ontherightside wrote:

THE NEEDLE wrote:

soccergrinder wrote:Here is my understanding of a set of events that led to what will happen next year here in North Texas.

A: For the last couple of years the USSF Develpoment Academy has wanted to move down in age to U13/U14. But becasue of a variety of reason has not be able to accomplish this.

B: FC Dallas announced that they would would start a Pre-Academy U14 team. The bump in the road was they would not have a place to play. No teams to compete against.

C: Classic League agreed to let FC Dallas bring their U14 Pre-Academy (recuited) team into the Classic League and play against normal D1 Classic League (non recruited) teams. Would Start next year.

D: South Texas USSF Academy clubs pushed US Club soccer to start a Pre-Academy league in Texas because of the lack of a quality league to play in in South Texas. They do not have a league the quality of Classic League. The Premier League was their only option.

E: The USSF Academy has wanted to stamp out ODP. ODP has developed into nothing more than a money making venture and did not do a good job of developing players.

F: ODP fought back when loosing it's top older players by moving down the age groups top get more players.

G: The 4 North Texas Academy Clubs (Andromeda, Dallas Texans, Solar, FC Dallas) were informed by UC Club Soccer that they would start the new league next year. Do it or be left behind.
H: U13, U14 and U15 age pure teams and league would be formed.

I: Similar move will happen in the ECNL on the girls side.

J: No ODP, Premier League or State Cup for these teams.

I understand the clubs jumping onboard the USSF academy initiative. Afterall it is the USSF. US Club Soccer is a different group and does not carry nearly the political power, organizational skills or prestige.

US Club soccer and its ENCL on the girl's side and id2 will replace ODP, IMO. By initiating this pre-academy system, it will happen even quicker.

CLUB31 wrote:So if I am reading this right. Let's just say 6 kids off the DT(gall) team, same for the Top Solar,Andro and FCDallas team go to Academy assuming most of the kids are 98's. That would make the 99 group minus 24 of their best players. What becomes of those teams? Do the smaller clubs lose more playes to replace the players lost to academy on the bigger clunbs? Seems it's going to make for a real mess!

clueless wrote:

CLUB31 wrote:So if I am reading this right. Let's just say 6 kids off the DT(gall) team, same for the Top Solar,Andro and FCDallas team go to Academy assuming most of the kids are 98's. That would make the 99 group minus 24 of their best players. What becomes of those teams? Do the smaller clubs lose more playes to replace the players lost to academy on the bigger clunbs? Seems it's going to make for a real mess!

Given roster/pool sizes, I think they can dual-roster (per my understanding) if the club permits. But, the top guys won't likely be dual-rostered unless it's on an older aged academy team (assuming they get less minutes there) and their classic team. So, the studs will indeed be less likely to 'play down' in classic.
I would think this is a prime opportunity for some to move up to teams that are currently better than the one you are on now (spots should theoretically open on some classic teams), and you'll get to travel to exotic locations such as Tulsa/OKC/Austin and Houston (IMO, better than the likely Regional Premier League travel locations). Will be interesting in the next few years for certain. May the best league win, I take that back, may all the leagues win.

clueless wrote:

ontherightside wrote:

THE NEEDLE wrote:

soccergrinder wrote:Here is my understanding of a set of events that led to what will happen next year here in North Texas.

A: For the last couple of years the USSF Develpoment Academy has wanted to move down in age to U13/U14. But becasue of a variety of reason has not be able to accomplish this.

B: FC Dallas announced that they would would start a Pre-Academy U14 team. The bump in the road was they would not have a place to play. No teams to compete against.

C: Classic League agreed to let FC Dallas bring their U14 Pre-Academy (recuited) team into the Classic League and play against normal D1 Classic League (non recruited) teams. Would Start next year.

D: South Texas USSF Academy clubs pushed US Club soccer to start a Pre-Academy league in Texas because of the lack of a quality league to play in in South Texas. They do not have a league the quality of Classic League. The Premier League was their only option.

E: The USSF Academy has wanted to stamp out ODP. ODP has developed into nothing more than a money making venture and did not do a good job of developing players.

F: ODP fought back when loosing it's top older players by moving down the age groups top get more players.

G: The 4 North Texas Academy Clubs (Andromeda, Dallas Texans, Solar, FC Dallas) were informed by UC Club Soccer that they would start the new league next year. Do it or be left behind.
H: U13, U14 and U15 age pure teams and league would be formed.

I: Similar move will happen in the ECNL on the girls side.

J: No ODP, Premier League or State Cup for these teams.

I understand the clubs jumping onboard the USSF academy initiative. Afterall it is the USSF. US Club Soccer is a different group and does not carry nearly the political power, organizational skills or prestige.

US Club soccer and its ENCL on the girl's side and id2 will replace ODP, IMO. By initiating this pre-academy system, it will happen even quicker.

