(Editor's Note: Since this was first published, much has transpired including the announcement of 64 lubs to take part in the first edition of a USSF National Academy League. As always, the competition is just the surface of the changes needed in our national developmental system, and there is still much to learn about how this new program will be implemented by the Federation)

The length of this editorial means it won't be for everyone, but the subjects discussed will affect just about everyone involved in elite youth soccer.



The news article regarding the possible formation of an Academy Level is Here

How the conversation has changed over the past 4 years in American youth soccer.

When we first started writing about the need to reform the developmental and competitive systems in elite youth soccer here, most of the responses were dismissive. “It’ll never happen. “What planet are you living on?” “Let kids be kids” and other curt, trump-proof but otherwise non-substantive replies were the order of the day.

Those less-than-thoughtful responses are echoes in the past. People are talking about major, radical even, changes to our system. And by people I don’t mean guys sitting in their walk-in closets located off the master bath of homes in central Indiana, but people who can actually do something about it.

Now we’re having a REAL conversation. Working Together will be vital.

Following are 95 points to consider in the discussion about forming an Academy Level.

Now that we are talking seriously about these things, there are a few inherent tensions that keep arising. They typically involve conflict between 2 or more of 5 interests:

Primary interests in the debate over the direction of elite player development:

1. The desire to reform our system to maximize youth development potential.
2. The desire of existing administrative, developmental and gaming organizations to maintain their business interests and influence.
3. The desire of the coaching community to be able to maintain their means of making a living.
4. The desire of many players and their families to advance to the highest levels possible in the world of soccer.
5. The prominent societal desire for children to receive a college education – typically immediately upon finishing high school.


6. The best solution in the end is one that attempts to accommodate as many of these interests as possible. It’s easy to be absolute on paper, but in reality we all have to live and work toward goals together, so some kind of synthesis is necessary.

7. It also should go without saying that we do not have the luxuries of talent, culture, experience or money to afford having divided mindset or efforts. So the only position or demand that should be automatically unacceptable is the one that refuses to accommodate or at least consider the others.

Absolute goals in the discussion over reforming elite player development:
8. Ensuring we are doing the right things both as a system and on the field to produce the best players.

9. Giving as many players as possible the most and best opportunities to develop to their full potential as players and as people (understanding that more is not always better – 2 needs to fit in the context of 1 and 9 in the context of 8).

10. Remembering the work of those coaches who have labored for excellence in player development and are willing to help foster progress in our system and methods.

A singular point

11. While the game has grown in popularity here, improvements have been made and we are more of a factor worldwide than we were 20 years (both in terms of a domestic league and re our national teams), we will not reach the top tier through simple osmosis. It is not inevitable that we will “get there.” The decisions to be made will be crucial in determining how good of a soccer nation we can be.

Issues related to Money:
12. When we talk about money in the current system, it is the money of the players’ families we are talking about, not the money of some organization.

13. The love of money is the root of all evil (not an original I know, but something to consider).

14. Making a living, being successful and providing for one’s family does not equal a love of money.

15. If we are to transition to a system where the top level of youth player does not pay the club to play, those pushing for such reforms (and they are needed) need to work toward solutions that make sense for those who have been doing the work of player development. If there are places for national-level investment in youth development, that is surely one of them.

16. Financial discussion should also include working toward a system where the developing entitites, clubs, academies or whatever, receive fees for players successfully delivered to the professional level. While pooled funds may work at some level, the more financial incentive introduced to the actual development system, the better. This is what drives the train in the world’s most successful talent-developing nations.

17. While pay-to-play is inherently problematic because of its effect team selection and program emphasis, a system that removes much of the cost currently borne by parents, could allow the actual club fees to remain for some of them, at least for some time.
18. Point 16 notwithstanding, pay-to-play ultimately segregates the American public when it comes to soccer, thus limiting our playing pool and hampering overall development.

19. While looking out for the livelihoods of those in the soccer community is commendable, the protection of practices and entities with agendas counterproductive to true player development is not. That would simply be cronyism or all the worst connotations of the phrase public welfare.



Issue related to our Social and Recreational Soccer legacy
20. There is still some underlying residue related to youth’s soccer place in the suburban social landscape. While this has little impact anymore in terms of the competitive setting, it does affect the overall mindset about the formation of an Academy Level.

21. All soccer players are not created equal. Some end up being better than others and they should, accordingly, play against opponents of a similar level.

22. Seeking to form a superior level for development and competition does not constitute elitism, it signals progress. Teams are not obligated to remain in the baby or intermediate pools.

23. From a player development perspective, players learn and improve more when faced with greater challenges from players of like ability.

