IIRC, he left on a free (expired contract - dc made an offer but he didnt accept) so DC retained his "rights" in MLS; when he returned to the laxatives DC got $300k in mixed calvinball bucks.
So that's reasonable for his rights under the system that's in place. Now someone explain why we paid anything for Arriola, to me.
It's pretty much the same thing. Galaxy offered him a deal, he went to Tijuana and when he wanted to come back they had his rights.
Has the DMV slipped in terms of youth talent? I'm wondering why our youth development is so lowly rated based on the number of potential impact candidates, see this discussion.
There is plenty of youth talent in the DMV and even on our roster. DC United didn't care about youth development until recently so there is some ground to make up in the community. Look at a guy like Niko Gioacchini he was essentially kicked to the curb at our academy but now has 3 USMNT appearances with 2 goals.
Investing in youth talent seems like a no brainer, with increasing sales to cost ratios for American youth going to Europe. I don't get this organization at all - no pride, no commitment, no balls/ovaries (not both at the same time, although I'm fine with it).
There was some hope when they brought in Sonny Silooy but they never gave him support to build anything. They wanted him for his reputation. He was disgusted and left. Heard through another coached i worked with who lives in Netherlands.
This organization has almost nothing to do with soccer. Soccer is just a front for a REIT or something similar. We fans are truly an inconvenience to that business, yet having some number of us will represent the potential that they're selling to their real estate customers. And as far as the academy goes, I think we're light years behind teams like Philly, NJ, Dallas, Orlando who are selling players for 8 figures. Durkin was worth what? $1.5M and I am not sure we've seen that much potential in anyone other than maybe Moses Neyman. That's still a long way from $10M+.
Not THIS organization anymore. New President and new GM are serious about turning things around. It just won’t happen overnight.
They just recently stopped the "Pay to Play" schtick, and then Covid hit. It will take DCU a while to catch up with the rest of the league.
A bit of willing blindness in the first statement: in addition to Winoman's comments, they broke ground this winter on the multi-million dollar, 30-acre new training complex that will also be used for the academy. And there is significant investment into staff at the academy. Could the organization do better? Of course. But to imply they are doing nothing and have no commitment doesnt bear up.
I do wonder about locating the academy and training facilities 50 miles outside of the city when it's historically been in the city. I know getting downtown is no walk in the park, but at least it was somewhat central to a lot of people. By moving it out to Leesburg, I feel like you're totally cutting off Prince Georges and a lot of Montgomery and probably a lot of kids in the District. Keep in mind all the junior players go to school until 4. That's put the parents out in rush hour traffic to get there and probably gets the kids home late with homework still to be done. I can't imagine there are too many people choosing to relocate for their 14 year olds soccer aspirations when you have good programs like Alexandria and Bethesda with strong offerings and not to mention USSDA has programs in conjuntion with Potomac and Arlington. I don't think we had or currently have a residency program. It's a big drive from Alexandria and Prince William. They've got to be practicing 3-5 days a week. 3 is what garden variety travel does. I don't know what pro players look for when they're choosing to move to a team anywhere, London, Frankfort, Houston, or DC, but it seems to me that most young guys want access to what the city has to offer. I know Birnbaum lives in Bethesda, Arriola & Asad have posted from Arlington. They've got 45-60 min rides in optimal conditions. I'd be surprised if Hamid didn't live in the District. That's a long haul every day
All the cool old-timey great United players live out Loudoun way since the original United training center (imo the biggest reason we ruled the first 5 years) used to be out in Herndon
oh man, being located at the old deadskins park was definitely a major factor in all sorts of ways. As important as it was, I suspect BA was a slightly more important factor....like jettisoning Suarez.
Not sure about willing, may be senility. Investing in property in a high value real estate market seems to be following the REIT model. Did they bring in well respected coaches and scouts known for the youth development chops? If you have that knowledge please share it. I understand being a homer and wanting to see the best in your team. They haven't shown they are really committed to developing talent. Until then your support sounds more like corporate sales.
It is a matter of belief. There is new leadership both at the Top of the organization and at the GM role. Will they prioritize academy development? I hope so. I think they will. Maybe not this season but once things get more stable I think they will.
My question is what prompted this shift in momentum from ownership? Now they decided to stop phoning it in an run this like a real soccer club? New President, new GM, new coach. It's obvious something has changed but to what degree remains to be seen. I hope this indicates we will be willing and able to spend sufficient money to get back to the big boy table. My fear is they are trying to still be one of the more thrifty clubs but overachieve, but I'm not sure that all these new hires would have signed up if the owners didn't commit to certain investment.
I agree in that either they get the benefit of the doubt or not. In my mind, they have patterned themselves after Snyder, above all make money. There's a fine line between that type of ownership and the ones that commit to the mythic elements of the sport - team culture, winning, tradition of excellence, etc... Yes that also gets created by corporate sales, but it's either real or not. You see it on the field, the respect for the crest.
Until I see fans treated differently I will stay on the side of doubt. This is still just a Real Estate venture.