December U-18 Training Camp @ HDC

Discussion in 'Youth National Teams' started by rwhunter4, Dec 27, 2009.

  1. HighburyForever

    HighburyForever Red Card

    Oct 15, 2006
    Wooloomooloo, New South Wales
    Club:
    Zenit St Petersburg
    Nat'l Team:
    Russia
    Thanks. You've been a pretty reliable poster on here. I'll believe you before that reporter.

    It would be shocking for a 16 year old to turn down Arsenal. Even if you don't make Arsenal's 1st team when you're older, most smaller European clubs would love to have their players. And he can always get his high school diploma in his spare time. I'm sure Arsenal has a setup with a local school.
     
  2. gkleiban

    gkleiban New Member

    Jan 3, 2010
    Brea
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    Being wary of a report from an unknown source is one thing, but to completely dismiss it as a matter-of-fact is another.

    I'm not going to report on something, and put my name on it, without some degree of confidence.

    Is what my source told me set in stone? Of course not. Maybe some offer is put on the table that Luis and his family can't turn down. For instance, I was also told that he will be meeting with the Sounders this week in Seattle - they really want him.

    But as the situation stands now, in all likelihood he will not turn pro.

    All the best,
    - Gary
     
  3. USvsIRELAND

    USvsIRELAND Member+

    Jul 19, 2004
    ATL
    Thank you both for your input. It adds to the greatness of these boards and Bigsoccer in general.
     
  4. Peretz48

    Peretz48 Member+

    Nov 9, 2003
    Los Angeles
    I don't doubt that the Sounders (and perhaps other MLS clubs) are interested in Gil. But beyond a decent GA offer what can MLS offer him soccerwise? Without a reserve league he would probably not see any meaningful minutes with any MLS club for several years. What does he do in the meantime? Go to practice and twiddle his thumbs?

    For 19-20 year olds, a GA contract makes sense, as they are closer to full physical maturity, and have a chance at 1st team minutes. But a 16-year-old? I just don't see the attraction.
     
  5. ATLGunner

    ATLGunner Member

    May 8, 2005
    Atlanta
    For one, don't count out the possibility of the return of a reserve league with the new CBA. Secondly, 16 year olds can poach time every now and then in MLS (Gaven, Jozy).

    Finally, going to practice in a professional setting is much better than playing games at a high school level. MUCH better. He can develop his game, and it's not like there aren't scrimmages, etc. where he gets to play games.

    This sounds like an Allen Iverson quote. Practice is the most important thing for a 16 year old.
     
  6. c. williams

    c. williams New Member

    Mar 27, 2008
    tampa
    I think Luis made a big mistake by going to the U-18 camp. He just finished residency, then to the U-20 camp, then U-18 camp. (Too much). The U-18 game report said the game was pure back and forth action at a frenetic pace, with each player in a panic mode when receiving the ball. The coaches encourage this kind of play. That's why we don't do well in international games. I think we need to give Luis some room to BREATH. He will let people know what he is doing when he is ready. I know how these contract talks go. Any little thing can throw it off. And the speculation just puts pressure on a young kid.
     
  7. Peretz48

    Peretz48 Member+

    Nov 9, 2003
    Los Angeles
    No doubt the professional setting and practices are way better than what Gil would find at the high school, or more likely, the USSDA level. But where are the scrimmages that you speak of? And as for the reserve league I'll believe it when I see it. If it does come back I just hope it's not a rehash of the old one, with a limited number of games and depleted squads that sometimes required the services of "guest players" (read: ass't equipment mgrs., accounting clerks, etc.) to fill out the rosters.

    But I'm not comparing Gil's choices between going to MLS and staying at his local high school. What about the overseas options? I just wonder if either Arsenal or one of the other clubs that has expressed interest has a good support structure for young players. After all, it's not as if Arsenal doesn't bring in youngsters from all over the world. I can't believe that every single parent whose son is with Arsenal's academy cares only about his kid's soccer and nothing else. I'm sure there are some who want to see their son at least graduate from high school, and I suspect that Arsenal will accommodate them.

    Soccerwise, there is just no comparison with what Arsenal can offer and what MLS clubs offer. The only downside to Gil's signing overseas is that if he doesn't make the 1st team at one of the better clubs like Arsenal and then can't latch on at a more modest club, he'll get lowballed by MLS if he comes back here, without the security (educational provisions) of a GA contract. But if he has confidence in his abilities and is serious about his soccer future I think he should head to Europe.
     
  8. thetank123

    thetank123 Member

    Dec 28, 2009

    Where did you read this game report? Thanks.
     
