LAFC Doing it right

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http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer...922-story.html

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They passed on a ton of talent when they opted not to takeover Chivas Academy; definitely some +s and -s with that decision you won't be able to really gauge for some years.

If you were to contrast it with Timbers, LAFC has focused on quality in their youth initiatives over spreading their brand. They also operate in a hot bed of youth soccer, with tons of large/powerful youth clubs, so calculus may be different.

Their affiliated girls' teams also chose ECNL over GDA this year (LAFC Slammers).

It is interesting how these various pro clubs answer these various questions differently.

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They passed on a ton of talent when they opted not to takeover Chivas Academy; definitely some +s and -s with that decision you won't be able to really gauge for some years.

If you were to contrast it with Timbers, LAFC has focused on quality in their youth initiatives over spreading their brand. They also operate in a hot bed of youth soccer, with tons of large/powerful youth clubs, so calculus may be different.

Their affiliated girls' teams also chose ECNL over GDA this year (LAFC Slammers).

It is interesting how these various pro clubs answer these various questions differently.

Pretty difficult to struggle in the Los Angeles/So. Cal market.

Nearly impossible to be relevant if your in Portland market.

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Pretty difficult to struggle in the Los Angeles/So. Cal market.

Nearly impossible to be relevant if your in Portland market.

Dont let the Timbers off the hook. They clearly dont care at all about the academy. THe talent here is better then the results. THe coahing staff does not care about developent. They bring in players that cant make teams inthier home town thinking tehy will help games. Yes they dont have the resources they need but they are doing a terrible job as well. THey is a lot of blame to go around but none of it should be on the local players

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Dont let the Timbers off the hook. They clearly dont care at all about the academy. THe talent here is better then the results. THe coahing staff does not care about developent. They bring in players that cant make teams inthier home town thinking tehy will help games. Yes they dont have the resources they need but they are doing a terrible job as well. THey is a lot of blame to go around but none of it should be on the local players

Actually, all of it should be on local players. A coach or system can't force a player find time during the week to work on touches, fitness, diet, studying film etc. on their own. How many local kids are really committed to their own fitness program let alone doing extra soccer footwork everyday. Maybe 1 or 2 are actually working as much as it takes to make it to the pro level.

Adding a residential program will only allow more out of area players to replace local players. The bottom line is a bigger player pool to pull from is a huge benefit. Stop blaming the system and start empowering your kid with the knowledge of what it takes to maximize their potential.

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Actually, all of it should be on local players. A coach or system can't force a player find time during the week to work on touches, fitness, diet, studying film etc. on their own. How many local kids are really committed to their own fitness program let alone doing extra soccer footwork everyday. Maybe 1 or 2 are actually working as much as it takes to make it to the pro level.

Adding a residential program will only allow more out of area players to replace local players. The bottom line is a bigger player pool to pull from is a huge benefit. Stop blaming the system and start empowering your kid with the knowledge of what it takes to maximize their potential.

And stop kissing Timbers butt on here, Timbers intern. Seriously, TA is a joke only because the Timbers have made it a joke. I am sick and tired of hearing how Portland is too small of an area to support a "true academy." False. I am sick and tired of how people like you want to blame the youth in this market as being the problem. Wrong. I am sick and tired of hearing about SO CAL, or Dallas...BS. We have a soccer crazy culture here in PDX, with more than enough kids who live, eat and breathe soccer. It is most definitely the Timbers fault, because they have created this culture. Seriously. They have screwed over youth soccer in the State for the past 8 years and even went so far as to allow a parent to fund and subsidize their 05, 04 DA program last year; even though that meant that said parent could bring in his own coach, and his son (and Son's friends) into DA. How is that the youth's fault?
You compromise the process, and are not committed to getting better... So, don't try and tell me that has anything to do with the youth here. Effing arrogant Ass. Quit blaming others for your (TA) mistakes, and move the eff on.

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And stop kissing Timbers butt on here, Timbers intern. Seriously, TA is a joke only because the Timbers have made it a joke. I am sick and tired of hearing how Portland is too small of an area to support a "true academy." False. I am sick and tired of how people like you want to blame the youth in this market as being the problem. Wrong. I am sick and tired of hearing about SO CAL, or Dallas...BS. We have a soccer crazy culture here in PDX, with more than enough kids who live, eat and breathe soccer. It is most definitely the Timbers fault, because they have created this culture. Seriously. They have screwed over youth soccer in the State for the past 8 years and even went so far as to allow a parent to fund and subsidize their 05, 04 DA program last year; even though that meant that said parent could bring in his own coach, and his son (and Son's friends) into DA. How is that the youth's fault?
You compromise the process, and are not committed to getting better... So, don't try and tell me that has anything to do with the youth here. Effing arrogant Ass. Quit blaming others for your (TA) mistakes, and move the eff on.

