Were there more than 10 people at the meeting?
(asking for a friend in law enforcement)
Is DA done?
- Thread starter SBFDad
- Start date
Were there more than 10 people at the meeting?
(asking for a friend in law enforcement)
RedDevilDad
GOLD
Give it another day and a half...
From Top Drawer Soccer this morning...
Article Written by J.R. Eskilson & Travis Clark
Published: April 14, 2020
There was plenty of chatter last week about the future of the Development Academy, the league run by the U.S. Soccer Federation. It started with buzz among coaches, and then spiraled into a hive of chitter chatter when a tweet was posted by an ECNL coach about the league folding.
Glen Crooks, a reporter and coach from New Jersey, tweeted that an announcement may come over the weekend about the future of the league. SoccerWire posted an opinion piece about the timing of canceling the league and the season.
Easter Weekend came and went, with no official word or announcement from U.S. Soccer. TopDrawerSoccer reached out to the Federation for comment and had not heard back as of time of publishing (on Tuesday morning). The reliable Buzz Carrick, who covers FC Dallas and its Academy on 3rddegree.net, reported that a decision could be coming down on Tuesday.
TopDrawerSoccer spent the past weekend on the phone with coaches, directors, and others involved with the league. There has been no definitive answer to the question on everyone’s mind, but many seem to believe the fate of the league is sealed. Below is some of the information we’ve gathered from those conversations.
Speculation about the future of MLS academy sides within the Development Academy have played a role. Sources haven’t confirmed rumors that MLS is planning on starting its own youth development league, and withdrawing its teams from the DA. During the 2019/20 season, DA officials tried to appease MLS with the tier approach, but the professional academies always seemed more eager to forge a path alone. Whether or not the wheels are in motion for this remains to be seen, but it is more than likely at least partially related to the DA’s future.
With uncertainty swirling about MLS academies' place in the league during the pandemic outbreak, some original member clubs began to submit paperwork to withdraw from the Boys Development Academy for the 2020/2021 season, according to a source close to the league.
On the girls side, Dallas Texans, Real Colorado, NC Courage, and United Futbol Academy (UFA) all announced their intention to move to (or rejoin) ECNL for the 2020/2021 season. Those four are some of the most respected and successful clubs in U.S. soccer history. Texans and Real Colorado are also two major Nike-sponsored clubs in the youth game.
It has been common for clubs to jump back to ECNL over the last couple of years, as they sort out whether the Development Academy was the right place or not for the club. And the Development Academy usually has plenty of applicants waiting in the wings to fill spots. This year was no different with the Development Academy announcing club membership for the 2020/2021 season in March.
So what changed between March and April?
Sports stopped. With no soccer, there was no money coming in for U.S. Soccer. The new leadership could look at the books and see the Development Academy was a heavy ticket on the annual budget. With lawsuits pending and no revenue in the immediate future, it does not seem outlandish to cut that type of heavy burden from the books for the future.
Sources have told TopDrawerSoccer that Dan Flynn was considering cutting both programs before he left his role as CEO of U.S. Soccer in September. Perhaps his successor was not afraid to pull the trigger on the idea during this period.
“We have a strong feeling the Girls DA will be eliminated not only due to the pandemic but also other factors that have played part over the season,” one club director wrote in an email to parents that TopDrawerSoccer obtained last week. “The Boys DA has also been brought into question due to the financial commitment that the US Soccer Federation has set forth and a decision will be made over the next few days on whether the Boys DA is to continue to operate as usual or a change will be made.”
Even with all of this evidence, nothing seems final. Everyone that TopDrawerSoccer spoke with over the weekend used the term “seem,” which suggests that U.S. Soccer has not decided and is not sure. Or academies are being kept in the dark about what has actually been decided.
With the uncertainty, many club directors have begun reaching out to other leagues (ECNL, Boys ECNL, NPL, etc.) to establish a plan in case U.S. Soccer’s leagues do fold and they need a back-up plan for 2020/2021. ECNL’s President Christian Lavers told TopDrawerSoccer last month that he felt like the ECNL was close to full for the 2020/2021 season, which could leave a number of storied clubs in the cold for the upcoming season.
This article will be updated with more information when available.
Article Written by J.R. Eskilson & Travis Clark
Published: April 14, 2020
There was plenty of chatter last week about the future of the Development Academy, the league run by the U.S. Soccer Federation. It started with buzz among coaches, and then spiraled into a hive of chitter chatter when a tweet was posted by an ECNL coach about the league folding.
Glen Crooks, a reporter and coach from New Jersey, tweeted that an announcement may come over the weekend about the future of the league. SoccerWire posted an opinion piece about the timing of canceling the league and the season.
Easter Weekend came and went, with no official word or announcement from U.S. Soccer. TopDrawerSoccer reached out to the Federation for comment and had not heard back as of time of publishing (on Tuesday morning). The reliable Buzz Carrick, who covers FC Dallas and its Academy on 3rddegree.net, reported that a decision could be coming down on Tuesday.
TopDrawerSoccer spent the past weekend on the phone with coaches, directors, and others involved with the league. There has been no definitive answer to the question on everyone’s mind, but many seem to believe the fate of the league is sealed. Below is some of the information we’ve gathered from those conversations.
Speculation about the future of MLS academy sides within the Development Academy have played a role. Sources haven’t confirmed rumors that MLS is planning on starting its own youth development league, and withdrawing its teams from the DA. During the 2019/20 season, DA officials tried to appease MLS with the tier approach, but the professional academies always seemed more eager to forge a path alone. Whether or not the wheels are in motion for this remains to be seen, but it is more than likely at least partially related to the DA’s future.
With uncertainty swirling about MLS academies' place in the league during the pandemic outbreak, some original member clubs began to submit paperwork to withdraw from the Boys Development Academy for the 2020/2021 season, according to a source close to the league.
