US Soccer Development Academies

What is the opinion of people in California regarding the newly announced US Soccer Development Academy for U16 - U18s?

this is a great segregation tool.

Are SoCal, Barcelona or Arsenal looking into this program? Some big names from the east coast and midwest are already in.

Just because the clubs have been accepted, does that necessarily mean that the existing players will stay? What about the expense, time commitment and potential conflicts with school? Everyone seems to assume that the best players will end up on an academy team - is that necessarily true?

Just because the clubs have been accepted, does that necessarily mean that the existing players will stay? What about the expense, time commitment and potential conflicts with school? Everyone seems to assume that the best players will end up on an academy team - is that necessarily true?

The time commitment is not that extreme. Figure that you will have 15-17 away games, a few of those will be within a relatively short driving distance and the farther ones you can double up on a weekend. I don't think you will need more than 8-10 travel weekends in the year. My son plays Y-League and between that, tournaments and state cup he went on eight trips that required hotel stays, and that doesn't even count stays for ODP camps.

The training regimen requirement is not that awful either - minumum of three times per week. You will need more money, but necessarilly that much more time.