Soccer development in the U.S.

Cool. Thanks for the complement. Now get back to work.


Stryker, You're exactly right. Keeping the U11 and U12 kids to 9v9 was a step in the right direction as it minimized the need to kick a long ball over the top and emphasizes ball and player movement. If we continue to see the top two teams run away with the league at U11, then we know they're is still room for improvement.

finish1 wrote:Cool. Thanks for the complement. Now get back to work.


Stryker, You're exactly right. Keeping the U11 and U12 kids to 9v9 was a step in the right direction as it minimized the need to kick a long ball over the top and emphasizes ball and player movement. If we continue to see the top two teams run away with the league at U11, then we know they're is still room for improvement.

Still seeing long ball from the top teams at u9/u10 (especially from the teams playing 9v9). 9v9 for that age group is still a pretty good sized field for all but the biggest kids. But you're right, small sided is a step in the right direction. Sadly, most u10 teams are ignoring it this year and playing 9v9 in spite of the 7v7 mandate.

Actually, come to think of it, that's probably a pretty good indicator of development versus winning. If your son is a u10 this coming season, is your team playing 9v9 or 7v7? That's probably your answer as to what your coach is focused on. 7v7=development 9v9=winning.

I don't know the story for all of the ages, but in the U14-U16 range there looks to be a HUGE amount of turnover caused simply by a 7 month age shift.  A huge amount.   Parents want their kids to go where things are easier.   Coaches want to take the bigger/older kids over the younger kids.   Lots of people had very little invested in their coach/program, or the coach in the players.   Doesn't that speak to the emphasis on development?  

People want the now.  

I better leave Finish alone before he has me banned from the Forum again.....Poor Omega Striker has never returned

Riquelme Rises wrote:

And we will see how many of those players end up on the USMNT. Obviously you seem to think that winning equals development. Same old NTX mentality.

I don't think that the FCD Academy is developing players for the USMNT, but it is always possible that some players will be asked to participate on the USMNT if they have what the US National Coaches are looking for at any particular time.

The player emphasis is on becoming a homegrown talent from the academy and developing to a level that will get you selected for the pro team.

In professional soccer the emphasis is on winning so I would say that the  result of team and player development would also include winning.

PremierLeagueFan wrote:

Riquelme Rises wrote:

And we will see how many of those players end up on the USMNT. Obviously you seem to think that winning equals development. Same old NTX mentality.

I don't think that the FCD Academy is developing players for the USMNT, but it is always possible that some players will be asked to participate on the USMNT if they have what the US National Coaches are looking for at any particular time.

The player emphasis is on becoming a homegrown talent from the academy and developing to a level that will get you selected for the pro team.

In professional soccer the emphasis is on winning so I would say that the  result of team and player development would also include winning.

Remind me again how many players FCD has promoted and signed to the first team......

Here are some names of FC Dallas Homegrown Pro Players

Kellyn Acosta FC Dallas 7/12/2012 7/24/1995
Coy Craft FC Dallas 7/31/2014 5/23/1997
Jesse Gonzalez (GK) FC Dallas 3/21/2013 5/25/1995
Aaron Guillen FC Dallas 1/5/2016 6/23/1993
Moises Hernandez FC Dallas 7/30/2010 3/5/1992
Victor Ulloa FC Dallas 7/30/2010 3/4/1992
Bradlee Baladez FC Dallas 12/19/2012 8/8/199
Danny Garcia FC Dallas 6/18/2013 10/14/1993
Bryan Leyva FC Dallas 9/16/2009 8/2/1992
Ruben Luna FC Dallas 7/30/2010 2/10/1992
Jonathan Top FC Dallas 1/12/2011 1/26/1993
Richard Sanchez FC Dallas 2/18/2011 4/25/1994
London Woodberry FC Dallas 1/9/2013 5/28/1991
Alejandro Zendejas FC Dallas 10/1/2014 2/7/1998

FC Dallas has signed 14 homegrown players (the most in MLS), 7 of which are on the current 1st team roster and 1 is currently playing for another MLS team.

Obviously some of these players spent more time in the FC Dallas system than others.  They are not all "products" of the FC Dallas system...but development credit is another subject (and lawsuit) all together.

Good point TayJ6......

FC Dallas has an excellent development system that gets even more intense as you reach the academy level. There are some great players who have only been in the academy for a year that have advanced beyond a level that their existing clubs could provide so I would suggest that even one or two years in the academy will have a profound result on a good player from another club.

Not intended as point of contention...merely commentary. FCD has clearly established themselves as THE elite program in NTX, if not the country after this past week in California.

