This isn't true. This doesn't exist in any top developmental environment around the world. Bundesliga academies do not play only Bundesliga academies, nor is that the case for Serie A, Premier League, La Liga or any other top European nation. The best teams play against the best teams regardless of where the first team play. FCD, LAG, NYRB, NYCFC, Phil Union, Seattle Sounders are the only MLS clubs that can truly be separated from the rest of the Academy (I do not consider Atlanta United in that category. I would consider LAFC but they do not have all of the age groups yet). All of the others are average academy clubs with numerous non-MLS clubs significantly better programs. FCD should want to play those non-MLS clubs rather than Portland
We'll see what the eventual proposal is. While a Bundesliga club may play in a more regionalized youth league, they are typically playing youth teams from professional clubs (up and down the professional ladder). So yes, Dortmund plays clubs like Bonner and Wuppertaler SV in their U19 Bundesliga West division. These are smaller clubs, but they are professional clubs nonetheless. MLS clubs, many of whom are investing millions of dollars in their academies, are competing against amateur clubs on a weekly basis. One senses that MLS wants to get away from that...………………….from a long-term viewpoint. FCD, which invests millions in their academy, is playing against clubs that need bake sales in order to afford bus travel. Its totally apples and oranges. And that disparity is only going to increase as time goes on. From a long-term viewpoint it makes no sense. We'll see what the eventual proposal is. What I'd llke to see is similar to what they have in Germany. A professional U19 league. So this isn't just MLS, but the academies of the professional clubs in the MLS and USL (independent clubs). Every independent USL club should also be developing their youth academies. Some of them are already in the DA...……..…….. So we could have a regionalization aspect of this proposal too. You can have a Southwest division with FCD, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, OKC, RGV (Dynamo affiliate, but semi-independent it seems), Tulsa, New Mexico, and Phoenix. All of those are USL and MLS clubs in 2019. 10 teams in that hypothetical professional division. On top of that we can expand a competition like the GenAd Cup for the MLS Clubs to play only each other. In that way FCD isn't travelling to play LA, Chicago, and Atlanta in separate road trips. But have them play these games in a common location like we already do for the GenAd Cup. So you're just travelling once to face these three teams in a week. We should all re-iterate that we're just talking about the U19 division here. FC Dallas has had kids in their U19 DA team that have already graduated high school. The more time that passes, the more the U19DA division is going to be a professional division. Kids on contracts moving up the pipeline to the USL and MLS squads.
I believe the Sounders approach the u19 age group as a backstop for their kids not in the USL side and those going to college. If anything I might use the u19 team as an opportunity to play my top academy 15 -17 year olds.
That is kind of my point. If the U-19 consists of 15-17 yr olds and the U-19's playing in USL, do they need to have their own U-19 league? Are the MLS academies that much better? I find that kind of hard to believe at this stage.
Yes. Think of those 15 - 17 yr olds getting fast tracked before signing a USL or HGP contract. In reality you may only have 4 or 5 of those players making the u19 side but those will be the kids getting acclimated to regular travel and better competition. Meanwhile the bulk of the team will be late bloomers, foriegn youth and academy kids going to college. I like it because you'll be able to accommodate multiple levels of player development at a crucial age.
But doesn't that already happen right now? Currently, 15-17 yr olds can play up and some are even signed to hg or USL contracts. We are already talking about a relatively high level and a 15-17 yr old that is able to make that jump right now is being fast tracked. Those that are at a higher level can sign hg or USL contracts. Will the competition in an MLS sponsored league be that much better? I know some MLS teams already have in place top level academies and some of the competition they currently face is relatively poor...I think the main issue is the inconsistency. With the current state of MLS academies league-wide, do you think it would be that much more consistent? A similar level of consistency with more travel wouldn't provide much, if any benefit.
