He's a crown jewel of the entire US youth pool. I've read one of five most important, with no hierarchy listed.
James Sands
- Thread starter Kjbert
- Start date
Some things to consider when talking about Gio Reyna
- NYCFC Academy teams play a year young so the U16s are actually 15 or younger. U17s are actually 16 or younger.
- Gio who will be 15 in November (so he was 14 during this season) is currently playing with the U15/16 and will likely move up next year.
- In 2015, Claudio said it would be long time before he plays for NYCFC. Claudio is obviously a parent first then a Sporting Director. The kid has the talent to play at a quality European team.
- We don't have a USL team (and we don't know what the status of loans will be at that point in time) so once the Academy is up, it's the first team. So Gio has until he's 17 to be in the academy.
Ideally, for NYCFC, he signs a homegrown contract for the start of the 2019 season where he'll be 16 similar to Sands, if that's true. But would he get minutes at that age in MLS, I can't say.
dannd23
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I've only seen him play the couple times for NYC and a couple times for the US. That is my opinion given his abilities at the moment and an opinion also shared by many that have been watching with USYNTs for years way more closely than I can. Not saying I am right, but it is true that his interest from Europe is no where near what it is for some of the others at his position in the same age groups (I say groups bc he is kinda between age groups right now).
None of your points unfortunately are happening.
NickFromAstoria
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Kinda crappy if we can't even get him for a year or two. "Win a cup, then be on your merry way" is too much to ask?
If its not for his son playing for us, why is Claudio our GM? Big signings are likely CFG, his job can only be depth and American players. Fail on those fronts.
I don't think that's fair
Next World Cup he's going to be a 19ish. And your saying that in the intervening years he will have never suited up for the NYCFC first team?
It's basically impossible for anyone younger than 18 to play in Europe, unless the parents already live there.
Haha, it's clear who your source is.
Or unless you have a European passport
Oooh, let's have the Reyna Jr. passport/citizenship status discussion again. Maybe it can displace Pirlo as the new Mix for status as the second most endless discussion about a topic for which we lack sufficient information and which we find frustrating. I'll go look up United Kingdom rules on birthright citizenship again BRB.
We never did find out what happened with Mix...
James Sands is an exciting prospect along with Gio Reyna. Unfortunately, and this is the honest truth, if they play a few seasons with nycfc it won't be good for their career development in the long run. They have to train in Europe and play with better talent if they want to be world class players. Unless they have international passports they won't get the chance to play in Europe when they should.
I like the cut of your jib, Brylski. I like the cut of your jib. But I'm coming for you in fantasy nonetheless....
The number following the U is included in the age groupings -- U18 means 18 and younger, so Sands has 2 and Gio has 4 more seasons of Academy to play.
It's all confusing because of a recent age grouping change, but starting in August the oldest Academy age group will be U19, up from U18 this year. It's a weird year, because a lot of players will leave after their U18 season to go to college.
https://www.nycfc.com/post/2017/06/21/james-sands-becomes-nycfc-s-first-homegrown-player
His contract will begin on July 1, so he'll miss the match vs. RB and Minnesota.
His contract will begin on July 1, so he'll miss the match vs. RB and Minnesota.
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NickFromAstoria
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I don't even mind getting that in my head today.
