DA age groups for 2016/2017

Just curious,,,with a lot of the top talent now on DA teams, how competitive are the flight 1 teams now in comparison to the DA teams and in comparison to last years's flight 1 teams? It's hard to tell since many of the flight 1 teams have had to start from scratch in regards to rankings and many of the teams have completely new rosters.

With more and more leagues dilution does happen.

Depending on the age groups say 2002-2003 between 192-216 players (12 teams x 16-18 players) in each of those groups in the DA league now. Most are new

Will take some time, the competition in any of the leagues could be uneven at times especially with the AG change but eventually things will settle down, and the competition should be fine with other players making the best use of the oppurtunites.
 
With more and more leagues dilution does happen.

Depending on the age groups say 2002-2003 between 192-216 players (12 teams x 16-18 players) in each of those groups in the DA league now. Most are new

Will take some time, the competition in any of the leagues could be uneven at times especially with the AG change but eventually things will settle down, and the competition should be fine with other players making the best use of the oppurtunites.
I agree and it's worth noting that fine college opportunities (D1 programs which aren't Top 20, as well as D2 and D3) continue to come from non-DA competitive soccer...there's a lot of great programs for teenagers, keeps them "off the streets" and really helps with focus and preparation and admission to universities.
 
My child is on one of those on a diluted flight 1 team who was broken apart by the DA clubs, taking 9 players total from the 2004 group. Actually taking 4 boys a couple months ago as well. This is complete rebuild for us. I was not optimistic going into the season. However, it has given the boys an opportunity to step up. The team is training hard and there is something to be said about being given a chance and going from fighting for play time to starting. Who knows where the season will go, but I do think it has given opportunity to some kids who may not have that chance otherwise. Oh and a terrific coach is helping as well. Hard work pays off so only time will tell.

Now next year when EPNL comes into play for the 2004 boys, my guess is that flight 1 will be struggling at age u14 and up. All the top boys at DA then the next top group at ENPL. IMO the 2004 age group is the group who will test the waters of all the transitions. They are the age group that got the DA and next in line ENPL.
 
So if they realign the age groups for 2017/18, when the 05's jump to u13 DA, will they skip the 9v9 year and jump directly to one big 11v11 roster?

That would be unfortunate from a development perspective.
 
So if they realign the age groups for 2017/18, when the 05's jump to u13 DA, will they skip the 9v9 year and jump directly to one big 11v11 roster?

That would be unfortunate from a development perspective.

U13 (2003 for 16-17) (2005 for 17-18) DA is the start of 11 v 11.

What's the unfortunate part?
 
There are a lot of things I like about 11v11 too, primarily space on the field to open things up and play a more complete game.

But the main thrust behind all the US Soccer changes was playing small sided games as long as possible.

And I don't love the idea of 20+ rosters for 11v11. 13 for 9v9 seems much more appropriate.

I get that the DA focus is practice over game time, but the younger kids need to put their training to work in games too. 20 person rosters may not be conducive to that.
 
A discussion I had in norcal site
--------------------------------------

DA uses
1. U## - ## is player's age or younger at the start of the season.
2. they don't change U## during the season.

For 2016-2017, 04 boys are U12.

Norcal uses
1. U## - ## is player's age or younger at the end of the season.

For 2016-2017, 04 boys are U13.


DA system is supposed to follow USYSA/US Club Soccer system in 2017-2018.
Based on the U15/16 and U17/U18 split comment,

2016-2017
U12 - 2004
U13 - 2003
U-14- 2002
U15/16 - 2000/2001
U17/18 - 1998/1999

will change to

2017-2018
U12 - 2006
U13 - 2005
U14 - 2004
U15 - 2003
U16 - 2002
U17 - 2001
U18 - 2000
U19 - 1999

It seems like there will be 3 age group extension in 2017.
 
Congratulations to Jimmy Nordberg of FCGS for winning USSDA coach of the year for u13/14 age group
Did not know they gave out a coach of the year. Jimmy seems like a very good coach. That team did ok but nothing special. Why Jimmy?
Again nothing against him just curious how they decide
 
A discussion I had in norcal site
--------------------------------------

DA uses
1. U## - ## is player's age or younger at the start of the season.
2. they don't change U## during the season.

For 2016-2017, 04 boys are U12.

Norcal uses
1. U## - ## is player's age or younger at the end of the season.

