Boys DA

[Unregistered]

MLS sucks and Timbers program may be the worse of any in the MLS. Timbers have done it on the cheep from day 1 and their program have been poor as a result.

Academy, Salami, it doesn't matter . . . either way they blow.

There are differences in how local clubs organize their various levels; has nothing to do with the Timbers, so carry-on with your foam finger somewhere else.

[Unregistered]

"There are only (2) USDA Academy Programs in Oregon sponsored by the Portland Timbers and soon the Portland Thorns for boys and girls.

Local clubs in a soon to be defunct u12 Boys USDA sponsored league are not Academy teams or clubs. For the record. "


Why would you assume "soon to be defunct"? They just added two more birth years.

[Unregistered]

Let's be real clear about this, just because you came up with the notion of some cosmic fiction called 'academy style' doesn't make it real. You can assign any characteristic you want to these fantasy clubs that do it 'academy style' it simply funnier than hell and a complete fabrication of reality.

Again, I'm just stating how the term is commonly used. I'm not agreeing with the righteousness of the definition, but when someone says "academy style", this is what they mean.

And lots of clubs out there refer to themselves as "academies". Some actually are, or are close--there's a club down in Woodburn called "Academia Leon", which is affiliated somehow with Liga MX club Leon. The exact scope of the relationship (whether Leon owns this club or simply licenses their name and kit, minus the Corona beer logo, and whether local talented Mexicans who play for this club have a better shot at playing for Leon one day or not) I do not know. The few teams from this club I've seen in person weren't very good, but other Leon teams have won various OYSA leagues.

OTOH, ADF (Academia de futboltraining) isn't affiliated with any pro team.

There are only (2) USDA Academy Programs in Oregon sponsored by the Portland Timbers and soon the Portland Thorns for boys and girls.

And I agree! ADF, FC Portland Academy, Academia Leon, and the Whichever Timbers U12 Academy teams are nto part of the USDA Academy Program.

Local clubs in a soon to be defunct u12 Boys USDA sponsored league are not Academy teams or clubs. For the record.

Fair enough--but do you know something I don't?

At any rate, USDA seems to use and permit the word "academy" for these programs, so take it up with them.

Every club registered with OYSA (which nearly all are now) is either a Recreational club stand-alone, Classic Stand-alone or the combination of both Recreational & Classic.

Once again no Oregon youth 501c3 club has been or will ever be an 'academy-style' program, first off they don't exist and only the Portland Timbers & Thorns can lay claim to being a USDA Academy club. as deemed by US Soccer.

This is getting rather stupid rather quickly. If OYSA or US Soccer or some other governing body with the power to enforce such a decree, wishes to prohibit garden-variety classic clubs from calling their programs "academies", or referring to pool training as "academy style", that's their prerogative.

It's not yours, however.

At any rate, USYSA has a slideshow on "academy-style" training, so this isn't a term that wasn't invented by some overzealous local DoC or some idiot on this forum.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...52EHXA&cad=rja

Now, I know full well that USYSA is not USDA, and yes, there's far too many organizations with their hands on the wheel. But there it is.

In addition they cover the costs (invest) in all their players nearly the entire cost surrounding participation and parents don't have to pay for; fields, training, travel, per-diem, referee fees, league fees, balls, uniforms, training equipment, locker rooms etc... they pay the freight for each member player. No pay to play model club in Oregon will ever do that for it's local membership and US Soccer will never make any of our clubs 'Academy' clubs due to lack of coaching resources and lack of achievement on the field and a history of producing next level (pro players)

Yes, I know this.

Just so you know each and every Oregon classic-only club has all it's fees paid by parents, for each and every level of player, all the fees collected go into the operation of the club as revenue, what the net-profit ends up, if any, actually subsidizes whatever club programs they choose, as mandated by the IRS for a non-profit 501c3 status.

Basically a blanket ignorant statement that the c-teamers are at least in part-- subsidizing an A team is a best a ridiculous myth. Unless you have proof otherwise and again each club runs differently and could be using the profit heavy arm of their recreational programs and tournaments to pay scholarships for 'A' teamers. In the end most if not all classic programs expenses match revenues or even run at a loss, even the ones that are well funded and managed, it's just the nature of the beast.

