SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Club Soccer & ODP BridgeFA/ US Soccer Academy Information

Here we go........this email was sent around today.

***************************************************
Bridge FA Tryouts for US Soccer Development Academy
We will have TRY-OUTS to supplement the existing teams at James Island Soccer Club Sunday, August 26th from 6:00pm-8:00pm

Coaching Staff for Bridge FA Academy teams:

Clark Brisson
USSF A License, National Youth License, Former Asst. Coach U of New Haven, coach of (2) US Club National Championship Teams with Bridge FA 90 Gold
U16 Boys:
Jeff Hoerner – USSF B, Former Head Coach St. Thomas Univ., Former Assistant Coach Florida Atlantic & Univ. of Buffalo
Dante Johnson- NCSAA Advanced Regional Diploma, Current Club Trainer Citadel Men’s Program

U18 Boys:
Collin Phillips- USSF C, Former Charleston Battery Player, Trinidad & Tobago U20 National Player
Kevin Jackson – Former Charleston Battery Player, MLS Draft Selection, Lehigh U Asst. College Coach, USSF Licensed Coach

Academy Details:
- For the U18 and U16 teams, the core of the Academy teams will be fielded from current Bridge FA players. All players welcome.
- Minimum roster size is 20
- Age group based on calendar year (Jan1-Dec31). U16 players will have a 1991 or 1992 birth year and U18 will be a 1989 or 1990 birth year.
- Training will be 3 days per week
- Every player must start 30% of the games. Each game is limited to 7 substitutions with no re-entry.
- Play starts October 6-7 and will not conflict with HS Soccer. Teams will compete in three different types of game weekends: individual conference games, travel partner weekends and showcase weekends to provide them with the optimum balance of playing rhythm, economy of travel and exposure to scouts.
-30 game schedule
- 8 conference winners receive all expenses paid trip to LA, CA for National Championships at the Home Depot Center
- Program Costs: $975 plus travel to games. Bridge FA has sponsorships to assist with costs associated with travel.
- For further information on the Academy teams, please contact: Clark Brisson, Executive Director, clarkbrisson@netzero.net or 843-270-0596

Bridge FA is proud to announce that we have been selected to join US Soccer’s Development Academy. Bridge FA is one of only club in South Carolina and 64 clubs across the US chosen to take part in the inaugural year of US Soccer’s revolutionary program. The Development Academy concept is a comprehensive program designed to improve the development of elite players by providing improved competition, training for players, coaches, and referees as well as scouting by the US National Team and coaches. U15/U16 and U17/18 boys’ teams will be competing in regional conference play, showcase weekends and travel partner weekends. Please visit www.ussoccer.com for more details regarding the US Academy Program.

If you received the e-mail, you can take some satisfaction that you have been requested to attend. I don't think it was a broadcast e-mail, but rather a targeted one.

Bridge FA made a bold move to apply to play in this league. Every top club wants its players to have the greatest soccer experience possible and whilst developing their skills. The shows the commitment from Bridge FA to offer its players the best soccer available. The club took a risk, but it shows that the club is not about money, but offering serious soccer players the avenue to be seen and develop by playing with the best in the country. If you're a serious soccer player looking for the maximum exposure, the academy is the way to go. National team coaches looking at you first hand, playing against the tops clubs in the country. This program enhances a soccer player resume ten fold. This is where top college coaches would be looking for players in the future.
I wish the girls had this opportunity to play. This is where I would want my kids to play. Good luck to the Bridge and I hope they get the financial support from the public

I think we agree on some points. It was and is a bold and risky move for the club to take. Some of this also still has to play out though, particularly the exposure to top college coaches.

Dealing with the exposure to college coaches. Are the top programs in the state of SC going to be traveling to Va, OH, CA, TX and other places to watch 1 or 2 games over the weekend? How many SC players are really seeking to go out of state to play collegiate soccer?

As for exposure to national team coaches, how many national team players has SC produced? Is the academy program really going to help further that, from the SC perspective?

I don't mean any of this to slight the efforts or people involved in any way. But, what is really going to change to "develop" SC players into national team players or major college level players? The core group of players, and the core group of trainers, have not recently produced state champion teams in the age groups involved with the academy program.

If you look at the progression of levels of play in this country, US Soccer has taken a step with the development of the Academy program to essentially replace the ODP process for identifying national team players. With that said, it's somewhat shortsighted to believe that any one team/club in this state has all the players with the potential for national team play. In looking at the age groups involved 1990 and 1991, SC enjoyed tremendous strides in the ODP Region Pools this year. However, to my knowledge, none of these region pool players are part of the academy program at Bridge FA. Maybe in time that will be the case.