24. Players feel less conflicted and tend to be more focused when in an environment characterized by a professional approach to player development and competition.

25. Don’t even get me started about high school soccer – the arguments for it are all still social and emotional. There are NO arguments for it from a developmental perspective.

26None of the above should be taken as a slam on actual recreational or high school soccer. For those who want that and nothing more, it’s a lovely thing.


Issues related to Organizations
27. A number of existing organizations are potentially against the idea of an Academy level, as it represents a threat to their revenue base.

28. It is ironic that organizations who have portrayed themselves as agents of reform, are speaking privately against the establishment of an Academy Level.
29. We have been unique among soccer nations to allow business organizations to take a preeminent role in player development and competitive structure.

30. The great majority of players competing under the banner of current organizations will be unaffected by the creation of the Academy Level.

31. If it is argued that the creation of an Academy Level will diminish the appeal of the current system for those unaffected participants, including its Cups and leagues, this would seem to be an acknowledgement of the insufficiency of the current system.

Issues related to Youth Soccer Clubs
32. As the day-to-day training and proving ground for our elite players, clubs need to be a focal point in whatever reforms are implemented en route to an Academy Level.

33. It is a truism that some clubs do their business better than others - some clubs have a proven track record of player development without excelling in the competitive format of the current system, others do well at both and others do neither.

34. There are also examples of clubs that turn a healthy profit without producing much in the way of top-level players and/or highly successful teams.

35. Similar to point 31, if a club which is faring well under the current system, argues that it will suffer under the creation of an Academy Level (which it will not choose or manage to be involved in), it is a tacit acknowledgement that what it is doing currently is something less than excellent.

36. Some balance will need to be reached between the need for oversight (of the use of funds and the reaching of standards) of soccer clubs and a recognition of the track record for professionalism for those at the leading edge of the club soccer community (who are most inclined to adapt to the changing landscape and the call for an Academy Level).

37. Some flexibility and opportunity for choice needs to be built into the standards to allow for innovation and creativity among the clubs. Competition breeds improvement at the club level as well as with players!

Issues related to Player Identification
38.While it is fashionable to criticize the Olympic Development Program, it should be remembered that under the current system, there is no way around having some sort of process by which players are grouped and selected geographically. As with any such program, players will be selected or cut.

39. There is some thought that establishment of an Academy Level and/or Major League Soccer’s youth system would make ODP obsolete.

40. Another line of thinking is that it would more likely be something that changes the structure of ODP rather than abolishing it. Consider if 16 of the 60-80 academies were run by U.S. Youth Soccer’s Regional program, 4 per region, with rosters determined via current state and regional tryout system.

41. Additionally State teams could be involved in a monthly competitive schedule that would serve as an in-between level for those players aspiring to the Academy Level but not chosen to be a participant.

42. The need for full-time staff to run such sub-regional academies and the state programs could spur the sponsoring organizations to move away from contracted, college coaches in their highest coaching roles, doing away with the inherent conflict of interest.


Issues related to College Soccer
43.The preference of most families involved in elite youth soccer is to have their children play college soccer.

44.The great majority of players competing at an Academy Level will still play in college soccer, even if they have professional aspirations.

45. Points 43 and 44 notwithstanding, there is an increasing interest among elite youth players to proceed directly to the professional ranks and eschew college soccer.

46. Bypassing college soccer is not the same as bypassing college.

47. The international player development norm does not include college soccer.

48. Many veterans of foreign player development systems see America’s priority of college soccer as a good thing, an ultimate safety net.

49. Major League Soccer will continue to develop a dual-track approach to professional player development, one that utilizes college soccer and the draft, and the other drawing players from an in-house youth development setup.

50. Given the truth of point 44, the Youth Academy level will need to incorporate some kind of Showcase segment to the schedule. This actually should be an opportunity for finding common ground (see competitive structure).


Issues related to Professional Soccer
51. Major League Soccer last year announced an initiative to develop youth players and sign some of those players to professional contracts. This would put the U.S. in step with every major soccer nation.

52. Even after announcing the initiative, some MLS teams have exhibited a walking-on-eggshells approach toward existing youth clubs in their area, in effect doing very little toward fulfilling the initiative.

53. Other MLS teams are competing directly with existing youth clubs, and rather than raise the bar for player development methods, are just offering more of the same, seeking to draw some of the revenue available through youth soccer.

54. The Academy Level proposal would allow MLS youth teams to fully function, both as a competitive venue and by lifting the veil of apprehension over moving the developmental model to a higher level.

