The Revolution Academy needs to make some changes.

[Unregistered]

To your point, the Revs have begun looking for players outside of New England that are already developed. The 2 new residential players coming into the 17's this season are the opening of the floodgates from NY and beyond.

That roster is maxed out with players. They have to cut some mid-season again for sure.

[Unregistered]

From the New England Soccer Journal:

The Revolution can hang their hat on the Angking signing, but the U-19s arguably were a more balanced side without him. They went 2-1 in the playoffs, placing second in their group behind a stellar Vancouver Whitecaps side.

Following that experience, five players were invited to train with the first team: Providence College-bound midfielder Kevin Vang (Cranston, R.I.), Northeastern-bound forward Tim Ennin (West Hartford, Conn.), 2001s Trevor Burns (Southborough, Mass.) and Elio Firmino (Somerville, Mass.), and 2003-birth year goalkeeper Eliot Jones (New Britain, Conn.). Three of those players — Vang, Firmino and Burns — also were invited to the first team’s preseason camp in Tucson, Arizona.

Firmino earned East Conference Best XI honors, as did defender Prince Loney-Bailey (Cambridge, Mass.). Loney-Bailey is headed to play at Northwood School and Black Rock FC next season because he will age out of the Development Academy.

Going down the ladder, the U-17s struggled mightily, finishing with just 28 points, the lowest of any Major League Soccer club in their age group. They also finished with an 0-11 record and negative-37 goal differential in Generation adidas Cup play.

On a brighter note, the U-15s finished fourth in the Northeast Division after going 15-8-5. Their breakout players were striker Andrew Serafino (East Longmeadow, Mass.) and Hikaru Fujiwara (Lexington, Mass.), who respectively finished with 19 and 11 goals. Cole Dewhurst (Lancaster, Mass.), the son of FC Stars’ director Jason Dewhurst, was a rock in defense, starting 28 games.

[Unregistered]

To your point, the Revs have begun looking for players outside of New England that are already developed. The 2 new residential players coming into the 17's this season are the opening of the floodgates from NY and beyond.

The floodgates for more mediocrity. Seriously, any highly talented player willing to leave home has other options. Why didn't the NY kid go to NYCFC or Red Bulls? Not only that this is an experiment that could flop, and expanding it requires getting host families on board (who typically are paid a stipend by the way). Hosting a kid for an entire academic year is a huge commitment. Not many are willing to do it.

[Unregistered]

From the New England Soccer Journal:

The Revolution can hang their hat on the Angking signing, but the U-19s arguably were a more balanced side without him. They went 2-1 in the playoffs, placing second in their group behind a stellar Vancouver Whitecaps side.

Following that experience, five players were invited to train with the first team: Providence College-bound midfielder Kevin Vang (Cranston, R.I.), Northeastern-bound forward Tim Ennin (West Hartford, Conn.), 2001s Trevor Burns (Southborough, Mass.) and Elio Firmino (Somerville, Mass.), and 2003-birth year goalkeeper Eliot Jones (New Britain, Conn.). Three of those players — Vang, Firmino and Burns — also were invited to the first team’s preseason camp in Tucson, Arizona.

Firmino earned East Conference Best XI honors, as did defender Prince Loney-Bailey (Cambridge, Mass.). Loney-Bailey is headed to play at Northwood School and Black Rock FC next season because he will age out of the Development Academy.

Going down the ladder, the U-17s struggled mightily, finishing with just 28 points, the lowest of any Major League Soccer club in their age group. They also finished with an 0-11 record and negative-37 goal differential in Generation adidas Cup play. Sadly, they couldn't beat the Bolts.

On a brighter note, the U-15s finished fourth in the Northeast Division after going 15-8-5. Their breakout players were striker Andrew Serafino (East Longmeadow, Mass.) and Hikaru Fujiwara (Lexington, Mass.), who respectively finished with 19 and 11 goals. Cole Dewhurst (Lancaster, Mass.), the son of FC Stars’ director Jason Dewhurst, was a rock in defense, starting 28 games. Sadly, they couldn't beat the Bolts.

Fixed it for you.

