Timbers Academy Rated One of MLS's Worst

[Unregistered]

Wrap your mind around the reality that nearly every local club got sucked into the bottomless pit of 'pay to play/train/camp/privates' this last decade, now they have to meet a payroll ask, they had never seen or imagined in decades past in Oregon. Nearly every club regardless of ability or coaching gravitated to pay to travel. Some took it to a level of insanity. These are the hallmarks of this decade. In the past only the top club teams traveled, they needed too to get competition not provided in Oregon. Nowadays you can find 10 average clubs just like yours, why are why travelling?

One more classic theme this decade brought us is the 'business' of selling pipe dreams to parents and clubs formed out of thin air. GPS, Nich Soccer, ADF & Barcelona.

It's been a rough patch to say the least.

Why not have a “group tryout” for the age groups where all representative teams and TA are present, get multiple opinions and input on players and then make selections accordingly, not based on who has written the biggest check (billups) or what club (timbers affiliates/Nike/adidas,etc) the kids come from. Actually support the pyramid concept and operate it with integrity if Gavin is in fact interested and throwing money at it. Have TA level players and have the next tier “little da” or whatever you want to call it with coaches and clubs teaching and supporting the same structure and schemes and training format to develop what some would consider “late bloomers” and have a constant input and evaluation from TA staff. I know it would take time and commitment, but that is what it takes to develop a sustainable pipeline of players. Reality says very few will make it as a professional but a SYSTEM needs to be put in place that lends itself to transparency honesty and trust me people will follow and buy in. It’s the only way you build and sustain a good youth program. It would increase the results exposure and would benefit our youth and put a stop to all the madness that is our marketplace today....

[Unregistered]

Why not have a “group tryout” for the age groups where all representative teams and TA are present, get multiple opinions and input on players and then make selections accordingly, not based on who has written the biggest check (billups) or what club (timbers affiliates/Nike/adidas,etc) the kids come from. Actually support the pyramid concept and operate it with integrity if Gavin is in fact interested and throwing money at it. Have TA level players and have the next tier “little da” or whatever you want to call it with coaches and clubs teaching and supporting the same structure and schemes and training format to develop what some would consider “late bloomers” and have a constant input and evaluation from TA staff. I know it would take time and commitment, but that is what it takes to develop a sustainable pipeline of players. Reality says very few will make it as a professional but a SYSTEM needs to be put in place that lends itself to transparency honesty and trust me people will follow and buy in. It’s the only way you build and sustain a good youth program. It would increase the results exposure and would benefit our youth and put a stop to all the madness that is our marketplace today....

The other option is that the Seattle and Portland DA programs collapse into 1, particular at the younger ages. If half the teams are stronger, they play in top-tier. That means Timbers Academy and Sounders Academy play against the little DA teams; if they dominate too much then they can move the team up an age-group.

I think one of the legitimate criticisms of the entire USDA model is the impression that it tries to push one style of play; put these kids in an environment where they see different styles week-to-week, even if each of the clubs has to meet a high-level of commitment to licensing, field quality, periodization.

The challenges with Timbers Academy at the HS level is really going to have to be solved by them and them alone. I actually think having one DA program in the city at that age hurts them (makes them complacent, lots of travel), but there isn't an easy fix there - don't see another Portland club getting admitted at that age or in the financial position to be able to afford a HS-aged DA program.

[Unregistered]

Why not have a “group tryout” for the age groups where all representative teams and TA are present, get multiple opinions and input on players and then make selections accordingly, not based on who has written the biggest check (billups) or what club (timbers affiliates/Nike/adidas,etc) the kids come from. Actually support the pyramid concept and operate it with integrity if Gavin is in fact interested and throwing money at it. Have TA level players and have the next tier “little da” or whatever you want to call it with coaches and clubs teaching and supporting the same structure and schemes and training format to develop what some would consider “late bloomers” and have a constant input and evaluation from TA staff. I know it would take time and commitment, but that is what it takes to develop a sustainable pipeline of players. Reality says very few will make it as a professional but a SYSTEM needs to be put in place that lends itself to transparency honesty and trust me people will follow and buy in. It’s the only way you build and sustain a good youth program. It would increase the results exposure and would benefit our youth and put a stop to all the madness that is our marketplace today....

This system already exists within the TA pyramid. The scouting is already happening and there is a tryout. It's the competing club coaches, directors, and delusional parents who are on here saying there's a problem. The reality is professional players aren't created by a system. They're supported within the system to reward their individual work to max out their potential. Most all of the local players don't have a ceiling of talent to allow them to play meaningfully at an increasingly competitive pro level. For the very few who do have the ceiling to get there even fewer work hard enough to achieve it. With that reality in mind the TA pyramid does find and support most of the best local players knowing only a few in the entire Academy have the potential and work ethic to compete for a spot on the first team.

[Unregistered]

#playyourkids

HERRIMAN, Utah — For Real Salt Lake and LAFC, the literal stakes in their Knockout Round game Thursday (10:30 pm ET | ESPN2, UniMás, TVAS, TSN) isadvancement in the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs.
On another level, though, it's a clash between a big market team with a high-profile coach and a large payroll and a team that reached the game by “playing the kids” and growing into a playoff team.
“We’re set up very differently than a lot of teams. We’re set up differently than the team we’re playing,” RSL coach Mike Petke said. “I take pride in our young guys, especially with the ups and downs we have had. We still reached our initial goal, which is to get in the playoffs.”

