Boys DA - Xfire Out of First Tier

[Unregistered]

Looking at the discussion about changes at u18/19 for boys DA next year. Long rumored split between (mostly) MLS clubs and others is occurring nationwide.

Looks like Xfire is now in the 2nd tier. Was this expected? Does this head Xfire down the path of leaving boys DA entirely?

The travel for both tiers looks to be insane.

[Unregistered]

none

Good twitter thread here:
https://twitter.com/ProRelForUSA/sta...67716766015490

"If you are involved in any way, shape, or form with top-level youth soccer in this country, this should disturb the hell out of you. It's another example of how @ussoccer is allowing MLS to cut off the rest of the country from having access."

XF had a winning record against the 4 MLS teams last year, won the division back-to-back years, and made the national quarterfinals 3 years in a row -- only to lose to the national champs NYCFC this past season. US Soccer is horribly corrupt.

[Unregistered]

What a dumpster fire. Actively rooting for DA to fail at this point...

[Unregistered]

I thought Girl's DA was a dumpster fire. Holy smoking pile of crap.
What's the point of the 2nd tier? Might as well do boys ECNL and
let the boys play hs.

[Unregistered]

If you are being subsidized by the club to play, you will do whatever they want you to do. My guess is he better players will now gravitate over to the Sounders.

[Unregistered]

Us soccer just took the gloves off in their battle against ECNL to control youth soccer in America. I see nothing wrong with this move, it's similar to when ECNL started to boys program. In fact it's pretty brilliant, "encourage" teams are in on girls and boys DA by penalizing them if they don't.

And of course there's a money component. Everyone saw the $80m transfer fee for Pulisic. They want any money from future homegrown stars to go to mls clubs not privately owned soccer clubs

[Unregistered]

Us soccer just took the gloves off in their battle against ECNL to control youth soccer in America. I see nothing wrong with this move, it's similar to when ECNL started to boys program. In fact it's pretty brilliant, "encourage" teams are in on girls and boys DA by penalizing them if they don't.

And of course there's a money component. Everyone saw the $80m transfer fee for Pulisic. They want any money from future homegrown stars to go to mls clubs not privately owned soccer clubs

Yes, very astute observation. Clubs and parents will develop/pay the boys
and the very best will go to MLS clubs, like Sounders. Automatic feeder
program. No need for partnerships or whatnot. Clubs like XF serious got
screwed by GDA and DA. Bernie has really lost his touch. Did he think he
could keep boys DA when he kicked out GDA for ECNL? Sounders will
still get his best boys. If he kept GDA, I think XF DA would be 1st tier.
USSoccer and MLS won this war for top talent for boys.

Girl's verdict is still out.....

[Unregistered]

Yes, very astute observation. Clubs and parents will develop/pay the boys
and the very best will go to MLS clubs, like Sounders. Automatic feeder
program. No need for partnerships or whatnot. Clubs like XF serious got
screwed by GDA and DA. Bernie has really lost his touch. Did he think he
could keep boys DA when he kicked out GDA for ECNL? Sounders will
still get his best boys. If he kept GDA, I think XF DA would be 1st tier.
USSoccer and MLS won this war for top talent for boys.

Girl's verdict is still out.....

Time for clubs to get SERIOUS about working to develop players to go to Europe. Bypass DA, MLS academies, all of it. Do what is best for the players instead of what is best for MLS club owners. Don’t let players sign anything with Sounders academy or any other MKs Academy. Follow the model of the Kleibans who just keep producing pro players that go to Europe. Alex Mendez just signed with Ajax...smart move! Get real partnerships with real European clubs that are really focused on finding US players. XFire’s relationship with AS Roma seems like an afterthought. Could it be stronger so that Roma is the Primary destination, not DA/USMNT? XFire should focus on strengthening that relationship. That’s a place to start. Eagleclaw seems to be doing exactly this with its new Valencia Discovery Program. US Soccer/MLS are not going to help youth clubs training compensation or solidarity payments, so why are clubs so eager to remain their captives. It’s a Stockholm Syndrome. US Soccer/MLS kick the youth clubs in the teeth and the youth clubs fall all over themselves to get back in their good graces. Youth club directors need to grow a spine, fight back and do what is best for the players.

[Unregistered]

Crossfire being punished

https://www.sounderatheart.com/2019/...ion-unresolved

[Unregistered]

Crossfire being punished

https://www.sounderatheart.com/2019/...ion-unresolved

Like most arguments. Always About Money.
Just out of curiosity, why did they change the boys DA starting point
from U12 to U15 for XF and Sounders? Do the boys play boys ECNL
from U13 to 14, then go to the XF or Sounders at U15? Or is there
a training program earlier? I would think that they ID boys who
are capable much earlier than U15.

[Unregistered]

I think the later start has to do with homegrown contracts?

[Unregistered]

Time for clubs to get SERIOUS about working to develop players to go to Europe. Bypass DA, MLS academies, all of it. Do what is best for the players instead of what is best for MLS club owners. Don’t let players sign anything with Sounders academy or any other MKs Academy. Follow the model of the Kleibans who just keep producing pro players that go to Europe. Alex Mendez just signed with Ajax...smart move! Get real partnerships with real European clubs that are really focused on finding US players. XFire’s relationship with AS Roma seems like an afterthought. Could it be stronger so that Roma is the Primary destination, not DA/USMNT? XFire should focus on strengthening that relationship. That’s a place to start. Eagleclaw seems to be doing exactly this with its new Valencia Discovery Program. US Soccer/MLS are not going to help youth clubs training compensation or solidarity payments, so why are clubs so eager to remain their captives. It’s a Stockholm Syndrome. US Soccer/MLS kick the youth clubs in the teeth and the youth clubs fall all over themselves to get back in their good graces. Youth club directors need to grow a spine, fight back and do what is best for the players.

I totally agree, and WSYSA should cut ties with the Sounders.

[Unregistered]

https://twitter.com/playerstribune/s...743263745?s=21

[Unregistered]

https://twitter.com/playerstribune/s...743263745?s=21

Barf. I like Twellman, but looks like just another SUM sellout.

[Unregistered]

This is how it should've always been. Whether you like the MLS or not, the way to aggregate the best talent from any particular area is to have 1 beacon Academy / club that all players strive to be part of. Laws of averages, the fewer spots to earn the better the competition to get it. Even if the coaches were sub par, having the best players would mitigate that for the most part.

This is also true for coaches. The only way a non MLS club should be part of the top tier is when their particular geographical area is not well served by an MLS Academy. Eastern Washington would have more claim to a spot than XF in that regard.

XF has always been a 2nd tier program, 1st choice of players would've always been the Sounders since its inception. XF were just able to compete well with often 2nd choice players.
Perhaps Bernie can go 'All in' with the ECNL?