Oh, I know quite well that youth soccer clubs operate on a shoestring--except for the DoC, who at many clubs has a six-figure salary. But I know of quite a few clubs where the C team trains less often than the A team, for the same fee. The amount of the "subsidy" isn't much, but it's there.

Sounds like the guy doesn't like losing which is OK, what's his development plan?

Well, the DoC who (allegedly) uttered this is one of the most successful in Oregon, whose club has produced many successful pros and a few internationals, even. And he's one of the few DoCs in the state who DOESN'T draw a six figure salary. But he runs a TA club, so according to you he probably doesn't know anything...

[Unregistered]

"There are only (2) USDA Academy Programs in Oregon sponsored by the Portland Timbers and soon the Portland Thorns for boys and girls.

Local clubs in a soon to be defunct u12 Boys USDA sponsored league are not Academy teams or clubs. For the record.
Why would you assume "soon to be defunct"? They just added two more birth years.

The leadership in US Soccer has come to the conclusion after 1/2 a playing season that the Oregon market cannot field 6 or 7 club teams of any decent standard at u12 boys. So it pointless to consider growing it to u13 and u14 league..the top brass at US Soccer has made its mind up..bottom line Timbers will ne the only show in town for boys at any age..which is wise for Oregon.

Of course other parts of the nation will have u 12 u 13 and U14 leagues just not here.

Timbers DA will be it u12 and up.

[Unregistered]

The leadership in US Soccer has come to the conclusion after 1/2 a playing season that the Oregon market cannot field 6 or 7 club teams of any decent standard at u12 boys. So it pointless to consider growing it to u13 and u14 league..the top brass at US Soccer has made its mind up..bottom line Timbers will ne the only show in town for boys at any age..which is wise for Oregon.

Of course other parts of the nation will have u 12 u 13 and U14 leagues just not here.

Timbers DA will be it u12 and up.

Where is this announcement??

[Unregistered]

Again, I'm just stating how the term is commonly used. I'm not agreeing with the righteousness of the definition, but when someone says "academy style", this is what they mean.

Whenever anyone says 'academy style', nobody on planet earth knows what that means or what they are referring too. Unless, you ask them to explain what their unique 'Academy style' is,then you get to hear the mindless rationalizations of how they run their non profit club.

It's simply used as slogan for any club here in the states, that isn't actually a USDA Academy club. In it's most common form it's called Penis 'envy'...

At any rate, USYSA has a slideshow on "academy-style" training, so this isn't a term that wasn't invented by some overzealous local DoC or some idiot on this forum.

See penis envy.

]Oh, I know quite well that youth soccer clubs operate on a shoestring--except for the DOC who at many clubs has a six-figure salary. But I know of quite a few clubs where the C team trains less often than the A team, for the same fee. The amount of the "subsidy" isn't much, but it's there.

Conversely, I know quite few club B & C teams that train more often than the A team for the same fee to the parents, and the B & C coach makes far less than the A team coach. So what. It happens.

Well, the DoC who (allegedly) uttered this is one of the most successful in Oregon, whose club has produced many successful pros and a few internationals, even. And he's one of the few DoCs in the state who DOESN'T draw a six figure salary. But he runs a TA club, so according to you he probably doesn't know anything...

Too bad the development plan, players & coaching requisite to create these Oregon pros and a few Oregon internationals you elude all left that club years ago and now he is left dealing with this current mess in local competitions/sidelines. Feel for the guy, get his point.

[Unregistered]

The leadership in US Soccer has come to the conclusion after 1/2 a playing season that the Oregon market cannot field 6 or 7 club teams of any decent standard at u12 boys. So it pointless to consider growing it to u13 and u14 league..the top brass at US Soccer has made its mind up..bottom line Timbers will ne the only show in town for boys at any age..which is wise for Oregon.

Of course other parts of the nation will have u 12 u 13 and U14 leagues just not here.

Timbers DA will be it u12 and up.

Six or seven U12 DA teams is a bit much, given only 24 or so spots on U14.

2-3 local teams, located in different parts of town, plus perhaps one in Salem and/or Eugene, makes more sense.