While I see tremendous benefit in this program, I still see a place for recreation, classic, challenge, and RIII play in the development of players. To essentially shun the other programs discredits the benefits of those programs.

If this is the future of the top level of soccer in the nation, then in my opinion the best place for this program would be at the SCYSA level. Only then will the top players thoughout the state be able to unite and play representing the entire state of SC and their local clubs.

I wish Bridge FA well with this endeavor, and I hope I'm totally wrong, but I don't think Bridge FA is mature and stable enough as a club, with the organizational structure necessary to be able to sustain this program.

I wonder what impact this will have on MPSC (particularly at the current U-16 level)? The BFA team at that age is not particularly strong. Do you low-country folks expect to see some MPSC players "defect" to BFA for the opportunity to participate in the Academy? What will that do to MPSC's ability to compete in the R3PL? Inquiring minds want to know.

First of all, I could not find any info on the US Academy Program at the link provided. Secondly, if this is the opportunity that its made out to be, why wouldn't it draw the best players statewide--affecting all clubs and not just Mt. Pleasant?

i still think it will be like anything else and the price will stop some of the top talent from joining in.maybe not in places like texas but in sc it would..

Shame on Bridge FA for asking their boys to participate in this Academy.

Shame on the other top level clubs like Chicago Magic, PDA Socrates, CASL, DC United, Atlanta Fire, Virginia Rush, Ohio Elite SA and others, as well.

Who was it that said, "If you do what you always have done, you'll get what you always have gotten." Tony Robbins, I think.......................Heck shame on him too.

It's possible that it could draw kids from outside the low country but I would expect the training location (presumably the greater Charleston area) to be an impediment to midlands and upstate participation.

Given that CESA and CUFC decided to take a pass on it, I am assuming that there was no big outcry from the kids or parents to participate. that doesn't mean that there won't be some individuals, for reasons of their own, who try out. But, I will be very surprised if many (or even any) of the CESA or CUFC players in these age groups try out. MPSC, on the other hand, being in the neighborhood, seems vulnerable to losing some players.

The reason why SC is second rate in so many areas is because of attitude we are satisfied with good enough. Education, sports.
From the email Bridge FA is trying to reach out to all players that would like to have that experience of playing against the top players in the country, whilst developing in a professional environment.
If any one can say that ODP is working to produce national level players in SC you all are joking. If you keep doing the same thing you can only expect the same results.
There is still a need for challenge; classic etc. Bridge FA still has challenge level teams from what I see on the website. Why have your kids play if you think that they cannot be as good as kids from Texas or CA.
As far as recruiting, top colleges in this area goes all over the country and even international to add to the squads.
Most of the top clubs in NC is playing in the league, I wonder why? NC traditionally have better soccer than SC and they are looking to give there kids greater exposure. So what is wrong with the Bridge FA seeking to offer better services to the talented kids we have in SC.

I agree with Bear...

IMO, U18 league is a waist of time and money. if you want college exposure should have done it at U16 /17. it is too late at this time.

The U16 on the other hand would be better suited for scouting.

If you think that USSF will select from this league the players for the national team....you are dreaming. Sure most of the players are in the clubs listed but the truth is that they already know for the u18 level who and from where. They are looking for diamonds in the rough.

So the focus again shifts to U16... Imagine Johnny having to drive from Rock Hill to Charleston 3 times a week to practice and maintain the all important grades needed for college?.

Now we need to look at some facts.

1- The league is geared to the metro areas. Access to airports and people. There are 4 million people within 1 hr driving time in Atlanta. There are 4 million people in the whole state of SC.
2- if a college is willing to give Johnny a full ATHLETIC ride then Johnny should be looking at MLS or Europe (notice ATHLETIC).
3- If you put all the club coaches in a room I am sure you can get consensus on 80% of the best players in the state. So it is not a mystery as to who and from where. The ODP program does not work because it is not funded correctly... it should be "free".
4- The cost... sure you have sponsors today... but sponsors are fickle. And what about the $1000 and the travel from one side of the state to the other?
5- Some in the USSF need to take geography lessons again. You are trying to introduce a program with a small number of clubs, in a country the size of all of Europe.

Here is an idea:

You want to have farm level teams? Then Mr USSF lobby to have full scholarships at the universities instead of the mediocre 9.9 crap handed out today. This is how the NFL does it...of course it is considered a non-revenue sport so you must come up with the money to help fund it...

