Maessner To Lead Youth Development Program

[Lanky134]

Just got this...

D.C. United names John Maessner

Director of Youth Development

Washington, D.C. (December 27, 2006) - D.C. United announced today the club has named John Maessner as its Director of Youth Development. Maessner spent six seasons in Major League Soccer, including four with United, as he helped the Black-and-Red to MLS Cup championships in 1996, 1997 and 1999. Further details regarding United’s 2007 Youth Development programs will be announced in the near future.

“We are thrilled that John Maessner is coming back to D.C. United to head our youth development program,” said United Technical Director Dave Kasper. “John understands what it’s like to be a talented youth soccer player in this country and what the challenges are to fulfill the dream of playing professional soccer. I am confident that he will create the environment at United that will foster the growth of the top metropolitan D.C. players playing in D.C. United's youth system. We look forward to having John take our youth program to the next level.”

In four seasons with United, Maessner saw time in 73 total games, collecting seven goals and 14 assists. He was instrumental in three MLS Cup championships, starting every game during the ’96 and ’99 playoffs and notching two assists during the ’97 run to the title.

“I think everyone can be very excited about the future of this program and the future of youth development in this country,” said Maessner. “Major League Soccer has made a serious commitment to Youth Development with its new initiative starting in 2007 as all MLS teams are to have at least two youth teams to train and compete year-round. MLS has now created an opportunity for young soccer players to have the ability to develop as a player through their MLS Youth Club team. Eventually, after meeting certain requirements, it will be possible to sign a professional contract with that club, through the Home Grown Player System, without having to go through the draft. This is a big step forward in youth development for this country and I am very excited to be a part of it.

“I have had great experiences and successes with D.C. United as a player, winning three MLS Cup championships, and have developed and maintained special relationships throughout the years with the D.C. United family which makes accepting this position even more meaningful for me and my family. I would like to thank D.C. United, Kevin Payne and Dave Kasper for this great opportunity and look forward to getting started.”

Tryouts for all United youth teams will likely be held in January. Please continue to check dcunited.com for locations and times. For more information on D.C. United’s youth development program, please contact Greg Steininger, United’s Youth Development Coordinator, at (202) 587-5468.

Broadcasting and P.A. Request: When speaking of the organization, please refer to the team as either “D.C. United” or “United,” but not “the D.C. United” or “the United.” We appreciate your cooperation.

[gocaps]

That high-pitched cheer you just heard was the rejoicing of DC's female population at Maessner's return to town :D

[beergorila]

Great to see a former the United player back in the fold again...

[GoDC]

Dammit I called for him to be the assistant coach not the youth coordinator@!!!!

[ONE]

how long before he leaves us for new jersey?

[John L]

seems odd choice in light of this:

Ahh, the Amazing Maessner. I really liked John. The last time I saw him was at Amigos Restaurant In C'ville. I was having lunch with a friend who knew John well. He came over and ate with us and we talked for about an hour. He's no longer associated with SOCA (Soccer Org. of Charlottesville-Albemarle). He left over 3 years ago. Sadly, the word is that he did a poor job coaching. Talked to a few of his players who thought he seemed disinterested in coaching kids. I think he'd not long before finished his career and was still trying to find his way.

Very smart guy and well spoken. Maybe he'd do better with adults. I've lost track of him for the last few years.

asitis
4/11...5/12

Two important characteristics are needed - A desire to coach youth and good organizational/management skills and good teachin ,,, NO THREE - Make that THREE important characteristics - Desire to coach youth, good management skills and good teaching skills and having the skills - ... no make that fou.... oh why bother -

Still seems kinda odd though - The program wasn't all that well run under Harkes - Maybe the U17 Boys was served well but not others - Harkes sorta seemed to let the coaches either be good or non-existent but didn't provide much oversight until the end - Hope Maessner does a better job - This is part Community Awareness, part Public Relations and part Skills/Talent Nuturing - All in an environment where Select Teams and High Schools rule the lives of their players

[uniteo]

Great to have Messner back in black

If you follow him around you're likely to pick up some women that fall off the boat

[Lowecifer]

Go John Maessner
Go John Maessner
Go John Maessner, Go!

http://www.comicon.com/thebeat/speedr.jpg

[Footer Phooter]

Glad we're hiring "in-house" candidates for the youth development position.