55. AS MLS inevitably moves to a larger geographic footprint (30 teams have been mentioned), professional teams in the United Soccer Leagues could position themselves for inclusion by developing bona fide Academy Level programs (including sell-on privileges).


Issues related to the Competitive Format Schedule
56. There needs to be a cap on matches. I hear 35, 40, 45 or 50, but somewhere in there should be an absolute, “do not go above” line.

57. There needs to be a completely coordinated calendar, no matter how much or little overlap there ends up being between competitions.

58. There needs to be at least one substantial built-in break period for the season, more likely 2 breaks totaling 3 months.

59. Academy Level teams should utilize a FIFA International standard for substitutions with no re-entry. This will greatly reduce the tendency for high pressure to replace the overall tactical and technical approach to match play.

In American club matches you frequently see teams pressuring the other team for the duration of the match, leaving no time on the ball and usually forcing a kick and rush approach to the game, instead of teams being able to build up an attack with combination play. This also prevents teams from learning how to defend with finesse. The only reason a team can pressure the whole game like that is open substitution.


60. Accordingly, Academy Leagues should have the number of tiers to accommodate every player at an Academy to get a weekly match (15 in an A match and 15 in a B match for instance).

61. This may also reduce the perceived need for status quo tournaments to play 3-6 full-length matches on a weekend, as the pressure from paying families to get a requisite amount of playing time per player will be reduced with the skimming of the top layer of players for the Academy Level (don’t bet on this change however).

62. With the majority of existing teams unaffected by the creation of the Academy Level, there should be no reason to change the format or entry level for the State, Regional and National Cup competition of U.S. Youth Soccer.

63. Every effort should be made to incorporate the most development-minded competitions into the Academy Level competitive schedule, including the Coast Soccer League and the Red Bull National League.

64. It is not difficult to integrate a regional league schedule with a National Academy Cup competition that would double as the prime college recruiting venue.

65. An 80-academy national setup could include 10, 8-team or 5, 16-team regional leagues, with 28 or 30 league matches in fall and spring. The 80 teams could also be split into 5, 16-team National Divisions for a Cup competition (for instance, the 16 Red Bull teams, 16 MLS teams, 16 USL teams, 16 ODP sub-regional academies and 16 additional elite-level clubs under some other corporate moniker (you could even add another group of 16 under another corporate moniker - for 96 academies, theoretically). These Cup Divisions would gather nationally 4 weekends per year as with the current Red Bull League, utilizing existing tournaments for venues. A 5th gathering would serve as a National Academy Cup Final. The regional league winners would also gather nationally for a Finals weekend. Ideally, one of these national finals would take place at the end of the fall season, with the other in the spring to fit in with the developmental concept of teams ramping up for more significant events (yet in none of these would a team play more than once per day or more than 3 matches on a weekend).


Issues related to National Teams
66. The Bradenton Residency has been the exception to the rule in elite player development under the current system.

67. If the Academy Level is successfully established there is no need for a Bradenton Residency.

68. While there will still be a U17 National Team, it should only be called together for few and specific events, once an Academy Level is successfully established.

69. Doing well in the FIFA U17 and U20 World Cups needs to be a byproduct of our overall developmental system (Academy), not a result of a concerted effort to marshal forces to do well in those events (status quo)

70. Just as National Staff are taking a leadership role in this discussion, it will need to maintain an active oversight over the Academy Level participants, both evaluating methods and performance, and revisiting curricula and standards as appropriate.

Issues related to players U13 and below
71. While the discussion rightly focuses on U15 and U17 teams, with the next-younger year playing up in the pools, it is still important what goes on with players from U6 to U13.

72. We must get away from the heavy competitive schedules currently seen from as young as U8 (including State Cups in some states) through U12. The emphasis on winning at these ages is completely misguided and totally peculiar to our country.

73. USSF should strive to see progressive training curricula implemented both at the clubs fielding Academies and other soccer clubs. There needs to be a defined understanding of what players should learn how to do, at what age, and how it should be taught.

74. Related to the above, coaching education should be implemented at the elite club level for younger age groups to ensure that, while volunteer/parent coaching is probably always going to be needed to some degree, there is a greatly-improved acumen in the skills training given to these young players. We cannot leave these players to “a little of this, a little of that,” when it comes to their tutelage as soccer players.

75. Along with good instruction, clubs could do well to take a step toward bridging the cultural gap we tend to have with other soccer nations. While their young players often become skilled in large part due to regular pick-up game playing, leading to superior comfort on the ball, we have little to no pick-up game aspect to our culture anymore for almost any sport. Open play opportunities where kids can play in age-appropriate settings without adult input (save provision of security) would be a welcome supplement to the a club’s training and competitive program for players of this age.