  9. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He's 16/17, i think he can participate in this much soccer :-/
     
  10. c. williams

    c. williams New Member

    Mar 27, 2008
    tampa
  11. c. williams

    c. williams New Member

    Mar 27, 2008
    tampa
    I said that because players sometimes need a rest, but if you feel he doesn't, I respect that.
     
  12. thetank123

    thetank123 Member

    Dec 28, 2009

    Yeah, I have to agree with the previous poster on this one. They take care of these kids quite well at these camps.
     
  13. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    i doubt he played every game all the way through.

    i could understand your point if he had played an entire season in Europe, went to the Confederations Cup and then jumped right back into Europe.

    But the kid was playing in Residency, went to a U17WC, got several weeks of rest then jumped into a laid back U20 and even more so laid back U18 camp.

    he's not being over worked.
     
  14. thetank123

    thetank123 Member

    Dec 28, 2009
    Why would you consider this U18 camp to be laid back? Not having any real connection to a camp before this one, what makes this one more laid back than another? Wouldn't you want a camp to be the exact opposite of laid back so you can get a feel for each players talent levels?
     
  15. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    im sure they worked hard, not really what i was saying as laid back.

    What does Gil have to prove in the U18 camp that he couldnt have proven in the U20?? IMO it is simply to keep sharp and fit for whatever he decides in the coming weeks.

    saying that, not everyone is in Gil's shoes. Im sure they worked hard to impress...
     
  16. c. williams

    c. williams New Member

    Mar 27, 2008
    tampa
    Of course they are all in his shoes or they would not be there. As a player you always have something to prove.

    Nothing is a given. If he goes to the tournament in Mexico on the 20th and doesn't play well, his position will be in danger just like anyone else.

    Most of these kids have GA and or European offers for trials also.
     
  17. Otergod

    Otergod Member+

    Sep 20, 2007
    indianapolis
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Gil has both MLS and euro offers. Quick scan over the U18 camp roster and id wager that most only have college offers

    my point is that i view the U18 camp used to keep sharp and fit. Im positive he took it seriously and worked hard. He was in a U20 camp a few weeks prior, so he's on Rongen's radar. Nothing is given, i agree, but this U18 camp will not make or break him. He's got bigger fish to fry in the coming week when he decides which path to go pro (ie. academy in europe or GA contract with MLS) or whether he wants to go pro ATM.

    i am not looking at this argument as to whether what impression he'll make with the U20's, U23's, etc. Im looking at it as a player going pro standpoint.
     
  18. thetank123

    thetank123 Member

    Dec 28, 2009
  19. FCmagic01

    FCmagic01 Member

    Nov 10, 2006
    Gil is going to Europe after he graduates from Bradenton. My money is on Madrid or Barca, now that Arsenal are out of it (although I think that rumor is false).
     
  20. GauchoYoungin

    GauchoYoungin Member

    Nov 18, 2004
    805
    No write up on the Fusion game b/c it wasn't really publicised that much and of course since TDS is linked the OC Blue Star, it was easier for them to get a write up.

    As for the game, it ended 4-1 with the Fusion coming out on top. Not sure who scored for the U-18 team, but it was late in the game against a second string D and GK. The goals came for the Fusion by way of Anthony Hamilton (redirect off a cross), Danny Barerra (through ball, beat the Defender and GK), Rodrigo Lopez (free kick from top of the box), and Dylan Riley (header off a corner).
     
  21. USvsIRELAND

    USvsIRELAND Member+

    Jul 19, 2004
    ATL
    Both the former Chivas USA guys?
     
  22. GauchoYoungin

    GauchoYoungin Member

    Nov 18, 2004
    805
    Yea. Now RoRo is looking to get back with the Timbers who picked him up last year after the PDL Championship. Hamilton got cut before last season. DB plays at UCSB and Riley just finished up at Cal State Northridge.
     
  23. trickzwoo

    trickzwoo New Member

    Aug 12, 2009
    Club:
    DC United
    I think any kid that has a chance to go to college should definetly do so and get a degree. It takes one slight wrong hit on a knee for instance and your soccer career is over, then what? A high school diploma will get you a job at a convenience store at the most these days. Have a back up plan cuz your soccer skills don't last till you are Old and if its MLS you are playing in you should not expect a David Beckham Multi Million dollar contract to start, more like mid range 5 digits for a salary which is enough for a Yugo and a lot at a trailer park for a double wide. Don't rush things, get your education and that Degree which will get you job opportunities that start you out at a higher salary then the average MLS player makes when the body just don't work like it used to when you were younger.
     
  24. CG

    CG Member

    Jul 25, 2001
    conversely, why not make the $ playing while you can? College will always be there.
     

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