If you have kids or relatives participating

[USAF]

in U.S. youth soccer, or if you are involved in coaching youth soccer, you might be interested in these articles -

http://www.socceramerica.com/article...ay-to-win.html

http://www.socceramerica.com/article...of-memory.html

[Assasin]

The first article is kind of old as the age group system has been in play since last August. IT made a few average players dropped out because they have to move up and some had to work hard.

The DA clubs are mostly about money. Anyway soccer is improving.

[USAF]

A lot of those changes U.S. Soccer has been making, since 2015, were suggested by Claudio Reyna, when he was the U.S. Youth Technical Director (2010 - 2013).

Most of the MLS academy teams participating in the USSDA don't charge a fee, but I feel 1 "pay to play" team is 1 too many. DC United is a D@MN disgrace:

Atlanta United – No Fee
Chicago Fire – No Fee
Colorado Rapids – No Fee
Columbus Crew – No Fee
DC United – U14: $2,500; U16 & U18: $1,500
FC Dallas – No Fee
Houston Dynamo – No Fee (U14 to U18); Registration fee for younger teams
LA Galaxy – No Fee
Minnesota United – ??? Will start this year
Montreal Impact – Secondary 1 (ages 12-13): $500; Secondary 2 (ages 13-14): $300; Secondary 3 & up (ages 15-18): No Fee
New England Revolution – No Fee
New York City – No Fee
New York Red Bulls – No Fee
Orlando City – No Fee
Philadelphia Union – No Fee
Portland Timbers – U14-U18: $500 ???
Real Salt Lake (Casa Grande, Ariz. Residency Program) – U14-U18: $309
San Jose Earthquakes – (U12 & U13): $1,800; (U14 to U18): No Fee
Seattle Sounders – No Fee
Sporting Kansas City – No Fee (one-time “membership fee” required)
Toronto FC – No Fee
Vancouver Whitecaps (Residency Program) – No Fee

MLS had plans to block any of their academies who engage in "pay to play" from competing in the USSDA, but they haven't followed through.

[Assasin]

I know the MLS teams don't but most others charge fees plus the expense of travel and some even tournament fees.

It can be an expensive venture.