Announcement

**Unregistered** · 01-29-2021, 03:06 PM

Don't get caught up on the article. It really doesn't mean much to be an affiliate partner club. Joining either TSF or Ironbound does not get your child any better opportunities. TSF does have their own MLS Next team (formerly DA), which Ironbound does not have. This allows TSF to play in the same MLS bracket against other MLS affiliate clubs. However, Red Bulls also has a MLS Next team in the same bracket so joining TSF won't get you into Red Bulls. Also, don't buy into any of the spiel these clubs might offer about sharing training styles amongst the clubs so that training with them is like training with MLS teams. Every club, and every coach, will have their own training program and styles.

What's important is that you go to a club that trains and coaches well. In addition, try to avoid places that load up on players (ie - they'll have 20-22 players on a squad). That's what many clubs do. Try to speak to parents and attend at least 2 training sessions before committing.

**Unregistered** · 01-29-2021, 04:49 PM

Another sad case of youth clubs falling victim to the bull**** mls glamour. Red Bull have been sucking Ironbound dry for years with their awful partnership, and Ironbound is no better off. Meanwhile Red Bull poaches there best kids, releases them a year later, and then the kid is left without a home.

**Unregistered** · 01-29-2021, 06:41 PM

Isn't the MLS having huge issues right now?

**Unregistered** · 01-29-2021, 06:56 PM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Another sad case of youth clubs falling victim to the bull**** mls glamour. Red Bull have been sucking Ironbound dry for years with their awful partnership, and Ironbound is no better off. Meanwhile Red Bull poaches there best kids, releases them a year later, and then the kid is left without a home.

Absolutely true and unfortunately this poaching has become the norm in youth football. Pretty pathetic behaviour as this happens both on the boys and girls sides.

**Unregistered** · 01-30-2021, 08:30 AM

6ft

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Isn't the MLS having huge issues right now?

They are but this isn't something that really costs them anything because it really isn't much of anything. Clubs announce these things all the time and most times it never goes anywhere.

**Unregistered** · 01-30-2021, 08:32 AM

Originally posted by Unregistered View Post

Absolutely true and unfortunately this poaching has become the norm in youth football. Pretty pathetic behaviour as this happens both on the boys and girls sides.

It's not poaching when the kid wants to leave for a better opportunity. Better players are supposed to move up the ladder. If a player is happy where they are then they're less likely to leave