Just turned 24, so we're talking about JA at 27-28ish. Maybe he'll find the level of success that he's looking for, or maybe he burns out and is already back in MLS. I'm sure that he'll be at the top of any list that the team would have, simply for his South Florida connections. And he IS talented, we're not talking about a scrub player.
Altidore is a local but I don't think he'd be worthy of a DP slot in Miami simply because his name wouldn't draw the attention of many in SoFla, regardless of his status as a member of the USMNT. Now, if the DP slots are raised to 5 or 6 by 2017, then Altidore could absolutely be a DP for Team Miami.
Sigh, DPs DPs It's good to start out with but I wanna see what they'll do for HGPs. Isn't there like a ton of talent there in SoFla? Rearing young HGPs and having them hit the big time is what I think is key for REALLY getting good fan attention.
Yes and watch them go to europe knowing that he was from Miami, that would be awesome, that's his home team was miami, hell yea!!
Beckham made a point during the press conference to say they would have an academy and do their best to find local talent. For what it's worth.
Well that's good, because I think that is what is key to getting MLS to the next level in terms of fan recognition outside the current believers.
They'd be fools not to do that. Altidore, Bedoya, Chung and Gibbs grew up in that region. It's still a bit untapped. It could do with more organization.
That is correct, MLS has directed all of its teams to have an academy. However, if you gander at the clubs doing it today, not all MLS academies are created equally. Lets hope Becks wasn't just saying a PR line. As one of the most successful academy products that world soccer has ever seen, one would think Beckham is telling the truth about Miami having a great academy. Can anyone name other local soccer products? Deejay mentioned Bedoya and everyone knows Jozy Altidore. Any more?
There aren't as many Miami products as there should be. When they do impact the national scene they are pretty good products, though. That tells me that there are kids getting significant soccer PT and just need a guiding hand in their development. The region does have all the trappings of a talent hot spot. Large soccer loving immigrant population from the Caribbean and South America. Big metro population ranked 8th in the country. Year round soccer playing weather. The missing piece, I believe, is an organized academy system to work with the kids. There is no distinguished soccer academy in Miami that I know of. Also, just a few hours north and you have Central Florida which has had a lot more pro players come through from less population (Cunningham, Zusi, McCarthy, McMath, Subotic, Nolly). That region obviously has Bradenton and is also an area hosting many youth tournaments which seems to have resulted in better academies IMO.
After watching today Champion's League match between Atlético Madrid and AC Milan, two of my DP slots would be for Raúl Garcia and Diego Costa!
Wait, Diego Costa the striker or Diego the midfielder? I'd rather get Diego the midfielder, I believe the key to building up a successful team is having great midfielders, and that guy is good as f*%#
Nothing is impossible but Orlando has more connections and have said many times Kaka was their DP target.