Will we see some kind of residency programs moved to the new training center? A few years back USSF was looking for a facility that had the capability of housing around 250 players. There's a college close to where the training center is being built, does anyone know if this is where they will try and house the players? I could see Bradenton being left in place, and then calling in teams like the odd year regional ODPs to stay and train over the summer(3-4 months). Anyone have any rumors or speculation? It would be great if they could find a way to educate and house the players nearby. I could see them immersing up to 100 players in U17 style residency training if that were possible...
From old USSF meetings I've determined that the goal for the NTC was to have 96 beds available in condo style buildings, but I think that's just for the various national teams and not specifically earmarked for residency programs.
With the number of kids in LA within 45 minutes driving time why don't they run day sessions? Or some combos with weekends? Assuies have been sucessful running weekends once a month or so and the player returns to his club.
I'm sure that something like that is in the works, I having heard or read anything definitive on the relocation of the Bradenton program. My guess is if the Nike money pays for that, they'll leave it in place and have their own kind of programs at the NTC.
Some thoughts about youth residencies - First off, like most of us, I'm in the camp that the cost of Bradenton could likely pay for youth teams for all 10 MLS clubs. If not, certainly the cost of Bradentonl, + a U18 residency + a U20 residency could damn sure pay for an MLS yuth development system for each team. So, if we're going to spend the cash on residencies - and even though there will be dorms at the Home Depot NTC, there will still be consdierable costs - I'd much rather the Fed put that towards MLS and youth teams. Second thought - despite what I said, Thomas Rongen, in an interview earlier this year, said he'd like to see U20 residency at the Home Depot NTC. (Tron, I'm listing the corporate name each time I reference it in your honor, just so you know I'm paying attention!) As early as the next U20 class, we could see them in fulltime residency in SoCal. Third - this has less to do with the Home Depot NTC and more to do with Bradenton. Of the current group in residency, there are some 87s, but most are 86s (with one 89!). The 86s, along with the current U18 team (85s) will go on to make the core of the next U20 team that will compete in the 2005 World Youth Championship. (They'll likely be joined by that aforementioned 89.) The 87s will form the next U18 team. But, most of them will likely stay in Bradenton, particularly since that keeps them on the accelerated path to graduate HS a year early, and may even be joined by a few more 87s. This means that the core of the U18 team will be in residency together along with the next U17 team. So, slowly progress is being made to get more than just each U17 team in a pro environment.
I think the 17s are staying in Bradenton for the time being. Re the U20s, the Fed and the MLS teams are trying to work out something re that AND full reserve teams for every MLS club. Who pays for it seems to be the biggest point of contention. U19 women supposedly moving toward a residency at Carson as well. Will the Fed offices remain in Chicago or possibly move to SoCal? Seems like I've seen something to indicate the latter. Anyone know for sure?
My opinion on who pays for it is that the fed should try and pick up the tab as much as possible until MLS feels like it can shoulder the burden. It's obvious that there is a need for an U20 residency team for late bloomers or guys who aren't ready to risk turning pro. At the same time, MLS should be looking long term to work as much as possible with USSF since they've got a loose network of scouts, etc. Ideally, MLS could kick back some money to USSF for certain players and get those players to agree that when they're ready to turn pro that they'll sign with MLS. There are probably some legal issues to work with there but I'm sure they can find a loophole, i.e.,signing an agreement with the fed that when they decide to turn pro, they'll sign with the league etc. If they could supplement the training of the bulk of the U18s(or even some of the regional ODP teams)plus the college freshmen, that would definitely be better than what those guys are getting now. Just from the Regional ODP trip to Brazil, it sounds like there are definitely some quality players with national team potential. I was going to say something about the women--oh, is the U19 residency program new for them? What indicates that they actually need a residency program for the women? That the women barely won the last WC?
I agree completely. We were able to do well at the 94 World Cup because of what amounted to a residency program for senior internationals. It was the right thing to do in the short term, but it was as artificial as our under 17 plan is now. The under 17 residency program is a superbly run program, but we need to plan it's replacement by professional youth systems. I have no doubt that there will be some growing pains during the transition. I remember Steve Sampson complaining about the lack of sharpness of his players in MLS. The amount of space in the midfield of most MLS games during that first season was amazing. Eventually though, it led to a far superior system of player development than our "full time" national team could ever provide. Professional youth teams will do the same. I'm not saying that we have to make a full transition right this second, but we need to planning when exactly this transition is going to be taking place.
I agree 100%. However, in the interim period we need something as a better stopgap until we get the professional youth teams going. Realistically, professional youth teams might be another 5-7 years off. It's a damn shame, because IMHO we've got the raw talent right now to move up another notch in quality, and perhaps join the elite nations.