Checkin on our Pro Academies

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Thorns
u14 - no standings, 0-6 in 2019
u15 - 8th of 8
u17 - 8th of 8
u19 - 5th of 8

Timbers
u14 - no standings 2-4 in 2019
u15 - 7th of 10
u17 - 6th of 10
u19 - 7th of 9

Crazy part - Timbers academy started out alright (first couple of years). What happened? Are they weak because so many youth players are getting first team minutes?

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The u13s are one of the top teams in the country fwiw.

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The u13s are one of the top teams in the country fwiw.

Fair enough, that team is doing well.

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They just aren’t getting the talent.

Girls for some strange reason want to play high school soccer. That has hurt turn out. Across the country the top girls clubs are exiting the GDA because kids and parents want high school sports.

It does open up spots for other kids that might not be getting playing time elsewhere so it’s a good thing.

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the Answer on the boy's side is easy. Coaching! The Directors are incompetent. They are not interested in developing players. IF you want players to come thru the system if you want better results get rid of both of them as soon as possible. They spend zero time with the younger age groups. They are unapproachable by the players. There is no accountability, very little organization, communication is far from professional. They are an embarrassment to the Timbers organization. Mr. Paulson, Mr. Grabavoy so the soccer community you care about the Academy and replace these two with coaches that want to better players and care.

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Timbers have some integrity and do the right thing. Replace your Directors with Coaches that want to work with Academy Players and help them reach their potential

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Thorns
u14 - no standings, 0-6 in 2019
u15 - 8th of 8
u17 - 8th of 8
u19 - 5th of 8

Timbers
u14 - no standings 2-4 in 2019
u15 - 7th of 10
u17 - 6th of 10
u19 - 7th of 9

Crazy part - Timbers academy started out alright (first couple of years). What happened? Are they weak because so many youth players are getting first team minutes?

Those are depressing statistics. Had no idea we were so bad.

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The u13s are one of the top teams in the country fwiw.

Of course they left off that team, it doesn’t fit their narrative

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Of course they left off that team, it doesn’t fit their narrative

You are right, it doesn't but only reason mentioned the u14 boys teams (who doesn't play in a national league) is that there was a u14 thorns team.

Not sure it really changes the outcome - out of 9 academy teams, 1 has a winning record.

There was lots of hope when Larry came on board things would get better; Timbers have for a number of years had substantial influence over the state-wide leagues at OYSA, ODP, and alliance clubs . . . with so much control, why not better outcomes?

Looking back at the early years of the Timbers Academy, they seemed to have much more success with a lot less influence over things like c leagues.

Assuming wins/losses is not the way to judge an academy, are they are moving players up to the first team in higher numbers, thus weakening what is below?

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You are right, it doesn't but only reason mentioned the u14 boys teams (who doesn't play in a national league) is that there was a u14 thorns team.

Not sure it really changes the outcome - out of 9 academy teams, 1 has a winning record.

There was lots of hope when Larry came on board things would get better; Timbers have for a number of years had substantial influence over the state-wide leagues at OYSA, ODP, and alliance clubs . . . with so much control, why not better outcomes?

Looking back at the early years of the Timbers Academy, they seemed to have much more success with a lot less influence over things like c leagues.

Assuming wins/losses is not the way to judge an academy, are they are moving players up to the first team in higher numbers, thus weakening what is below?

I'm not sure W/L record is the best way to judge an academy; players moved to the first team are.

Of course, in the current MLS setup, the Timbers home market puts them at a disadvantage. If PTFC's academy was regularly able to beat e.g. LAFC, I'd be impressed.

That said--there is much to be desired about how it is run.

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Of course they left off that team, it doesn’t fit their narrative

1 decent team out of 9 Does not mean they have a good SYSTEM AND ACADEMY! It just says that they have a year (at the very youngest age group) with some talent that they have not ruined yet. And FYI even though the 06’s are having some success in Seattle they are not one of the “top teams in the country”, northwest sure, one needs to look no further than the results from the so cal showcase in November to show that...

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You are right, it doesn't but only reason mentioned the u14 boys teams (who doesn't play in a national league) is that there was a u14 thorns team.

Not sure it really changes the outcome - out of 9 academy teams, 1 has a winning record.

There was lots of hope when Larry came on board things would get better; Timbers have for a number of years had substantial influence over the state-wide leagues at OYSA, ODP, and alliance clubs . . . with so much control, why not better outcomes?

Looking back at the early years of the Timbers Academy, they seemed to have much more success with a lot less influence over things like c leagues.

Assuming wins/losses is not the way to judge an academy, are they are moving players up to the first team in higher numbers, thus weakening what is below?

No and I fact have a terrible track record of developing first team players who are “homegrown”

[Unregistered]

You are right, it doesn't but only reason mentioned the u14 boys teams (who doesn't play in a national league) is that there was a u14 thorns team.

Not sure it really changes the outcome - out of 9 academy teams, 1 has a winning record.

There was lots of hope when Larry came on board things would get better; Timbers have for a number of years had substantial influence over the state-wide leagues at OYSA, ODP, and alliance clubs . . . with so much control, why not better outcomes?

Looking back at the early years of the Timbers Academy, they seemed to have much more success with a lot less influence over things like c leagues.

Assuming wins/losses is not the way to judge an academy, are they are moving players up to the first team in higher numbers, thus weakening what is below?

Regardless of whether you are affiliated with the Timbers (Timbers Academy, Timbers Affiliate club) or not, I really think most people in Portland/SW Washington metro area agree that the Timbers Academy should be the desired landing spot for the best players in the area. All ***** talking aside, all soccer in Oregon would benefit from TA being the top of the pyramid, and the results reflected by the teams placed on the field.

Yes, 06 is a very good team and indicative of the possibilities when teams are formed without bias, or undue outside influence. Several posters have mentioned that the directors have failed, and I believe that is a valid assessment. Not only because of the records for the teams, but. because of the soccer community's overall view and feeling towards the Academy. Timber's academy needs to set the example and create the culture in this area. If that is the case, then regardless of whether a club is an affiliate club or not, the goal will be to develop, identify and move to Timbers Academy. No question. I really would like to see a change and see TA become what it could....should be. Right now, all things associated with Timbers are negative. From MLS first team down. That is the prevailing opinion, and it is sad.

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1 decent team out of 9 Does not mean they have a good SYSTEM AND ACADEMY! It just says that they have a year (at the very youngest age group) with some talent that they have not ruined yet. And FYI even though the 06’s are having some success in Seattle they are not one of the “top teams in the country”, northwest sure, one needs to look no further than the results from the so cal showcase in November to show that...

The local clubs (girls) that played in the once top shelf US Club ECNL league of yesteryear produced on field records during that short spell that were even more abysmal then the professional DA teams housed with the MLS Timbers & NWSL Thorns do modern day.

So, it's fair to say they professional DA does a better job at not sucking as the local neighborhood clubs.

Which actually supports the reality that the talent level, level of competition and training is factually better than what our local club fare churns out.

Now that this reality is evidenced can we move on?

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I'm not sure W/L record is the best way to judge an academy; players moved to the first team are.

Of course, in the current MLS setup, the Timbers home market puts them at a disadvantage. If PTFC's academy was regularly able to beat e.g. LAFC, I'd be impressed.

That said--there is much to be desired about how it is run.

Stop making excuses- the “market” is big enough. it’s the political mess, complete apathy (relative to other mls clubs) towards the youth academy and flat out chitty coaching and development by the current staff that makes this thing a laughing stock and complete embarrassment