Academy Rosters

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good to hear.

[Unregistered]

No Heart & No Pride!

U-18s got their first win this weekend and tied their other game. Nice job. I know the 16s won on Saturday, but don't know what happened yesterday. For you critics, the academy seems to have held up its end of the bargain this weekend. Not so much for the first team in Seattle.

The "first" team displayed no heart after the own goal. I would be hard pressed to keep more than 8 of the current roster. I hope that a college coach can get pros to play an organized an unselfish game in the "states"

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The "first" team displayed no heart after the own goal. I would be hard pressed to keep more than 8 of the current roster. I hope that a college coach can get pros to play an organized an unselfish game in the "states"

Let's keep the comments focused on the academy and not take swipes at the first team. Leave that to the army.

A young program is winning. Lots of hours by both coaches and lads are required.

It is very difficult for players who do not get to play as rotations are far and few. Perhaps a psychologist could deal with those players who are not used to the professional world. Hard to keep your confidence.

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Let's keep the comments focused on the academy and not take swipes at the first team. Leave that to the army.

A young program is winning. Lots of hours by both coaches and lads are required.

It is very difficult for players who do not get to play as rotations are far and few. Perhaps a psychologist could deal with those players who are not used to the professional world. Hard to keep your confidence.

. . . and that is by far and away the biggest reason why the 10 month no high school play rule is a mistake. There are kids who would have been key contributors for their high school teams who have either not played, or played only a few minutes in the past couple of months. That's a lot of sacrifice.

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. . . and that is by far and away the biggest reason why the 10 month no high school play rule is a mistake. There are kids who would have been key contributors for their high school teams who have either not played, or played only a few minutes in the past couple of months. That's a lot of sacrifice.

are one of those kids yours ???

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Timbers DA

The Timbers DA needed to play a few pay to play DA teams. Fairly small player pool willing pay that money for youth sports.

As far as the players not playing much the true benefit of the Timbers DA is the training not the games. With the coaches the Timbers DA have I am sure the trainings are excellent.

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are one of those kids yours ???

Nope, but what difference would that make? If you don't play, it's not fun. If you don't play you won't have opportunities to keep playing. It's not like college coaches line up and say, "oh, I've never seen you play but since you're on an academy team here's a scholarship or a roster spot." That doesn't happen elsewhere and there's no reason to believe it will happen here. So yes, if you've given up playing for your high school team and your club and you're not playing for the academy team it's a big sacrifice. For some it may be worth it, for others not.

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What happened to the guarantee of 25% starts?

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Nope, but what difference would that make? If you don't play, it's not fun. If you don't play you won't have opportunities to keep playing. It's not like college coaches line up and say, "oh, I've never seen you play but since you're on an academy team here's a scholarship or a roster spot." That doesn't happen elsewhere and there's no reason to believe it will happen here. So yes, if you've given up playing for your high school team and your club and you're not playing for the academy team it's a big sacrifice. For some it may be worth it, for others not.

As you mentioned, it is a sacrifice. Just as playing on a certain club team can be. At this age and level of play, only the best player will see the most time and only those strive to be the best should probably accept this challenge.

You can also look at it another way (especially at this age). If you are on the U16 academy team and you do it for 2 years, the training and experience you will get will be far superior to that of anything you will get at any club in the Portland area. Then, if you dont make the starting 11 at the 18's, drop from the program. Nobody can take away from you that experience and resume mark you have and apply it to the club/HS team of your choice. It's all experience.

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As you mentioned, it is a sacrifice. Just as playing on a certain club team can be. At this age and level of play, only the best player will see the most time and only those strive to be the best should probably accept this challenge.

You can also look at it another way (especially at this age). If you are on the U16 academy team and you do it for 2 years, the training and experience you will get will be far superior to that of anything you will get at any club in the Portland area. Then, if you dont make the starting 11 at the 18's, drop from the program. Nobody can take away from you that experience and resume mark you have and apply it to the club/HS team of your choice. It's all experience.

