That's a pretty solid team. I think if MLS got it's scouting down to a better science they can better predict who is going to be successful at the next level. I mean, does Ajax really have some kind of magic potion? All they do is follow a set of criteria that they have developed. Obviously it works. I've backed off of using the stunting word. It doesn't allow them to develop as quickly. But you hit the nail on the head. Most guys aren't ready for MLS right out of HS and they need to be playing on reserve teams. All but Paule and Carrieri from this list were youth national teamers. That plays a big role in their development too IMHO and can't be discounted.
JOB may have dabbled in other sports, but he stopped at around 15. People in this thread are talking about players who dabble in other sports all the way up to 18 yrs old etc. I just speak in optimal terms--if a player wants to maximize his soccer ability, then he needs to play soccer.
A comment for those who suggest that the lion's share of US-born MLSers will soon skip college. MLS is currently in its 7th season, and there are (by my count) 19 US-born players who skipped college. Several of these players, however, are destined to leave for Europe in the next few seasons (Donovan, Quaranta, Beasley, etc.), while others may not survive in MLS (Saavedra, Burciaga, Trembly). Given these impending departures and the trickle of incoming talent (~3 players per year), these numbers are unlikely to increase much in the near term. One thing to notice, however, is that the players who skip college are coming disproportionately from ethnic minority groups -- Gomez, Burciaga, Corrales, Saavedra, Beasley, E. Johnson, Howard, Buddle. If MLS is going to reduce its dependence on college players, it needs youth programs that successfullly reach out to these groups.
That may very well be true, but as Sandon notes, the "center of gravity" for the foreseeable future is very likely to be guys who have played 1-3 years of college soccer.
And his overall athleticism shows it, too. On a more serious note...we all need to remember these are human beings, not a bunch of electrons on a Gameboy. They might get burned out, they might develop the social habits of a John Terry. Or a Maradona. Despite the "flaws" in how DMB developed his skills, he's still pretty damn good, and only 20 years old. Who knows what will happen over the next 5 years?
I think the college game needs some changes, but it can remain an important piece of the US soccer picture. College players just need more game exposure than their 20 (or so) NCAA game schedule. Let the college players play as unpaid players on A-league teams. Look to the women's game as an example, the W-league has a bunch of college players. Of course they've scheduled their season to end in early August to allow college players to get back to their schools. Also we should allow top NCAA teams to enter the US Open Cup. If it's truly a competition for professional and amateur teams, it seems like an ideal fit for college teams. Use last seasons top 4 or 8 teams from division 1 and fit them into the Open Cup brackets somehow.
That's happening now. Most of the players in the PDL (4th division) are college players. It's a good setup. Nate Jaqua? Univ of Portland played in the PDL championship game against Cape Cod.
NCAA does things for the women's game that it won't do for the men's game for some reason. But you also have to take into account that the women's game isn't as developed as the men even though they are champions. If men's college players could play on MLS teams not many would be able to handle the MLS level at all. It's generally two levels up from college soccer depending on the school.....which is another reason that we need reserve teams. From the success we've seen from the U17s it looks like the years from 15-17 is just as if not more important than years 18-21.
This is a great idea! And this is coming from the guy who's team was eliminated by a damn A-League squad. Well done.
This is an interesting idea, but i have to believe that the NCAA, with its myriad of regulations - who you can play for, against, and limitations on lengths of season, would make this impossible
We're talking about the NCAA here. They don't give a rat's arse about men's soccer and they won't until they have to or it starts taking in big bucks. It's a shame they have a three to four month season and non-FIFA regulations. But getting them to change is a lot like trying to get blood from a stone.
Yeah, playing basketball makes you more athletic, right? If that were truen then a lot of the players I saw at this youth tournament last weekend need to start playing basketball, because they were quite slow and uncoordinated.
as far as the college level of play goes, won't the logic that says mls' quality will keep improving also apply to the quality of college play? in other words, won't colleges have more depth of talent than before? the way i see it (and you're going to hate the comparison), it'll all even out eventually like the way baseball is. sure players leave from high school and most of the really great prospects sign with the pros then, but there's still a number of players coming from colleges. is college close to the professional level? no, but (like those who make the argument for donovan to stay in mls a little longer) that doesn't mean players won't be able to develop their games there.
Re: Re: Re: Re: The Importance of College Soccer Well, the travel teams expect the players to play Spring, Winter and Fall, with camp in Summer. Some kids play multiple sports in a season, but at higher levels of soccer, it's hard to.