Per USYSA there are 3.2 million registered players. charge $10 fee =32 million. Per NCAA there are approximately 20000 soccer players in the college ranks if you assume that the top schools equates to approx 3000 players you can provide a $10000/year scholarship (a USSF grant if you will) to each player (good for most public schools). Now there is an incentive for Johnny to bust his butt.

Of course many will say it would be too late for the player as 18 and 19 year olds are playing pro in europe....true but we have nothing today and a beginning with this.

The USSF is too disjointed at this time... in my opinion they need to streamline a lot of things

Loved the last 2 posts.......great ideas and thoughts!!!!

for all this money a parent is going to have to pay,are the coaches going to remain the same.for ex.. if a kid plays for a club getting the academy and pays 800 bucks a year.now he pays 3600 a year for the same coach?someone explain what i am missing.i have not been keeping up with this academy stuff.

also I forgot

High school.... as per their rules a player can play HS soccer...

So let see, from what little I know... season starts in october., the majority of the US plays soccer in the fall. So this season starts smack in the middle of the HS season and ends smack in the middle of the spring HS season....PLUS you have to train 3 times a week .... Plus you have to travel to games in Va , Tx, Ca (wherever) ... 1 per day...and all this after training with the school for 5 days? When do you study? do homework? etc.

Never mind that it is required to have rest but it is not required from the HS... Does anyone see a problem?

Obviously you are not to play HS ball.... Period...(By the way I have no problem with this decision)

guess what coach, your star player is doing something else this weekend so your playoff game against Smith Hs? ... he will not be there.

I like to hear from HS coaches and the dual participation crap that I deal with every year...

So many points.........yet more questions. Do we think US Soccer is just plain ignorant? Or just misguided by the influx of corporate support? Are we -as part time analysts- really that far ahead of the Federation and their logic tree?

Are they trying to do something worthwhile? Or are they trying to completely bring down their children(affiliates)?

Maybe we need to rise above sea level on this and our thinking. Otherwise we stay the same. See World Cup 2006 & MLS weekly.

Sid.... you will be surprised to know, that I believe that change is needed. However you will note that the current fragmented approach will still not give the results desired. In truth they had to start somewhere... it is this "somewhere" that I am arguing... USYSA is a MEMBER of USSF and has this in their website

"US Youth Soccer is non-profit and educational organization whose mission is to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of America's youth through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition. Our job is also to make it fun, and instill in young players a lifelong passion for the sport."

Nowhere does it say develop the players for the national team to compete in world cup play or for MLS... This is the point I am arguing. Remove the stranglehold that USYSA has on regional/national championships and develop the academy league that will do this.

Therefore:
1-Let USYSA continue with it stated goals
2-Create a league and rules for USSF level play (SUPER Y anyone??).
3-Start it a U13
4-Make it birth year to go with the rest of the world... of course metric system may be in there somewhere as well

There is nothing written that prevents making the state team, the USSF club team.

By the way does anyone know where the fees we pay USYSA and therefore USSF go? can anyone point me in the right direction?

Where doess USSF get the money to operate?

Comparison
1. Olympic Development Program:
Description:
91's have met about four-five times this year for a 1.5 hour practice each, they attend 3 games in January and a camp w/ 4 games in Summer. The entire process costs about $1,100 not including the regional playoff in January 2008 and the National Tournament when and wherever that is.
Problems:
NO development occurs. ODP is exposure plain and simple.
The selection process is flawed, players that have been seen at regional tournaments and premier play are basically pre-selected, the attitude that the hidden player can be found through ODP is a joke.
Cost so far $1100 and claims that the cost prohibits the poor from participating, If you can’t pay to play for the top clubs at premier, what makes you think the kid can afford ODP too?
ODP offers no organized scholarship except that costs are passed on to the ODP team parents (this drives the cost up for a select few). SCYSA ODP does not solicit organized donations for the purpose of subsidizing ODP.
Boy’s Regional Camp held at Mississippi State: Mississippi State doesn’t even offer a Men’s Soccer program so why send my son there when he won’t even consider it for a college? DUH!
Players are seen by just a few coaches within the region. Not a lot of “exposure”.

2. Premier League or (Challenge / Classic)
Description:
11 games in 6 weekends over a period of 21 weeks, cost about $500-$600 for coaching fees plus travel, if you’re at CESA or DSC then 7 of 11 games are played in the upstate of SC and travel is minimal.
Issues:
Exposure is limited to SC, GA, and NC and basically anyone interested in coming to SC to see you play. Only if you make the regional by winning a state championship or winning Premier League will you make the cut to go to the regional. High risk of not being seen when you’ve already fronted the money.
Costs continue to rise for additional tournaments such as Disney and Region Tournament.
Limited to Fall play only with a possible summer regional event.