It's Sony Betamax vs VHS - the bigger/stronger one with history appears to be having an inferior product in many ways. Unlike a true consumer situation - this glut of choices/products isn't good in my opinion as not everyone will be in the same mindset that's necessary to truly make these work well. I'm guessing there will have to be a lot of changes in the future for Classic/PL - if you aren't going to lure your best teams back, is it really necessary to have the next tier in a pretend national academy situation? I'm not sure on that one.

go99 wrote:
It was my understanding that you could dual roster into CL but where limited on the amount of games you could do. FCD has done this with some of the AL kids to supplement minutes.

clueless wrote:
and you'll get to travel to exotic locations such as Tulsa/OKC/Austin and Houston (IMO, better than the likely Regional Premier League travel locations). Will be interesting in the next few years for certain. May the best league win, I take that back, may all the leagues win.

soccergrinder wrote:

go99 wrote:
It was my understanding that you could dual roster into CL but where limited on the amount of games you could do. FCD has done this with some of the AL kids to supplement minutes.

Seems to be some confusion on dual rostering. There is NO DUAL ROSTERING in AL. I can't say what the new US Club Soccer pre-academy will do. If you are rostered to an AL team as a fulltime player you cannot play CL, PL or State Cup. You cannot be dual rostered. However, clubs can have "Development Players". These are players within the club playing on a CL team that can come up as sort of a guest player and play up to 6 games on the clubs academy team. They have to be from within the club. They cannot be from another club. And they cannot play more than 6 games. But, players can be added to the Academy roster anytime during the year. So a player could be a "Development Player" and then after their 6 games could be added as a fulltime player to the Academy roster. However, they would then be barred from playing any more games in CL.

TheFarPost wrote:

I just believe there is a big difference.
Last year at U/16 our Academy team beat the U/16 State Champs Classic champs etc. 5-0 twice.
This year our U/18 Academy beat # 3 Classic league team 9-0 (scrimmages)

Players who played with my BB on those teams could not believe the difference in level of play.

ontherightside wrote:

soccergrinder wrote:

go99 wrote:
It was my understanding that you could dual roster into CL but where limited on the amount of games you could do. FCD has done this with some of the AL kids to supplement minutes.

Seems to be some confusion on dual rostering. There is NO DUAL ROSTERING in AL. I can't say what the new US Club Soccer pre-academy will do. If you are rostered to an AL team as a fulltime player you cannot play CL, PL or State Cup. You cannot be dual rostered. However, clubs can have "Development Players". These are players within the club playing on a CL team that can come up as sort of a guest player and play up to 6 games on the clubs academy team. They have to be from within the club. They cannot be from another club. And they cannot play more than 6 games. But, players can be added to the Academy roster anytime during the year. So a player could be a "Development Player" and then after their 6 games could be added as a fulltime player to the Academy roster. However, they would then be barred from playing any more games in CL.

This is my understanding as well, and will likely be how the pre-academy rosters work. Up to 26 players on a roster, but most after number 18 are labeled as "Developmental Players". Each game day roster is limited to 18. There are different starting time requirements and substitution rules than most are used to in Classic League.

ontherightside wrote:
This is my understanding as well, and will likely be how the pre-academy rosters work. Up to 26 players on a roster, but most after number 18 are labeled as "Developmental Players". Each game day roster is limited to 18. There are different starting time requirements and substitution rules than most are used to in Classic League.

soccergrinder wrote:

ontherightside wrote:
This is my understanding as well, and will likely be how the pre-academy rosters work. Up to 26 players on a roster, but most after number 18 are labeled as "Developmental Players". Each game day roster is limited to 18. There are different starting time requirements and substitution rules than most are used to in Classic League.

Well, sort of. Academy doesn't have a maximum roster size. They have a minimum roster size. A team is required to have a minimum of 18 players. Most teams carry around 20 to 24 fulltime (I have seen up to 32) and will have another 6 to 8 DP players. You are correct on game day being 18. So at something like Disney you bring all of your players and each game you change up the lineup. When traveling for a Divisional game in Houston you would only bring the 18 that would play that day.

plantit wrote: So a club takes 20-24+ to disney, Who pays the plane fares? And a player may get spot time in one game ? I think there is a big difference between paying to ride the bench and getting paid to ride the bench. Last time I checked most pros were impact type players in college and or high school ( leave Jordan out he was a Freak ). Heard of starters being taken from small schools but never a first rounder that barely saw the field.. the system will develope about the same ratio that are making it today.

Who knows it may burn out today what may have become brilliant tommarrow.

plantit wrote:

soccergrinder wrote:

ontherightside wrote:
This is my understanding as well, and will likely be how the pre-academy rosters work. Up to 26 players on a roster, but most after number 18 are labeled as "Developmental Players". Each game day roster is limited to 18. There are different starting time requirements and substitution rules than most are used to in Classic League.

Well, sort of. Academy doesn't have a maximum roster size. They have a minimum roster size. A team is required to have a minimum of 18 players. Most teams carry around 20 to 24 fulltime (I have seen up to 32) and will have another 6 to 8 DP players. You are correct on game day being 18. So at something like Disney you bring all of your players and each game you change up the lineup. When traveling for a Divisional game in Houston you would only bring the 18 that would play that day.

