Evolution of Youth/Reserve Team System

I think that trying to modify the existing structure is likely to end up a mistake for a few reasons.

1. There are already plenty of models of successful youth/reserve/player development models in place in Europe. These work, we know they work and it won't really be "starting from scratch"--there are a number of blueprints available.

2. the PDL and USL and whatever other groups there are already have a set of goals, a power structure and vested interests that are not the same as the MLS' desire to build a youth system. in other words--it is likely the "political" reorganization would be very lengthy, maybe as long or longer than "starting from scratch".

This to me is an extremely critical issue. The development of a player system is crucial to the long-term success of a team. players undercontract--whether youth, reserve or first team--are a huge part of a clubs asset base and a key to financing the team. Developing a strong player development goal is to my mind just as important fiscally as stadium development.

 

Something I didn't address in the article is that the reason I support that kind of system is to keep MLS from having to take money away from efforts like stadium construction.

I think if they created their own system, they would have to increase infrastructure, etc. Taking advantage of the USL setup could diminish those costs.

Just some ideas. Tear me apart.

 

No I agree that there are costs to setting up a player development program and they are significant. I personally think the player development is actually more important than the stadiums to long-term success. Particularly from perspective of getting new investors. also, player development systems can be more easily set up than stadiums, which as you rightly point out, take forever and involve so many other parties.

 

What I would envision is I/Os setting up seperate businesses for their development schemes. Players would "sign" with these groups. Then, MLS would sign the players with the agreement that they go to a certain club because of meeting certain criteria. In fact, I think the Fire did set up an independent entity to run the reserves.

The spectre of SEM makes it muddled, I know. Hell, I'm not even sure if my idea is workable so that's how effed up things are.

 

Re: Re: Evolution of Youth/Reserve Team System

well this is a tough situation and clearly guys in MLS who have been thinking about this for 7-8 years still haven't figured it out.

in a sense, the european system is "organic", smaller, local clubs align themselves with bigger clubs and this produced the groundwork years ago for today's system. replicating that in a few years, in a different context, is likely to be tough.

i think Tom is right, a system that allows teams to control players is cruical to the development of the league and US players.

 

Re: Re: Re: Evolution of Youth/Reserve Team System

We are doing it ass-backwards, you're right. Part of my thinking goes along with the fact that Super Y is aligning with ODP and other organizations. Plus, I don't know if pro teams should get into local soccer politics. Just a hornet's nest, I imagine.

 

Wasn't Freddy Adu on one of our youth teams?

If it were a true youth system, then we could call him up to the main team!

 

I would like to think that getting the pro clubs involved at the youth level might get rid of some of the stupid politics that plague a lot of the federation. i would personally like to see a "professionalization" of the entire process. the development process must have at its core the development of potential pro players.

football is an international commodity and to be competitive (and keeping up with the "joneses" is crucial) in it we have to have the structures in place to make us competitive--a proper player development scheme (that includes a tier one pro league) and players playing regularly in top euro leagues. and those two go hand in hand, we are unlikely to have a ton of field players in europe if we don't start identifying pro-caliber players at an earlier age.

one thing struck me i read recently. the irish have over 100 guys playing in england in the PL or 1st. we have less than that playing abroad at all, let alone in leagues that good. i am not saying mls doesn't produce good players, but if we are to be a real fixture at the top, we have to have that.

 

Very good article.

I agree with almost all of it.

Unfortunately in this country the "graduation to the big club" part is unlikely to happen. The exception being a case like Faria who played for the reserve side, showed up to the Superdraft combine and stunk up the place just so that the parent club Metrostars could draft him.

 

Finally, I have a chance to post.

I think that it would be utterly impossible, at this stage, for MLS to set up an independent youth structure. Think of the cost...

Every team would need to run at least 5-6 (or more) teams in all. If these teams are independent of the rest of US youth soccer, then who will they play? They'd have to play each other. This would mean each MLS team would have the running costs of 5-6 more teams each at virtually no additional revenue. How could MLS possibly afford this?

Also, considering that the MLS season runs from late March/early April to mid-October, that leaves the MLS youth system without any matches for 5-6 months out of the year. Hardly the best way to develop young players.

Red&Black, you mentioned there being several models of development already in place around the world. That is true, but all of these models have developed over many, many years and each is different and appropriate to the local situation. Soccer in the US will have to develop its own model of youth development. In fact, it already has one - the system of USYSA, ODP, high school and college soccer has produced all the the current crop of US national team players and most of the players in MLS. Not a bad record. Of course there are problems, and of course it could be improved. But I think it only makes sense to work with what's already existing rather than try to add *another* layer to an already overcrowded setup.

 

i guess maybe rather than "add a layer" we need to reorganize the top level of the youth system and more clearly tie that to MLS. i agree our system has produced some pretty good players, but i still believe we need to have a more professional orientation in player development.

at the very least in my opinion, we ought to have a reserve and u17 youth team for each MLS club. they should also have explicit ties to regional youth clubs, etc.

 

I would love to see money invested into youth development, regardless of the implementation method. But let's be realistic. MLS has 3 investors and we only know of one club (Columbus) that is actually breaking even or turning a profit. Next season we're going to have 2 SSS (LA & CLB) and 2 IOS (Investor Owned Stadiums) (NE & KC). That leaves 6 teams without control of their revenue stream or fixture planning power. That leaves 9 teams that are losing money. That leaves 7 teams that need a new Investor. And, everyone agrees that 10 teams is not large enough to really get any TV coverage, which is essential.

Spending money on reserve teams at this point, IMHO, would be the tail wagging the dog. Let's get our financial health set and dependable with several years of reliability so that we can attract some new investors. After we have a broader base of investors, then we can discuss additional costs for player development.

Also, I don't think there is any system that works better for youth development than our current Bradenton Academy setup. The only problem with that one is that it is too small. It's residency program for the U-17's was recently expanded from 20 to 30 players, which is great, but significantly more would be best. Liverbird recently explained to me how the Academy system is a major part of the youth development used in France as well. And I know that the French not only have a lot of good senior players, but also some outstanding prospects in the youth system as well.

I'd rather see MLS work on it's marketing and getting it's games on TV. Those things will attract new fans and hopefully will create the economic impetus needed to worry about other issues such as stadia and youth development.

Just my opinions.

-Tron

 

I agree that a more professional orientation is a must. I guess I just feel we need to be realistic too, and to be patient. It won't happen overnight. And I also think it's important that we work within the current system and try to evolve something that *all* parts of the American soccer family are involved in.