Top U-14s headed to Man United Tourney
- by Soccer America , Feb 6, 2014
"Our U.S. Soccer Technical Advisors will make a holistic evaluation to determine the top club based on Academy criteria and ratings we have compiled," said U.S. Soccer Development Academy Director of Scouting Tony Lepore. "We think this is a great way to reward a competitive Academy club that is playing the game the right way."
The 2014 Manchester United Cup in August will consist of 20 clubs divided among four five-team groups. The top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinal stage. The final of the 2013 edition was played at Old Trafford.
Past U.S teams that have participated include the Dallas Texans, Vardar SC and Crossfire Premier. International clubs have included Barcelona, Ajax, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Corinthians, Club America and Manchester United.
Playes who have appeared at the tourney Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Fernando Torres, Jack Wilshere and Robinho.
"We think this is a great way to reward a competitive Academy club that is playing the game the right way." Well if there is a specific "right" way, certainly there must be "wrong" ways and those wrong ways are spelled out somewhere? Is this according to some defined formation, tactics and strategies, or just whatever an Academy or US Soccer administrator decides on one random day? Inquiring minds want to know...
It's according to the Youth Curriculum that Claudio Reyna wrote.
http://www.ussoccer.com/coaches/coaching-education/coaching-home.aspx
There's a bunch of other factors, but as far as system, you have to play a 4-3-3 or diamond 4-4-2 (ie there has to be a real ACM and no lumping it to the big/fast guy up top).