[asitis]

seems odd choice in light of this:

Ahh, the Amazing Maessner. I really liked John. The last time I saw him was at Amigos Restaurant In C'ville. I was having lunch with a friend who knew John well. He came over and ate with us and we talked for about an hour. He's no longer associated with SOCA (Soccer Org. of Charlottesville-Albemarle). He left over 3 years ago. Sadly, the word is that he did a poor job coaching. Talked to a few of his players who thought he seemed disinterested in coaching kids. I think he'd not long before finished his career and was still trying to find his way.

Very smart guy and well spoken. Maybe he'd do better with adults. I've lost track of him for the last few years.

asitis
4/11...5/12

Two important characteristics are needed - A desire to coach youth and good organizational/management skills and good teachin ,,, NO THREE - Make that THREE important characteristics - Desire to coach youth, good management skills and good teaching skills and having the skills - ... no make that fou.... oh why bother -

Still seems kinda odd though - The program wasn't all that well run under Harkes - Maybe the U17 Boys was served well but not others - Harkes sorta seemed to let the coaches either be good or non-existent but didn't provide much oversight until the end - Hope Maessner does a better job - This is part Community Awareness, part Public Relations and part Skills/Talent Nuturing - All in an environment where Select Teams and High Schools rule the lives of their players

Yeah, that was my post,:o As i said I liked John as a player, both at UVa and with United. I truly hope he does well. People do get better with experience and maturity.

asitis
4/11...5/12

[Barbara]

That high-pitched cheer you just heard was the rejoicing of DC's female population at Maessner's return to town :D

:) I'm happy to see him come back. I always liked him and not just because he's adorable.

[ButlerBob]

seems odd choice in light of this:

Ahh, the Amazing Maessner. I really liked John. The last time I saw him was at Amigos Restaurant In C'ville. I was having lunch with a friend who knew John well. He came over and ate with us and we talked for about an hour. He's no longer associated with SOCA (Soccer Org. of Charlottesville-Albemarle). He left over 3 years ago. Sadly, the word is that he did a poor job coaching. Talked to a few of his players who thought he seemed disinterested in coaching kids. I think he'd not long before finished his career and was still trying to find his way.

Very smart guy and well spoken. Maybe he'd do better with adults. I've lost track of him for the last few years.



asitis
4/11...5/12

Two important characteristics are needed - A desire to coach youth and good organizational/management skills and good teachin ,,, NO THREE - Make that THREE important characteristics - Desire to coach youth, good management skills and good teaching skills and having the skills - ... no make that fou.... oh why bother -

Still seems kinda odd though - The program wasn't all that well run under Harkes - Maybe the U17 Boys was served well but not others - Harkes sorta seemed to let the coaches either be good or non-existent but didn't provide much oversight until the end - Hope Maessner does a better job - This is part Community Awareness, part Public Relations and part Skills/Talent Nuturing - All in an environment where Select Teams and High Schools rule the lives of their players

But as pretty much the dirctor of youth coaching he's not really going to be doing that much coaching. I'm sure he will do some, but I doubt if he will be the main coach for one of the teams. His main function will be providing overall direction to the program and working with the various coaches and a lot of administrative type things.

Will we still refer to him as "New Guy"?

[DCAustinite]

Yeah, that was my post,:o As i said I liked John as a player, both at UVa and with United. I truly hope he does well. People do get better with experience and maturity.

asitis
4/11...5/12

5 years in the wilds of Nebraska can make anybody motivated to do anything as long as it's in the city.

[Lanky134]

More info on the Youth Development Program:

Washington, D.C. (December 28, 2006) - D.C. United announced today details for the club’s Youth Development program for 2007. The club will field six teams in five age groups next year. Yesterday, the club named former United player John Maessner as the Youth Development Director.

“I think everyone can be very excited about the future of this program and the future of youth development in this country,” said Maessner. “Major League Soccer has made a serious commitment to Youth Development with its new initiative starting in 2007 as all MLS teams are to have at least two youth teams to train and compete year-round. MLS has now created an opportunity for young soccer players to have the ability to develop as a player through their MLS Youth Club team. Eventually, after meeting certain requirements, it would then be possible to sign a professional contract with that club, through the Home Grown Player System, without having to go through the draft. This is a big step forward in youth development for this country and I am very excited to be a part of it.

