"But the thing we are really focused on is that alignment of the pathway As you know, our landscape is quite fragmented. It's really important for us to have that alignment, so when we think about player development we think about, ‘OK, maybe it's good to have pro competition and then the other clubs.’”
Last year, U.S. Soccer responded to complaints from MLS clubs’ about traveling long distances to play against teams that don’t offer meaningful competition. It decreased the number of DA games on the schedule and created “free weekends” for clubs to choose their own competition, such as against foreign teams. The DA has also for years allowed MLS clubs to compete in the Generation adidas Cup.
“One of the things [the MLS clubs] really like to do is play against international opponents,” said Romeijn. “And, of course, that's a really good benchmark when you're talking about player development.
“Then we say, of course, we will look at the schedule and we will give you the opportunities. It's the same when you're looking at the Generation [adidas] Cup they organize.”
For some MLS clubs, the free weekends provided so far aren’t enough to satisfy their quest to take international trips or they fall during inconvenient times of the year.
Romeijn says he can envision MLS continuing in the DA with a different format in which MLS clubs are given more flexibility. But …
An example of adjusting the DA schedule to please MLS clubs would be to allow, within the DA structure, more games between MLS clubs.
“You can imagine Philadelphia and Red Bulls,” Romeijn said, “and they say, OK, not only two but four of these games are really valuable for them when you're looking at player development. And that's what we want to do. Focus on player development.”
More likely, MLS academies could design a combination of national, local and international competition for their youth teams, and perhaps combine with USL youth programs.
Alternatives to MLS pulling all of its teams out of the DA include keeping its younger teams in the DA and MLS creating its own competition for the older age groups. The DA, for its part, could propose a tiered format based on the quality of its clubs to placate the MLS clubs that believe they’re playing too many games against weaker competition.
“We are now in the process of having these conversations,” said Romeijn. “Nothing has been decided yet.”
Charles Boehm
Worth noting: when asked about longstanding talk of creating a "pro" tier of the Development Academy for MLS and other academies, Lepore and his USSF colleague Nico Romeijn say nothing has yet been decided. Interesting given how much chatter there's been re the idea lately.
Charles Boehm
Asked to comment on the state of the USMNT program, Vermes says "we've done ourselves a disservice" by failing to vertically integrate across age groups to inculcate a style of play and way of working so that players can rise through the system and grow/evolve efficiently
Currently there really is no pathway from the USSDA to anything else, USL is outside and this is no integration. MLS club spend $$millions$$ on there academy to see those player walk away for free for college scholarships, play in Europe, Mexico, other domestic teams. The return on investment is not happening and sooner or later things have to change with the USSDA & MLS academies. Money is not going to be keep flowing without better ROI.
From that Stejskal piece with the new Galaxy boss:
Te Kloese naturally has more on his plate, namely increasing the return the Galaxy get on their academy. Despite operating in what’s likely the most talent-rich region in the country, LA have only ever produced one
Homegrown Player of note in
Gyasi Zardes. He was traded to
Columbus last winter.
Te Kloese, who helped recruit several players from the LA area to Mexico’s youth national teams during his time with the FMF, is well aware that the Galaxy need to get more out of their academy. He knows they have a ton of work to do with their youth system, too.
“I’ve always been a little bit like with the idea that they could be taking so much more out of the local community,” said Te Kloese. “In the end is not so easy for a big club to play young players, but I think there should be some on the roster and there should be something that gives a little bit extra to the Galaxy based on their local talent pool.”