Issues related to Soccer Camps
76. Soccer Camps are one of 2 proven money makers in the youth soccer community. They can be very useful in the recreational community and as an arm of a college soccer program, and this is unlikely to change.

77. If a comprehensive Academy Level program is instituted nationwide along with the reforms mentioned above for younger players, it should result in the training of players being accomplished in one stop, with less of a perceived need among players to pursue development opportunities at the youth level from stand-alone entities, which have been known to offer disparate methods, goals and program.

78. To those “instructors” and “trainers” who are truly gifted at teaching the game to a player, the answer is clearly to become part of the academy setup somewhere. Good coaching is required for all of this to work. To those whose program has been more to teach a half-dozen “moves” more akin to dance steps that have little to no relationship with game situations, good riddance.


Issues related to Soccer Tournaments
79. Soccer tournaments are the other money maker in youth soccer. Considering there are thousands of tournaments played every year compared to the number of teams and players nationally who would be removed from the status quo setup and system, moving to an Academy Level shouldn’t be an issue for the financial health and appeal of these tournaments.

80. More specifically, given the reference in the competitive schedule section above to incorporating existing tournaments for an Academy National Cup setup, the more established tournaments with more development-friendly formats and top-level facilities and facilitation of college recruiting (The Dallas Cup comes to mind immediately), should definitely be able to co-exist with the formation of an Academy Level.

81. The move toward a league-based competitive schedule for the Academy Level will be one of the very key steps in this progression, as the demands made on our elite athlete with respect to tournament schedules of 4-6 full-length matches per 2-3 days is inherently counterproductive.

82. A big reason for the current de facto tournament setup is that it permits coaches to go deeper into their rosters and thus support the concept of pay to pay for a squad of 18-22 matches.

83. With development and player-being being the priority over the financial incentive of point 82, the format for any tournaments played, should be a festival setting (one-match per day) or a European-model short match setup, with more 30-40 minute matches in a shorter time frame. Even National Academy Cup finals or breakout events at the Academy Level should follow the one-match per day rule, as well as being few and far between.

Issues related to Sponsors
84. With apologies to Thomas Paine, the comings months and years are going to be the times that try men’s souls. There is much opportunity to do something very good, and much resistance in the works. The biggest equipment manufacturers have the potential to do great things for a good cause, or to help perpetuate the status quo.

85. Competition among these sponsors is a given, but the short term competitive benefits should not be the altar at which the chance for real long-term progress in national youth development is sacrificed.

Issues related to Coaching
86. Establishment of an Academy Level and National Academy League provides the most defined regimentation of a coaching “pecking order” that we have had in this country at the youth level. The natural hierarchy of coaching opportunities will serve as both incentive and accountability in our youth coaching ranks, providing a better platform for future advancement among coaching professionals in this country.

87. With a mandated criteria from USSF for those clubs participating at the Academy Level, the overall acumen of our national coaching cadre can be significantly raised through the requisite coaching education program.


Issues related to Referees
88. A regular league schedule should be augmented with a regular assignment of the highest grade possible of referees, moving them above the current mass-matches routine to which referees tends to be subjected.

89. A major factor in upgrading the entire developmental experience for elite youth players will be to provide a consistently high standard of refereeing.

90. Also important in the upgrading of player development as it pertains to refereeing, is that there be a more uniform interpretation and enforcement of rules by officials from one area of the country to the next, with this approach conforming to what goes on around the world.


Issues related to stand-alone Academies.
91. Current or new enterprises such as Brad Friedel’s Premier Soccer Academies, Shattuck St. Marys Academy and IMG Academy can fit in nicely with the Academy Level, as they are already operating (or about to operate) under a full-time setup. Provided they will meet the specific USSF criteria, this Academy League can provide the ideal competitive venue for such enterprises.

92. Depending on the ability or willingness of current clubs to participate at the Academy Level, the environment could be ripe for brand new stand-alone academies to form and enter straight into a National Academy League. While credibility would need to be ensured, a fresh-starting organization might find meeting the criteria easier than existing clubs that would have to make major adaptations.


Issues related to anything not covered to this point
93. While it may seem to strange to see this after obsessing to the tune of 92 points (so far) on the subject, the implementation of all of the above is still best-served by a sense of perspective regarding soccer being a game AND with an absolute commitment to the holistic well-being of each player.

94. While there are going to be sharp differences of opinions on these issues, it is my personal pledge and desire that all the discussions and decisions be carried out in a spirit of civility. This is about mindset, philosophy and competing preferences, not good versus evil.

95. (This is a good number at which to stop) Anything worth doing, is worth doing right.


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