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That headline has to be music to the ears of high school coaches throughout the Chicagoland area.
Yes, the Chicago Magic is encouraging its players to play high school next year, the year after that and the year after that. That is what Chicago Magic director Mike Matkovich confirmed to me once again.
"We've always supported high school soccer," said Matkovich, who coached at Bolingbrook High School back in the late 1980s. "We told the kids again (at a meeting last week) that if U.S. Soccer will allow it, we want them to play high school. It's important to the community, and it's important for the kids to have a chance to play in front of their peers. Some kids who are just average players in club are stars on their high school team. It's good exposure for them."
First, the Magic announces it is going to cover all dues for players apart of its Academy. Now, it's going to let its players play high school.
"I've had parents and players (at other clubs or other academies) tell me if their club or academy doesn't let them play high school, they are coming to us," said Matkovich, director of the No. 1 club in the nation according to Soccer America.
Now some will say the Magic is saying this knowing U.S. Soccer won't allow this. So in the end, the Magic will be able to say it's U.S. Soccer's fault and make it look like the bad guy.
But keep in mind, the Magic decided years ago to not pursue a year-round program. The PR from the high school season is not only good for the players, but the club, too.
When someone sees a good player during the high school season, what is the first question that follows? "What club does he or she play for?"
-Joe Trost
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If US Soccer imposes a no play sanction for all teams involved in the academies, I don't think US Soccer knows what total player development means.
I've seen it on blogs, papers, internet sites, you name it. The disscussions of one over another. They all are a blur. But one story does stand out.
I remember reading an article you wrote "Playing prep game has its pros". Brad Guzan played high school and developed into the MLS goalkeeper of the year and is part of the national team in Africa.
High school did not hurt him. Nor did it hurt the Chicago Magic club with the number 1 boys club in the nation status for three years running!
Let them play high school!
TROST RESPONDS: I always refer to that piece - always. It was recent. Brad played high school, club, college, MLS and now with the National Team. I do believe routes are different for players, but options (this is America) are always the best. Let's be realistic, too, I don't see the IMG Academy cranking out David Beckhams.
Here's a good question for you, which has more college scouts at; the Illinois State Cup / Region tournament or the Illinois High School playoffs / final four.
It's interesting that you use Beckham as an example, because he was developed through a youth academy program. I agree that there are a number of paths that players can take in their development. It's nice to be able to play for their high school, but for the most part those programs aren't going to help the top players get better.
TROST RESPONDS: When you have an all-star team on the field, yes it makes sense to make sure you attend State Cup. College coaches have done that for years. As one Division I college coach said to me this year, there were more college coaches at the Class AA state finals than he could ever remember in the past. Some college coaches love seeing kids play high school for three months, because it puts them in different roles as players and leaders. Here is an interesting document to read: http://www.gasoccer.com/Files/672/documents/THE%20YOUTH%20ACADEMIES%20IN%20ENGLAND.pdf
To Anonymous,
College coaches love the state finals, not only because of the different roles the players are put in, both versatility in positions, and as leaders, but because what is a university??? It is an institution with a community, especially in athletics, that follow it closely. If you can't represent your high school or have pride in it and representing the community you live in, some college coaches may not want those people representing their institution because they will not know what that sense of pride truly means.
Ahh My favorite discussion! high level club vs high school. After coaching for the past 18 years in both area's I've come to the following conclusion. As far as player development goes, it's all up to the individual players. If you have a top player and I mean top, his/her 3 months with their High School team is not going to make them less of a player. It may make them more of a player because if they are the best, then they should be helping develop the lesser players. That develops leadership, as well as soccer growth and maturity.
If the player does not pick up what he/she needs in their 7 to 8 months with the club team, then he/she is not the player everyone thinks.
It's good to get away from the same routine for a time, especially at that age. Even professionals have an off season. Burn out is a big problem for players of that caliber and a lesser degree of intensity for a few months is a good change of pace.
I could go on for hours on this subject, as I have experienced it from both a club coach, a high school coach and a parent of high level player. In the end it comes down to what's inside the player, not "they need a full 12 months of high level play and coaching". That's a load of crap, let them be kids and play for their high schools.
Coach K.
Coach K, talk about burn out - HS Coaches run practices 5 days a week, some even 6, 2-3 hours days and then games. Even Manchester United doesn't do that.
It would be great if the HS Coaches understood that too.