TDS series on Development Academy program

[Stan Collins]

Top Drawer Soccer did a 5 part series on the USSF Development Academy System. Thought it was pretty interesting:

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/component/option,com_topdrawer/Itemid,251/sid,18/nid,3081/
- Sarachan and Hackworth interviews

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/component/option,com_topdrawer/Itemid,251/sid,18/nid,3114/
- Coach Interviews

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/component/option,com_topdrawer/Itemid,251/sid,18/nid,3117/
- Parent Interviews

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/component/option,com_topdrawer/Itemid,251/sid,18/nid,3132/
- Next Steps

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/component/option,com_topdrawer/Itemid,251/sid,17/nid,3177/
- Final Assessment


Pretty good series. Highlight of it, for me, was when Hackworth was asked whether MLS clubs' entry into the system might put other clubs at a disadvantage (second to lat question, first link). His response was a polite way of saying "tough s--t."

Biggest problem with the system is still, predictably, the cost.

[clydej]

Even though I expect MLS clubs to eventually take the youth spotlight there is still more than enough talent to go around. Too big a population and too much geography for 15 clubs to totally dominate the youth scene. Maybe this will lead the big spark to producing even better talent than has been seen before.

[Stan Collins]

Even though I expect MLS clubs to eventually take the youth spotlight there is still more than enough talent to go around. Too big a population and too much geography for 15 clubs to totally dominate the youth scene. Maybe this will lead the big spark to producing even better talent than has been seen before. I suspect that some day each club may have to have some kind of pro partner to be effective at the highest level. Advantages in both funding and training may provide the basis for that.

That may go well beyond MLS, though. USL teams may get deeper into the game. Also CASL of Raleigh, North Carolina recently signed a deal with Chelsea, which is kind of a first of its kind--there are lots of purportedly European-affiliated youth programs in the US, but I can't remember a partnership between a club that was already reasonably elite joining forces with one. I suspect Chelsea must have put some decent financial backing into it or CASL would have rejected them.