It depends if we look short term or long term. RIght now in 2018 I'm not sure this proposed national league would offer a ton of benefit over the existing structure. However, if I look long term into what MLS hopes to grow into....................having MLS U19 teams play amateur, regional, non-professional clubs doesn't make much sense. Liga MX doesn't seem to have any problem doing this. A club like Chivas has a first team, two reserve teams (one in the segunda division and one in the tercera division)..............and then a U20 team in their national U20 Liga MX league. Somebody used the Bundesliga example above. They have a first team, then Dortmund II that's essentially U23s, then a U19 team. The U19 team plays in a U19 league made up of professional clubs. And Dortmund can stock all of those teams with players. Now, only a fraction of those U19 and reserve team players will ever player for Dortmund. There are more Joseph Gyau, Terrence Boyd, and Junior Flores players that "don't quite make it" to their first team...............than Pulisic types. That's just reality, and will be in MLS too. Long term why do we think Mexico can manage this.................and MLS can't? Travel issues will be overcome. We'll work it out in a league structure that makes sense.
I think we'll all feel more comfortable with this proposal once @Eleven Bravo lays out the other seven regional conferences for us.
Again this isn't accurate. If an amateur/non professional club is stronger than a professional club in terms of youth development, why would FCD not want to play them and play a lesser club simply because they are MLS? It doesn't matter that the resources are different. If I'm FCD I want to play the best. It's why clubs like CF Damm in Barcelona are important for FC Barcelona and Espaniol. They are a youth club only, yet play against the big clubs because their youth teams are good enough and have qualified for the appropriate league. In doing so, they are one of the best talent developers in the country and regularly move players on to bigger professional clubs. Why would we not want the same here? By the way, I'm fairly certain Germany is the same. If a non-professional youth team is good enough they can qualify into the top league U19 Bundesliga West. Looking at the landscape of our country, we will always need top non-professional youth clubs to develop talent. Why would we cap their ability to do that, particularly if they are better at it than the local professional club?
MLS is looking at the current landscape,,and saying to themselves "we can do better". I for one, would be happy to see MLS try to do better than the current system.
I wonder if this happened with only professional clubs but not just MLS if it would start a trend in really good youth clubs adding an adult club at a low level. Dallas Texans could enter the fray or even partner or combine with a current local men's lower league club.
I agree. The main issue I see right now is that there is too much overlap between the U19 and USL teams. At some point, when USL improves and also as the MLS U19 improves (across the board...not just for a few teams), I think it'll make more sense. Right now, the top U19's (even some of the U16 and U17's) are able to compete at the USL level. As that becomes more difficult AND MLS has enough youth players that can provide a challenge for the top players it will make more sense to have them play U19 rather than USL and the U19 league will be significantly better, across the board, than the non MLS academy teams. giving all of the MLS U19's better competiton.
This still makes no sense. The best players/teams should want to play the best players/teams. It is abundantly obvious that nearly half of the MLS Academies aren't in that category. You're right. They should do better! Creating an MLS only league creates no pressure for these average/less than average MLS Academies to do more
That's my impression of the U19 league in Germany. Very technical players but they are playing against each other. The very best go straight to the first team (like Pulisic did) while others need more seasoning in U23, B2 and lower Bundesliga. If MLS can ever approach this model the US national team will have a much better team.
Few points I’d advocate for is a Fall/Spring Schedule to offset MLS regular season. This way youth players would have opportunities during the summer to play for the senior side and young players who didn’t play much during the regular season could play in the offseason. Furthermore, I’d advocate for a u21 league instead of u19. Basically, making it a collegiate league. Although, it’d make sense if most of the players are u19. Also, I’d argue for every MLS team to base their team near the major college and afford each player a stipend to pay for their tuition, housing, and books. Ideally, I’d like to see the team to be at the premier state college. But, I’d also see the benefit in putting the team near the team so that players can play for both. Another point, I’d argue that in Open Cup matches (which that too needs to be expanded) should allow for clubs to play their youth players. Teams would recruit from their youth academies but also from the college teams and other developmental academies. Basically creating a system where there are short number of teams, filled with the best u21 players who aren’t already in MLS and USL. Break teams into small regional conferences. Ultimately, this league should look to fix the NCAA problem.
If adding Saint Louis, Sacramento, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Detroit North: DC, Philadelphia, New England, NYCFC, Red Bulls, Montreal, Toronto, Detroit South: Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Austin, Orlando, Miami, Charlotte, Nashville West: Galaxy, LAFC, Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, San Jose, Sacramento, Phoenix East: Colorado, RSL, SKC, Saint Louis, Chicago, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Indianapolis