[Unregistered]

The guy who keeps referring to 'Academy Style training' would of been better understood if he at least, from the onset of his postings indicated that he was referencing Mr. Tommy Geis of the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Program and his outline of the doctrine of USYS 'Academy Style training'. file:///C:/Users/Lisa/Downloads/AcademyYouthSoccer_Geis.pdf which basically is the blueprint of the core principles of the USDA program for boys and girls

For the record, any local club worth their salt should indicate they follow this specific model, but as well all know nobody in Oregon is actually using his model, outside of the Portland Timbers/Thorns DA.

Local Clubs take pieces of it for sure, but that doesn't make them Academies or USDA Programs, just like everyone else on planet earth they steal the parts they like, disregard other components and incorporate these ideas into an existing club culture and move forward.

Academy style is not an everyday word in the lexicon of local non-profit soccer clubs descriptions and it's been so blatantly abused by clueless coaches/clubs as a blanket panacea without description or methodology, much like concept of Futsal as the newest panacea for all of our soccer shortcomings it's really just a sophomoric buzz word without a process or understanding.

Remember 'Make America, Great Again!' It actually won an election.

[Unregistered]

Where is this announcement??

When US Soccer fold leagues or DA Clubs they don't announce it to the public, kind of like when the USDA took the Academy Club distinction away from FC Portland due to poor performance. Neither FC PDX or US Soccer offered i[ a press release, US Soccer stayed quiet and FC Portland claimed the couldn't afford. Bottom line it's gone.

[Unregistered]

The guy who keeps referring to 'Academy Style training' would of been better understood if he at least, from the onset of his postings indicated that he was referencing Mr. Tommy Geis of the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Program and his outline of the doctrine of USYS 'Academy Style training'. file:///C:/Users/Lisa/Downloads/AcademyYouthSoccer_Geis.pdf which basically is the blueprint of the core principles of the USDA program for boys and girls

For the record, any local club worth their salt should indicate they follow this specific model, but as well all know nobody in Oregon is actually using his model, outside of the Portland Timbers/Thorns DA.

Local Clubs take pieces of it for sure, but that doesn't make them Academies or USDA Programs, just like everyone else on planet earth they steal the parts they like, disregard other components and incorporate these ideas into an existing club culture and move forward.

Like I said, take it up with the clubs that use (or as you think, abuse) the term.

At any rate, Geis makes it clear in his presentation that he views his model as useful for clubs at all levels, just not Development Academies.™ Not all clubs can use it (small ones may have difficulty in particular), but he seems to promote the term "academy style" for those that do.

Now whether a partial implementation should use the term or not, I don't care. If you want to know what a club does, ask--don't infer details from buzzwords on the website.

[Unregistered]

Too bad the development plan, players & coaching requisite to create these Oregon pros and a few Oregon internationals you elude all left that club years ago and now he is left dealing with this current mess in local competitions/sidelines. Feel for the guy, get his point.

Uh, players are supposed to eventually leave youth soccer clubs--when they are no longer youth. Or if they transfer (often with the club's blessing) to an elite program like IMG, or to the DA now that it exists.

I'm curious which coaches have left that you think haven't been adequately replaced.

As far as the "development plan" leaving--what, did it sprout legs, leap out of a filing cabinet, run out the club office door, past the taco cart and the flea market, and get hit by a truck on Western Avenue? Did one of the coaches who left pilfer the only copy, depriving said club of all institutional knowledge concerning the game of soccer?

[Unregistered]

Like I said, take it up with the clubs that use (or as you think, abuse) the term.

At any rate, Geis makes it clear in his presentation that he views his model as useful for clubs at all levels, just not Development Academies.™ Not all clubs can use it (small ones may have difficulty in particular), but he seems to promote the term "academy style" for those that do.

Now whether a partial implementation should use the term or not, I don't care. If you want to know what a club does, ask--don't infer details from buzzwords on the website.

No club in Oregon credits or claims to follow his USDA youth acdemy outline, until they do its still a hollow slogan in Oregon at best, used to hopefully keep c team parents from jumping clubs and keep young millienals paid coaching as many b and c teams as a living wage...whilst avoidimg the actual workforce as long as possible.


By defintion and execution only Portland Timbers can lay claim to being an actual Academy program.

Love to know which local club will follow this prescribed method imdicated by Geis.

Please list those clubs that would be great.

