Timbers Discovery Program

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That’s fine and all, but TA is the best game in town, hands down, end of story. What that means is Portland as a soccer community is beholden to a self serving, closed off, highly political organization. Who suffers? The kids that could be and maybe even should be on TA but aren’t because their club isn’t one of the chosen ones. We should expect and demand better from TA, they should want to lead by example, but nope, this is what we get. I don’t care, but I’m very very disappointed for our soccer community.

Expecting and demanding better from an MLS franchisee is an oxymoron. Please do some research and understand the single entity MLS model is by design and function not intended ever to do better. It's said to be a modern day ponzi scheme or socialist redistribution model.

I can't believe you that clueless.

The whole thing was never built to be accountable are do better.

[Unregistered]

That’s fine and all, but TA is the best game in town, hands down, end of story. What that means is Portland as a soccer community is beholden to a self serving, closed off, highly political organization. Who suffers? The kids that could be and maybe even should be on TA but aren’t because their club isn’t one of the chosen ones. We should expect and demand better from TA, they should want to lead by example, but nope, this is what we get. I don’t care, but I’m very very disappointed for our soccer community.

Except that TA's roster is full of kids who played for ADF, FC, PCU, various Latino teams, and other non-Academy clubs. "They only recruit from Alliance teams" is so much unmitigated horse manure, I don't know where to begin.

[Unregistered]

Expecting and demanding better from an MLS franchisee is an oxymoron. Please do some research and understand the single entity MLS model is by design and function not intended ever to do better. It's said to be a modern day ponzi scheme or socialist redistribution model.

I can't believe you that clueless.

The whole thing was never built to be accountable are do better.

Well there is that.

[Unregistered]

That’s fine and all, but TA is the best game in town, hands down, end of story. What that means is Portland as a soccer community is beholden to a self serving, closed off, highly political organization. Who suffers? The kids that could be and maybe even should be on TA but aren’t because their club isn’t one of the chosen ones. We should expect and demand better from TA, they should want to lead by example, but nope, this is what we get. I don’t care, but I’m very very disappointed for our soccer community.

You need to talk to your DOC and coach. When the TA wants a player they reach out to those two first. If your child plays for a non-TA club you more than likely don’t get the info from your club because they are not interested in your child’s development. They need your money to pay their wages so losing you to the TA would hurt their pocketbooks. I personally know a few coaches and DOC’s who have threatened players if they go to a TA tryout.

[Unregistered]

You need to talk to your DOC and coach. When the TA wants a player they reach out to those two first. If your child plays for a non-TA club you more than likely don’t get the info from your club because they are not interested in your child’s development. They need your money to pay their wages so losing you to the TA would hurt their pocketbooks. I personally know a few coaches and DOC’s who have threatened players if they go to a TA tryout.

*cough* ADF *cough*

[Unregistered]

Your numbers are off on the first session. The November/December sessions of 2008 boys from Alliance clubs was about 36-38 kids. Of those 36-38, only 12-14 were invited back to the second discovery session which started last night. They then added 20+ non-alliance 2008 kids with a few more to be added in the coming weeks. So the 2008 pool is at about 36 for 16 full time spots that will be filled in April. There will also be about 8-10 part time and practice players that will be selected from that 36.

It looked like the 07 group is much smaller - about 14 there last night, culled down from about 22 in Nov/Dec, but that's probably because they aren't picking a full roster. Not many 07 spots will be open, other than part-time/practice spots.

Thanks for clarification on numbers- I did notice on the module 11 site there are now around 40 2008 boys listed... Either way it should be a solid experience for the kids-

[Unregistered]

It's obvious that the name ''Development Academy'' is not what it should be.

MLS Academy teams are looking for those players that are advanced in every aspect of the game.

1. Technically
2. Physically
3. Soccer IQ
ETC....

When you sign their contract they tell the parent and the kid that IF the player is not performing to their highest ability they (the academy) reserve the right to rescind the contract. This means the checkered flag at the end isn't the finish line. Just because you made the Academy team doesn't mean that's the be all end all.

If your kid plays club soccer you're paying club fees which include coaching fees. Meaning you're paying that coach for his services they are not doing it for free.

If your kid does private training sessions then you're paying for those as well and are paying the coach for his services to ''develop'' your kid.

Why would certain clubs or coaches feel like their players are getting poached, or why would they feel they've done all the work for TA to just come and take their ''product''

Remember you are paying for their services so your kid is not a coaches ''product'' they don't own your kid if anything as a parent you are making it possible for that coach to make a living out of what he/she loves to do.

The best bet for kids to play at a high level in Oregon is TA and maybe as time goes by things will get better. Soccer is becoming more popular as a whole in the U.S and it wouldn't hurt if the Sounders opened an academy or affiliate program in Oregon or if Oregon had another MLS franchise. Only then would TA step up their efforts and create a better environment for the talent in the state.

[Unregistered]

Does anyone know when they will be announcing the 2008 Boy's TA roster? Will there be a cost associated with the TA for 2020-2021?

[Unregistered]

07 and 08 Discovery pools were narrowed down with invites last night. Players that make the rosters will be officially invited on April 17. They don't typically send out a roster so you have to hear through the grapevine or wait to show up at the first practices. They have told the Discovery player families that it will still be no cost next year.

[Unregistered]

07 and 08 Discovery pools were narrowed down with invites last night. Players that make the rosters will be officially invited on April 17. They don't typically send out a roster so you have to hear through the grapevine or wait to show up at the first practices. They have told the Discovery player families that it will still be no cost next year.

Thank You!

[Unregistered]

Does anyone know when they will be announcing the 2008 Boy's TA roster? Will there be a cost associated with the TA for 2020-2021?

They never announce. You find out in August at your first session

[Unregistered]

Anyone know how many kids got invited back for the last round?

[Unregistered]

anyone know how many kids got invited back for the last round?

25-30

[Unregistered]

The email we received said 25-30 for this round for the 2008's... to start next week. Then in April they will grind it down to the final roster. The players will then finish this season with their club teams prior to the start of TA training. There was great competition through the phase two and I can't wait to watch them in the third phase.

[Unregistered]

The email we received said 25-30 for this round for the 2008's... to start next week. Then in April they will grind it down to the final roster. The players will then finish this season with their club teams prior to the start of TA training. There was great competition through the phase two and I can't wait to watch them in the third phase.

I can't wait to see how many turn down this deep dive into nothing on April 17.

Not much attraction or any type of established competitive platform for these wee little whippersnappers.

In the HS ages this type of platform will attract some kids but in the 4th, 5th & 6th grade this is not any type of soccer destination or proving ground for Oregonians, at least not yet.

Sorry these boys are just too young and the Timbers offer nothing that the local clubs can't provide for these ages.