MLS News and Commentary

In another note that I think will have a serious impact in a couple of years, the DC United had an announcement this week. DC announced that they are forming a youth team to play in the Super Y U-14 league that will hopefully begin play this June. The DC United team held tryouts this weekend and will hold more soon.

The team will not be a full-time version. Essentially players will be encouraged to play with local club teams and will then join the DC team for occasional, regular practices and will then have a 12-14 game schedule.

I think this is a great start and a wonderful first step for MLS and DC United. All great world soccer clubs have their own youth programs. Coaches are paid to work with these teams full-time. They scout the local programs and look for the best young, naturally-able players, and recruit them for the time while they are young enough to be developed if given the proper coaching.

This is where the U.S. has been falling short. Soccer is the most popular sport in the U.S. as a youth team activity. But talented players have not seen any future in the sport and so abandon it as the enter high-school. This will take a big step toward changing that perception. Now we just need the other MLS squads to do the same thing.

Until next week, support your MLS team!

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