PremierLeagueFan wrote:Here are some names of FC Dallas Homegrown Pro Players

Kellyn Acosta FC Dallas 7/12/2012 7/24/1995
Coy Craft FC Dallas 7/31/2014 5/23/1997
Jesse Gonzalez (GK) FC Dallas 3/21/2013 5/25/1995
Aaron Guillen FC Dallas 1/5/2016 6/23/1993
Moises Hernandez FC Dallas 7/30/2010 3/5/1992
Victor Ulloa FC Dallas 7/30/2010 3/4/1992
Bradlee Baladez FC Dallas 12/19/2012 8/8/199
Danny Garcia FC Dallas 6/18/2013 10/14/1993
Bryan Leyva FC Dallas 9/16/2009 8/2/1992
Ruben Luna FC Dallas 7/30/2010 2/10/1992
Jonathan Top FC Dallas 1/12/2011 1/26/1993
Richard Sanchez FC Dallas 2/18/2011 4/25/1994
London Woodberry FC Dallas 1/9/2013 5/28/1991
Alejandro Zendejas FC Dallas 10/1/2014 2/7/1998

Not a lot of white boys in that list.

Number13 wrote:

PremierLeagueFan wrote:Here are some names of FC Dallas Homegrown Pro Players

Kellyn Acosta FC Dallas 7/12/2012 7/24/1995
Coy Craft FC Dallas 7/31/2014 5/23/1997
Jesse Gonzalez (GK) FC Dallas 3/21/2013 5/25/1995
Aaron Guillen FC Dallas 1/5/2016 6/23/1993
Moises Hernandez FC Dallas 7/30/2010 3/5/1992
Victor Ulloa FC Dallas 7/30/2010 3/4/1992
Bradlee Baladez FC Dallas 12/19/2012 8/8/199
Danny Garcia FC Dallas 6/18/2013 10/14/1993
Bryan Leyva FC Dallas 9/16/2009 8/2/1992
Ruben Luna FC Dallas 7/30/2010 2/10/1992
Jonathan Top FC Dallas 1/12/2011 1/26/1993
Richard Sanchez FC Dallas 2/18/2011 4/25/1994
London Woodberry FC Dallas 1/9/2013 5/28/1991
Alejandro Zendejas FC Dallas 10/1/2014 2/7/1998

Not a lot of white boys in that list.  

The comment about underlying racism was meant for USMNT not FC Dallas...

Riquelme Rises wrote:

Number13 wrote:

PremierLeagueFan wrote:Here are some names of FC Dallas Homegrown Pro Players

Kellyn Acosta FC Dallas 7/12/2012 7/24/1995
Coy Craft FC Dallas 7/31/2014 5/23/1997
Jesse Gonzalez (GK) FC Dallas 3/21/2013 5/25/1995
Aaron Guillen FC Dallas 1/5/2016 6/23/1993
Moises Hernandez FC Dallas 7/30/2010 3/5/1992
Victor Ulloa FC Dallas 7/30/2010 3/4/1992
Bradlee Baladez FC Dallas 12/19/2012 8/8/199
Danny Garcia FC Dallas 6/18/2013 10/14/1993
Bryan Leyva FC Dallas 9/16/2009 8/2/1992
Ruben Luna FC Dallas 7/30/2010 2/10/1992
Jonathan Top FC Dallas 1/12/2011 1/26/1993
Richard Sanchez FC Dallas 2/18/2011 4/25/1994
London Woodberry FC Dallas 1/9/2013 5/28/1991
Alejandro Zendejas FC Dallas 10/1/2014 2/7/1998

Not a lot of white boys in that list.  

The comment about underlying racism was meant for USMNT not FC Dallas...

Didn’t Jürgen Klinsmann cut Landon Donovan from the World Cup squad in favor of Julian Green? I need your insight on this one. Please explain how that was racially motivated.

bigtex75081 wrote:

Riquelme Rises wrote:

Number13 wrote:

PremierLeagueFan wrote:Here are some names of FC Dallas Homegrown Pro Players

Kellyn Acosta FC Dallas 7/12/2012 7/24/1995
Coy Craft FC Dallas 7/31/2014 5/23/1997
Jesse Gonzalez (GK) FC Dallas 3/21/2013 5/25/1995
Aaron Guillen FC Dallas 1/5/2016 6/23/1993
Moises Hernandez FC Dallas 7/30/2010 3/5/1992
Victor Ulloa FC Dallas 7/30/2010 3/4/1992
Bradlee Baladez FC Dallas 12/19/2012 8/8/199
Danny Garcia FC Dallas 6/18/2013 10/14/1993
Bryan Leyva FC Dallas 9/16/2009 8/2/1992
Ruben Luna FC Dallas 7/30/2010 2/10/1992
Jonathan Top FC Dallas 1/12/2011 1/26/1993
Richard Sanchez FC Dallas 2/18/2011 4/25/1994
London Woodberry FC Dallas 1/9/2013 5/28/1991
Alejandro Zendejas FC Dallas 10/1/2014 2/7/1998

Not a lot of white boys in that list.  

