David Mercer (AP): Young soccer players chasing pro dreams at new academies

[Stan Collins]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2008-04-17-2323903469_x.htm

Interesting read with quotes from some Fire academy players and Steve Nicol. Does sound like the kid who moved from Cedar Rapids, IA to Chicago to play in the Fire academy and already considers soccer his career represents an increase in the level of seriousness from before the programs existed.

[sidefootsitter]

The interesting thing and an apparent dychotomy here is Hackworth's comments.

On one hand, he is correct about the "winning is everything" mentality at the youth soccer scene.

On the other, he had a perfect opportunity to raise quality players when he was in charge and failed to do so.

Does this mean that people like Hackworth wouldn't know quality soccer if it hit them in the nose?

Where's this euphemistic disconnect hiding?

[David Mercer]

Unfortunately, I talked to Nicol before the Revs announced late this week that they'll add an academy next year, and I got caught up in another story (earthquakes in Illinois? yeesh) and didn't notice the Revs' announcement until today, Saturday. We're putting a new version of this on the wire to reflect that announcement. Thanks, by the way, to a couple of BigSoccer regulars who responded to e-mails from me looking for input on this story.

[Stan Collins]

The interesting thing and an apparent dychotomy here is Hackworth's comments.

On one hand, he is correct about the "winning is everything" mentality at the youth soccer scene.

On the other, he had a perfect opportunity to raise quality players when he was in charge and failed to do so.

Does this mean that people like Hackworth wouldn't know quality soccer if it hit them in the nose?

Where's this euphemistic disconnect hiding? My guess? He gaught caught up in trying to replicate Freddy Adu.

[sidefootsitter]

My guess is that my first guess was right.

If you had Hackworth (often referred to as Hackworthless) in charge of a youth academy, his announcements would look good on paper but his kids would still be clueless on the pitch much like his last two U-17 squads.

It's the teaching thing.