NYCFC Academy - General Discussion
- Thread starter NYCFC_Dan
- Start date
Yes, very apparent when you watch them. I think Sands is the third best midfielder (at the 6/8 positions) in that rough age group.
Little Cavani and the guy whose name I can never find or remember both seem to be technically superior and have a bit more guile to their games.
Of course, since we don’t ever get to see Sands, I may be wrong. He certainly played positive when he got a few minutes in the USOC.
Little Cavani, Haak, has the potential to be a real star for the US. He’s the type of dribbling midfielder we haven’t had since Tab Ramos.
I think it's easier to be a young RB/RW in MLS than a CDM, CB just based on the physicality of the league, not too many teams are blazing fast like Atlanta or Houston or us.
Not sure if easier is the right word - outside players, whether wings or backs, have to physically cover far more ground on a continuous basis while also being aware of the overlap by the opponent. Granted, they have the benefit of the sideline as a defender/boundary, which a CDM or CB doesn’t have the luxury of, and that does relieve some tactical awareness compared to the middle players keeping track on a 360deg scale. The flip side of the sideline is that middle players have the benefit of twice the number of outlets to engage because they can play 360. So I wouldn’t say one is necessarily easier than the other, they’re both complex for different reasons and rely on different skill sets.
NYCFC ties the Red Bulls 0-0 in the U16/17 group stage. Red Bulls top the group and advance on goal differential. +6 vs. +4.
According to the roster, they were born in 2001 or 2002 so they're actually 16 and 17 year olds.
http://nyfc.ussoccerda.com/sam/teams/index.php?team=3940880
So if they’re 16/17 and our U19 are 16/17, then this not only doubles our academy numbers in our top group, but effectively gives us a “B-team” of players that are getting weekly matches against comparable competition.
Gio was the US Academy East Conference U16/17 player of the year.
Scally made the U16/17 top XI as well.
For U18/19, Top XI included James Sands & Kwaku Owusu.
http://www.ussoccerda.com/20180707-2017-2018-boys-academy-end-of-year-awards
Scally made the U16/17 top XI as well.
For U18/19, Top XI included James Sands & Kwaku Owusu.
http://www.ussoccerda.com/20180707-2017-2018-boys-academy-end-of-year-awards
So our Academy signings still play full time in the academy, but train with the senior team and receive a paycheck?
Then I really don’t understand these awards.