The comment about underlying racism was meant for USMNT not FC Dallas...

Didn’t Jürgen Klinsmann cut Landon Donovan from the World Cup squad in favor of Julian Green?  I need your insight on this one.  Please explain how that was racially motivated.

If I have to explain it to you then you won't ever get it.

Riquelme Rises wrote:

bigtex75081 wrote:

Riquelme Rises wrote:

Number13 wrote:

PremierLeagueFan wrote:Here are some names of FC Dallas Homegrown Pro Players

Kellyn Acosta FC Dallas 7/12/2012 7/24/1995
Coy Craft FC Dallas 7/31/2014 5/23/1997
Jesse Gonzalez (GK) FC Dallas 3/21/2013 5/25/1995
Aaron Guillen FC Dallas 1/5/2016 6/23/1993
Moises Hernandez FC Dallas 7/30/2010 3/5/1992
Victor Ulloa FC Dallas 7/30/2010 3/4/1992
Bradlee Baladez FC Dallas 12/19/2012 8/8/199
Danny Garcia FC Dallas 6/18/2013 10/14/1993
Bryan Leyva FC Dallas 9/16/2009 8/2/1992
Ruben Luna FC Dallas 7/30/2010 2/10/1992
Jonathan Top FC Dallas 1/12/2011 1/26/1993
Richard Sanchez FC Dallas 2/18/2011 4/25/1994
London Woodberry FC Dallas 1/9/2013 5/28/1991
Alejandro Zendejas FC Dallas 10/1/2014 2/7/1998

Not a lot of white boys in that list.  

The comment about underlying racism was meant for USMNT not FC Dallas...

Didn’t Jürgen Klinsmann cut Landon Donovan from the World Cup squad in favor of Julian Green?  I need your insight on this one.  Please explain how that was racially motivated.

If I have to explain it to you then you won't ever get it.

You're absolutely right... We shouldn't let the actual roster placements of the USMNT interfere with a good racial accusation. Thanks for the insight.

bigtex75081 wrote:

Riquelme Rises wrote:

bigtex75081 wrote:

Riquelme Rises wrote:

Number13 wrote:

PremierLeagueFan wrote:Here are some names of FC Dallas Homegrown Pro Players

Kellyn Acosta FC Dallas 7/12/2012 7/24/1995
Coy Craft FC Dallas 7/31/2014 5/23/1997
Jesse Gonzalez (GK) FC Dallas 3/21/2013 5/25/1995
Aaron Guillen FC Dallas 1/5/2016 6/23/1993
Moises Hernandez FC Dallas 7/30/2010 3/5/1992
Victor Ulloa FC Dallas 7/30/2010 3/4/1992
Bradlee Baladez FC Dallas 12/19/2012 8/8/199
Danny Garcia FC Dallas 6/18/2013 10/14/1993
Bryan Leyva FC Dallas 9/16/2009 8/2/1992
Ruben Luna FC Dallas 7/30/2010 2/10/1992
Jonathan Top FC Dallas 1/12/2011 1/26/1993
Richard Sanchez FC Dallas 2/18/2011 4/25/1994
London Woodberry FC Dallas 1/9/2013 5/28/1991
Alejandro Zendejas FC Dallas 10/1/2014 2/7/1998

Not a lot of white boys in that list.  

The comment about underlying racism was meant for USMNT not FC Dallas...

Didn’t Jürgen Klinsmann cut Landon Donovan from the World Cup squad in favor of Julian Green?  I need your insight on this one.  Please explain how that was racially motivated.

If I have to explain it to you then you won't ever get it.

You're absolutely right... We shouldn't let the actual roster placements of the USMNT interfere with a good racial accusation.  Thanks for the insight.

Read my quotes carefully dipshit. I have been told this by coaches that are privy to the USMNT selection process. Of course dumbasses like you are blind to anything that you do'nt understand.

Riquelme Rises wrote:

bigtex75081 wrote:

Riquelme Rises wrote:

bigtex75081 wrote:

Riquelme Rises wrote:

Number13 wrote:

Not a lot of white boys in that list.  

The comment about underlying racism was meant for USMNT not FC Dallas...

Didn’t Jürgen Klinsmann cut Landon Donovan from the World Cup squad in favor of Julian Green?  I need your insight on this one.  Please explain how that was racially motivated.

If I have to explain it to you then you won't ever get it.

You're absolutely right... We shouldn't let the actual roster placements of the USMNT interfere with a good racial accusation.  Thanks for the insight.

