Draft/single-entity and young American talent.

[Offa the Mighty]

I don't know much about the way things work, but it seems to me that the draft system may be preventing MLS from keeping young American talent.

In his piece (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=398428&root=us&cc=5901) about Charlie Davis going to Sweden, Frank Dell'Apa says:

Davies wanted a similar deal [to Adu's], plus a guarantee he would play for D.C. or New England. This might have been unrealistic, but it doesn't hurt to ask, especially if you are prepared to have your bluff called.

It seems there may be more than a few young players that would be willing to play for D.C. United, but would rather play in the Estonian 2nd league than play for Columbus or RBNY. Is this a problem? Is there a solution, or do we just wave and wish them well across the Pond?

[onefineesq]

I don't know much about the way things work, but it seems to me that the draft system may be preventing MLS from keeping young American talent.

In his piece (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=398428&root=us&cc=5901) about Charlie Davis going to Sweden, Frank Dell'Apa says:



It seems there may be more than a few young players that would be willing to play for D.C. United, but would rather play in the Estonian 2nd league than play for Columbus or RBNY. Is this a problem? Is there a solution, or do we just wave and wish them well across the Pond? Wave and wish them well. A deal similar to Adu's deal? C'mon. If anyone would rather play in the Estonian 2nd league (I know you were being facetious) than play for the Columbus Crew ............. sayonara.

[gocaps]

I don't know much about the way things work, but it seems to me that the draft system may be preventing MLS from keeping young American talent.
This was the way things were prior to the tightening of the draft rules. Ben Olsen forced an allocation to DC coming out of UVA, so he never entered the draft. Chris Albright was the consensus #1 and basically said he would only play for LA or DC, leading to a bidding war for his draft rights from Miami.

Now, guys like Danny Szetela have to grin and bear it when they end up in Columbus. It's not a bad thing. Gooch can head off to Belgium and succeed, but I think as MLS gets better its becoming easier for young players to reach the USMNT and the top Euro leagues through MLS rather than through lower-level overseas clubs.

[Aaron Stollar]

Am I right in saying that some of this could be alleviated by the rule change allowing players developed in the team's new youth structure can sidestep the draft and sign with their parent club? If that would've been the case with Davies, presuming he's spotted in NH by the Revs and put into their system, then he would have been able to play for NE, but only (I think) as long as he doesn't play in college.

See, this has been a question of mine for a while about the youth systems... Okay, say DC has a guy in their youth system for a few years. Can he go play x number of years in college and does DC still have his rights outside the draft to sign him after he leaves school or graduates?

[DCAustinite]

Am I right in saying that some of this could be alleviated by the rule change allowing players developed in the team's new youth structure can sidestep the draft and sign with their parent club? If that would've been the case with Davies, presuming he's spotted in NH by the Revs and put into their system, then he would have been able to play for NE, but only (I think) as long as he doesn't play in college.

See, this has been a question of mine for a while about the youth systems... Okay, say DC has a guy in their youth system for a few years. Can he go play x number of years in college and does DC still have his rights outside the draft to sign him after he leaves school or graduates?

Hmm, good question. I do see the youth club system as being MLS's attempt to not only make money for the teams (club players become better, younger, get sold for nice chunk of change) but to kill the draft as well.

[John_Harkes_6]

Already being discussed here:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=458155

This discussion has more to do with MLS in general than DC so I am closing it here.