The Revolution Academy needs to make some changes.

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Ask your son what other sports the kids on his soccer team play. I would bet 30% to 40% play soccer as a 2nd or 3rd sport. High school soccer isn't for top soccer players.

All depends on the school. Many Div.1 high school teams the percentage of soccer # 1 sport is much higher. Go lower divisions I think you are certainly right.

[Unregistered]

Ask your son what other sports the kids on his soccer team play. I would bet 30% to 40% play soccer as a 2nd or 3rd sport. High school soccer isn't for top soccer players.

Only because for several years players had no choice. Prior to the DA no HS rule that wasn't the case. Look, top players will continue to chose DA, mostly at MLS clubs and starters. But because of it's vast size it pulls in a lot of players who chose it because they didn't have many choices. If ECNL works they will have options. Who will fill their spots? Players even weaker who never made a DA team before. I think it will cause a bigger divide between the MLS and non MLS clubs. If the MLS clubs did pull out (there's always rumors even though geographically it's unimaginable how that works) then what's left is the same as ECNL - lots of travel and pay to play. One has HS the other bans it.

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Only because for several years players had no choice. Prior to the DA no HS rule that wasn't the case. Look, top players will continue to chose DA, mostly at MLS clubs and starters. But because of it's vast size it pulls in a lot of players who chose it because they didn't have many choices. If ECNL works they will have options. Who will fill their spots? Players even weaker who never made a DA team before. I think it will cause a bigger divide between the MLS and non MLS clubs. If the MLS clubs did pull out (there's always rumors even though geographically it's unimaginable how that works) then what's left is the same as ECNL - lots of travel and pay to play. One has HS the other bans it.

Wait until the Bolts stops charging for DA and increases what they charge for ECNL. That should get interesting.

[Unregistered]

Wait until the Bolts stops charging for DA and increases what they charge for ECNL. That should get interesting.

Things are going to be unsettled for awhile. It definitely will vary by location to - like someone said MLS clubs elsewhere are quite as big f'ups as the Revs

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Have heard them publicly say that they are afraid of the top players sustaining injuries while taking part in these ID camps. They send tokens to US Soccer to appease MLS.

The shortcoming of this reasoning is that it presumes the Revs care about the players' development. What would be the purpose of "hiding" talent from the USSF NT camps only to "showcase" them twice a year, if not week in, week out? No other MLS club can poach a player, and for all the supposed scouts coming from Europe, seriously, Africa and South America are MUCH more fertile grounds. And the players are easier and cheaper to get b/c you can send them to some Russian oligarch's club that only pays players on occasion.

Being able to advertise the number of NT players seems more valuable (marketing!) than supposedly "developing" players for the MLS squad, which many here seem most skeptical about (I'm in that camp). Zach H could be the next Pulisic but Heaps would never know it.

I'm also skeptical that USSF scouts (of which there are only a few covering yuge swathes of land) do much more than accept the players that DA coaches send. That process alone puts enough players into the funnel for USSF NT coaches to choose from with the acceptable downside that some of the "gems" go overlooked.

[Unregistered]

The shortcoming of this reasoning is that it presumes the Revs care about the players' development. What would be the purpose of "hiding" talent from the USSF NT camps only to "showcase" them twice a year, if not week in, week out? No other MLS club can poach a player, and for all the supposed scouts coming from Europe, seriously, Africa and South America are MUCH more fertile grounds. And the players are easier and cheaper to get b/c you can send them to some Russian oligarch's club that only pays players on occasion.

Being able to advertise the number of NT players seems more valuable (marketing!) than supposedly "developing" players for the MLS squad, which many here seem most skeptical about (I'm in that camp). Zach H could be the next Pulisic but Heaps would never know it.

I'm also skeptical that USSF scouts (of which there are only a few covering yuge swathes of land) do much more than accept the players that DA coaches send. That process alone puts enough players into the funnel for USSF NT coaches to choose from with the acceptable downside that some of the "gems" go overlooked.

You are missing one huge component of this, American players could be had for FREE!!
IE....Shalke. It is happening, and a huge pain in the ass for MLS Academies. Believe me.

[Unregistered]

You are missing one huge component of this, American players could be had for FREE!!
IE....Shalke. It is happening, and a huge pain in the ass for MLS Academies. Believe me.

Article 19 prevents minors from going abroad for strictly "soccer" reasons but when they turn 18, all bets are off. I have met many alleged FIFA agents at DAP showcase events, usually in the hotel bars. Free American kids, Garber's biggest challenge going forward, not expansion or TV deals.

[Unregistered]

You are missing one huge component of this, American players could be had for FREE!!
IE....Shalke. It is happening, and a huge pain in the ass for MLS Academies. Believe me.

Why do you think the Revs youth director suspended Rennicks? The rules (and they are HARD), are that the Revolution Academy will be the only pro affiliate you will train with, unless you have permission.

[Unregistered]

Why do you think the Revs youth director suspended Rennicks? The rules (and they are HARD), are that the Revolution Academy will be the only pro affiliate you will train with, unless you have permission.

Yes, there is a reason for that rule. Revs youth system is not all that but these clown parents who think rules should not apply to them are so full of it.

[Unregistered]

The shortcoming of this reasoning is that it presumes the Revs care about the players' development. What would be the purpose of "hiding" talent from the USSF NT camps only to "showcase" them twice a year, if not week in, week out? No other MLS club can poach a player, and for all the supposed scouts coming from Europe, seriously, Africa and South America are MUCH more fertile grounds. And the players are easier and cheaper to get b/c you can send them to some Russian oligarch's club that only pays players on occasion.

