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HappyDaddy,

I don't think they have doubled the pool. Basically, any player that is U16 or below, defined to be 1991 or later birthdates can play with the U16 group. For the U18 group I believe that it's any player born 1989 or later can be in that group.

This age group is different because it's based on calendar year, but if a player in either system is eligible for U16 play, then they would also be age eligible for U18 play.

Does the academy program make it easier for an ODP player to become a region pool player? I would think it does as some top talent will not be attending region camp this year. Then it appears that attaining a region pool level is not as great of an accomplishment as in past years. All players who are not participating in the academy should make a concerted effort to participate in ODP this year in hopes of garnering a coveted region spot! Even if it is watered down.

I don't know that it will be any easier this first year or not, but there are dynamics which could make it so.

I only saw 1 club from Texas, and there normally are several players from Texas in the pool. At quick count there were only about 13 or 14 clubs from Region III that have an academy program. Many of those clubs don't "normally" produce Region Pool players. So there are still a large number of players that have the potential to be in the ODP program, across the Region.

It may get to the point where it is easier to make the pool, but I don't think it will be this year, and I don't see that changing until more clubs come in, that aren't currently in the academy program.

Another way to look at it, if it doesn't have a big impact to SC, why would it have a big impact to the entire Region?

I may be wrong but I think defining the U-16's as anyone born in 1991 or 1992 doubles the pool from what it would have been if it was simply U-16 (as that is normally defined). No biggy either way, just thought it was interesting.

Bear, I think you are correct that there are 92's and younger on the U16 academy team for Bridge FA. I do not think Bridge had enough 1991's to form the U16 academy team without them due to the fact that some of the original 90 Gold team members chose not to participate in the Academy. I think they are now playing for Mount Pleasant.

I believe 3 went to Discoveries... one was Lundy junior who is nursing a knee injury, another is Khoury and i cannot remember the 3rd... But I believe they also have some Ga players in the roster.

Futbol,

The 3 players that went to DSC were on the 90 Gold, Lundy and Khoury from the start, and Twohig (from GA) was added over this past summer. I've seen Twohig in an AFC, Cobb and now DSC uniform over the years. All of these players are 1990 age ODP players, I think. I'm not sure about Twohig.

OTF,

Yes there are two former 90 Gold 1991 ODP age players that are in Mt Pleasant now. One of which is a 1991 State ODP team player. The other has been a 1991 State ODP player in the past.

Of the roster listed, I know of at least one 1992 ODP State Team player, and 1 1993 ODP National Team player. As far as physical maturity, there can be some big gaps between 13 or 14 year olds and 16/17 year olds.

With the 1 national team player, it's good to see player development being put ahead. Even though he's already played in 7 matches in the SCSCL, apparently, unless there's a loop hole in the rules, he's going to forgoe the rest of the SCSCL season to participate with the academy.

I believe within the program there are players labeled "developmental" vs rostered. These Dev players can only participate in a limited number of the academy games while being allowed to play in all other affiliate events/leagues. Thus providing some (albeit little)flexibility for the general club population.

Interesting point.

Kind of mixing terminology here, but a developmental player is essentially a player within the club that is a guest player for the academy team at a limited number of matches?

How many of the players listed in the newspaper article are developmental players?

There are several names for the U16 group that I did not recognize.