DA... huh... yeah... what is good for?

[Unregistered]

If you knew jack $h1t of what you are talking about, you would know that VERY few of the players on the USMNT roster that attempted to qualify for the World Cup spent much/any time in the DA program. The DA is 10 years old this year. Those players we’re mostly too old to experience the benefits of DA development. You need to look at the younger NT’s to better judge how the DA program is progressing. Again, if you knew anything and could look through anything other than your DA hater glasses, you would know that the U17’s and U20’s are doing very well. You’ve also got more young US players than ever doing VERY well for reputable clubs in Europe. Most of those players came up through the DA system. You just keep hating on the DA pal, and enjoy the ride to nowhere!

Problem is most of those younger players will go to college, a developmental dead end, whereas their international counterparts will play professionally all the time. Even if some play in MLS it isn't the same as top international clubs.

[Unregistered]

NO DA developed players even took part in the 2010 or 2014 World Cups, and very few of the players on the USMNT roster that did not qualify spent any significant time in the DA program. Read post #11, and educate yourself. Then find something in your life to be happy about. Life is too short to carry this grudge against the DA just because your kid isn’t quite good enough.

Last line - really? How old are you?

I've put 2 through the system and am very well aware of DAs many flaws. As a a fan of the game it is very frustrating to see US soccer going nowhere.

[Unregistered]

Oh really? To be replaced by what exactly? You DA detractors crack me up. You are less than clueless on what the program is actually all about, and the success it is beginning to see. You are so blinded by your own angst, jealousy, and bitterness that you can’t even see straight. The funny thing is, the DA train has left the station, you and your kid/kids have been left behind, and it won’t be slowing down to let you catch up. Not sure what to tell you buddy other than if you don’t like it move to another country. I’m certain your kids would be an absolute superstar there!

Maybe you should research the Men’s ACC test from this spring .....

[Unregistered]

Last line - really? How old are you?

I've put 2 through the system and am very well aware of DAs many flaws. As a a fan of the game it is very frustrating to see US soccer going nowhere.

Sure you have buddy, sure you have.

[Unregistered]

NO DA developed players even took part in the 2010 or 2014 World Cups, and very few of the players on the USMNT roster that did not qualify spent any significant time in the DA program. Read post #11, and educate yourself. Then find something in your life to be happy about. Life is too short to carry this grudge against the DA just because your kid isn’t quite good enough.

Pretty sure most people don't dislike DA because their kid didn't make a DA team. The primary grudge seems to be that DA has fractured youth soccer and made it harder to have good competitive leagues and that it has done so through a false promise of better player development and an inside track to the national teams. Personally, I have a problem with DA because it seems that clubs are let into DA based upon politics rather than a plan to develop players and make sure that as many talented players as possible have access to the program.

[Unregistered]

Pretty sure most people don't dislike DA because their kid didn't make a DA team. The primary grudge seems to be that DA has fractured youth soccer and made it harder to have good competitive leagues and that it has done so through a false promise of better player development and an inside track to the national teams. Personally, I have a problem with DA because it seems that clubs are let into DA based upon politics rather than a plan to develop players and make sure that as many talented players as possible have access to the program.

DA boys has been around long enough that there is no "fracture" amongst the boys. The only relevant arguments are geographical availability which I agree sucks. Overall, the majority of male talent has been been in DA with the exception of the said geographical issues.

As for the girls, yes there has been a temporary fracture, though frankly it should be short lived one way or another. Though I believe people have issue because their kid didn't make it (justifiably so or not, politics involved or not) or their circumstance prevents them from having the opportunity (geographical or financial since no all are MLS and thereby; not fee).

You comment about politics rather than plan is anecdotal without specific instances or examples to go by. If you can give specific, fact based examples not based on hearsay, speculation or rumor; that would help your position.

