Federation bringing change to youth game

Quality over quantity helps promote proper development

By GLENN DAVIS
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5756417.html

The youth soccer landscape around the country is a competitive cauldron of clubs trying to find that edge that will keep them at the top of the recruiting pyramid.

But have we gone overboard to the point that player development is secondary?

The answer is yes. But many are trying to get the game to focus on the player again. Youth soccer clubs offer to provide the best in coaching, exposure to college coaches and competition. Winning remains the No. 1 recruiting tool.

It's no different with local leagues and associations, which aim to provide the best structure for teams and clubs to participate in. But the days of providing games in bulk are over. Youth players competing in four to six games over the course of a weekend is insanity, yet it occurs regularly in Houston and elsewhere.

Full schedules, an overabundance of games, travel and practice time must be reconsidered in order to provide a balanced playing experience, not to mention a mechanism to promote player development.

U.S. Soccer is trying to change the youth game beginning with the under-16 and under-18 age levels.

Youth clubs are joining the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, which includes top clubs from around the country as well as nine MLS clubs.

Change is good

So how is the USSF Academy different?

It promises to limit the volume of games, focus on player development and coaching education and bring the eyes of national team coaches and top college coaches to events. Still, it is a process that needs a heavy marketing campaign to succeed. Yet it could be a masterstroke if it makes an impression on the vast soccer landscape in the United States.

"It's the opportunity for elite area athletes to compete nationally against the best competition," said Don Gemmell, technical director of the Texas Rush, who along with Texas Soccer Club have been selected locally. "It de-emphasizes the winning-at-all-cost mentality and focuses on player development."

Scott Dymond of Texas Soccer Club also sees the upside of being in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

"South Texas Youth Soccer is not providing the best environment anymore. Our players need to be in a better environment," Dymond said. "Quality training and games over quantity. Additionally, decisions in regard to the league are being made by the national staff of U.S. Soccer, which is a great benefit."

So where do Dynamo Academy teams, which are made up of local talent, fit into this equation?

The Dynamo will have their own training facility down the road and at the right time will have to jump even deeper into the development game. With their resources, coaching and an eye at playing top competition, the Dynamo should assume the mantle of leaders in player development in Houston and around the country in years to come.

That is not to say they aren't pushing that envelope already.

Ahead of the curve

They have begun to mix youth players with pros, having them sit on the bench at reserve games or, in the case of Alex Dixon and Tyler Deric, even training with the first team. These are resources no local area club can provide.

As for competition, Dynamo Player Development head James Clarkson is thinking beyond age-appropriate youth competition in the future.

"I want to play Boca Juniors. and Real Madrid, not regular youth soccer teams," Clarkson said.

Clarkson might be on to something as the Dynamo Academy could play competition from Mexican pro clubs, area college teams and local men's teams to fill their competition plate. No club in MLS can take geographic advantage of the Mexican soccer culture like the Dynamo.

Clarkson has fielded inquiries from around the world about the Dynamo Academy. The phone calls are a sign of progress.

As for now, the Dynamo will not look to join the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy like other MLS teams.

"It's a possibility down the road," Dynamo chief operating officer Chris Canetti said. "Right now as we build, we are not sure it is the right road."

Former pro soccer player Glenn Davis hosts a weekly show on 790 AM. gdavis98@swbell.net