Interesting article up at ESPN about how the US Soccer Development Academy is impacting stronger high school programs in the US.
Bad blood has resulted from U.S. Soccer running its developmental program in the middle of some high school seasons. A number of affiliated, high-profile clubs within that program have jointly decided to ban their players from joining their high school soccer teams, despite U.S. Soccer’s public statement last year encouraging participants to play high school soccer.
“This first year was a learning experience [for the kids],” El Camino Real (Calif.) boys’ soccer coach David Hussey recently told the L.A. Times. “If the second year, they still think the development league is more important than high school, there’s a problem.
Even before the USSF Academy, there has been tension between High School and Club soccer. In many areas, high school soccer programs are a joke, so the kids want to play club ball year round because it provides a better environment for them. In areas where high school soccer is strong, the clubs usually don’t play at the same time the high schools do, though that is changing.
Besides – the USSF Academy is NOT that big compared to the total number of kids playing competitive soccer, and if top players would rather play Academy ball vs high school – that’s life. High school coaches need to do the best they can with who they have. Club coaches have always had the same issue – kids leaving teams to go to other clubs with stronger/higher level teams – and while they may not like it – they mostly understand it’s what is best for the kids.
So color me unconvinced this is such a huge issue. Yes, as a high school coach you may be upset if your star chooses not to play anymore because they earned a spot on an academy team that might lead to something bigger. But you shouldn’t cry about it – you should be proud you helped get them there and wish them the best.
Youth soccer in America is very diverse in terms of the types of programs and offerings. Recreation, competitive club teams, regional teams, high school teams, academies, and national development teams. That’s not a bad thing – it gives kids and their parents many choices. Trying to make it out like every decent soccer player has to play for their high school is short sighted. It’s one choice of many.
Loading...
April 13th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Developmental programs for U.S. Soccer are not the problem here the cost to join club or academy programs are; a lot of less than fortunate players are not scouted for developmental programs because they do not have the money to play for the exclusive clubs. If Pele had to pay to join a club his skills would have been missed by every soccer loving fan in the world. In our country you have to pay to play, in other countries if you have the skill, you join a club developmental squad that the host team pays for! We are losing skilled players on a constant basis solely because they can not afford the expensive clubs. Let’s get real. If you want players it doesn’t matter about their financial capabilities or their nationality. Let’s get with the times!!!
June 1st, 2009 at 8:43 am
[…] USSF Academy Impacts on High School Soccer On The Pitch Posted by root 9 minutes ago (http://onthepitch.org) One comment on ussf academy impacts on high school soccer 2009 on the pitch powered by wordpress using the studiopress theme Discuss | Bury | News | USSF Academy Impacts on High School Soccer On The Pitch […]
May 22nd, 2012 at 10:59 am
USSF has the right to put restrictions on those players playing for an academy team, HOWEVER they have done a great disservice to those players that will be seniors in the 2012-2013 school year. The USSF should have grandfathered these players to allow them to play for their high school teams if they choose to do so,without penalty, while placing the cut-off for HS ball at any player that is a 96’or younger. Most varsity HS programs are made up of JR and senior class players. Allowing those players to finish their senior year on their HS team is the right way of closing out academy players from HS play. Another way to look at it is that many of these players, due to the amount of practice time that they put into their academy teams, do not have time for other activities. HS soccer for many is the only other activity that they can use to full fill many of their requirements for school activities in order to graduate or to be a part of organizations like National Honor Society. Also those players that have been recognized by their local, state and regional soccer organizations no longer will receive the recognition due them by not playing HS ball since they are not given their due by being on an academy team. Many that may have received All-American recognition will not be honored because of this cut-off. The USSF should reconsider their decision and allow those players that were born in 95′ and 94’to play out their HS career with team and stand up for both their high schools and their academy teams. It is the right way of doing this.