Must-read ESPN piece on Najar, DCU Academy, & MLS youth system as a whole
I can't overstate enough how vital it is for MLS clubs to have successful youth programs in place. As MLS expands its player pool and looks to improve quality at the same time, finding a way to generate more youngsters who can make it as professionals is absolutely crucial.
The link is to today's article by Leander Schaerlaeckens, which focuses on our boy wonder Andy Najar and the United Academy program. The article also takes a broad look at MLS youth programs as a whole, and what can be done to make the youth system as a whole improve.
Looking forward to seeing Funes suit up for the senior team? Other thoughts?
almost 2 years ago
ChestRockwell
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Definitely a great read. Leander (who probably spells his own name wrong on occasion) seems to have gotten a couple facts wrong in his opening, but I really like the depth of this article. I had no idea that Kevin Payne was so involved in launching the Academy program on a nationwide basis.
Also, Curt Onalfo looks like a bit of a tool when he says that now its okay for DC United to use their first round draft picks on acquiring established players since they can bring in first round equivalents like Najar from their Academy.
by Martin Shatzer on Jun 1, 2010 9:15 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Onalfo could have used a little more self-awareness there. I get his point that a good youth academy can (not “does,” just “can”) make the draft a less vital instrument to build your team. However, I doubt the academy is chock full of Najars and Hamids that we can go sign every year. My hope is that it produces one player a year that can contribute at the level we see in Open Cup qualifiers and friendlies. My expectation is that it’ll probably be more like one player that good every 2 seasons. That’s the reality of youth development, especially in a country that still places high value in attending college.
Of course, with the note in the article about how teams will get dibs on their academy products even if they go to college, that quality player per year rate could go up over the long term.
by ChestRockwell on Jun 1, 2010 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Graye
Isn’t the academy-college route what Graye did? In that case, we’re batting 3 for 3, not a bad start…
He did, but it preceded the rule giving teams the first right of refusal, so he could have been drafted by anyone. Still, the point stands: We’re starting 3 academy grads, not to mention 2 more younger players from the area (Quaranta and Wallace).
by ChestRockwell on Jun 2, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
the Draft
Wish this team would take the draft more seriously. The Perkins Philly trade and now giving up a second rounder for King… (though in fairness, he was originally a 1st rounder right?)
Not that the draft is a sure-fire lock but would like to see DCU management not just twiddling its thumbs at the table. Though (in fairness again) the 4th round pick from this past draft seems to be breaking into the starting lineup…
If Najar starts banging in a few more, could he be in the Rookie of the Year discussion?
I've never bought the "United doesn't care about the draft" myth
2009: Stood pat with 2 first rounders. Got Pontius and Wallace, are both definite starters.
2010: Made what’s looking like a fine sleeper pick in taking Jordan Graye in the 4th round.
I’m not saying we’re perfect or anything close to it, but I’ve never gotten this perspective that no one at the club cares about the draft. It seems to fly in the face of reality, in my opinion.
by ChestRockwell on Jun 1, 2010 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
picks
My point was more that they are a little quick on the draw to give up picks, the actual drafting has been pretty solid of late and as such I’d like to see more of it.
When I read “wish this team would take the draft more seriously,” I have a knee-jerk reaction. I see what you mean now, and I agree. We’re pretty cavalier about what we do with our picks. It hasn’t been working recently. It also makes you wonder about how good a group we’d take if we had the same success rate but kept all our picks.
by ChestRockwell on Jun 2, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
It should be noted that DC United has never been afraid to utilize really young talent
Bobby Convey, Santino Quaranta, and Freddy Adu all set (and reset) the mark for youngest player in MLS, and now Bill Hamid is the youngest goalkeeper to win in MLS. They may not have the touch when it comes to identifying foreign players anymore, but they seem to have a leg up on development academies at the moment.
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