Right now nobodys on the list..

[Unregistered]

Uh, players are supposed to eventually leave youth soccer clubs--when they are no longer youth. Or if they transfer (often with the club's blessing) to an elite program like IMG, or to the DA now that it exists.

I'm curious which coaches have left that you think haven't been adequately replaced.

As far as the "development plan" leaving--what, did it sprout legs, leap out of a filing cabinet, run out the club office door, past the taco cart and the flea market, and get hit by a truck on Western Avenue? Did one of the coaches who left pilfer the only copy, depriving said club of all institutional knowledge concerning the game of soccer?

Since 2010/11 no Westside youth player has become a Pro.

Is this due to the TImbers DA starting in 2012? And taking those type of players out of the club?

Its true the entire u14 to u19 arm of westside has been gutted with the inception of DA in 2012.

The better question is what are the Timbers DA doing so wrong in the last 5 years,(0 pros)/ that Westside was doing so well (developing pros) in the decade prior?

Any thoughts.

[Unregistered]

Since 2010/11 no Westside youth player has become a Pro.

Uh, Rubio Rubin?

True, he did leave Westside in 2011; but that wasn't to a pro contract (he was only 15 at the time) but to IMG. He was sufficiently talented that a residential academy (no DA at the time) was a better place for his continued development than a local club team.

This, I think, is a GOOD thing.

Is this due to the TImbers DA starting in 2012? And taking those type of players out of the club?

Its true the entire u14 to u19 arm of westside has been gutted with the inception of DA in 2012.

It's almost certainly due to top players moving to DA at 14.

And generally, Cony and company seem happy with this. It is considered a success if one of their players goes to DA and turns pro--Villegas is probably the next in the pipe. Yes, it arguably weakens the HS-aged teams at all the local clubs, but so what?

Are you suggesting that the club is going downhill because they aren't keeping pro prospects in the fold until U19? Part of signing up with the TA and putting the axe on the shirt is referring the top players to the DA. After all, if a player is that good, they're probably better off going in that direction than remaining with the local club.

The better question is what are the Timbers DA doing so wrong in the last 5 years,(0 pros)/ that Westside was doing so well (developing pros) in the decade prior?

Any thoughts.

Now 1 pro; with former Eastside player and Academy prospect Marco Farfan signing with the first team last fall.

That said,, the Timbers didn't seem to take the DA very seriously until recently--something that is true for quite a few MLS clubs, particularly those not located in soccer-rich hotbeds, which Portland is not. Also, I imagine it took a year or two to "prime the pump".

One thing to note about the various pros produced by the old Westside Metros during the oughts: most of them (Barrett, Hurtado, Mwanga) went to play college ball before turning pro. At the time, that was a more common pathway for American males with pro ambitions--with the MLS starting to imitate overseas development models more and more, players are being exposed to the pro game at a younger age. (Farfan, for example, is 17 and still in high school). And as MLS has grown in stature, it's gone from a "retirement league" to one that attracts many young foreign prospects.

And there may be issues with the USDA development model. Some don't like the "no-other-sports" rule--it can be argued that playing in other sports, even if not at a high level, makes for better soccer players. And limiting games might not be the panacea it is claimed to be--scrimmages and pick-up matches aren't always played at full pace, where competitive matches with something at stake involve an intensity that simply isn't there at training. (Spacing out games is a good thing, so bodies have time to recover). And I still think they narrow the funnel too early--the mismatch between the number of U12 players in the various club academy teams, and the size of the U14s, is an issue--I don't know about the youth careers of any of the players listed above, but if they were late bloomers it's entirely possible that the DA, had it existed, would have passed them over.

What are your thoughts?

[Unregistered]

Like I said, take it up with the clubs that use (or as you think, abuse) the term.

Until any these local volunteer based non-profit clubs actually have the resources, leadership, staff and coaching ability to execute any specific plan for training and player development, the current status quo will rule the day, which is make it up as you go, and sell it as quick as you can, before you get found out.(the beauty is you rarely get exposed) due to consumer ignorance. Soon you will be working with another age group and the cycle continues.

This is a systemic problem in youth soccer development in the Oregon.

It's the entire organism not just any particular club that is infected and there isn't a cure in sight.