The Revolution Academy needs to make some changes.

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None of these kids are going pro nor should they want to. Therefore I'm feeling pretty good about not paying a dime for the same thing others pay thousands for.

It's really too bad that families with this type of attitude are taking up spots in an MLS DA program. You're simply using the program to get free training using the free showcases to get into college, when (assuming your kid feels the same way) the player has no aspirations for a career in soccer. I'm fine with a kid having college as a back up plan if things don't pan out, but to go into the program with a mentality other than trying to achieve the highest level in the sport is just going to end up hurting the program for those who are there for the right reasons.

[Unregistered]

It's really too bad that families with this type of attitude are taking up spots in an MLS DA program. You're simply using the program to get free training using the free showcases to get into college, when (assuming your kid feels the same way) the player has no aspirations for a career in soccer. I'm fine with a kid having college as a back up plan if things don't pan out, but to go into the program with a mentality other than trying to achieve the highest level in the sport is just going to end up hurting the program for those who are there for the right reasons.

Wow. That is absolutely priceless. Made my day.

[Unregistered]

It's really too bad that families with this type of attitude are taking up spots in an MLS DA program. You're simply using the program to get free training using the free showcases to get into college, when (assuming your kid feels the same way) the player has no aspirations for a career in soccer. I'm fine with a kid having college as a back up plan if things don't pan out, but to go into the program with a mentality other than trying to achieve the highest level in the sport is just going to end up hurting the program for those who are there for the right reasons.

It's the biggest fundamental problem with DA - the goals are not the same. USSF wants to develop NT players and the MLS clubs hope to develop some home growns (even though they don't benefit much financially from it). But the vast majority of players are there to improve their chances at playing in college and getting into a good college. If MLS and USSF want to achieve their goals they're better off running a much smaller program targeted towards the players who have those same goals and are willing to do what it takes to try and reach them. Players wanting good soccer and a chance to play in college can do ECNL or other.

[Unregistered]

It's really too bad that families with this type of attitude are taking up spots in an MLS DA program. You're simply using the program to get free training using the free showcases to get into college, when (assuming your kid feels the same way) the player has no aspirations for a career in soccer. I'm fine with a kid having college as a back up plan if things don't pan out, but to go into the program with a mentality other than trying to achieve the highest level in the sport is just going to end up hurting the program for those who are there for the right reasons.

And how many players are out there who have "the right reasons?" Not many. Sorry but not many are willing to make the sacrifices to make soccer a career. More importantly even fewer have the potential to make soccer a career. USSF needs the rest to fill rosters basically, and players see it as good soccer and a way to access top college programs. They're both using each other for different reasons. It won't change without fundamental program changes

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Just like with any other club. You had never realized it before Revs, when your son was the chosen one.

Players had more choices if they did not get playing time - play with another team, change teams, play up etc. There are none on the Revs if your son is sitting.

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Players had more choices if they did not get playing time - play with another team, change teams, play up etc. There are none on the Revs if your son is sitting.

Don't worry, your kid is not coming back. Watch the hammers to the knees though. This OP has been known to destroy past teammates verbally and physically.

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Players had more choices if they did not get playing time - play with another team, change teams, play up etc. There are none on the Revs if your son is sitting.

Good point. DA is backwards in its thinking. How can players get better with less?

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Good point. DA is backwards in its thinking. How can players get better with less?

DA worshippers will tell you the training is so superior that's how players get better. But if they hardly see the field, training will only get them so far. I've always said DA is great if you're a starter, good if you're #12-15. If you're #16-22+ weigh your other options carefully

[Unregistered]

Good point. DA is backwards in its thinking. How can players get better with less?

And don't forget the Revs practice the same #days as most other top clubs (3 vs the DA mandated 4)!

[Unregistered]

It's really too bad that families with this type of attitude are taking up spots in an MLS DA program. You're simply using the program to get free training using the free showcases to get into college, when (assuming your kid feels the same way) the player has no aspirations for a career in soccer. I'm fine with a kid having college as a back up plan if things don't pan out, but to go into the program with a mentality other than trying to achieve the highest level in the sport is just going to end up hurting the program for those who are there for the right reasons.

The ridiculousness continues. So player #13, 14, or 15 should be committed to being a professional player. Got it.

[Unregistered]

The ridiculousness continues. So player #13, 14, or 15 should be committed to being a professional player. Got it.

What if #18 is and is sitting, while #3, #4, #5, #14 just want to go to college?

[Unregistered]

What if #18 is and is sitting, while #3, #4, #5, #14 just want to go to college?

As others have said - the goal of the vast majority of players (which is college) are not the same as the goals of USSF or any of the MLS clubs. At non MLS clubs the goals are making money, so no alignment there either. At the Revs or any MLS club, how many players want and realistically have a shot at going pro? or making the NT? A tiny fraction. It the wrong system for what US soccer needs, and even then, in this country the focus on education isn't one that is going to go away. They need to adapt to what we have here, or change the system altogether and let other venues work for the players without the skills or aspirations to go pro.

[Unregistered]

What if #18 is and is sitting, while #3, #4, #5, #14 just want to go to college?

What #18 wants is irrelevant since he isn't go to play pro or even D1.

When the professional market becomes realistic in terms of both money and spots then you'll see more playing for your so-called "right reasons."

[Unregistered]

What #18 wants is irrelevant since he isn't go to play pro or even D1.

When the professional market becomes realistic in terms of both money and spots then you'll see more playing for your so-called "right reasons."

Well, if #18 had more training and playing oppys he might. So as of now, the organization of DA has deliberately suppressed the potential of #18 - perhaps at a young age or perhaps right when he is peaking physically. So why not give the player who wants to go pro more training or playing time, if the others don't want to do it?

[Unregistered]

It's really too bad that families with this type of attitude are taking up spots in an MLS DA program. You're simply using the program to get free training using the free showcases to get into college, when (assuming your kid feels the same way) the player has no aspirations for a career in soccer. I'm fine with a kid having college as a back up plan if things don't pan out, but to go into the program with a mentality other than trying to achieve the highest level in the sport is just going to end up hurting the program for those who are there for the right reasons.

Let me see if I'm understanding your perspective. My son likes soccer a lot. He gets scouted and offered a spot on the Revs even though soccer is his 2nd best sport. He accepts and I'm freed financially from the Ponzi Scheme that is club soccer. He's getting decent playing time and is enjoying the experience. Your position is that he shouldn't play for the Revs because he wants to go into Finance instead of the MLS? Again, the Revs chose him. They didn't choose someone else.