There are lot's of kids who "strive to be the best" that just aren't quite as good as others who don't work as hard. That's one thing I wish that would get dropped from the discussion. It's as if the kids who play a lot are somehow morally superior to those who don't. Sometimes they're just better. Likewise, at this point superior training claims are just that -- claims. Let's see how it all shakes out.

[Unregistered]

There are lot's of kids who "strive to be the best" that just aren't quite as good as others who don't work as hard. That's one thing I wish that would get dropped from the discussion. It's as if the kids who play a lot are somehow morally superior to those who don't. Sometimes they're just better. Likewise, at this point superior training claims are just that -- claims. Let's see how it all shakes out.

I forgot to add the "bang of the buck" factor. Since there is no cost (other then the $500 deposit) and the level of play your player will be competing at, it's still a win-win for all.

Use it for what is best for you player.

[Unregistered]

bottemline

You can also look at it another way (especially at this age). If you are on the U16 academy team and you do it for 2 years, the training and experience you will get will be far superior to that of anything you will get at any club in the Portland area. Then, if you dont make the starting 11 at the 18's, drop from the program. Nobody can take away from you that experience and resume mark you have and apply it to the club/HS team of your choice. It's all experience.[/QUOTE]

This is a funny post. At the time of your life take two years off from playing and if it don't work out play U-18. Good advice can you also tell me about a home equity loan or other advice.

No one can take away the great two years you had not playing, except for the people that didn't play yah. How about this Timber DA create manageable rosters.

Oh, and the training from the club coaches now coaching the DA is much better than the club training they put on when they were with the club???????? What were they slackers at the club. It is all youth soccer.

Bottomline, here it is. MLS mandated the the DA. The Timbers did as little as possible to fullfill this requirement. They had a few fulltime staffers from OYSA ODP and said have at it, don't call. You think the FO gives a crap about you or the DA, they don't even care about the fans who have to pay and watch the vomit they are putting out on the field.

[Unregistered]

I forgot to add the "bang of the buck" factor. Since there is no cost (other then the $500 deposit) and the level of play your player will be competing at, it's still a win-win for all.

Use it for what is best for you player.

Level of play and competition is the point. Competition means playing in games where the results matter. If you're not playing then the level is secondary.

The modest cost is a plus.

[Unregistered]

agree

GW out

[Unregistered]

You can also look at it another way (especially at this age). If you are on the U16 academy team and you do it for 2 years, the training and experience you will get will be far superior to that of anything you will get at any club in the Portland area. Then, if you dont make the starting 11 at the 18's, drop from the program. Nobody can take away from you that experience and resume mark you have and apply it to the club/HS team of your choice. It's all experience.

This is a funny post. At the time of your life take two years off from playing and if it don't work out play U-18. Good advice can you also tell me about a home equity loan or other advice.

No one can take away the great two years you had not playing, except for the people that didn't play yah. How about this Timber DA create manageable rosters.

Oh, and the training from the club coaches now coaching the DA is much better than the club training they put on when they were with the club???????? What were they slackers at the club. It is all youth soccer.

Bottomline, here it is. MLS mandated the the DA. The Timbers did as little as possible to fullfill this requirement. They had a few fulltime staffers from OYSA ODP and said have at it, don't call. You think the FO gives a crap about you or the DA, they don't even care about the fans who have to pay and watch the vomit they are putting out on the field.[/QUOTE]


You are exactly the players parent that needs to stay as far away from anything that resembles the Timbers DA. Keep you son right where he is at, playing HS soccer (and sucking at it) and at his now lousy club team (since the best have moved onto the DA). Im sure it will serve his (and your) personality the best.

The moment I read some parent spouting off about how crappy this is, or how terrible a club or coach is there, I know within seconds that your kid couldn't make the elite level team and has had to settle for whatever team/club will accept him. Stop blaming everything and everyone for your child's lack of ability. It's nobody's fault but yours. If you wanted you son to be the next Messi, then YOU should have planned a lil further in advance.