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/...-pays-ko-round

[Unregistered]

This system already exists within the TA pyramid. The scouting is already happening and there is a tryout. It's the competing club coaches, directors, and delusional parents who are on here saying there's a problem. The reality is professional players aren't created by a system. They're supported within the system to reward their individual work to max out their potential. Most all of the local players don't have a ceiling of talent to allow them to play meaningfully at an increasingly competitive pro level. For the very few who do have the ceiling to get there even fewer work hard enough to achieve it. With that reality in mind the TA pyramid does find and support most of the best local players knowing only a few in the entire Academy have the potential and work ethic to compete for a spot on the first team.

You are full of chit and foolish to think this is reality, the current “tryout” is nothing more than a money grab as TA (billups last year) have already formed their opinions and all are not on the same page and last year were just trying to fill out a roster to begin with. There is no continuity of curriculum and development through the community into the youth and it’s a half ass attempt. Nothing is sustainable or desired as currently structured by those with options or half a brain and stop saying our local youth have a very limited ceiling- the ceiling is as low as it is because our professional mls team is such a fing mess and does nothing more than a cursory effort to develop. Stop- timbers commitment to local youth soccer is nothing beyond a monetary drain on local parents

[Unregistered]

Great read....

GW- take notes. We have enough players per capital in our metro area...
https://www.theguardian.com/football...layers-la-liga

[Unregistered]

Great read....

GW- take notes. We have enough players per capital in our metro area...
https://www.theguardian.com/football...layers-la-liga

Think GW was celebrating their win over a Dallas; a team with a great academy that has never won a MLS Cup.

GW and the Timbers have had a number of negative impacts on Oregon youth soccer (albeit some good ones as well); however, I get the business decision - prioritize buy over build - and don't expect it to change any time soon.

Youth soccer is not going to move forward in this region waiting for Timbers to lead the way.

[Unregistered]

Think GW was celebrating their win over a Dallas; a team with a great academy that has never won a MLS Cup.

GW and the Timbers have had a number of negative impacts on Oregon youth soccer (albeit some good ones as well); however, I get the business decision - prioritize buy over build - and don't expect it to change any time soon.

Youth soccer is not going to move forward in this region waiting for Timbers to lead the way.

This is the truth. Either the other clubs are going to come together to offer a competing solution, or we will continue to be an under-served soccer community.

[Unregistered]

THe TA could be so much better without spending a penny more. The Co Directors are poor and full of excuses. A simple change in DA leadership and you will see instant improvement.

[Unregistered]

This is the truth. Either the other clubs are going to come together to offer a competing solution, or we will continue to be an under-served soccer community.

A variation is that we:

stay fiercely independent
each drive internally to be better
compete but don't pollute the well
call the Peregrine sycophants on their ****, and
if the Timbers come around watch our respective wallets.

[Unregistered]

A variation is that we:

stay fiercely independent
each drive internally to be better
compete but don't pollute the well
call the Peregrine sycophants on their ****, and
if the Timbers come around watch our respective wallets.

The reality is the Timbers/Thorns subsidize the communities best/elite players foray into youth soccer with a US Soccer professional Development Academy experience.

Local clubs cannot compete at this level, unless they too subsidize it for the best, gain DA Status & go out an hire professional coaches. None of this is ever going to happen.

What your left with is our current neighborhood clubs trying to grab as many customers as possible, have them 'pay to play' for virtually nothing and repeat year after year.

Clubs aint complaining about being the 2nd tier, with the Timbers/Thorns DA presence in the market-their 'business' model is thriving.

Who cares about competition, coaching or development, it's about getting paid..

Go away.

[Unregistered]

The reality is the Timbers/Thorns subsidize the communities best/elite players foray into youth soccer with a US Soccer professional Development Academy experience.

Local clubs cannot compete at this level, unless they too subsidize it for the best, gain DA Status & go out an hire professional coaches. None of this is ever going to happen.

What your left with is our current neighborhood clubs trying to grab as many customers as possible, have them 'pay to play' for virtually nothing and repeat year after year.

Clubs aint complaining about being the 2nd tier, with the Timbers/Thorns DA presence in the market-their 'business' model is thriving.

Who cares about competition, coaching or development, it's about getting paid..

Go away.

Ah yes, a Timbers' sycophant right on cue.

[Unregistered]

The reality is the Timbers/Thorns subsidize the communities best/elite players foray into youth soccer with a US Soccer professional Development Academy experience.

Local clubs cannot compete at this level, unless they too subsidize it for the best, gain DA Status & go out an hire professional coaches. None of this is ever going to happen.

What your left with is our current neighborhood clubs trying to grab as many customers as possible, have them 'pay to play' for virtually nothing and repeat year after year.

Clubs aint complaining about being the 2nd tier, with the Timbers/Thorns DA presence in the market-their 'business' model is thriving.

Who cares about competition, coaching or development, it's about getting paid..

Go away.

Um, 6 of us already have DA status. It is mighty special, let me tell you. Now off to Cali!

[Unregistered]

Um, 6 of us already have DA status. It is mighty special, let me tell you. Now off to Cali!

Keep telling yourself this.

your club always gets stripped of the little label by age 15....

You are Blessed with the IQ of grapefruit,

[Unregistered]

Local clubs cannot compete at this level, unless they too subsidize it for the best, gain DA Status & go out an hire professional coaches. None of this is ever going to happen.

100% accurate. Which is why the clubs need to collaborate on a solution. They can't all afford to lose the fees, but together they could swing it.

They won't, of course, as everyone's little empire matters more to them than soccer.