For 2016-2017, 04 boys are U13.


DA system is supposed to follow USYSA/US Club Soccer system in 2017-2018.
Based on the U15/16 and U17/U18 split comment,

2016-2017
U12 - 2004
U13 - 2003
U-14- 2002
U15/16 - 2000/2001
U17/18 - 1998/1999

will change to

2017-2018
U12 - 2006
U13 - 2005
U14 - 2004
U15 - 2003
U16 - 2002
U17 - 2001
U18 - 2000
U19 - 1999

It seems like there will be 3 age group extension in 2017.
So does this mean that for the 2017-2018 season, instead of having one team U17/18, they will seperate and have a U17 team for 2001's and a U18 team for 2000. In essense if I am correct, they are adding seperate age groups for U17 AND U19?
 
As far as I can figure out, they could be adding 1 age group (U12 - 2016=04, 2017=06) and 2 new groups for older ages.
It's very hard to figure out how they are going to reconcile U## system.

If DA doesn't want to expand for younger age and still want to follow USYSA/US Club Soccer system, I would think something like is could be the plan.

2017-2018
U13 - 2005
U14 - 2004
U15 - 2003
U16 - 2002
U17 - 2001
U18 - 2000
U19 - 1999

All U12 DA teams would have to be renamed as U13 DA teams.
Personally, I think that makes sense. 2006 boys are little too young for DA system, I think.
 
I know at least one new U12 only DA club that is calling their 05's "pre-academy" team. What they aren't telling the parents is that if they want their kids to play in Academy next year, their kids are going to have to switch clubs. I know a few parents are going to be shocked to find that out...
 
I know at least one new U12 only DA club that is calling their 05's "pre-academy" team. What they aren't telling the parents is that if they want their kids to play in Academy next year, their kids are going to have to switch clubs. I know a few parents are going to be shocked to find that out...

U12 = 2006 next year in the DA league. If clubs only have one DA team, the 2005's in those clubs will have to look elsewhere if they want to stay in the DA league.

135 clubs in u12, 90 in u13, 75 in u15/16.

The clubs with the 3 dev teams this year will most likely have the following in 17-18'
U12 = 2006
U13 = 2005
U14 = 2004

Full DA clubs the above plus:

U15 - 2003
U16 - 2002
U17 - 2001
U18 - 2000

Some new clubs might be added or get elevated to full DA or DEV (3 teams) status but unless things change when the apps come out next month don't expect much change in 17-18' beside the single age groups with the U15/16 & U17/18.

The new LAFC MLS club only has U12 in 16-17' what will they apply for in 17-18'? I would think for sure at least 3 dev teams and maybe full DA but will they partner with somebody such as LAUFA or Slammers again like they did with the Girls DA?
 
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I know at least one new U12 only DA club that is calling their 05's "pre-academy" team. What they aren't telling the parents is that if they want their kids to play in Academy next year, their kids are going to have to switch clubs. I know a few parents are going to be shocked to find that out...
Who's that? West coast? I saw pre academy name on their 05 in a tournament and it made me laugh... Gotta keep selling the dream tho!
 
U12 = 2006 next year in the DA league. If clubs only have one DA team, the 2005's in those clubs will have to look elsewhere if they want to stay in the DA league.

135 clubs in u12, 90 in u13, 75 in u15/16.

The clubs with the 3 dev teams this year will most likely have the following in 17-18'
U12 = 2006
U13 = 2005
U14 = 2004

Full DA clubs the above plus:

U15 - 2003
U16 - 2002
U17 - 2001
U18 - 2000

Some new clubs might be added or get elevated to full DA or DEV (3 teams) status but unless things change when the apps come out next month don't expect much change in 17-18' beside the single age groups with the U15/16 & U17/18.

The new LAFC MLS club only has U12 in 16-17' what will they apply for in 17-18'? I would think for sure at least 3 dev teams and maybe full DA but will they partner with somebody such as LAUFA or Slammers again like they did with the Girls DA?

That makes sense. The way it was explained to me by one DA coach is that they want to funnel the small DA club teams to the larger full DA clubs. If any of the new clubs do get elevated to DEV, I would think the MLS team (LAFC) would have priority, there is a financial interest to do so. And, unless they just scrap Flight 1 for U12-14 I don't see how they can elevate many more teams, there just isn't enough talent.
 
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