3. US Federation Development Academy
Description:
- Teams compete in three different types of game weekends: individual conference games, travel partner weekends and showcase weekends to provide them with the optimum balance of playing rhythm, economy of travel and exposure to scouts.
-30 games in 20 weekends over 31 weeks, cost $975 for coaching fees plus travel
- 8 conference winners receive all expenses paid trip to LA, CA for National Championships at the Home Depot Center
- Program Costs: $975 plus travel to games. Bridge FA has sponsorships to assist with costs associated with travel.
Guarantees: Training 3 days per week, Every player must start 30% of the games, Each game is limited to 7 substitutions with no re-entry.

Team Bridge FA, Conference Atlantic
Date Description Venue
6-Oct Fall Showcase CA
7-Oct Fall Showcase CA
13-Oct Richmond Kickers SC
20-Oct Richmond Strikers SC
3-Nov at Richmond Strikers VA
10-Nov Virginia Rush SC
17-Nov at Richmond Kickers VA
15-Dec at Virginia Rush VA
22-Dec CASL SC
5-Jan at Greensboro SC NC
6-Jan at CASL NC
12-Jan North Meck SC SC
19-Jan at South Charlotte NC
20-Jan at North Meck SC NC
26-Jan Greensboro SC SC
2-Feb Carmel United SC
9-Feb Michigan Wolves SC
23-Feb Empire FC SC
24-May Spring Showcase TX
25-May Spring Showcase TX
26-May Spring Showcase TX
31-May South Charlotte SC
7-Jun at Columbus Crew OH
8-Jun at Ohio Elite SA OH
14-Jun at Internationals OH
15-Jun at CASA OH
21-Jun VardarStars SC
28-Jun Summer Showcase tbd
29-Jun Summer Showcase tbd
30-Jun Summer Showcase tbd
12-Jul Finals CA
13-Jul Finals CA
19-Jul Finals CA
Issues:
Cost of travel, Club is good source to solicit donations to cover travel expenses, Club has already obtained donations to cover the first showcase event in Los Angeles, CA in October.
Fees are higher because of the extended season.
Exposure to SC, NC and VA for region play, OH, NY and MI for interregional play and CA & TX for showcase events. Opportunity for a coach to see you play from any where in the country. No risk because the schedule is set up front.
Fall and Winter play, season is suspended for Spring HS season, Academy season resumes in late Spring and Summer, offers year round exposure and maintains rhythm of play.

Cmon Bear. No one has a gun to their head when deciding on this program or not. People can come and go as they please under the eyes of US Club and under policy(law) per SCYSA. I haven't heard of any lawyers getting involved in a player moving from one premier program to another for breach of the 'loyalty' contract although I think East Cooper has thought about it. lol. So I think everything is ok in that regard.

I am guessing your child is playing at the South Carolina challenge level. Why wouldn't he want to put himself against the best and develop over a year(s) in the USSDA? I'm sure many would say b/c their child gets the same service playing in the current structure which is debatable at this point. But if that truly was the case then why would US Soccer bother with this program at all.

Is it the trainer or the talent? That is always the question in the parking lot. US Soccer says (and I agree) it's both.

from pg 4 of USSDA Presentation pdf

The Problem – Player and Coaches’ View
•
In speaking to our NT coaches and NT players, Club Coaches and having three U.S. Soccer’s Technical Task Force meetings, a set of unanimous issues arose
–
Our players are entering the international arena behind their counter-parts around the world
•
Technically (comfort with the ball)
•
Physically (soccer specific characteristics)
•
Tactical knowledge and understanding
•
Less mentally prepared (discipline/commitment)
–
The environment of the elite player is not good enough
•
Youth players are stretched too thin
•
Too many games (up to 100 per year)
•
Not enough good games/competition (12-16 “good” games per year)
•
Limited/low number of training sessions

**************************
US Soccer is offering to help fix this problem by being the coordinator, QA while working with the club staff on improving training, nutrition etc etc. The intent is clear and simple:They want to repeat the success of Bradenton 64 times over.

Keeper...good breakdown. Do not know if you had a point on item 3.
ODP agreed it is flawed.

