(09-08-2017 02:38 PM)uhcoog27 Wrote:  I'm a few pages behind. My son is 7 and playing U10 for the Dynamo Youth Academy. He's a very strong player for his age, so we've sat through all the talks from administration on player development tracks. The club holds talent evaluation events every single month. They are all free. Once accepted to the Academy, U14 and up is free. So for the top-end kids, there isn't much cost at all. Even travel is subsidized.

Now, if you want a competitive track and aren't quite good enough to make the formal Academy roster, then yes, it becomes expensive. But there aren't any top talents missing out because they can't afford things. At least not in Houston. Now, if you want to argue that potential is lost between the ages of 7-12 because some kids can't afford leagues with decent competition, I'm willing to listen some.

MLS is finally taking the academy/development seriously. That will improve the soccer in this nation; however, there will still be untapped parts of the country where pay to play will prevail.