So a club takes 20-24+ to disney, Who pays the plane fares? And a player may get spot time in one game ? I think there is a big difference between paying to ride the bench and getting paid to ride the bench. Last time I checked most pros were impact type players in college and or high school ( leave Jordan out he was a Freak ). Heard of starters being taken from small schools but never a first rounder that barely saw the field.. the system will develope about the same ratio that are making it today.

Who knows it may burn out today what may have become brilliant tommarrow.

go99 wrote:So who wants to chime in on FCD. The club pays for the travel of the 16 and 18 teams. Will they do the same for the 14?

gababa wrote:

TheFarPost wrote:

I just believe there is a big difference.
Last year at U/16 our Academy team beat the U/16 State Champs Classic champs etc. 5-0 twice.
This year our U/18 Academy beat # 3 Classic league team 9-0 (scrimmages)

Players who played with my BB on those teams could not believe the difference in level of play.

So Farpost, why that difference ? Is it just the selection (better kids) ? Would it be the year of practice in the Academy environment ? Better coaching ? more practices ?

TheFarPost wrote:

go99 wrote:So who wants to chime in on FCD. The club pays for the travel of the 16 and 18 teams. Will they do the same for the 14?

YES
They just got back from a week training with REal Madrid in Spain
ALL Expenses Paid

irish86 wrote:
forgot to add: looks like it will go down to U-14

plantit wrote:

TheFarPost wrote:

go99 wrote:So who wants to chime in on FCD. The club pays for the travel of the 16 and 18 teams. Will they do the same for the 14?

YES
They just got back from a week training with REal Madrid in Spain
ALL Expenses Paid

That was the u-18 team plus a few pros. I would like to know if they will send every team u-18 through u-14 thats about 80 players at say $2500 per + coaches . Thats approx $ 200,000 + for a
trip for 1 week.

Actually that was the U18 and the U16 academy teams and the only expense they had to pay was about $100 to watch the champions league game. At this point FCD is the only one paying for the travel. Doesn't mean they will do the same for the U14.

Don't wag the carrot. The donkey isn't that gullable.

plantit wrote:

TheFarPost wrote:

go99 wrote:So who wants to chime in on FCD. The club pays for the travel of the 16 and 18 teams. Will they do the same for the 14?

YES
They just got back from a week training with REal Madrid in Spain
ALL Expenses Paid

That was the u-18 team plus a few pros. I would like to know if they will send every team u-18 through u-14 thats about 80 players at say $2500 per + coaches . Thats approx $ 200,000 + for a trip for 1 week.

Don't wag the carrot. The donkey isn't that gullable.

crfan wrote:

irish86 wrote:
forgot to add: looks like it will go down to U-14

We are new to the area and planned on our son trying out for a team this summer. He is an early 98 birthdate and has always played up due to his birthday. We had planned on him playing in the 97 age group if he made it. Now I am confused and the coaches we spoke to have not mentioned anything about these academy changes. My questions are:

1. Would you recommend him now playing his true 98 age group as it sounds like this is where this new concept is heading to keep all the same year together for the boys own best interest?

2. We have spoke with two clubs that we were not terribly impressed with. Any unbiased recommendations on which the best clubs would be for the long term and for his development in this age group?

Thanks for any help you can offer. It seems like a great place to live for soccer and my son loves the game so hopefully it will be all we hope it will be.

bootit wrote:

crfan wrote:

irish86 wrote:
forgot to add: looks like it will go down to U-14

We are new to the area and planned on our son trying out for a team this summer. He is an early 98 birthdate and has always played up due to his birthday. We had planned on him playing in the 97 age group if he made it. Now I am confused and the coaches we spoke to have not mentioned anything about these academy changes. My questions are:

1. Would you recommend him now playing his true 98 age group as it sounds like this is where this new concept is heading to keep all the same year together for the boys own best interest?

2. We have spoke with two clubs that we were not terribly impressed with. Any unbiased recommendations on which the best clubs would be for the long term and for his development in this age group?

Thanks for any help you can offer. It seems like a great place to live for soccer and my son loves the game so hopefully it will be all we hope it will be.

My humble advice is stick to your own age. Academy level teams are competitive enough and he won't be held back with playing time.

As far as clubs, the top four all have pluses and minuses. My son plays for a club that doesn't offer Academy and you can always find a good team that isn't part of the top four. Academy will be for the most serious players.

FCD tends to gravitate toward the Hispanic community and the MLS affiliation is nice. Texans always seem to produce top teams and they are very progressive and is sponsored by Nike. Solar is lacking a playing facility and have lost some good players and teams, has a new Chelsea affiliation. Adromeda is a mess of problems currently. I would just visit all of them and decide for yourself and ask around. Your son will have to be a special player to make only one of four academy teams. Best of luck.