Being able to advertise the number of NT players seems more valuable (marketing!) than supposedly "developing" players for the MLS squad, which many here seem most skeptical about (I'm in that camp). Zach H could be the next Pulisic but Heaps would never know it.

I'm also skeptical that USSF scouts (of which there are only a few covering yuge swathes of land) do much more than accept the players that DA coaches send. That process alone puts enough players into the funnel for USSF NT coaches to choose from with the acceptable downside that some of the "gems" go overlooked.

You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. You're obviously not involved in the sport. Scratch your entire post, way off.

[Unregistered]

You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. You're obviously not involved in the sport. Scratch your entire post, way off.

So you're saying: 1) the Revs do care about player development so that they can 2) promote them to the first team and that oh by the way, they care so much to hide their gems that they would stunt their NT opportunities from the 3) USSF scouts of which there are vast quantities covering fields from seat to shining sea amongst the 330 million population? You should recognize that USSF is stretched way too thin - that's obvious to the casual observer.

Or that it would be easier to sign a player from a less economically developed country to take a 1 in 20 chance (lol, 1 in 1000, but I'll keep the numbers low so you can stick with fingers and toes to count) on a professional soccer career. Or do you think they'll jump right next to Neymar at PSG? No, they'll be Uzbekistan or someplace you couldn't find on Google Maps.

And 18? Doesn't take Cruyff to know that 15-18 are the crucial developmental years, and that's where the Rest of World youth teams separate from the US. Hint - it's not b/c of physical prowess, but because soccer IQ stalls out here. See Schweinsteiger's comments about the quality of play in MLS (and I think he was trying to be kind, or at least as indirect as a German can be).

Scratch this, lol.

[Unregistered]

So you're saying: 1) the Revs do care about player development so that they can 2) promote them to the first team and that oh by the way, they care so much to hide their gems that they would stunt their NT opportunities from the 3) USSF scouts of which there are vast quantities covering fields from seat to shining sea amongst the 330 million population? You should recognize that USSF is stretched way too thin - that's obvious to the casual observer.

Or that it would be easier to sign a player from a less economically developed country to take a 1 in 20 chance (lol, 1 in 1000, but I'll keep the numbers low so you can stick with fingers and toes to count) on a professional soccer career. Or do you think they'll jump right next to Neymar at PSG? No, they'll be Uzbekistan or someplace you couldn't find on Google Maps.

And 18? Doesn't take Cruyff to know that 15-18 are the crucial developmental years, and that's where the Rest of World youth teams separate from the US. Hint - it's not b/c of physical prowess, but because soccer IQ stalls out here. See Schweinsteiger's comments about the quality of play in MLS (and I think he was trying to be kind, or at least as indirect as a German can be).

Scratch this, lol.

What gibberish. Brazil's largest export isn't leather products, coffee or cocaine. It's youth soccer players. Sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars every day on an open soccer transfer market. Nothing illicit or nefarious. Once again, word salad maker, American players are FREE!! Just like you are FREE to take an English writing class.

[Unregistered]

What gibberish. Brazil's largest export isn't leather products, coffee or cocaine. It's youth soccer players. Sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars every day on an open soccer transfer market. Nothing illicit or nefarious. Once again, word salad maker, American players are FREE!! Just like you are FREE to take an English writing class.

American soccer players are "free" after they are 18 (Article 19) unless they have access to a EU or South American passport AND the family moves for non-football related reasons. (Google Ben Lederman and his time at La Masia).

MLS DA players who leave for an overseas club have a claim for a transfer fee. Getting paid might take some legal work but given the investment made, it's not unreasonable. That's why the Revs get all fired up about players going to trials.

All this assumes that US players are wanted by clubs in Europe. Certainly some boys near the border have generated interest from Liga MX but show us the names of boys being scooped up now?

If you can't keep up with the word salads, who needs the English lessons? I even used little words for you but if you get stumped use Google (no one will know). Also, move your lips while sounding out the big words if that helps you.

200+ pages of folks talking out of their asses and you're getting all worked up? You can't even tell if you're being trolled.

[Unregistered]

American soccer players are "free" after they are 18 (Article 19) unless they have access to a EU or South American passport AND the family moves for non-football related reasons. (Google Ben Lederman and his time at La Masia).

MLS DA players who leave for an overseas club have a claim for a transfer fee. Getting paid might take some legal work but given the investment made, it's not unreasonable. That's why the Revs get all fired up about players going to trials.

All this assumes that US players are wanted by clubs in Europe. Certainly some boys near the border have generated interest from Liga MX but show us the names of boys being scooped up now?

If you can't keep up with the word salads, who needs the English lessons? I even used little words for you but if you get stumped use Google (no one will know). Also, move your lips while sounding out the big words if that helps you.

200+ pages of folks talking out of their asses and you're getting all worked up? You can't even tell if you're being trolled.

If you have a citizenship, dual or not, in say England, you do not need to pose a reason for moving to England. You are a citizen. It's your country. If you don't have a EU passport, you are not supposed to move there to establish residency so your kid can play soccer.
At age 18 you are free to play anywhere.

[Unregistered]

If you have a citizenship, dual or not, in say England, you do not need to pose a reason for moving to England. You are a citizen. It's your country. If you don't have a EU passport, you are not supposed to move there to establish residency so your kid can play soccer.
At age 18 you are free to play anywhere.

Assuming you can get a work visa.