YNT-eligible lower-division pro players: 2019/2020 Offseason thread

Discussion in 'Youth National Teams' started by Dave Marino-Nachison, Nov 18, 2019.

  1. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
  2. autobus39

    autobus39 Member+

    Jun 28, 2006
    Scranton, PA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Atlanta announced that Lagos Kunga will be going on loan to Phoneix Rising for the 2020 USL season.
     
  3. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
    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.
     
  4. Peter Bonetti

    Peter Bonetti Member+

    Jan 1, 2005
    1970 WC Quarterfinal
    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.
     
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  5. Clint Eastwood

    Clint Eastwood Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    #80 Clint Eastwood, Jan 23, 2020
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2020
    I think this is so weird. NTSC's playing in a bigger stadium in a better location than FCD. :)
     
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  6. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
    New Mexico United made the same announcement today.
     
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  7. USSoccerNova

    USSoccerNova Member+

    Sep 28, 2005
    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! :)
     
  8. ielag

    ielag Member+

    Jul 20, 2010
  9. autobus39

    autobus39 Member+

    Jun 28, 2006
    Scranton, PA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Tom Collingsworth and Pl@ymaker repped this.
  10. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
    Pl@ymaker repped this.
  11. Clint Eastwood

    Clint Eastwood Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
  12. ielag

    ielag Member+

    Jul 20, 2010
  13. ielag

    ielag Member+

    Jul 20, 2010
  14. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    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?
     
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  15. ielag

    ielag Member+

    Jul 20, 2010
    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.
     
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  16. butters59

    butters59 Member+

    Feb 22, 2013
    Very good, but very slow player.
     
  17. kinznk

    kinznk Member

    Feb 11, 2007
    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.
     
  18. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    I don't agree. I think his pace is around average.
     
  19. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    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.
     
  20. butters59

    butters59 Member+

    Feb 22, 2013
    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.
     
  21. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
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  22. Mahtzo1

    Mahtzo1 Member+

    Jan 15, 2007
    So Cal
    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.
     
  23. ussoccer97531

    ussoccer97531 Member+

    Oct 12, 2012
    Club:
    --other--
    1224102812260368385 is not a valid tweet id
     
  24. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
  25. ielag

    ielag Member+

    Jul 20, 2010

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