2017 Preseason Thread

Looks like academy. Still, I stand by the overall position (as you seem to, as well) that he's better off training with our first team and getting in a game or two when possible if he's even close to ready. We can always go and let him play games for his DA club on a semi-regular basis.

Personally, I think one of the issues that has held back youth development in MLS and in the US is the lack of kids given real training time with top level squads. I'd love to see that resolved and the residency program disbanded.


I think you nailed the second paragraph
 
I think you nailed the second paragraph
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Was looking for a blind squirrel. This is way cuter though.
 
There are two different soccer programs at IMG. There's the IMG Academy which is essentially a high school of aspiring professional athletes, and there's the USSF residency program. They use the IMG facilities, but not the same team.

I don't know if our twins are part of the Academy or Residency program.

Link to USSF residency program: http://www.ussoccer.com/us-under17-mens-national-team/residency

This is the link to the IMG Academy program/staff: https://www.imgacademy.com/sports/boys-soccer

Sands twins are in USSF Residency as part of U17 MNT, coached by John Hackworth.
 
Sands twins are in USSF Residency as part of U17 MNT, coached by John Hackworth.
Definitely have some great talent in our current Academy teams. Hopefully that will extend to the new age groups that they are adding. Our current teams have been playing together for quite some time and as shown by the Academy TV videos the chemistry is great.
Thanks Mrs. Sands
Lol, could be the Academy Tv guy. By far my favorite NYCFC related Twitter account.

If I'm free on 02/18 I might be able to go catch the team in the Orlando tournament.
As far as Sands is concerned I was considering reaching out for our annual NYCFC player interview. Would be great to send some questions his way and see what he thinks about his experience following the preseason.
 
If Sands has the ability and the potential, there is no question his development as a midfielder will be furthered better by training every day with Pirlo and being coached by Vieira than any U17 setup anywhere.

I don't think his development would be hampered by lack of playing time -- there are other players who often aren't in the 14 or 18 and need to stay match fit -- we have assistant coaches for that aspect of his game. He has to be so much sharper to train and scrimmage with our first team than play with guys his age, a first team experience (if he can step on the pitch and play if we need him) is by far the best option.

Would love to see him play tomorrow night -- seems like if he can play well in a sold out stadium against a professional team he could be getting a contract.
 
Interesting that we traveled with 25 and that's just about the sweet-spot for the season's roster size knowing a spot still needs to be saved for a DP and we don't know if Sands is being tapped up. Guessing only 1-2 are cut while adding 1-2 more (could be 1/1, 1/2, 2/1, 2/2).

- Lewis and Ring are not on this roster, but they have contracts with the club.
- Sweat, Stertzer, and Louima are trialists.
- Awuah, Degraffenreidt, Wingate, Brown, are SuperDraft picks whose rights we have not signed contracts.
- Sands is still an academy player.
 
- Lewis and Ring are not on this roster, but they have contracts with the club.
- Sweat, Stertzer, and Louima are trialists.
- Awuah, Degraffenreidt, Wingate, Brown, are SuperDraft picks whose rights we have not signed contracts.
- Sands is still an academy player.
And I thought I was being unproductive at work today....
 
- Lewis and Ring are not on this roster, but they have contracts with the club.
- Sweat, Stertzer, and Louima are trialists.
- Awuah, Degraffenreidt, Wingate, Brown, are SuperDraft picks whose rights we have not signed contracts.
- Sands is still an academy player.
So I think we are at 20 under contract if I'm counting right. 25 traveling, minus the eight you note, plus four under contract but not there (Ring, Mix, Lopez and Lewis). Assuming Mix's is off the roster one way or another, that would put us at 20 under contract.

Hopefully there are at least 1-2 more to come in such as Herrera and perhaps another guy. Then a spot or two left open, which means we are 22-24 spots filled/reserved.

Of the other guys, I'm guessing Stertzer and Awuah make it, plus perhaps two or three of the others, though it will be interesting to see who it will be. Curious to see who among that group gets minutes tomorrow.
 
So I think we are at 20 under contract if I'm counting right. 25 traveling, minus the eight you note, plus four under contract but not there (Ring, Mix, Lopez and Lewis). Assuming Mix's is off the roster one way or another, that would put us at 20 under contract.

Hopefully there are at least 1-2 more to come in such as Herrera and perhaps another guy. Then a spot or two left open, which means we are 22-24 spots filled/reserved.

Of the other guys, I'm guessing Stertzer and Awuah make it, plus perhaps two or three of the others, though it will be interesting to see who it will be. Curious to see who among that group gets minutes tomorrow.

will any of them go to USL? speaking of which any word on who our affiliate will be?
 
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