Number of players 18-

One airline trip at $400 per player (trust me it is cheap).
Showcase 1- $400
Showcase 2- $400
Showcase 3- $400
Total for schowcase $1600...ooops forgot the coach new total $1667
wait I have to get to Ohio....TWICE I guess you can choose to drive, I also assume since it is over two consecutive weekends that you will not be coming back

So hotel stay

Showcase 1 in CA (LA no less) You are not flying 5 hrs and 3 hrs time change and show up at the field. therefore you have to leave early friday at worst (no school that day? I guess one unexcused absence) and hope your flights and the stars all align (ask anyone who flies frequently). Therefore you have Friday, Saturday and Sunday hotel (assuming the red eye is not in the cards) at $100 at night (cheap in LA) 4 players to a room $75 for weekend ... add $30/day for food another $120... add coaches room and food

weekend 1 cost $400+75+120 plu s coach 22+17+ 7 = $641 compare to a tournamnet over the weekend where the only difference is transportation (say 2 full tanks at $60 per) difference is $280

Give me showcase 2 & 3 weekend at the same cost - $1282
By the way showcase 2 in Texas you miss 3 days of school as you have to travel on the 23 Wednesday on the weekend og memorial day ( prices for flights will not be as kind)

I'll give you the Va and NC trips

Ohio trip now we are talking a 10hr drive on the last week of school, on the weekend that I assume would be most high school graduation day June 7th (by the way mom I am not going to my graduation) 10 days of hotel and food $560 at the same rates as above (includes coach).

total for the major weeks $2483 plus I have to get to VA a few times plus the $1000 fee...

So we have numbers... what do they mean? NOTHING... because at U18 it is already too late for college exposure. Also I read somewhere that you have to play 30% of the games ( please correct me if I am wrong) so does that mean that I only pay 30% of the cost if I am number 16, 17 or 18 on the team? Does Johnny travel to Cali and not play a minute? besides mom and dad...who polices the compliance?

sid... what success has bradenton had?
technical skill... too late for these ages
Tactical skill .... too late for U18

U-17 Residency Program
•
Started in 1999, the U-17 Residency has been able to develop players for professional and National Team competition
–
Operates with high training/game ratios
–
Focus on providing a good everyday training environment
•
Program has evolved from 18 players to 40 players in residency at a time
•
192 total players have participated in Residency
–
5 players in 2006 World Cup were from Residency
•
Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Oguchi Oneywu, Bobby Convey, Eddie Johnson
–
48 players have become professionals in MLS and Europe
–
All other players whose chose to play soccer in college were offered a scholarship

futbol - above comes from the ussda presentation pdf. You seem stuck on the notion that at 17 it's too late. Well sure if they are the bottom of the barrel (no offense to anyone). If you have the talent and desire to learn you can still succeed at 17 and fix things.

Look at the NFL. They take raw athletes all the time from college programs and make them into elite professional athletes. It is possible to learn at 17. I don't think we're talking about the so so player here. What we're talking about is the underachieving comfy group that has been on the top team since U14.

Those kids and coaches need some motivation don't you think?

Sid ...God knows I am still learning but I think we are comparing apples with oranges...

I am not stuck on the notion it is a fact that i am currently living with.... U18 it is too late. Coaches at the top institutions have already set their sight on their picks for the 2008 class... this is fact, again I am happily dealing with it as we speak. So playing 10 games or 20 at U18 means nothing if you are looking to go to the South carolinas or Clemsons of college soccer... you will note my previous comment that U16 was a different animal.

Having said that the point of USSF

technical - It does not take a brain surgeon to know that if you are technically capable by u13/14 then you can spend your time on other aspects of the game

Physical - always work on that regardles of age

Tactical - All the brains in the world will not make you see something if noone can complete a 10 yrd pass.

Mentally prepared - How does this change anything?

Streched too thin - Ok now you are concentrated and streched all over the country or still too thin because you want to play HS.

Too many games -OK

Not good enough competition - I would say 12 to 16 is a season... the rest o fthe time they are in HS which we all know is not as good.

# of training sessions - minimum of 3 ...most competitive teams train a minimum of 3

Bradenton is an academy for "elite athletes" (that can pay). You are taking the best players FROM THE COUNTRY an placing them in an environment conducive to their needs... How can you say that this will equal 64 Bradentons? Are the players going to 1/2 soccer and 1/2 schools in the new USSF academy?

Funny thing is that I am not really arguing with you, I am arguing with the focus/the need.... you want players you have to get them younger, u18 is not relevant... However it does provide an opportunity for the U17 national team to play in a league... Interestingly all these other teams how come their players are not in the U17 team?...

SID I do not know if you are a player or a parent.... I am a parent ex-player who wished that many of the opportunities of today where available back then. A change is needed to simplify everything not make it more convoluted.
U18 has no benefit in this scenario. Should have started with one year maybe U16... the next year you have u17 and U16.... the year after that you have U18, U17 and u16.... also do not forget that it is birth year... One would assume that the front half of the 89s would be preparing for college so you only have the second half and whatever 90s if they are allowed.