[Unregistered]

Pretty sure most people don't dislike DA because their kid didn't make a DA team. The primary grudge seems to be that DA has fractured youth soccer and made it harder to have good competitive leagues and that it has done so through a false promise of better player development and an inside track to the national teams. Personally, I have a problem with DA because it seems that clubs are let into DA based upon politics rather than a plan to develop players and make sure that as many talented players as possible have access to the program.

A few years back when ECNL came to our club, there was plenty of animosity by those who did not make it. Teams were split, players from other clubs supplanted long time friends forcing very good if not great players to look to other clubs.

Such is club soccer but most those friends are still friend in HS though many a parent still carry an axe to grind because their kid didn't make it.

[Unregistered]

A few years back when ECNL came to our club, there was plenty of animosity by those who did not make it. Teams were split, players from other clubs supplanted long time friends forcing very good if not great players to look to other clubs.

Such is club soccer but most those friends are still friend in HS though many a parent still carry an axe to grind because their kid didn't make it.

I think people on this thread must live where there are DA teams. My kid has never tried out for DA or ECNL because the closest such teams are over an hour away.

[Unregistered]

Pretty sure most people don't dislike DA because their kid didn't make a DA team. The primary grudge seems to be that DA has fractured youth soccer and made it harder to have good competitive leagues and that it has done so through a false promise of better player development and an inside track to the national teams. Personally, I have a problem with DA because it seems that clubs are let into DA based upon politics rather than a plan to develop players and make sure that as many talented players as possible have access to the program.

You'd be wrong on that first assumption, but keep telling yourself that. But the rest is very true - the landscape is increasingly fractured, splitting player talent, quality clubs and quality coaches. Unless you're lucky enough to live near a free-to-play MLS club (which applies to boys only anyway,) soccer is going to cost your some serious dinero and many families can't swing it. The travel is absurd and costly, teams and college coaches flying all over the country to see each other? All the leagues have political bulls***. All have some clubs and players that shouldn't be there, but the leagues need geographic coverage so they have to take sub-standard clubs to fill gaps (again, landscape is too fractured).

[Unregistered]

If you knew jack $h1t of what you are talking about, you would know that VERY few of the players on the USMNT roster that attempted to qualify for the World Cup spent much/any time in the DA program. The DA is 10 years old this year. Those players we’re mostly too old to experience the benefits of DA development. You need to look at the younger NT’s to better judge how the DA program is progressing. Again, if you knew anything and could look through anything other than your DA hater glasses, you would know that the U17’s and U20’s are doing very well. You’ve also got more young US players than ever doing VERY well for reputable clubs in Europe. Most of those players came up through the DA system. You just keep hating on the DA pal, and enjoy the ride to nowhere!

Does the name DEANDRE YEDLIN ring a bell? GYASI ZARDES? KELLYN ACOSTA? PAUL ARRIOLA? DAX MCCARTNEY? DARLINGTON NAGBE? JORDAN MORRIS?

7 players on a roster is not a small percent.

Each of those 7 players spent multiple years in the DA system and they are all YOUNG.

11 years is more than enough time to develop players. DA Pom Pom wavers like you have nothing but excuses.

Tony Dungy, the winningest coach in Tampa Bay Bucs History who took his team to within 1 game of the Super Bowl, was fired after 6 years because he and his staff failed to develop his offensive players.

Joe Girardi, a World Series Champion Coach and Player for the Yankees, was fired after 9 years because he failed to develop players capable of winning multiple World Series Championships.

Keep making excuses, DA guy.

[Unregistered]

DA's ability to develop players is so successful that the USMNT is missing this year's World Cup.

Not the DA's fault, the players that were on that team were mostly older players that never had the DA. The US fault was not going to the DA developed younger players. The real evaluation of the DA starts now for future World Cups. I will tell you based on the U20's and U17's that things are pointed to the positive.

[Unregistered]

DA boys has been around long enough that there is no "fracture" amongst the boys. The only relevant arguments are geographical availability which I agree sucks. Overall, the majority of male talent has been been in DA with the exception of the said geographical issues.

