Outside clubs are practicing at Dignity already. Still no word from Galaxy when training will restart.
MLS youth league
- Thread starter Zvezdas
- Start date
This seems to confirm the prior information that U15 and U17 are the required age groups for MLS Academies. That doesn't necessarily mean the MLS EYDP league won't have other age groups. It might be a regional thing that depends upon how many MLS and non-MLS club members are fielding teams in those other age groups. Probably there are enough do it economically in the Southwest, but perhaps not in the Southeast.
merenguemom
BRONZE
Anyone know if Galaxy or LAFC are fielding U19 teams? Sounders cancelled U19 and released players back into the wild. Timbers and Whitecaps potentially the same.
All rumor at this point, but talk is U23s after the current USL season. It would be a reserve league with teams traveling with the first teams. Time will tell.
Other MLS clubs are deciding whether to field U19 teams. They would have to play in the EA league or some non_MLS league.
Minnesota scrapped their academy altogether.
jpeter
PREMIER
LAFC yes on U19 as far is which league TBA.
Galaxy haven't heard but why won't they?
U19 is really for players that have first team potential. Maybe not ready for USL contracts just since the are still in school. Not time for college yet for 03's or younger and most of the 02's are off to college so not a good fit for them.
jpeter
PREMIER
No on the EA league it's Cal South not going to happen, there are USL and possibly MLS-EYDP U19 play & offerings.
Still early and things will eventually get settled in the next 8 weeks or so. By mid August there should be a clearer picture if covid19 doesn't detail things anymore.
jpeter
PREMIER
Are you referring to "soccer camps" with drills and distancing? That's not my idea of practicing but if it's the only way why not?
jpeter
PREMIER
In what markets? Any duration noted?
USL is starting games in a couple weeks and been practicing for weeks.
Nothing surprised me anymore as the 3rd week of July restart for around here was the tentative target although I understand that was not universal or a nation wide deal.
All we heard is academies are not allowed to begin training next week, with no specific return to play date set. Actually no reasons provided either, the reason I cited in my last post was speculation on my part.
ECNL clubs around us have been training for weeks.
non-MLS clubs in the MLS league have also been training for weeks (at least under camp protocols), so perhaps this only applies to the academies of MLS clubs.
Motivation is different for pay to play clubs. Get back to it ASAP so you can justify the fees. MLS academies have the luxury of slow rolling since they have a (mostly) captive audience that can’t complain that they aren’t getting their money’s worth.
Team?
True, although some of those clubs subsidize fully or partially their top teams. My sense is that the non-MLS clubs' interest in re-opening is mostly about their other teams that are pay-to-play, but for their top teams in the MLS league the benefit is being able to bring in tryout players to at least see them in person. There are a decent number of players on former DA teams that moved to ECNL who are looking around at teams in the MLS league.
RedDevilDad
GOLD
and ECNL clubs start registering players 7/1 with a season projected start date of 9/12. Surf Cup for youngers registration is 7/12 but MLS clubs aren’t returning till 7/20. Bit of an awkward position for parents and players on the move...
Miami or any of the recent expansion teams don't have have much invested in training players for many years and seeing them walk away. However, the others would like to see a return on the investments and need a bridge between the Academy, USL, and the the first team.
U19 which is really mainly u18 since most 2002 are college age will be used by some to play u17 up also. These are the players that have potential beyond the academy leagues.
I expect some of the MLS U19 teams to play in the USL leagues in spring, vs international teams, and the MLS homegrown league in the fall to start. The Non-MLS have u19 also so should be teams to play locally and that was always going to be the case with only 2 MLS.
I don’t understand the rationale for focusing on U15 and U17 only. How can clubs be so certain which kids are deserving of homegrown contracts by age 16?
Most kids playing U19 will be 17 year olds. Move 17 year olds up to play USL? USL championship, USL 1 and USL 2 are not the strongest leagues but they are filled with international players, former MLS players and former college players. Very few 17 year old DA kids can effectively compete against adults in the USL.
Most kids playing U19 will be 17 year olds. Move 17 year olds up to play USL? USL championship, USL 1 and USL 2 are not the strongest leagues but they are filled with international players, former MLS players and former college players. Very few 17 year old DA kids can effectively compete against adults in the USL.