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
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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
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Our players are entering the international arena behind their counter-parts around the world
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Technically (comfort with the ball)
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Physically (soccer specific characteristics)
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Tactical knowledge and understanding
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Less mentally prepared (discipline/commitment)
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The environment of the elite player is not good enough
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Youth players are stretched too thin
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Too many games (up to 100 per year)
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Not enough good games/competition (12-16 “good” games per year)
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Limited/low number of training sessions
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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.