May be helpful, from US Soccer website:

The Advantages
• Focus on superior everyday training
environment increases development of
player leading to more future opportunities
(college, professional, National Team).
• Increased connection of Elite players to U.S.
National Team program through enhanced
scouting by U.S. Soccer National Team
coaches.
• The U.S. U-16 and U-17 National Teams will
participate in Academy League competitions.
• Better scouting environment for College,
Professional and National Team coaches.
• Better coaching development platform –
each club receives two invitations to the U.S.
Soccer Development Academy Best
Practices seminars (U.S. Soccer pays for
room, board and participation fees).
• Better referee development platform – U.S.
Soccer assigns referees to Academy
matches.
• Direct connection to U.S. Soccer coaches for
best practice training and curriculum
recommendations and advances.
• Academy finals held annually at the Home
Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
• Players receive integrated oversight from
youth club coaches and U.S. Soccer
coaches, while training in their home
environment.
• Recruiting ability enhanced for Youth
National Teams, MLS and college coaches,
with players being provided an online profile
for coaches to access easily.
• U.S. Soccer maintained website devoted to
Development Academy.

Redcard.... To bear's point...
Statement 1 - it is the same club, the same coach the same players... what is different now than before.? What am I paying for now that I was not getting before? and Why was I not getting the option before?
STatement 2 - I connect with the Elite player.....WOW !!! did you see who just walked bye?
STatement 3 - Ha... a league for them to play in so they can get better.... but what about statement 10?
Statement 4 - OK
Statement 5 - OK
Statement 6 - How in the world are you going to tell me that blind boy over there was not the same guy that refereed last week... Are they saying they will be flying in refs? What does it pay? Maybe I should begin reffing...
Statement 7 - OK
Statement 8 - why in the west coast? But OK they pay for it
Statement 9 - I'll believe when I see it... I guess Bradley and friends will come down to Charleston to oversee a practice.... how many times?
Statement 10 - HUH?! what about statement 3? I am not aware of any coaches who base their opinion on a players resume.
Statement 11- OK

Again do not get me wrong, I think it should have started different. Eventually USYSA will have to be differentiated by USSF. I wonder how much money USYSA pumps into USSF... Probably not much.....

When all is said and done for most I believe our buddy Hurst hits the nail on the head with his statement "Kids play sports because they find it fun. Eliminate the fun and soon you eliminate the kid."

I'm all for my kid getting the best possible training but all the while keeping a watchful eye to the burnout factor.

if anyone wants a pretty good detail about the play for this academy go to south charlotte's web site and check out their home page.

Link to the South Charlotte website:

http://www.southcharlottesoccer.com/

You might be curious how other programs are implementing the USSDA (answers to cost/fees, schedule, clubs combining resources....Wow how novel!)

Crossfire Premier (Washington State)
http://www.crossfiresoccer.org/USSDA/index_E.html
http://www.washingtonpremiersoccer.com/CrossfireKlein.html

FC Delco (Pennsylvania)
http://www.fcdelco91.org/docs/2007-2008%20FC%20DELCO%20Program.pdf

South Charlotte Soccer Association (North Carolina)
http://www.southcharlottesoccer.com/

St. Louis Soccer Club & Scott Gallagher (Missouri)
http://sgscmember.teammania.net/announcement-info.do?view=3&grpId=922&announcementId=6715

Interesting keeper192...thank you for the legwork

crossfire website - completely different than bridge...must be the only state with HS in spring in the division.

Participation Expectations
Players on the USSDA teams are not allowed to participate in the WSYSA league, State Cup or ODP. In addition Crossfire Premier has made the decision to not allow players to participate on their high school teams as a result of conflict with the USSDA season. There will be other teams in the league for which high school play is allowed, one of those could be Washington Premier.

The decision to not allow players to participate in high school soccer is not an easy one but is in response to the timing of the WIAA high school season which is March through May for most school and is a period of time which corresponds to the last third of the USSDA season. This conflict is a fairly unique problem to Washington as the overwhelming majority of teams in the country either have the season in the fall, so they can start the USSDA season after high school and play it in their entirety, or in the winter, where they can play the first half of the USSDA season, take a break at mid year and then play the second half of the season. The US Soccer Federation strongly believed allowing a break during the March-May period was inconsistent with the spirit of the league and strongly encouraged us not to allow high school participation during this time and while Washington Premier FC is going to take a break and allow players to participate in high school soccer we decided to follow the U.S. Soccer recommendation. Crossfire Premier has also agreed to work with WSYSA to talk to WIAA about moving the boys’ soccer season to a time of year that might accommodate USSDA and other WSYSA programs such as State Cup, but we do not expect any resolution to this problem in the short term.