On the girls side, Dallas Texans, Real Colorado, NC Courage, and United Futbol Academy (UFA) all announced their intention to move to (or rejoin) ECNL for the 2020/2021 season. Those four are some of the most respected and successful clubs in U.S. soccer history. Texans and Real Colorado are also two major Nike-sponsored clubs in the youth game.
It has been common for clubs to jump back to ECNL over the last couple of years, as they sort out whether the Development Academy was the right place or not for the club. And the Development Academy usually has plenty of applicants waiting in the wings to fill spots. This year was no different with the Development Academy announcing club membership for the 2020/2021 season in March.
So what changed between March and April?
Sports stopped. With no soccer, there was no money coming in for U.S. Soccer. The new leadership could look at the books and see the Development Academy was a heavy ticket on the annual budget. With lawsuits pending and no revenue in the immediate future, it does not seem outlandish to cut that type of heavy burden from the books for the future.
Sources have told TopDrawerSoccer that Dan Flynn was considering cutting both programs before he left his role as CEO of U.S. Soccer in September. Perhaps his successor was not afraid to pull the trigger on the idea during this period.
“We have a strong feeling the Girls DA will be eliminated not only due to the pandemic but also other factors that have played part over the season,” one club director wrote in an email to parents that TopDrawerSoccer obtained last week. “The Boys DA has also been brought into question due to the financial commitment that the US Soccer Federation has set forth and a decision will be made over the next few days on whether the Boys DA is to continue to operate as usual or a change will be made.”
Even with all of this evidence, nothing seems final. Everyone that TopDrawerSoccer spoke with over the weekend used the term “seem,” which suggests that U.S. Soccer has not decided and is not sure. Or academies are being kept in the dark about what has actually been decided.
With the uncertainty, many club directors have begun reaching out to other leagues (ECNL, Boys ECNL, NPL, etc.) to establish a plan in case U.S. Soccer’s leagues do fold and they need a back-up plan for 2020/2021. ECNL’s President Christian Lavers told TopDrawerSoccer last month that he felt like the ECNL was close to full for the 2020/2021 season, which could leave a number of storied clubs in the cold for the upcoming season.
This article will be updated with more information when available.
Kevin Baxter of the LA Times is reporting that an announcement about the demise of DA could come as soon as Wednesday
jpeter
PREMIER
Well MLS season is now in serious Jeopardy with no return in May.
www.sportingkc.com
Without MLS funds, facilities, teams there is no DA. Let's face it ussda (10m) only puts in a fraction what clubs & MLS spend. MLS is cutting back expensive, staff, and the like, extra spending on youth programs s not a high priority I would think.
ussda may not have a choice anymore and let's hope Gov. Newsom''s gives us some good news today about reopening CA. Be happy if the youth gets back to training &: playing this summer.
MLS Statement on Return to Play | April 14, 2020 | Sporting Kansas City
MLS Statement on Return to Play
www.sportingkc.com
Without MLS funds, facilities, teams there is no DA. Let's face it ussda (10m) only puts in a fraction what clubs & MLS spend. MLS is cutting back expensive, staff, and the like, extra spending on youth programs s not a high priority I would think.
ussda may not have a choice anymore and let's hope Gov. Newsom''s gives us some good news today about reopening CA. Be happy if the youth gets back to training &: playing this summer.
I have to say since I have a DA playing son that I will be bummed if the rumor is true. However, the termination of DA is probably the best decision in the long term. DA failed miserably in its mission. Of course, it was run by US Soccer so its failure was inevitable. COVID may have done us all a favor in this instance.
My biggest concern is that in the panic by clubs to replace it as the "top" league that youth soccer will become even more disjointed and diluted. I'm thinking that it may be best to sit this one out for a year to see if and how it settles out and have my son play futsal in the meantime...he would'nt complain.
My biggest concern is that in the panic by clubs to replace it as the "top" league that youth soccer will become even more disjointed and diluted. I'm thinking that it may be best to sit this one out for a year to see if and how it settles out and have my son play futsal in the meantime...he would'nt complain.
jpeter
PREMIER
I'm going to call BS on those clubs.
Golden State is already in ECNL and Pat's already has teams in NPL no need for ECNL travel for them.
MLS teams have no need for ECNL either as they have USL or other options
ECNL SW has a full load of 14 teams already. Why would any club what to consider a travel league like ECNL and this point, not buying it.
You'll be wrong.
jpeter
PREMIER
Wrong about what? Some rumors?
If you have something to contribute or facts post them.
1.Pats, Golden state and other DA's will join ECNL
2.MLS who knows?
3.Doesn't have to be one big conference
jpeter
PREMIER
Hum, you might want to check in with JN if you really want to know.
I guess time will tell
jpeter
PREMIER
Golden State boys already in ECNL.
You don't join ECNL you apply and get approved or not.
Doesn't have to be anything but carry on
You don't join, you apply? What happens if they approve your application? Don't you join?
Seems like you have the inside track.
Seems like you have the inside track.
Lol! Virtual
FCGS in ECNL-
All others will have to apply- so they will not announce the move as the 20-21 teams have been announced- doesn’t mean it will happen but they will have to apply and the governing board would have to change its bylaws-
IMO- Pats, Strikers and Surf along with a few others ruined club soccer in SoCal- they formed the SCDSL based on $$ and getting more teams into a league which is fair, but only a few years after they shook things up made another switch to DA and diluted an already diluted area.
jpeter
PREMIER
Clubs apply for membership. If there applications are approved they become members.
Golden State has been a member since 2019 and played in the league this fall and the showcases
No other SC DA clubs applied for ECNL membership for 20-21' The current terms of the memberships are not something that our local MLS clubs are likely to agree to.