On the heels of a bad result in league play, a few articles have been posted online about our youth academy. It looks, well, promising. Nick Green had this article out today: http://www.insidesocal.com/soccer/2011/03/youth-soccer-update-the-force.html Basically explaining the Galaxy youth teams new partnership with a prestigious club team. And this one is another goal.com article with some awesome quote from Klein and Kenny Arena: “I think we have implemented a number of changes,” Klein said to Goal.com on Sunday after the U-18 game about the modifications since his appointment. “We are trying to do it like a real professional academy." http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/2617...oute-los-angeles-galaxy-academys-rising-stars
Someone please remind me what qualities Chris Klien has that makes him a good pick on leading the academy teams? Being a nice guy and good Pro doesn't develop the kind of players that we need to move soccer in Socal forward. I haven't read anything about style or philosophy. The reason why i'm asking this question is because it will determine how the youth teams play and what type of player the 1st team will be looking for.
Have you seen the youth academy players in matches? I have, and they're excellent. Very technique driven with quality coaching all around. When the excellence stops, your question may be valid. Until then, try supporting their efforts.
Pinkman, it's a good question, well two questions really - what are Chris Klein's qualifications, and what system will the Galaxy follow in training their youth teams? On the qualifications, I was reading a lot about Jason Kreis this week and what his qualifications were to be head coach. Pretty much they were, former player, hard worker, and Checketts liked him and his attitude and his ideas. The GM and all the assistant coaches for RSL are now former MLS players. Kreis used his people skills and ability to inspire (and a little bit of risk-taking) to sign Javi Morales and turn the franchise around from the Ellinger days. There's nothing wrong with giving these guys a chance, especially the ones like Kreis and Klein, who took limited physical gifts and made great careers for themselves out of good attitudes and a lot of hard work. If they are enough of a student of the game, they have a good chance to do well. How about Kenny Arena coaching the U-16's? Also, we have DC United's last disaster coach on our bench, albeit a former MLS player himself. Checketts stated he didn't want a recycled coach - a little different than how we're doing it at the senior team. On the system question, there were articles this week about Toronto going whole hog to invest a lot of $$ in their youth teams and facilities, and about the strict system they are going to follow, where every team from the littlest to the first team has the same philosophy and style of play. I wonder if we are going to follow this model or not?
Na, you're fine; that's why message boards exist. I just happened to stumble across the article. I think I got the link from an LAG Twitter post. I think this is exactly what we're looking for as long-term Galaxy fans.
People should read this story again. Matt Tilley is the defender who played in the reserve game and looked very promising. And he's 16 It may be out of necessity, but I like the fact that we're looking at young players and giving them serious exposure.
Mauricio Cienfuegos named Technical Coach for Galaxy Academy http://lagalaxyblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/mauricio-cienfuegos-named-technical.html
Klein is Director and I'm guessing that more like a GM, while I'm thinking Cien's post is more coaching -related. http://www.lagalaxy.com/youth-academy
Klein is the main guy Cienfuegos main focus will be on best practices and techniques for attacking players, including body movement, body positioning, utilizing the different parts of the foot, and when and how to utilize them, among other facets of an attacking player’s game. He will report to Chris Klein, Senior Director of the LA Galaxy Academy.
News about the Galaxy academy team doing well in the Development Academy Finals: http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/2617...oute-mls-academies-highlight-u-16-finals-week http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Develo...for-2011-Development-Academy-Finals-Week.aspx
If the Galaxy really wants to atract tallent they should stop charging $65 to tryout. The Goats don't charge. If we keep that up Chivas Lite will clean our clocks in about five years. Because they will atract kids who want to go pro either in MLS or Mexico. Kids who can't afford to pay to play. We have a wealth of talent in LA County but we need to start attracting the Hispanic and other immigrant or sons immigrants.
Can you validate this for us? Link? I've never heard of any youth club in LA charging for tryouts and if this is indeed true, it's absolutely ridiculous. But again, I'd really like to see some proof of this.
I found this article on lagalaxy.com and it mentions nothing about a fee: http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2011/0...hold-open-tryouts-under-12-and-under-13-teams
Jack McBean, who was just signed this year and has yet to appear in a league game. And Tristan Bowen before him, who has since been traded to Chivas. But several of the Academy players have filled out the roster for reserve games. Don't forgot that our academy has only been around for a couple years and is still in it's infancy...