[Unregistered]

The floodgates for more mediocrity. Seriously, any highly talented player willing to leave home has other options. Why didn't the NY kid go to NYCFC or Red Bulls? Not only that this is an experiment that could flop, and expanding it requires getting host families on board (who typically are paid a stipend by the way). Hosting a kid for an entire academic year is a huge commitment. Not many are willing to do it.

NYCFC and NYRB obviously didn't see a reason to add these kids. The Revs are floundering. Doesn't say much for the current Revs strikers.

[Unregistered]

Not how it works!

Good for these boys and their talent, but the Revs track record of development is the issue. These boys got developed elsewhere. A few years ago the U14 team was 18-2-2 for the season and ranked in the top five. As they moved up year to year the record go worse and worse and they were playing the same teams they beat back when they started. By simply deduction, the other DA teams steadily improved. Therein lies the problem with the Revs. I want the Revs to be the end all for soccer in NE, but the current track record is not the case. Some changes need to be made. Looking at other successful academies and how they do things would be the first place I would look for changes/help.

I don't begrudge anybody chasing their dream and playing for the Revs. I think everyone given the opportunity should give it a try. It does not work for everyone though, but you won't know unless you try.

Stop this "got developed elsewhere" nonsense.

What great team does not recruit and get the best talent to come to them?

Utter nonsense. Every club does this. In fact, without this you have the current problem of no relegation by pro teams that makes them all stale and cheap buys.

Bolts, NEFC, GPS didn't "develop" the great kids on their best team. Talent floats to the top. The top may be just regional, so maybe Revs arent' better than 50% of MLS academies, but still the best in New England. Bolts do well too. Neither "developed" their talent from toddlers.

Can you imagine Real Madrid - oh, they didn't develop Ronaldo. Kripes. Idiots.

[Unregistered]

Stop this "got developed elsewhere" nonsense.

What great team does not recruit and get the best talent to come to them?

Utter nonsense. Every club does this. In fact, without this you have the current problem of no relegation by pro teams that makes them all stale and cheap buys.

Bolts, NEFC, GPS didn't "develop" the great kids on their best team. Talent floats to the top. The top may be just regional, so maybe Revs arent' better than 50% of MLS academies, but still the best in New England. Bolts do well too. Neither "developed" their talent from toddlers.

Can you imagine Real Madrid - oh, they didn't develop Ronaldo. Kripes. Idiots.

Not much continuity of rosters at the Revs. It's much better for the top Bolts, GPS & NEFC teams. That's why they're seen as churn and burners.

[Unregistered]

The top may be just regional, so maybe Revs arent' better than 50% of MLS academies, but still the best in New England.

The 17's were the 63rd team out of 78 last year.

[Unregistered]

The 17's were the 63rd team out of 78 last year.

Ouch. Top in NE doesn't say much when it's one of the weaker divisions to begin with

[Unregistered]

Yes, so think carefully about what you're giving up for that.

Giving up HS? Really? Have you watched a game lately?
Horrible!
DAP players for the most part get very frustrated playing with players of that ability unless it happens to be a very top program.

[Unregistered]

DAP players for the most part get very frustrated playing with players of that ability unless it happens to be a very top program.

Then they’ll HATE college.

[Unregistered]

Then they’ll HATE college.

My D won’t play with HS level players at her D1 college.

[Unregistered]

My D won’t play with HS level players at her D1 college.

You don’t think high school players make D1 teams? Wait until your daughter sits on the bench behind a high school player.

[Unregistered]

Giving up HS? Really? Have you watched a game lately?
Horrible!
DAP players for the most part get very frustrated playing with players of that ability unless it happens to be a very top program.

It's not just about the level of HS play but everything else you're giving up. Depending on the level of college ball you're aiming for you may not need DA - just take a look at where non DA players end up from the commitment list each year. Have your kid look at rosters of schools they're interested in too. Outisde of top D1 programs the rosters all have many non DA players. Some HS isn't god awful either (plenty is). Each kid and situation is different.

[Unregistered]

My D won’t play with HS level players at her D1 college.

Think there won't be non DA players in college? Hilarious. They're everywhere. DA can't fill all the rosters and coaches know DA doesn't have all the talent.