SJ Dev Academy team

Currently, there are four Development Academy Program (DAP) Teams in Northern California (Mustang, De Anza Force, Santa Cruz Breakers, and Cal Odessey). The Quakes may form a new DAP team or try to partner with one of the existing ones. Obviously, there are pro's and con's each way.

I know that they have had discussions about partnering with one of the existing teams. I expect to here an announcement in the next 3-6 months. Definately by the end of next year.

 

I read in Soccer America they are planning to do away with the MLS reserve league as it was panning out as it was hoped. I think the reserve league is a good idea but with all the NPSL / PDL and Super Y clubs like the De Anza Force for example, we really don't need a reserve team....I still can't understand why the MLS can't form a partnership with these clubs....I mean amateru players are in abundance and trhere has to be a way to streamline these guys here.

 

With no MLS reserve league, where will Grabavoy and Gray play? I think it is good to keep your players in game shape and ready. Also, good for those coming back from injury.

 

Not sure but if you read the article. it sounds like the reserve league will become history soon!

We have tons of teams in the NPSL/PDL in the local area... .....it makes no sense on why we can't farm out these players...

 

Honestly I don't like it. I'd rather we run our own reserve team as we have been doing. Makes more sense to have our coaches controlling the development of our young guys than farming them off to USL-2 teams (I assume they couldn't be farmed to PDL teams as they're paid).

 

Well if the quakes pay their ssalries anyway, what would be the difference....You may have a point though...I really think they will do away with it eventually....

Why not makethe reserve league a youth team? I am pretty sure many teams in Italy use the reserve league as an Under 18/19 setup....thus not having to pay the palyers but they can still play and train with and against them. I think the NCAA has relaxed this rule also...

 

I read the same article. However, although stopping the reserve league is one of the options, the article stated that MLS is looking at different options for the reserve league. The problem is that the league is not consistantly run (some teams take it seriously, others don't) and there are not enough players. Also, they don't play enough games. So, MLS is looking at options.

I agree with you that the Quakes need to partner with a USL team where reserves can play and with a youth team. No need to form there own at the moment...

 

I think though if they do want to keep the team together that they should enter on ein the Penisula, PDL or NPSL. I don't know what kind of level the Peninsula League is at but at one time it was pretty good. Maybe even enter the team in the SF League and have them play up there? I mean they would be considered amateur but in most countries, the reserve teams are usually an under 20 or under 19 outfit anyway. Why not use NCAA potential players and then have them decide on either going pro or going to college? If I am not mistaken, I think that is what the PDL and NPSL already do anyway.

 

I played a couple of years in the Peninsula in my early 30s (little over ten years ago). At that time, you had a mixture of ex-college, foreigners, ex-pros, and college players (playing in the off season). Ages varied from 19-40.

Not sure the level of competition today. May be too low for a reserve team. Good idea worth looking into...

 

Yeah I think in the early years of the MLS (1996-2000) the Peninsula was either on a par with the USL or a step below the MLS. Paul Bravo, Tim Martin, Baicher and and company all played in the Peninsula before the MLS. Also back then you had pretty serious teams in the PSL like the San Jose Oaks, PAC and Santa Clara Sporting. Now I'm sure the MLS is many levels ahead of the Peninsula but if they worked together, maybe they can provide for a good reserve outfit.

 

I think I just herd a rumor about Gerber in his State of the Art saying that he will be cutting the reserve program....

 

Shame.

But on the flip side it seems we'll be having a Dev academy before long.