But we're missing the broader point here, which is... Magic Celestin is still around?!? I'm pretty sure I remember going to his camps over 30 years ago.
True. What I meant was should they sign HG deal in lieu of college..A la Swanson. Then Crew has MLS rights.
Wasn't his son Khai a stud for a year or two with Crew Academy. I seem to recall a lot of chatter about him on this board a few yrs ago. Maybe even played with first team in a friendly or reserve game if I recall correctly. Wonder what his story is?
Good friend of mine has a kid that is going to a top D1 college, had a stellar HS career and never considered the Academy. He was approached, but the reality of what the Academy requires basically takes the kid away from his friends and family, sometimes at a moments notice. I know of other promising young players that have opted to stay at their local club, OP, Classics, instead of getting on a bus and playing games hundreds of miles away every weekend. At least with the local clubs that play National League they get to travel with their parents. Sometimes the kids just want to be kids.
That is further making my point. Crew just raided (with clubs' cooperation) U12,13,14,15s from several clubs (I know Classics for sure) this past year. Will be interesting how many stay long term. They have basically abandoned development at younger ages and are now looking at other clubs to initiate/foster development and then snatch them up once they get to USDA academy ages. They've dropped open tryouts and it's by invitation only.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Youth development is an ecosystem. Everyone plays a role. The other clubs know they can't compete at certain levels with the scope of the Academy so they find their role. Different paths for different people.
Didn't say it was necessarily a bad thing. But the one bad thing is the assumption by many that only the best players in country are on USDA teams. Every YNT announcement counts how many are USDA kids.
Of course the USSF is going to broadcast that. I don't think anyone truly believes all the best kids are in the DA. Plenty of kids across the country not near a DA or choosing not to participate that can go on to be high level players. There are real advantages to playing in the DA of an MLS team.
His Twitters profile says he's the Head Academy Coach. They have one of those. I have zero knowledge into the situation, but his profile also mentions Valencia which makes me lean in the direction that perhaps he's going back to Spain.
I cannot blame the Austin reaction. It flashed in my mind quickly as well. For his sake, however, not my feelings. Well, maybe a little of my feelings, but more for his sake. Well, maybe he extorts them for a huge salary. He could be moving up the ladder. No one's to say he doesn't go there for some promotion. That club has shown a propensity to attempt to replicate with that which they already know. Josh, Wahl, FO staff, Two-Buttons, etc. But anyways, I am sure in the near future his profiles will have updated. Best of luck Sergio. Thank you for the time and effort.
The journey takes a new turn. I'm excited to accept a position coaching in the @ColumbusCrewSC academy. Career inflection points like this inspire reflection on the path so far and gratitude to all those who have impacted me along the way. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/azw2P1HBxB— Evan Fuhs (@EvanFuhs) August 2, 2019 Next up...
The academy has not produce a single note worthy player for several seasons.People closer I am sure have some thoughts as to why but frankly its an embarrassment. Perhaps that might be changing as we have to U16 players called in to the upcoming Nike Friendlies. Defender - Noah Hall - I dont know much about him Forward - Samuel Sarver - Reading what others have said he seems to be an talented dribbler and wide attacker.
It’s almost like the academy took a downturn when Gregggggg came in an axed/relocated pretty much the entire academy technical team.
He brought in some pretty decent coaches (on paper) so it seemed like that would produce something positive. For the amount of money invested its pretty pathetic the results
Per a poster in the US YNT Forum Sam Sarver: Blazing winger. Might be the fastest player in the DA. He can be used as as a striker, but he’s not a striker because he doesn’t have the size or hold up game for the position. Very efficient in final third. He’s not creative or flashy, but he makes smart plays in goal scoring positions. He knows where his runners are going to run to, he knows when defenders are going to dive in, and he makes quick decisions. Top 10 player in this very talented age group, IMO. Noah Hall: Understated RB. Does a lot well on both sides of the ball. Incredibly smart defensive player who has above average athleticism. He’s very good defensively. He’s capable of shutting down good wingers. Going forward, he’s not a big skill guy, but he’s better than you’d initially think. Since he’s a very smart player, he has success with deception, athleticism and average passing and ball control. This is exactly the kind of player I think the system fails right now. He’s probably a little too far off Columbus HG signing list (considering they haven’t even signed Chifamba or Sarver yet), not quite good enough to generate significant European interest, and college soccer will hurt his development playing multiple years. He’s probably a 20th-40th caliber player in the country. Good player, but I’d worry he falls by the wayside.
I wonder how the recent coaching migration affected this. Berhalter's son is now at UNC but was with the Crew academy. Similarly, I heard that Josh Wolff's son(s) were incredible, and now seem to be with Atlanta's academy. http://aufc.ussoccerda.com/sam/teams/index.php?team=12064880
Wolff is originally from Georgia and his extended family all still lives there. No reason for them to stay in Columbus once hes no longer employed there. What's interesting is that his immediate family hasn't relocated to his new professional location, Austin Texas. They have an academy now supposedly, although I think it's only U14, plus a highly touted partnership arrangement with DA Academy Lonestar SC in Austin. So there certainly are trading and playing opportunities in the land of coders and neckbeards and it's odd the Wolff family has chosen not to avail themselves of same. As for Seb Berhalter, both of his parents went to UNC. Furthermore, he played for Crew SC for four years, giving the Crew some claim on him. TDS had him as a four star so he has some game but one wonders why his father didnt find him something overseas.
Maybe if playing doesn't pan out, his uncle can get him a high-level job at US soccer, once he gets that degree . But in all seriousness, you aint a slouch if you're on a Tar Heal scholarship but neither does that necessarily mean you're MLS talent. But if that time comes, I'd hope the Crew would have some claim. Wolff to ATL makes sense given his history - I think it would be a shame if his kid turns out to be as good as I had heard and the Crew loses out.