I'll refer to my two previous posts for this one:
Cost seams to be what a lot of the chatter is saying is the prohibitive factor wrt USSDA. Washington's Crossfire is charging it's players $2,500 for the season (all inclusive and their travel is farther than BFA's). I estimated that ODP + Select at $1,600 and when you add in tournaments to get a similar number of games and your up to the 2.5K cost of USSDA. A decent sponsorship drive will reduce the costs further and an initiative like the USSDA is sure to draw sponsors. Not to mention that the quality of the games is across the board higher with USSDA. Just a thought on the topic.

Futbol(soccer) Don't get me wrong, I'm not selling this thing I'm just posting the information from their site.

Bridge FA has decided to participate in this league...Ok then. Are there options for the ones who do not want to participate? Yes, I think so. It looks like Bridge FA and most of the other Academy clubs are holding supplemental try-outs for both Academy & challenge spots.

For the ones wishing to participate in the Academy, let them spend their hard earned cash, fly everywhere, do their extra practices, play the other Academy teams, and we should all wish them the best of luck.

I’m going to quote a favorite author here and say “whoa, “Your brains are bouncing like bbs on a six-lane highway.”

Consider this, those of you who’ve been bitten by the “Academy” bug… it’s NOT Academy soccer that’s the end goal is it? If you’re putting your Johnny soccer player in the program, is it because he wants to play professional soccer and/or get a college scholarship? If it’s the latter, you don’t need the Academy. Plenty of those who have gone before received scholarships without Academy play assistance. Remember, those scholarship players were also academically well-positioned, That’s the point of going to college. That’s why soccer doesn’t yet have the disproportion of dumb jock idiots other professional sports have spawned. Besides, Colleges no longer offer total sports scholarships because they are after all, institutions of learning, not “sports academies.” Something I hope you don’t lose sight of.

Then consider the MLS lure the Academy proponents are dangling. What exactly does that league offer? With the exception of foreign “stars”—Beckham and Adu come to mind and Adu did play some Academy soccer, hey–isn’t he playing for PORTUGAL NOW???—not much. From a spectator standpoint, MLS might as well be dubbed Mediocre League Soccer. Salaries offered by MLS are reportedly ridiculously low compared to other US professional sports and MLS owns your contract, not the individual team. So it seems no matter where you get traded during your average career, there’s not much chance for better money within that league, unless you’re a superstar.

Again, IF pro soccer is what your Johnny is aiming for as a career, it’s arguable that Europe is the place to play better professional soccer and get far better money. If he’s not going to play professional soccer, why the heck are you paying for Academy play… the prestige? Remember it all goes away if all he does is end up in MLS as is currently is.

So fans of the Academy, what’s the end result? The DOCs will get paid more, they’ll have the prestige, yet soccer Johnny’s family will just be paying outrageous prices and doing crazy travel for the same outcome regardless of promises. These kids are high-schoolers for heaven’s sake! You still may have to pay for college. Get real here.

And yes, Academy soccer will transform club soccer into a sport for those who can better afford it, but will only give spectators a of future MLS games with cookie-cutter talent who came from one source… I, for one, will not be paying to watch those games.

Get past this Academy hype. If your 16-18 yr.old soccer Johnny was that good, he’d already have been asked to play in Bradenton. The future of Academy soccer (a marginally good idea) lies with the young ‘uns, not with the 16 to 18 yr-old kids being told to join now. I hope that the classic, challenge and premier leagues aren’t permanently decimated by this latest rage. If you’re a soccer parent you should pledge to all interested kids to make the sport available no matter what their status or income level. That’s what has made soccer the “better sport” thus far.

Get your kid’s foot on a ball and meet at the pitch. Play soccer! Just make sure everyone’s invited... .

Ok Socajumbi, Since I was the last poster, I guess it is my brains bouncing like BB's. Since I find it challenging to match wits with this logic, let me break it down in my Cave Man style.

1) Playing Y or Rec. ball and getting to play up to Classic because of all the hype of "Classic" .......Good, but naturally more money due to some travel.

2) Playing Classic ball and getting to play up to Challenge, because of all the hype of "Challenge".....Good, but naturally more money due to even more travel.

3) Playing Challenge ball and getting to play up to Region Premier, because of all the hype of "Premier"......Good. but naturally more money due to, still, even more travel.

