HDNTC: Home of U-20 Residency Program?

Sachin,

This might be more along the lines of a permanent place to train for U-20's..

 

i'd concur sachin... hopefully cweed is right, but that didn't sound like that at all

-jim

 

I agree with Sachin. I don't see the point of a U20 residency program. If you look at the roster TR announced today, there are 10 college players on that list. Is that enough for a permanent residency program? Personally, I don't think so, especially since with each passing year the number of pro U20s should only increase.

Further, if the college players are willing to miss college for a residency program, why not just miss college to go pro?

If all they mean by residency is a place for the players to gather to train whenever they have camps, I have no issue with that though I don't see where that is newsworthy as I assumed this was going to be the case anyway.

 

It could make sense to do something for the U-18's--guys that are too old for the next U-17 tournament but are still in high school. But U-20's should find a pro job somewhere if they're not in college.

 

I wholeheartedly support the Residency program. It provides skill-focused training, instills national pride and teamwork and provides a quality education. All of this is done for free. I cannot see a better situation in which our kids could train.

When they're ready they move on to the professional level, and their spots are filled by the next-most-promising kid. For everyone arguing that Bradenton should be 200 rather than 20, this is a step in the right direction, and I applaud it. For those clamouring that the kids should be playing professionally, I remind you that our domestic league is a strapping 10 teams large and cannot sustain enough prospects to make it our sole focus.

A large number of our kids come from southern California, so this is a great way to bridge that gap. Parents can visit that residency with their 15 year old and have a better understanding about how their child's life will be at the Florida Academy.

As Noah Elliott pointed out, there are "off year" kids that are slipping through the cracks. The U-18 team will likely be filling a lot of the spots in this U-20 residency.

I think having more kids in residency is better. However the USSF, Nike (and other sponsors) feels they should be divided is OK by me, as long as they are getting the kids the soccer and academic training that they need.

-Tron

 

I doubt this program would be a permanent replacement for college. It could be a temporary (~95 day) residency camp to prepare for the U-20 finals.

Assuming the U-20s qualify for the final tournament in UAE, how will the team train for the finals?

The MLS players are not active during that period (1/1/03- 3/15/03).

The college players will take that semester off from school regardless.

So, you might as well put the team in residency and that way there are no excuses.

I like the full-time U-18 residency idea. The 85s only got together for about 28 days in 2002, which isn't enough time.

 

A West Coast residency to go with a Florida residency would make more sense.

I'm writing a story about Colorado Rush opening a Virginia branch right now. They have some very interesting ideas/approaches to training and player development. Having a bona fide residency program is a long term goal of theirs. I think you will that happen with a number of states and/or clubs. It's an expensive proposition to be sure, but with so few able to experience such an environment currently and increasing demand among the aspiring young soccer players and their families, I think you'll see more of these efforts underway.

 

It could if we'd sell players that are ready to go...

but that's another can of worms.

 

but it does reflect on the priorities of the league re youth development. In fairness to MLS, they can't do any youth development if they don't exist, and survival has obviously been a priority of late.

That said, the plans to expand and create reserve teams are important steps. It may not come as soon as we'd like, but it promises to give more of an outlet to our 16, 17 and 18 year old aspiring pros.

 

Expand the program for U18s and just take the cream of the non-professional crop for the U20 training camp prior to either qualifying or the actual U20 World Championship. I think if you're talking investing money and looking at a better return, it's better to invest that money on 17 year old prospects too old to go into U17 residency. Just think if some of the current college U20s that weren't U17 residency players had some kind of residency program. They'd be even better than they are now.