Backscreen....I disagree with you a little bit regarding maintaining the status quo and DOnovan's take on that. Everyone is locking in on the pro high school comments he made. This is what I saw as the key point:
"While Donovan reminisces about the missed opportunity, he does believe that USSF is taking the right step with the Academy.
“I think it was inevitable. When you look at the game around the world, the way it is played and the way players are developed, that is the model they use.
“It is difficult because some of my best times were playing high school soccer. It wasn’t the best for my development, but it was some of the best times. There is still a place for kids who want to play high school soccer, but I think the elite players are going to shift to playing against other elite players. That is the only way you make the game better and better.”
He is illustrating the conflict. No one said this was a no-brainer. He loved HS. But.....for the top player, 10 month Academy is the best way to go for the elite player.
That came thru loud and clear to me. Status quo won't get it done.