4) Playing Region Premier and getting to play up to an Academy League, because of all they hype of "The Academy".......Bad Too much money, too much travel

Some kids rejoice in their accomplishments in going from 1, to 2, 2 to 3,and so on. Is it conceivable that some kids actually find it "FUN" to play very at this top level?

Each level up, you play stronger and more experienced teams and your level of coaching increases. This point nobody can argue.

And to your point about making soccer available to all kids regardless of their situations, it is alive and well, see 1).

redcard,

Good points.....but for some parents & players (even talented kids), it just becomes practical to stop at level 3 or level 4. Resources (time & money) just become too strained.


jumbi,

Very good analysis. You are correct, there are now avenues to get a talented to Europe (or South America) at ages 16 - 18. That's where the reward (money) is for kids who want to play at the professional level. The MLS salary barely pays the bills.

Jumanji. I believe one aspect you are lost on is the fact that this venture isn't about merely the opportunity. As you alluded and all of us are aware including US Soccer, there are plenty of collegiate and professional opportunities.

Key word - "Development" in the program name.

US Soccer acknowledges the current status & successes within the affiliates structure. Yet they experienced the effects of the limitations as well. See MLS - World Cup 2006. US Soccer's focus with this program is on improving the level of play. They studied and feel these ages are mistreated in the current structure to the detriment of international and domestic professional play.

So Yes this doesn't change the wheel necessarily, but maybe the engine will work faster and therefore US Soccer on the highest level will perform better.

That's what US Soccer wants and they are positioned to try to directly make an impact instead of waiting on the affiliates. Is there some corporate motivation in there? Sure. But in America the two go hand and hand.

sid,

Is the idea behind this "development" or "identification"?

I think it is identification....an attempt to fill a void where the National Team gurus probably recognize that the ODP system has come up short.

As for development, I'll argue that there are some pretty fine trainers/coaches around here, that are not even connected with R3PL programs, who do a tremendous job of teaching foot skills, technique and tactics to players who have the ability (and want to get better).

I believe the Development Academy is trying to get the BEST kids out there playing in the most COMPETITIVE environment, so that they may be identified.

Can someone please explain to me how the best kids in South Carolina are now going to head to Bridge to compete in this academy program? This might happen in later years of the program but my advice would be to take a wait and see attitude to this program. How has SCYSA and thus ODP weighed in on this program? This announcement seems to be a little late as well. Tryouts for clubs have been made and commitments paid. Why would I want my son to forfeit those in hopes that this program works? Also, with the limiting factor of SC playing High School in Spring also would cause me concern. If my decision is the norm (?) then the academy for SC will not include the best players in the State but merely players from one location in the State. At least the ODP program attempts to identify the best players in the State. I don't see where this program is making that attempt. It seems to me that this program will be for those players who desire to be included in the academy as opposed to those players identified to be in the academy. One day these may become the same, however, playing games that will not be visible to local players (future academy participants) will make the academy program rather invisible. How do they plan on promoting this program throughout the State to attract those that are qualified? BTW-if they are securing sponsors for travel of just this team when do NCAA rules come into effect regarding eligibility?

I agree - Identification. The oversight, coaching trickle down events are in place to try to ensure some level of quality on a shoe string budget. If they started to fork out of some $$ back to the clubs then the game changes yet again.
It's probably a good time for the young barristers out there to look into the Soccer Player Agent trade.

There are some guys up north running their own little academies who are acting as agents. Their philosophy is that the player is signed to the club, they develop the player....and they take the player to these invitation-only matches/tournaments that are attended by European club scouts.

I believe these guys feel that they are then entitled to a piece of the signing bonus (or transfer fee)?

Anybody else aware of this? Is this the way of the future?

I have heard of this kind of thing in baseball..These agents will charge the parents monies and in return they will help them get noticed or recruited by some college to play ball..And I think the parents end up with a cool dvd of their child playing ball

The timing of this is awful and will be curious to see who comes out to the tryouts this weekend. If they attract kids (already rostered and paid) from other clubs, what will the trickle down effect be for the other clubs and leagues? Will Bridge players get bumped if better players tryout? Or, what happens to the Bridge kid who's parent does not want Junior playing in this league? Where do those displaced kids play? Did the powers to be discuss this with the parents prior to making this decision? Does the sponsorship for travel take away funds from the rest of Bridge teams (8 or so teams suffer for the benefit of 2)?

I will sit back and watch as this unfolds. My gut feeling is that the negatives will be greater than the positives. The potential effects on the other Bridge teams and clubs that lose players at this point of the season could be significant.

There is one thing for sure. Club soccer is never boring.

cht,

This is a little different. This isn't some guy with a recruiting service as a side business....this is a DOC of a small club with an academy structure.