Any major city sports market without the NFL, MLB or NHL that instead has an MLS Franchise member better be a soccer crazy culture, it's all they got outside of the NBA. Same was true in 70's with the NASL Timbers, they had bigger crowds back then at Civic Stadium (more seating)

Oregon has had a few National level boys club teams and even boasted MLS top picks plus + a few exports to other countries. Currently were in the midst of a bad cycle where we are talent starved, hopefully things will improve.

We have been much better in the past with a different structure: fewer clubs, better coaching & better players. It's all about the ingredients.

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Any major city sports market without the NFL, MLB or NHL that instead has an MLS Franchise member better be a soccer crazy culture, it's all they got outside of the NBA. Same was true in 70's with the NASL Timbers, they had bigger crowds back then at Civic Stadium (more seating)

Oregon has had a few National level boys club teams and even boasted MLS top picks plus + a few exports to other countries. Currently were in the midst of a bad cycle where we are talent starved, hopefully things will improve.

We have been much better in the past with a different structure: fewer clubs, better coaching & better players. It's all about the ingredients.

I truly do not believe that it comes down to a "talent cycle" as there is an abundance of talent in the State. Sadly, it comes down to the splintered realm that is youth soccer in Oregon. The Timbers are very much responsible for a large part of the blame, but not all. The pay to play model, a lot of clubs to choose from, Adidas and Nike. All of these factors have led us to now. If the Timbers decided to make the academy a priority for them, than they would. Despite all of the club's in the area, if the Timbers demonstrated that they valued having a strong academy, than the clubs would reinforce these beliefs. The fact that this is not the case is not the kids or the club's fault...I ? is the Timbers. Set the tone and be the leader.

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Actually, all of it should be on local players. A coach or system can't force a player find time during the week to work on touches, fitness, diet, studying film etc. on their own. How many local kids are really committed to their own fitness program let alone doing extra soccer footwork everyday. Maybe 1 or 2 are actually working as much as it takes to make it to the pro level.

Adding a residential program will only allow more out of area players to replace local players. The bottom line is a bigger player pool to pull from is a huge benefit. Stop blaming the system and start empowering your kid with the knowledge of what it takes to maximize their potential.

You mist be one of the hack coaches in Portland who think it’s the market and kids. You are the problem!

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I truly do not believe that it comes down to a "talent cycle" as there is an abundance of talent in the State. Sadly, it comes down to the splintered realm that is youth soccer in Oregon. The Timbers are very much responsible for a large part of the blame, but not all. The pay to play model, a lot of clubs to choose from, Adidas and Nike. All of these factors have led us to now. If the Timbers decided to make the academy a priority for them, than they would. Despite all of the club's in the area, if the Timbers demonstrated that they valued having a strong academy, than the clubs would reinforce these beliefs. The fact that this is not the case is not the kids or the club's fault...I ? is the Timbers. Set the tone and be the leader.

Actually when the clubs were the leaders, Oregon produced Nat.level teams, Nat level players & Nat level coaching.

Clubs need to take the lead back, 'if ain't broke don't fix it'. Should of been the mantra about 7 or 8 years ago, prior to the Timbers DA being Dumped in a our well maintained garden, that has since become an savory vegatable & alphabet cold soup.

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The Timbers have contributed nothing positive to youth soccer. They are run by shysters who leach money out of youth soccer for their personal gain.

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Actually when the clubs were the leaders, Westside Metros produced Nat.level teams, Nat level players & Nat level coaching.

Fixed it for you.

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The Timbers have contributed nothing positive to youth soccer. They are run by shysters who leach money out of youth soccer for their personal gain.

As such they gave birth and impetus to the this current generation of nothingness and leaching shysters: ADF, GPS, TFA Barcelona, Mexican ‘satellite’ local clubs Leon, Pachuca etc., Nich Soccer, NEU/BSC recreational merger.Throw into the landscape unqualified and unproven Futsal gym trainers let’s not forget CU & FC registering for pay to travel leagues.

Timbers do indeed have the lead and sadly an ilk that follow their model.

No end in sight.

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Fixed it for you.

FC Portland, West Villa & Eastside all did the same, maybe not as frequently as Westside but they had some quality for sure.

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As such they gave birth and impetus to the this current generation of nothingness and leaching shysters: ADF, GPS, TFA Barcelona, Mexican ‘satellite’ local clubs Leon, Pachuca etc., Nich Soccer, NEU/BSC recreational merger.Throw into the landscape unqualified and unproven Futsal gym trainers let’s not forget CU & FC registering for pay to travel leagues.

Timbers do indeed have the lead and sadly an ilk that follow their model.

No end in sight.

All these coaches! All these clubs! All these cash-sucking hucksters! Every one of them the demon spawn of Merritt Paulson! If not for MP buying the local USL team with funds his daddy looted from the US Treasury, soccer in Oregon would be pure and pristine as the driven snow!

Tom Atencio, Nic Heff, Joaquim Capuia, MJ Tate... none of these would exist had MP not summoned them with dark magic.

The holy ghost of Clive is weeping on the great pitch in the sky, over what has been wrought in his adopted city....