Yeah it wold. In europe, you start out with the youth development program and the ultimate goal would be playing in a first team game. Do you think many people in the united states know about this system though??

I dont think many people outside of the football realm know much about the european development process at all. I mean how would they? Being originally from Ireland and moving here, i think that more people like parents and coaches at the YOUNGEST level need to be educated about the youth football development process. Dont you think thats a good place to start?

I agree. Parents and coaches at the youngest levels need to be educated about how things are done in europe and presented with ideas to mimic that here in america. Maybe even starting at the youngest levels of club and AYSO would help and show parents, kids, and coaches what the next level of soccer in the US could be.

Exactly!! by educating parents, players, and coaches from a young age, elite soccer will force its way into the US soccer system.

It will be interesting to track the effects of the DA on the USYSA Championships. The USYSA in Colorado is struggling to put representative teams on the field that can compete in regionals. I also think this will affect the showcases that have been used by the colleges to recruit players to their schools.

The DA filled a void that was created by the antique structures of the traditional youth soccer environment. Region IV must address the issues around the development of the Academy. In the past 10 years, I don't think the USYSA has been responsive to the most important member: the player. And from this the coaches have suffered under their direction, and in turn the parents that "get it." I'm sure that even in the infancy of the DA, their is much more customer satisfaction with this group than the formal.

So one structure replaces another because it become irrelevant. What's new?

This is a very good point. I think that the way things are going, the USYSA will pretty much become obsolete. But what do you think the clubs that arent in the academy will do????