Read my quotes carefully dipshit. I have been told this by coaches that are privy to the USMNT selection process. Of course dumbasses like you are blind to anything that you do'nt understand.

Please publish those coaches' names. Those are the individuals that should be answering instead. If these coaches are willing to make such bold statements then they should also be willing to justify the validity.

Arsene Wenger said it best:

"You build a player like you build a house. First is the basement, the base of the player is the technique. You get that between 7 and 14 years of age. If you have no technical skill at 14, you can forget it you will never be a football player.

Then, the second part is the physical aspect, the first floor is the physical talent of the player. That is decided between 14 and 17 where you see if they will be quick enough, strong enough.

Then the second floor is the tactical aspect. Do I understand the game? How can I relate to you if I have the ball, do I understand where to go?

And then the final part, decided at 18 and 19 years of age, is how much do I want to be successful? Am I ready to not go to a disco on Friday night, because on Saturday I want to have a good game? That's the final floor, and what I call the roof. If you have no roof, it rains in, and when it rains in, the house collapses."

Watch the full video here: https://www.facebook.com/PerfectSoccerCoaching/videos/1728135717455268/


The biggest issue with player development in American soccer is that we are skipping the foundation entirely. By the time players get to 14 years old, their technical ability should already be fully developed, but American coaches are training the physical and tactical aspect of the game long before they reach that point which stunts their growth. We are breeding a bunch of athletes, but we have no real footballers coming out of our system and that will never change until coaches begin to follow this structure.

Footy Factory wrote:
The biggest issue with player development in American soccer is that we are skipping the foundation entirely. By the time players get to 14 years old, their technical ability should already be fully developed, but American coaches are training the physical and tactical aspect of the game long before they reach that point which stunts their growth.

Preach it, brother. Can I get an Amen?

Footy Factory wrote:Arsene Wenger said it best:

"You build a player like you build a house. First is the basement, the base of the player is the technique. You get that between 7 and 14 years of age. If you have no technical skill at 14, you can forget it you will never be a football player.

Then, the second part is the physical aspect, the first floor is the physical talent of the player. That is decided between 14 and 17 where you see if they will be quick enough, strong enough.

Then the second floor is the tactical aspect. Do I understand the game? How can I relate to you if I have the ball, do I understand where to go?

And then the final part, decided at 18 and 19 years of age, is how much do I want to be successful? Am I ready to not go to a disco on Friday night, because on Saturday I want to have a good game? That's the final floor, and what I call the roof. If you have no roof, it rains in, and when it rains in, the house collapses."

Watch the full video here: https://www.facebook.com/PerfectSoccerCoaching/videos/1728135717455268/


The biggest issue with player development in American soccer is that we are skipping the foundation entirely. By the time players get to 14 years old, their technical ability should already be fully developed, but American coaches are training the physical and tactical aspect of the game long before they reach that point which stunts their growth. We are breeding a bunch of athletes, but we have no real footballers coming out of our system and that will never change until coaches begin to follow this structure.

he didn't put that all on the coach. the first part of that video he CLEARLY puts the onus on the player

It is absolutely the responsibility of the coach to provide that technical foundation. A 7 year old cannot teach themselves how to receive a pass correctly or strike the ball with proper technique. Once a player has fully developed, then it is on them to have the discipline required to reach their peak and play at the highest level that they are capable of playing. It is a coach's job, however, to push them to that point.

Footy Factory wrote:It is absolutely the responsibility of the coach to provide that technical foundation. A 7 year old cannot teach themselves how to receive a pass correctly or strike the ball with proper technique. Once a player has fully developed, then it is on them to have the discipline required to reach their peak and play at the highest level that they are capable of playing. It is a coach's job, however, to push them to that point.

So you must believe that Asian Math and Science teachers are superior based on Asia's dominance in educating their youth. I suggest, a teacher teaches the formula and Asian children outwork most of American born students. Of course you need both an adequate teacher and a hard working student. But Messi couldn't fly into Dallas every Tuesday and Thursday and change the outcome of out 7yrs old factory. In fact many of the 7 year olds parents would complain if the practice went over by 15 minutes.

Exactly. The problem is the formula, not the the students themselves. Messi did not become the best player in the world with two team practices per week. Any player can develop into a world class talent with 10 years of deep practice and daily, focused individual training. A good coach will ignite that passion in their players and give them the hunger and desire to work for their success every day. Obviously, most players simply do not have it in them, but it starts with the coach/trainer. They are the most influential figure in a young player's career.

Footy Factory wrote:Any player can develop into a world class talent with 10 years of deep practice and daily, focused individual training.

My BB has two left feet and moves like molasses, but I am encouraged by this.