With the DYNAMO now in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy the youth soccer pot has been stirred.
Of course if anyone did not believe the Dynamo were eventually going to take the lead in the youth community then you were asleep at the wheel. In fact I believe it is the responsibility of all MLS teams in their markets to lead and be accountable for taking the youth game up another level.
Finally with the U.S. Soccer Development Academy we see the governing body of the sport in the U.S. take the lead.
Here in Houston the DYNAMO will join TEXAS RUSH and TSC in the league for u18 and u15 squads.
The Dynamo will not charge players to play in this league and have the advantage of mixing their youth players with pros.
They will compete with other youth clubs for the top players in town yet there will not be a shortage of players to be coached.
REMEMBER that rarely do players end up in the professional ranks and the COLLEGE game still remains the goal for the top players to advance to. SO ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES that remain in TEXAS is the fact that schools like TEXAS AM, TEXAS, UH and UT to name a few do not have NCAA DIVISION 1 soccer. WHY is the youth community not outraged at this? It is time to consolidate and make a concentrated effort to bring this to the attention of regents at these Universities? It almost seems unethical that schools that call themselves international do not have a mens program and talented Texas youth players have to leave the state.
Lets not forget a few things. We are fortunate that we have a steady diet of professional soccer in our town not to mention a professional team that has won two cups and continues to strive to be the top MLS franchise.
The Dynamo if approached properly by youth clubs can be their greatest ally and not competition. After all their is no better why to light the fire of passion under a youth player than to bring them into a live environment to combine with training.
Youth players need to develop a deep love for the sport not just a participatory mind-set. Youth club’s that are doing their jobs are influencing young men and women for a life of enjoyment of soccer.
Your thoughts?
Youth soccer pot stirred
January 19, 2009 3 Comments
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Recreational soccer is getting just as big as organized soccer here in Houston. The Dynamo should work hard to recruit the raw but talented players who want to make professional soccer a way of life.
Since we are not likely to see any Men’s Teams in the Big 12 or UH any time soon, how about going after TSU? Since they will be partnered in the Stadium venture why not take it to the next level? Coaching transition should be relatively easy for some Dynamo Veteran that wants to stay in the area for example and what a way to promote the game to Kids from all over by having a College Men’s Team in the City?
On another none related note: Donovan scored a brilliant header after coming on as a second half sub in the Kaiserslautern – Bayern test match in front of 42,604!! If he does the same when things get real in the DFB Cup and Bundesliga, he will not be back to MLS. At least not anytime soon.
Glenn, I think the Dynamo will definitely get good youth players by not charging. The only problem with the youth academy model right now is that it will be difficult if not impossible for one of these youth players to go through the MLS academy system onto a MLS roster. Since the draft has been cut down and the MLS reserve league has been cut, many kids will not have many options but to go to college. Will the Dynamo promote kids to colleges when they are trying to develop professionals to make the senior team? Time will tell.