I would appreciate feedback from parents who's sons have played on the Academy team this past year. I have a son who's a 97 and interested in trying out for the Academy in July. Would you be able to provide insight as to your son's relationship with coaches/teammates, and overall experience? I have watched several games and it seems there are definite favorites. I was surprised to see that a few talented players were sitting on the bench and I wondered why. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I would also appreciate not receiving any negative and wise guy remarks to this post because I have no ulterior motives for starting this thread. I'm sure there are other parents who would greatly benefit from this thread as well. Thanks!
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If you are really trying to determine from the blog whether to participate, then your kid probably should not. The DA is for kids who are nuts about soccer. It is hard to get school work done. The DA coaches do not communicate well with the parents and, to some extent, with the kids.
Many good players ride pine for both good reasons and bad reasons. There are supposed to be a 25% start rate so maybe you came on that day.
My child has thrived primarily because he likes to play with the best players in the state and against good teams. He has had better/wors coaching.
I would not come from outside the Portland/Salem/Vancouver area as the sacrifice is too high.
I think recruiting for colleges will get better next year.
You cannot beat the cost. I would have paid 2000 for the experience because the plane tickets were worth that much easily. -
Thank you for your feedback. It is greatly appreciated. It sounds as though your son has had a great experience and played a lot :)Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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Why is it difficult getting school work done? Isn't the commitment level the same or slightly more demanding than a club team?Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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Because they don't focus on high school--it's the "pathway to the pros." That and the time commitment is substantially greater. Watching reserve games, getting called up for games etc., extensive travel. To the extent the commitment jeopardizes college opportunities, it's not worth it because for nearly all of them, the best outcome is a college opportunity. If that's blown by getting bad grades then high level soccer is pretty much over.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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really
I think the DA commitment is less then club and high school combined.
High school soccer is about 3 months and you train or play 5 days a week.
Then you get a break, so do the DA kids then comes club. Club trains 2 maybe 3 days a week with two games almost every weekend, showcases, champions league, then state cup, then more touraments.
Meanwhile the DA trains 3 weeknights and plays 28 dates spreadout over 10 months.
This years DA class isn't that impressive for our expectations and certainly nothing greater than what these players whould have achived if they just continued with club or stayed with Seattle DA
The staff isn't what we all hoped for either.
of course this is a GW program so maybe it is better than we should have expected.Comment
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Agreed! I believe you can achieve the same thing just playing for a club team. The DA has their favorites and unless you are one of those, you are in no way better off than your high school/club counterparts.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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Competition is the only difference from club soccer
This reason alone made it well worth the experience. Giving up the recreational competition at HS and the classic level available in Oregon club was the clincher. Forgot to mention it was nice to have someone else invest around 10K for my child's experience in top tier youth soccer it was unbelievable. Complaining about the coaching or the lack of communication at times is really not appropriate since we only put a $500 deposit down for the entire experience. Reading how people bitch and whine about the coaching or GW is like listening to someone who gets a free sample at costco 5x a week for a year complain about the quality of the free samples. It's foolish. Yes they can improve, but beggars can't be choosers.
Would I rather spend 5 to 7K on the current club experience offered for my son's age, of course not.Comment
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I have been following the DA this past year. My biggest question is with regards to playing time. Why are certain players (i.e. former Galacticos standout in particular who has credentials) not playing more? And...if this is the case, are these players better off playing with their former team--who is doing great by the way.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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Not free
A porition of every opl card fees pays for the DA. We are all paying for it.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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That's great!
Be sure and thank your club's DOC for the subsidy, he approved and signed off on it.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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That's the tough situation.
Those who don't play much for the academy team. Should the return to their former club teams?Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
Sometimes the NBA Blazers send their players back to the 'D' League for more development sometimes they go back and help their teams compete for the 'D" league title.
Good point.Comment
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A bigger mystery is the player who has started the most games and who is also the captain. I've seen the team play many times and I don't see it.Originally posted by Unregistered View PostComment
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