I haven't thought about this much, but I wonder if a useful way to think about transfer fees is as a percentage of a typical annual player salary at a given level. I guess I need more data -- but I will note that Monarchs also apparently sold a player to Sweden last summer for about $200,000... https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/yn...n-season-thread.2102420/page-30#post-38149618
Louisville City announced a USL 2 (previously PDL) team today. That seems like a data point suggesting that teams at that level still see the league, arguably a proxy for the "traditional" college-to-pros pathway, as a useful tool for talent identification and development given the type of player they think they need to compete.
Definitely a good way to keep academy players with the club during college years or even to provide opportunities for players in the academy who are ready for a greater challenge. Now all they need to do is follow through with their plans to start an a USL Academy. https://www.loucity.com/Academy https://amp.courier-journal.com/amp/3426530002 Based on the ambition that this club continues to show, I wouldn’t bet against them doing it and doing it well.
I think this is so weird. NTSC's playing in a bigger stadium in a better location than FCD. A sneak peek at Globe Life Park’s soccer set up for North Texas SC https://t.co/ZPo34vHi7B #NTXSC— 3rd Degree (@3rdDegreeNet) January 23, 2020
Absolutely love witnessing the ever-increasing investment and resultant professionalism at just about every level of soccer in this country. These are small investments, but the cumulative effect over time of all these improvements (and the resultant positive feedback loops they create) will significantly improve our professional leagues, the USMNT and our soccer culture in general. And it's fun to watch it all unfold with all of you in the BigSoccer community, many of whom have supported this sport through some pretty dark times! Thanks to all who contribute here for helping to keep us all in the know and for taking the journey with me!
The @SKCAcademy pipeline continues to bear fruit.Congratulations on your first professional contract, @KavehRad11!— SKCII (@SportingKCII) January 24, 2020
#ATLUTD loans Andrew Carleton to Indy Eleven.📝 https://t.co/2pIgZStb49 pic.twitter.com/fUU4jXcAJQ— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) January 24, 2020
FC Tucson signed a '97 named Charlie Booth who played at Rhode Island and Bryant U. He was a grad student at URI getting his MBA. https://www.gorhody.com/sports/m-soccer/2019-20/bios/booth_charlie_6jtu
Brecc Evans loaned up a level to Austin Bold for the season................. North Texas SC🤝The Bold Austin Bold FC acquires Brecc Evans on loan from @USLLeagueOne title-holders @northtexasSC for the 2020 @USLChampionship season. Read more about the move below ⬇️ 🔗: https://t.co/VlASmF9jzL #DaleBold pic.twitter.com/5d5svnTAs5— Austin Bold FC (@AustinBoldFC) January 30, 2020
Crew 2 possibly coming next year Columbus Crew SC officials have confirmed their interest in launching a development team as early as 2021, but some details about the potential club remain unsettled. #sportsbiz https://t.co/32viMd9x0Z pic.twitter.com/CMbopVwUtu— SoccerStadiumDigest (@thestadiumpitch) January 31, 2020
🚨 Orange County SC has signed U20 @USYNT Defender, Blake Malone, to a multi-year deal.Previously with the Seattle Sounders 2 and @UNCmenssoccer, @blakeyyy_malone was called up to the U.S. U20 MNT camp in January 2020. Welcome to OC! #ForCountyhttps://t.co/4vjumwVucD— Orange County SC (@orangecountysc) January 31, 2020
What does this say about Seattle? Did they not want to sign him? Did he not want to sign with them? He's a good player, but what's his path to a higher level of football by signing this contract?
Orange County seems to be investing quite a bit in youth in hopes of making money off them. I wouldn’t be surprised if Seattle gave him a Tacoma offer because I doubt he would turn down an HG contract.
Seattle is a good organization but I question the path to the first team for a center back. Take a look at Sam Rogers. They signed him about 3 years ago to an S2 contract. He's had some injuries. He went on trial to Standard Liege who wanted him but Seattle rejected the bid because they didn't think it was worth Roger's value. This off season the Sounders have lost Kim Kee Hee and Roman Torres off the roster. Replaced with Shane O'Neil from Orlando City and Yeimar Gomez Andrade from Union Santa Fe. They have 3 CBs on the roster and Gustav Svenson can play there if necessary. I get that the Sounders are a top team in the league and want to contend for the CCL but one may think Rogers could slide into the 4th CB role. Either Rogers is no good, not good enough or the Sounders are nervous about putting a young CB out based on their standing as a top team in the league. If it is the first two then they should have sent him to Belgium and recouped some money. If it is the 3rd option then I could see why Malone opted for another path, especially if OCSC is looking to move players to Europe as they did with Kayo. All that being said I have no in depth knowledge of Rogers or Malones ability other than what I read.
I mostly agree. I don't think Rogers is great, but how they've utilized him makes little sense to me. I think Malone's a better player, but I'm not sure he would've been getting any first team minutes this year with Seattle. I'm not completely convinced any of the younger players at Seattle will play much this season.
I was always surprised why he wasn't called to youth teams more as he looked generally good and outstanding in the air, and than I saw him against fast forwards.
Fort Lauderdale Club de Fútbol announced as @USLLeagueOne team of #InterMiamiCF.#FTLCF | @FTLauderdaleCFhttps://t.co/Zp1xkSXok6— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) February 1, 2020
Agree, I have thought for a couple of years now that the lower pro divisions are the most crucial next step. I think it is almost a given that MLS continues to improve in quality....all they have to do is continue to increase the level of spending on foreign players as their footprint and popularity continues to expand (as I am confident it will). There will always be a small number of Americans that will benefit as this happens but for the numbers to increase, USL MUST improve and increase their footprint. If we have to rely only on MLS teams and their associated USL teams, the development of young players will reach a serious logjam. Some will still make it through but we may never have a top league where the top players are American. Right now, IMO, MLS is on the path to being a top league (eventually), but whether or not it is on the path to being a top American league is somewhat less clear...at least without the assistance of a broad base of lower professional leagues.
Possible new third-division USL team in High Point, NC. “It’s basically minor league soccer,” said Gibbs. “We have been working with what we think is an (ownership) investment group. If we can get the application in, we could be looking at the March 2021 season, if not the 2022 season.” https://hpenews.com/news/13895/pro-soccer-talks-ongoing-for-high-point-franchise/
I’m sure he’ll get the HG contract once he puts in the required days under MLS rules. NEWS: @NYRBII sign midfielder Caden ClarkWelcome, @iamcadenclark!📰➡️ https://t.co/nURRtFwefc#NYRBII pic.twitter.com/iDFbBfryui— New York Red Bulls II (@NYRBII) February 5, 2020