DeNormandie does seem like the best player in the gap. A lot of Rev Academy players in his age cohort went to DII and DIII schools, so there isn't a ton of competition. Is he a pro prospect? I don't know. He's probably the best hope until a stronger generation comes of age. And if he is a pro prospect, is he a difference maker or is he indistinguishable from the mass of Supplemental Draft fringe talent?
Kabala and Kunateh are the two that I know local college coaches are drooling over. There are a few kids with Revolution Empire that people like as well.
Obviously this is just my opinion, and I've only seen him a few times, but he is one that is hard to gauge. He does't have anything in his game that really jumps out at you, but seems to be solid all around. Has good speed and is good in transition. Can get up and down the flanks, and cross at the levels he has been playing. I know this is wish-washy, but I've only seen him a few times, and nothing has really wowed me...but at the same time, I've never thought that he wasn't cut out. I guess he will be a wait and see type player to me. Others more qualified than me may know better. I think he just got called into a youth national team, so that is obviously a good sign to some extent.
Ok, I can't argue with that at all. It will certainly be a few years before players contribute from the academy.
I know that there are some coaches and evaluators in the area that love the kid. I obviously don't see him a lot, so he could be a lot better than what I've seen. I've definitely heard his name mentioned as much or more than anyone else.
De Bona is playing for Boston University now. http://www.goterriers.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/felix_de_bona_851155.html
Thanks for the update. His career at BU will really be the acid test as to whether he has what it takes to become a professional soccer player. I'm guessing not, though I'm prepared to be surprised.
Question for those that might know more about this topic. If he signed up to play for a team in Europe, how can he play college soccer?
As long as he didn't get paid, he can play anywhere he wants. I'm assuming he never signed a contract.
I think because he finished high school before going into the soccer ranks. i think it would have been different had he tried to go from being a pro to college soccer. but because he finished out a year or two at Somerville HS and then transitioned to college, it's okay. i'm not sure on any of that though. this article touches on it: http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2...controversy/ekYk1P3awTUShN82ZJyJgI/story.html
As Mike Marshall said, it depends on whether he signed a pro contract. Most likely, he was just a member of Malaga's academy. Many of the foreign players recruited to play NCAA soccer spent time in a Euro academy, but never signed a pro deal (because they wanted to go to college in the US or, more likely, they weren't good enough).
This is the thread that will not die! As it happens, Felix was in Somerville all winter, running clinics for the kids. Heard the other week he was going back to Finland. Random question: will the Revs be holding his rights?
Ekenas travel to JJK in Finland's Ykkonen today. Felix started and SCORED!! their first goal <Currently 2 - 2 - Half-Time>
Felix joined FC Jaro (also in Finland's Ykkonen) on July 23rd - has played a couple of times for his new club so far
14 goals last season is worth celebrating, even in the finnish 2nd division. Not playing as much or scoring as frequently this season though, and at 25 lower division teams in the european periphery are unlikely to keep him around for long