Boys’ soccer: ‘The Academy’ doesn’t only affect California

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Ran across this interesting article last night. It’s about high school soccer in the state of Washington and how the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy is forcing kids to choose between school and club.

Sound familiar?

Without a doubt, the story of the year in boys’ soccer in the Southland is the controversy created by the start of ‘The Academy,’ which is operated by the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Every conversation I’ve had with a coach this season eventually leads to talk of the academy.

Is it good? Is it bad? Is it the end of high school soccer?

Coaches would get so mad that they would want to change the topic before getting even more enraged.

It was believed by some that California was the only state being affected by the academy. California is only one of several states that plays during the winter, but there is a CIF rule that prevents players from participating with school and club at the same time.

So, whose to blame for the effect of the Academy? The U.S. Soccer Federation? The clubs? The players? The high schools?

-- Jaime Cardenas

-- Image from www.stingfree.com