As for the girls, yes there has been a temporary fracture, though frankly it should be short lived one way or another. Though I believe people have issue because their kid didn't make it (justifiably so or not, politics involved or not) or their circumstance prevents them from having the opportunity (geographical or financial since no all are MLS and thereby; not fee).

You comment about politics rather than plan is anecdotal without specific instances or examples to go by. If you can give specific, fact based examples not based on hearsay, speculation or rumor; that would help your position.

Boca United

[Unregistered]

there is a disconnect between da parents and non da parents. both feel the need to justify right and wrong. we can't blame the da or ecnl. we have to blame u.s. soccer. each year over the last 20 years we have had a league added. cdl, npl. r3pl, usa, fspl, super y league etc. as the best leagues. you see the pattern. league after league after league. all to justify more $$$. here the fact and the truth we have too many leagues. to the da parents yes your kid is good, yes they may be one of the best players in the area. yes you are paying and some kids want that, but and here it is a big but. your kid may not be the only good player out there. as a coach I have seen so many good players not playing da. how about the ones who can't afford it, or the parent who think differently then the da and feels they can train there kid to the same level, or even the bigger realization. a lot of the best players don't even play in one of these organized leagues. the kids playing in the Mexican leagues around here are super talented, play for fun, and the parents aren't paying anything but like $5 for there kid to play a week.

U.S. soccer system as a whole is broken, it needs fixing. yes I do believe we need a tiered league system however you want to call it. states need to mandate one local league, a qualified for state league. and regionalized odp/d.a. where the kids train once a week with the elite level players and one weekend/ week night designated each month for them to play other d.a. level teams. you could break the counties up in to regions and not even travel that much. for example Hillsborough could have 3 north, central and south. Pinellas could have 3, pasco could have 2, etc., Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville. then the boys still get to play with there teams/friends until a certain age. then at 16's the regionalized teams become full time, when kids can make those decisions not parents.

Signed a coach of 20 years.

[Unregistered]

Does the name DEANDRE YEDLIN ring a bell? GYASI ZARDES? KELLYN ACOSTA? PAUL ARRIOLA? DAX MCCARTNEY? DARLINGTON NAGBE? JORDAN MORRIS?

7 players on a roster is not a small percent.

Each of those 7 players spent multiple years in the DA system and they are all YOUNG.

11 years is more than enough time to develop players. DA Pom Pom wavers like you have nothing but excuses.

Tony Dungy, the winningest coach in Tampa Bay Bucs History who took his team to within 1 game of the Super Bowl, was fired after 6 years because he and his staff failed to develop his offensive players.

Joe Girardi, a World Series Champion Coach and Player for the Yankees, was fired after 9 years because he failed to develop players capable of winning multiple World Series Championships.

Keep making excuses, DA guy.

Probably the best talent of late, CP, technically played DA but really was developed outside the system, had two pro parents and largely trained in Europe.

[Unregistered]

Does the name DEANDRE YEDLIN ring a bell? GYASI ZARDES? KELLYN ACOSTA? PAUL ARRIOLA? DAX MCCARTNEY? DARLINGTON NAGBE? JORDAN MORRIS?

7 players on a roster is not a small percent.

Each of those 7 players spent multiple years in the DA system and they are all YOUNG.

11 years is more than enough time to develop players. DA Pom Pom wavers like you have nothing but excuses.

Tony Dungy, the winningest coach in Tampa Bay Bucs History who took his team to within 1 game of the Super Bowl, was fired after 6 years because he and his staff failed to develop his offensive players.

Joe Girardi, a World Series Champion Coach and Player for the Yankees, was fired after 9 years because he failed to develop players capable of winning multiple World Series Championships.

Keep making excuses, DA guy.

You are right. They all did spend time in the DA system. Albeit only a couple of years for several of them. You are also right that they are young. However, 7 players does not make a team a World Cup qualifier. Especially 7 young players. It can also be argued that those 7 were some of the bright spots during qualifying. Much of the issues and lack of performance was centered around our older players who should’ve been the ones leading the team to Russia.

What’s your solution, DA hater guy?