Oakwood

[Unregistered]

I want to worry about other kids and other soccer leagues that have nothing to do with my kid.

If in the spring your club is playing MLS teams, and then you are informed your fall league will be Oakwood, Beachside, Boston Bolts and Seacoast United, that would be worrisome.

[Unregistered]

Given these developments, OW should put a call into Hartford Athletic and merge operations. OW/HA together would make a better case to USSF, and place OW among the pro clubs group of the DA.

While this sounds like a good idea and might buy some time and maybe save face for Oakwood, it is not a solution. If they were to merge or have an affiliation how will that help attract new players? You might get one or two from Beachside, FC Westchester, NYSC, etc. but it will not be much different then the talent they already have. Top talent will be more drawn to MLS "free" programs. Hartford Athletic does not have the resources to operate a free academy.
If USSF allows the "2nd" tier to play in High School, that might help Oakwood, but it is still difficult to get new talent.

[Unregistered]

If in the spring your club is playing MLS teams, and then you are informed your fall league will be Oakwood, Beachside, Boston Bolts and Seacoast United, that would be worrisome.

Oakwood was better off in their old NPL leagues. This is just pathetic

[Unregistered]

Oakwood was better off in their old NPL leagues. This is just pathetic

If you take out the MLS piece from DA it becomes more like any other league, only with more restrictions. USSF is dead set against HS ball but as dissatisfaction grows with this new arrangement, or the MLS still pulls out altogether, they may not have a choice but to allow it.

[Unregistered]

So for MLS teams they need to travel how far to play? A 12 year old in Boston has to go Philly, or DC, or MD for a regular season game....haha ok.

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You do not need to accept the fact that most MLS DA clubs will play mostly MLS DA clubs, but the US Development Academy schedule will help you see the truth, it's there in black amd white!

[Unregistered]

You do not need to accept the fact that most MLS DA clubs will play mostly MLS DA clubs, but the US Development Academy schedule will help you see the truth, it's there in black amd white!

I don't doubt they are doing it and have seen it on the DA website too. I just don't think they thought out this travel very well. We are at OW because we are close to OW so for us it makes sense. Even if we lived near the Revolution and our son did make the team I would hate that travel for regular season games. I can't be the only parent that won't put their kid in the MLS team at a young age because that travel for regular season games is just stupid.

[Unregistered]

I don't doubt they are doing it and have seen it on the DA website too. I just don't think they thought out this travel very well. We are at OW because we are close to OW so for us it makes sense. Even if we lived near the Revolution and our son did make the team I would hate that travel for regular season games. I can't be the only parent that won't put their kid in the MLS team at a young age because that travel for regular season games is just stupid.

U12 DA is already gone and U13 is going to be next. So then it's U14 and up, ages who can better handle the travel. Don't forget this is being decided by clubs/coaches/USSF, not parents. Many of these parents are so enamored with the system or their club plus playing for free that they won't complain. The teams want it to improve development. USSF needs MLS clubs to stay in the system so they're doing what MLS wants. To them this is a better alternative than to have MLS clubs leave..

[Unregistered]

U12 DA is already gone and U13 is going to be next. So then it's U14 and up, ages who can better handle the travel. Don't forget this is being decided by clubs/coaches/USSF, not parents. Many of these parents are so enamored with the system or their club plus playing for free that they won't complain. The teams want it to improve development. USSF needs MLS clubs to stay in the system so they're doing what MLS wants. To them this is a better alternative than to have MLS clubs leave..

MLS "the model of world soccer"

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MLS "the model of world soccer"

They're the ones investing in players.

[Unregistered]

U12 DA is already gone and U13 is going to be next. So then it's U14 and up, ages who can better handle the travel. Don't forget this is being decided by clubs/coaches/USSF, not parents. Many of these parents are so enamored with the system or their club plus playing for free that they won't complain. The teams want it to improve development. USSF needs MLS clubs to stay in the system so they're doing what MLS wants. To them this is a better alternative than to have MLS clubs leave..

Without MLS in DA, the DA will cease to exist.

[Unregistered]

A B-league club that is 3-15-4 and in 29th place and may not be around next year? Sure. HA has said they're not interested in youth soccer for now. They're trying to get a business up and running.

Their business model should include a youth development program - and OW fits the bill. Find the funds to subsidize DA and develop local talent....and show the Hartford market that you are in it for the long term.

[Unregistered]

Exactly right. Definitely a parent looking to elevate the status of their kid. LK is an excellent talent and certainly hurts.

Losing another player here or there doesn't impact the program.

Sorry if this was already covered but where is LK headed? Not on any CFC roster.

[Unregistered]

Sorry if this was already covered but where is LK headed? Not on any CFC roster.

NYSC....It was posted already in New England soccer journal

[Unregistered]

Their business model should include a youth development program - and OW fits the bill. Find the funds to subsidize DA and develop local talent....and show the Hartford market that you are in it for the long term.

They are focused on starting a team and paying the bills. Running touth teams takes management and financial resources. No one cares about youth teams except the families of youth players. If the club keeps performing badly they may not maken t through year 2.