is currently capable of. It'd also help eliminate the ridiculous politics of the pay-to-play ODP system.

Work permits in America start at 14, I know, I had one for a job. The Rhinos could give him a pro deal on his 14th birthday, other teams (be they USL, MLS, or Serie C2) couldn't touch him without finding themselves in court for breaching a contract. I think you'd see ALOT of that if it came to a point where acadamies are a big deal.

[drew_VT_6]

Work permits in America start at 14, I know, I had one for a job. The Rhinos could give him a pro deal on his 14th birthday, other teams (be they USL, MLS, or Serie C2) couldn't touch him without finding themselves in court for breaching a contract. I think you'd see ALOT of that if it came to a point where acadamies are a big deal.

Funny you mention that, because I was just looking at the NYS Work Regulations for Minors yesterday in the cafeteria. I believe 16 is the age in NY when he could sign a pro-contract, unless he's going to be delivering Newspapers, working on a farm, or shining shoes for the Rhinos.

[midwestsurfer]

Ya, but if say Red Bull really wanted the player, they could just buy the team.

;)