Huge News in MLS Academy Precident

[ATLGunner]

"A DC UNITED source revealed that the club will retain the player development rights to highly-regarded youth player Shaquille Phillips, who spent a year with D.C. United's youth program but has joined the U.S. Under-17 residency program. The sources suggested that the league's policy on this issue is that if a player has spent one year with a youth development program before joining the U-17 residency program then he remains part of the team's homegrown player list and therefore can be signed his club team."

This is very big. This means if MLS academies can get players young if only for a year, they keep their rights. We could see Bradenton largely composed of players associated with MLS teams. This could lead to a lot more of them staying in the States. I honestly think this is the second biggest Youth Development news since the announcement of the actual new rules. It's also another hit on the draft. But MLS teams are going to have to focus on younger sides like U-14 through U-16 to make sure they gobble up these players and keep their rights.

[NEwfan08]

"I honestly think this is the second biggest Youth Development news since the announcement of the actual new rules. It's also another hit on the draft."

Actually, this is a pretty fantastic point!! In the ongoing development of the whole system, this is an great little provision that is set up well for the future. It's nothing to jump up and down about today... but down the road this will be the kind of thing you LOVE about your team. It could be like the whole Arsenal / DC (development) vs. Chelski / LA (high price buying) :p

Fun to think about it

[jeffenbauer]

This could lead to a lot more of them staying in the States.

Not arguing here, I'm just curious why you think this rule would keep more of them in the states. I don't think US youth are bolting to Europe because they don't want to be subjected to the MLS draft.

[TheQuakesRockMySocks]

Not arguing here, I'm just curious why you think this rule would keep more of them in the states. I don't think US youth are bolting to Europe because they don't want to be subjected to the MLS draft.

Well, they are saying that US players would be held to MLS club rights. If they are found within our systems at a young age, under14 or under16, then they can't go off to Europe if they think they will make more there.

This saves our talent for the States, and the betterment of the clubs in MLS, and therefore the MLS!

I think this is ideal, and will change the level of the league. Whenever we hear from Europe on how to grow the league they mention the need to develop youth academies. This will ensure our players stay here, and make our clubs better!

[JohnR]

I don't believe that the MLS Academies have any player rights, except within the MLS. That is, they don't need to draft a player that they have developed in the MLS superdraft. But if Man U comes calling, then Man U comes calling.

[ATLGunner]

Not arguing here, I'm just curious why you think this rule would keep more of them in the states. I don't think US youth are bolting to Europe because they don't want to be subjected to the MLS draft.

This way players will already be associated with a team, and a local team at that. Not uncertainty of the draft, but a team that has helped them grow, etc. And they don't have to deal with the combine and what not. The team can immediatley negotiate a contract, and players can weight options. For example, instead of thinking about a current offer from Belgium, or the possibility of an MLS offer, there is the option of Houston Dynamo or Belgium.

Remember, youth players do not enter the draft, they must be asked by the MLS first. This is a much more sure thing.

[DoctorD]

I don't believe that the MLS Academies have any player rights, except within the MLS. That is, they don't need to draft a player that they have developed in the MLS superdraft. But if Man U comes calling, then Man U comes calling.At least we are one more step along the road of signing 16 year olds to a professional contract. That is what is needed to take MLS and this country to the next level.

[jeffenbauer]

At least we are one more step along the road of signing 16 year olds to a professional contract. That is what is needed to take MLS and this country to the next level.

not much point in signing the 16 year olds with the current reserve system MLS has. I think they need to fix that first, then think about signing the youngins.

[art]

At least we are one more step along the road of signing 16 year olds to a professional contract. That is what is needed to take MLS and this country to the next level.

possibly this could result I suppose, but i have a feeling this is just defining/closing a loophole in the rules that played a role in the revs "swiping" a player from the Red Bulls not too long ago if you recall. something tells me MLS is not thinking too much more deeply than that, though I could be wrong.

[Tone Capone]

not much point in signing the 16 year olds with the current reserve system MLS has. I think they need to fix that first, then think about signing the youngins.

word son. what the hell does MLS really hope to accomplish by having back-ups and guest players play 10 games a year?

[DoctorD]

It will necessarily be a slow process. MLS needs to end up with a development system not unlike that of MLB - except that the youngest prospects have to be ~15, not high school graduates. Since signing this age group to a team sport is something new on the American sports scene, it will take time. And MLS will always have to deal with the low population density of its player pool.

Funny how on one hand there is a lot of discussion over whether US kids play too many games, but the MLS reserve system is criticized for having only 10-12 games. Heck, folks, it just got started 3 years ago.

[JohnR]

except that the youngest prospects have to be ~15

One of the things that has been missed about the new Academy system is how old it skews. The typical player in the (mislabeled) Academy U16 group was about 16 1/2 when the Academy program began this month, thus will be 17 by the summer. In the U18 group ... well those are guys with professional contracts elsewhere.

[Onionsack]

Actually when the academy rules were announced they were clear that and player that was an MLS youth team player before a cap or residency with USSF could retain their rights, They are not allowed to TAKE a US youth player and then sign them up for the academy.

So while its news, its not exactly breaking huge news DC. If you stayed on top of the rules when they were announced you would know that this isn't a new change, its been clear from the start really.