Ya i agree with Lazer3... the club should be obligated to cover expenses of the travel, uniforms etc. If the players are good enough to play at supposedly "the highest level of youth soccer in the country" they shouldnt be paying to show thier talent.

I definitely agree with all of you guys, but is it really realistic thinking that this is going to happen?? i mean some teams like the galaxy and chivas have u20 teams but nothing else. I think that they should start working their way down to younger teams as soon as the academy is properly in place.

BFUDGE wrote:

QUOTE:
I definitely agree with all of you guys, but is it really realistic thinking that this is going to happen?? i mean some teams like the galaxy and chivas have u20 teams but nothing else. I think that they should start working their way down to younger teams as soon as the academy is properly in place.

FA SHOOOOOOO...
ya hit it right on the money man. Developing kids from a younga age would obviously make sense and ultimately make the system better. Starting with the younga kids is money...

I think that the competition is much better in the Academy league. Playing CSL premier last year and the academy this year are like night and day. Both had good teams, but the competition and atmosphere of the academy is much better. There were always scouts at games, and many players from my team are now going to play in college. HOWEVER i think that there are definate areas for inprovement... here are my suggestions (coming from a player)

1. Cut out the small clubs and have the MLS teams each have a team
2. Clubs pay for expenses etc
3. Player and Parent education about what is being done

I think those are are valid points, but are they really realistic for US soccer? I mean not many people in the US really care about soccer, and im sure YOUTH soccer takes a back seat to most peoples priorities. I think theyre all good ideas, but a very far stretch for american soccer.

these are all good points. i think that the academy is working well, anything is an imprvement from what was in place int he past... wich wasnt much. Rather than scrutinizing it, US Soccer should be working on improvements to the system. I think the idea posed earlier about all MLS teams having an academy is a GREAT idea. anyone else agree?