The Revolution Academy needs to make some changes.

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Welcome to the Revs!
They have their favorites. Many times makes no sense at all..

I'm beginning to realize, after being a soccer parent for quite a few years now of rec to DA level players, that it is a given that you'll see coaching decisions pretty much weekly that absolutely make no sense, and this happens at every level of the game. The sooner you accept this fact, and decide not to let those decisions affecting your kid ruin the enjoyment of watching them play, the better off you'll be. Just hope and pray that the coaches have some sort of master plan that will help your kid reach their potential in the end, even if it looks like they are putting your kid on the wrong path at certain snapshots in time.

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I'm beginning to realize, after being a soccer parent for quite a few years now of rec to DA level players, that it is a given that you'll see coaching decisions pretty much weekly that absolutely make no sense, and this happens at every level of the game. The sooner you accept this fact, and decide not to let those decisions affecting your kid ruin the enjoyment of watching them play, the better off you'll be. Just hope and pray that the coaches have some sort of master plan that will help your kid reach their potential in the end, even if it looks like they are putting your kid on the wrong path at certain snapshots in time.

Tell that to a kid that has played 1 or 2 games all season and never starts. I'd be very interested in the master plan behind that.

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Tell that to a kid that has played 1 or 2 games all season and never starts. I'd be very interested in the master plan behind that.

First off, this is high school age/big boy MLS DA Academy soccer. You're also playing with substitution rules so no, coaches aren't going to give every player equal play time.

So, you need to figure out where your kid is on the roster... is he 1-11, 12-15, or further back? If he isn't getting play time and is #16 or higher on the roster, time for a gut check. Plenty of non-MLS DA, Boys ECNL and NPL teams to choose from. If your kid is improving and OK being a practice player at the Revs for roster spots 1-15, great. If not, you know what to do. What won't help is complaining on TS.

Last, google the interviews with Pulisic's parents about why he didn't rush off to the best academy team when he was younger. Kids, even superstars, develop at their own rate and need to be nurtured in an environment that alllows them to grown and develop and touch the ball often. The Revs do this for their favorites. If you're not it, find a place where you will be.

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First off, this is high school age/big boy MLS DA Academy soccer. You're also playing with substitution rules so no, coaches aren't going to give every player equal play time.

So, you need to figure out where your kid is on the roster... is he 1-11, 12-15, or further back? If he isn't getting play time and is #16 or higher on the roster, time for a gut check. Plenty of non-MLS DA, Boys ECNL and NPL teams to choose from. If your kid is improving and OK being a practice player at the Revs for roster spots 1-15, great. If not, you know what to do. What won't help is complaining on TS.

Last, google the interviews with Pulisic's parents about why he didn't rush off to the best academy team when he was younger. Kids, even superstars, develop at their own rate and need to be nurtured in an environment that alllows them to grown and develop and touch the ball often. The Revs do this for their favorites. If you're not it, find a place where you will be.

The most interesting part of this whole discussion is that the Revs know they're rostering bench warmers from the get go. So twisted.

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The most interesting part of this whole discussion is that the Revs know they're rostering bench warmers from the get go. So twisted.

Where is Scales' boy? He quit? Must have broken Scales heart.

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If the Revs are playing your kid from 0-20 minutes per game you need to run away as fast as you can. It's not like you paid any money. Walk. Away.

You don't have to go all the way to Portugal but def walk away. Also if your kid is suddenly a 'defender'

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You don't have to go all the way to Portugal but def walk away. Also if your kid is suddenly a 'defender'

That happens in lots of clubs, not just the Revs. As players move up in competitive brackets, if they don't adjust to the speed of play and level of talent of the competition, attack-minded players who lagg often get shifted to defense. Defending is easier than attacking as it is easier to disrupt and delay than create space and opportunity.

This goes back to my point of finding the right level to nuture creativity and maximize time on the ball. Being labeled a defender too early in your youth development is a death knell for truly learning, understanding and playing the game at a high level.

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That happens in lots of clubs, not just the Revs. As players move up in competitive brackets, if they don't adjust to the speed of play and level of talent of the competition, attack-minded players who lagg often get shifted to defense. Defending is easier than attacking as it is easier to disrupt and delay than create space and opportunity.

This goes back to my point of finding the right level to nuture creativity and maximize time on the ball. Being labeled a defender too early in your youth development is a death knell for truly learning, understanding and playing the game at a high level.

So true. Players understand and adjust easily. Most high level players played striker or mid at younger ages. It's the crazy parents who have a hard time adjusting. Get over yourself!

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So true. Players understand and adjust easily. Most high level players played striker or mid at younger ages. It's the crazy parents who have a hard time adjusting. Get over yourself!

If your kid isn't good enough to score goals (plural) then to the back on the wings. Just the way it works, sorry.

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What's with the 80 mins going to the same kids every time?

The good kids play. The bad ones do not. It's the same at Bolts and all over the country. Welcome to the DA

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So, all of the local DA programs preach development. For those of you who have experience with one or more of these clubs, are there any out there that really seem to practice what they preach, in that they consistently play a good style of possession based soccer, care about maximizing each player's potential (not just a select few), allow players to play up to their true ability level, rather than keeping them back just to win, and, for the most part, seem fair in their judgement of ability level (ie not a lot of decisions being made that make no sense). Which club, especially at the U12-U15 levels where it matters most, would you say is doing the best job of developing players right now and teaches a good style of play?

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The most interesting part of this whole discussion is that the Revs know they're rostering bench warmers from the get go. So twisted.

Not sure that's much different at other DA clubs. As someone said DA is great if you're #1-14 or so. After that the returns are greatly diminished. Almost never playing can crush confidence and enthusiasm. If you're not very confident about how much pt your kid may get listen to your gut and explore other options - there's now more than ever. Find the best club training and level for his needs and don't get caught up in labels

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The good kids play. The bad ones do not. It's the same at Bolts and all over the country. Welcome to the DA

Not exactly. Many bad kids play way too much and many good kids sitting on bench. Stupid coaches.

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So, all of the local DA programs preach development. For those of you who have experience with one or more of these clubs, are there any out there that really seem to practice what they preach, in that they consistently play a good style of possession based soccer, care about maximizing each player's potential (not just a select few), allow players to play up to their true ability level, rather than keeping them back just to win, and, for the most part, seem fair in their judgement of ability level (ie not a lot of decisions being made that make no sense). Which club, especially at the U12-U15 levels where it matters most, would you say is doing the best job of developing players right now and teaches a good style of play?

The ONLY club that truly will develop your son is FSL.

It's run by a guy who truly cares about your son and is willing to put in the time to find practice time and drills that will help your son where he needs it and then actually implement those drills one on one, even if it's just an hour or two per week. NO other club does this . None. Zero. Zilch. ALL the other clubs are basically coaches who like to listen to themselves yap but never build the foundational skills necessary to carry out any tactical plan. The boys who get the playing time are the one's who have played in the FSL.

FSL-Father Soccer League.

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Not exactly. Many bad kids play way too much and many good kids sitting on bench. Stupid coaches.

True. Questionable margin of difference but after 60 minutes the "stars" are NOT better than a fresh player, just moronic ego feeding/damaging. Coaches think W first but even from their little career perspective it's stupid.