Major League Soccer last month announced details of its new Youth Development Initiative, a system designed to give young players a chance to train with and play for D.C. United. Starting next season, MLS will require each of its clubs to establish a structured youth amateur program, similar to the system practiced by top European and South American teams. Clubs can have one team of up to 18 players in each of six different age groups, ranging from U-14 to U-25. These youth teams will wear the logos and the colors of the MLS team they represent and be trained by a member of the club’s coaching staff.

“This initiative by MLS is exciting news for D.C. United and the youth soccer players in the D.C. metropolitan area,” said United Technical Director Dave Kasper. “Our objective will be to simply provide the best training environment possible where players can get elite level training and potentially have the opportunity to one day play for D.C. United’s first team. We will look to model our youth program after many of the top club teams in the world.”

D.C. United will field boys teams at the U-13, U-14, U-16, and U-20 levels, as well as U-14 and U-15 girls sides. These teams, with the exception of the U-20 boys, will play in the Super Y League, a professional system that has an affiliation with U.S. Soccer. United’s U-20 side will play in the similarly affiliated Super-20 League.

While the new Youth Development requirements may mean changes for some MLS teams, D.C. United has had youth teams in place since the 2002 season. This season, each of the Black-and-Red boy’s teams qualified for their respective Super-Y League National Championships. In addition, United’s U-17 boy’s team traveled to Spain this August to take part in the Mundialito de Clubes tournament, taking on some of the world’s top youth teams, such as Argentina’s Boca Juniors and Spain’s Real Madrid.

“While we obviously want to continue to build on what we have done in the past several years, this new initiative by the League brings our youth development program to a much higher level,” continued Maessner. “We have some of the most talented young players in the country right here in the DC area and you can already feel the excitement of it all. We will immediately begin scouting and bringing in the best players in the area so that we will have players who are eligible to be a part of the first team as soon as possible.”

Among the many players D.C. United’s youth system has benefited include Freddy Adu. Adu joined United’s U-14 squad when he was twelve, and went on to join United’s senior squad as well as the U.S. Men’s National Team.

Per the Youth Development Initiative, once a player has been registered for 24 months in an MLS youth program he will become eligible for a professional contract with that club without having to enter the SuperDraft. This system will allow MLS teams to acquire top young players outside of the annual draft, and allow local youth to develop their talent closer to home and represent their hometown team.

“This truly is a very special time for our areas top young players with aspirations of playing professionally,” added Maessner. “Talented young players for the first time in this country’s history will have some of the same opportunities that the top clubs in the world have. Players will be able to develop locally through D.C. United’s Youth Program and through the years, continue to progress through the club, with the ultimate goal of playing for the first team as a professional player.”

Tryouts for all United youth teams will likely be held in January. Please continue to check dcunited.com for locations and times. For more information on D.C. United’s youth development program, please contact Greg Steininger, United’s Youth Development Coordinator, at (202) 587-5468.

[uniteo]

Yeah, but are they gonna charge players to be on the teams, and if so, how much?

[JohnR]

Yeah, but are they gonna charge players to be on the teams, and if so, how much?

The other issue is training.

If DCU is free and the other local clubs cost money, that's good news for the families of players at DCU's youth academy, and it will likely bring some kids into the fray who otherwise might not be on the scene. On the other hand, if talented, those kids could likely play for free at an existing club.

So other than keeping local talent inside the DCU family (admittedly important to the DCU fan), the benefit might not be that great unless the training is superior to what is currently offered. If the latter is the case -- as for example is presumably the situation at Brad Freidel's residential Academy, which features daily training -- now then you'd really have something special. Then in a few years you might be graduating players of the caliber of those coming out of West Ham's youth program, rather than (as now) guys who are OK players but with the exception of Freddy Adu unlikely to be of much interest to major European clubs.

[John L]

Yeah, but are they gonna charge players to be on the teams, and if so, how much?

Yeah, but are they gonna be allowed to keep their socks?

[monster]

No info on cost, but more details are out (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3416699). The U-14 and U-16 teams will be year-round.

[GoDC]

That sounds like a good start to really getting some players through the youth pipeline. They aren't telling the players to bring a checkbook to the tryouts.

My daughter had a friend who played for the girls team a couple of years ago. If I remember I'll ask if they charged anything then.

[Th4119]

No info on cost, but more details are out (http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3416699). The U-14 and U-16 teams will be year-round.

If this is actually full-time year-round, I think they're going to lose a lot of talent that would have come from Maryland and Virginia.