The Youngers

[MarkoftheDrink]

It was a bit of a mixed season last year for the youngers on the first team. Some excelled and exceeded expectations (Stinson and Morgan), some looked their age (Henry) and others didn't see much of the pitch at all (Makubuya, Cordon).

I'm not super familiar with these players or the academy so I'm hoping there are some academy diehards out there willing to shed some light on these players. Specifically what do they need to improve to either get more time on the pitch or just simply get on the pitch? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Who are the other Academy players to look for to possibly get homegrown status? Any ideas on who the two players BDK referred to at the media day are?

From what I can tell Stinson and Morgan should get decent minutes this year if they don't regress (hopefully they'll be even better this year). But with our d-line getting healthier and new defenders coming in Henry seems to be much further down the depth chart this year. Same with Makubuya and Cordon with Vukovic and Silva arriving.

[TorCanSoc]

Stinson always impressed me. Morgan did great, given his opportunity.

Its going to be interesting to see the college draft versus academy products. If we use hockey as the comparison, then the best players are going to be the academy kids.

I think the academy kids are still younger than the college draft picks.

[lazlo_80]

anyone know the nine training with the first team?

I know Vukovic and Hamilton. Who are the others?

[TFCREDNWHITE]

Stinson didn't really impress me...

[Soccerpro]

9 current academy players at TFC camp. Of which "2 or 3" are expected to seriously compete for a spot.

[ag futbol]

From what I've read elsewhere, Hamilton is 15 and an absolute athletic specimen. It might take a little while, but if he's serious about a career in football I think he's assured a contract.

[Dub Narcotic]

It's hard to see a road to the first team for a lot of the current ex-academy guys on the roster. TFC has tons of depth now in midfield and center back, where a lot of the young guys play. Is Henry going to play over the two new signings, Cann and Williams? Stinson and Cordon are similarly blocked in center mid by a ton of players as long as the 4-3-3 stays. Even if Stinson moves to RB permanently, he is stuck behind Eckersley for who knows how long. There is more room for left-footers and forwards, but no one seems to rate Makabuyu and Vukovic is surely not ready to make a major contribution yet.

I would not be surprised if in a couple of years, only Morgan and one of Cordon/Stinson are left on the roster of the current crop of grads.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

i got faith Winter knows how and when to play these academy kids especially as it seems to be a mandate of sorts to bring these kids up, im not too worried

[T-boy]

I was impressed with Cordon, I was susprised he didn't get more gametime? Anyone know why?! To me, he was just as good as Stinson, maybe better.

[T-boy]

As for Vukovic, I've always thought that a natural goalscorer can score at any level - scoring goals and being "in the right place at the right time" isn't something you can teach a kid - you either do it well, or you never do! It's a real natural thing. Vukovic seems to have "it", so I'd definitely give him the opportunity in the MLS.

[MarkoftheDrink]

Stinson always impressed me. Morgan did great, given his opportunity.

Its going to be interesting to see the college draft versus academy products. If we use hockey as the comparison, then the best players are going to be the academy kids.

I think the academy kids are still younger than the college draft picks.

Just for comparison Avila is just over a year older than Silva. Silva is over four years older than Cordon.

The good thing about the academy signings is their age. As long as they can get enough playing time, whether if it's with the reserves or the first team, and they can keep growing. I guess this is where we put our faith in the coaching staff and their desire and ability to develop from the academy. What I really want to know is if these players are in the right place, being with the first team, and if so what the road map is for them.

With the draft picks it looks pretty much make or break, as we saw last year with Omphroy and Gold. I think myself and a lot of other fans were kind of surprised when they got released at the end of the season. Imagine where they'd be on the depth chart this year. In retrospect that really looks like the best move for all parties involved.

[spark]

This is a few months old but here's a handful of players whose names aren't always thrown around

Some potential TFC Academy Grads

[Stouffville_RPB]

Henry seems to be much further down the depth chart this year.

Henry is still very young an no teenager should be expected to come in and push for a starting spot. It will happen here and there but should not be expected to be the norm. Henry was pushed up as much as he was last season because of the injuries. Realistically it will be Henry's job this season to push himself to be the #4 CB, which will be a difficult task in itself.

There are still hopes that Henry can be a big part of this squad for years to come.

[lazlo_80]

Just for comparison Avila is just over a year older than Silva. Silva is over four years older than Cordon.

The good thing about the academy signings is their age. As long as they can get enough playing time, whether if it's with the reserves or the first team, and they can keep growing. I guess this is where we put our faith in the coaching staff and their desire and ability to develop from the academy. What I really want to know is if these players are in the right place, being with the first team, and if so what the road map is for them.

With the draft picks it looks pretty much make or break, as we saw last year with Omphroy and Gold. I think myself and a lot of other fans were kind of surprised when they got released at the end of the season. Imagine where they'd be on the depth chart this year. In retrospect that really looks like the best move for all parties involved.

Agreed. A great thing about the academy kids is they're young enough they don't need to make an immediate impact. The drafted players do.

Does MLS allow loaning out players? It would be interesting in the future to see if Academy kids get loaned out to NASL teams and such.

[Dub Narcotic]

Agreed. A great thing about the academy kids is they're young enough they don't need to make an immediate impact. The drafted players do.

Does MLS allow loaning out players? It would be interesting in the future to see if Academy kids get loaned out to NASL teams and such.

There's been a lot of discussion on this on the Voyageurs board. The NASL wants to set itself up as the 'Triple A' of MLS. It would make sense for TFC and the Impact to buy or affiliate with a Rochester or something to ensure some playing time for their signed kids. Seattle just bought Tacoma to play their under-23's.

[prizby]

There's been a lot of discussion on this on the Voyageurs board. The NASL wants to set itself up as the 'Triple A' of MLS. It would make sense for TFC and the Impact to buy or affiliate with a Rochester or something to ensure some playing time for their signed kids. Seattle just bought Tacoma to play their under-23's.

yeah but tacoma is pdl...not nasl

[prizby]

Agreed. A great thing about the academy kids is they're young enough they don't need to make an immediate impact. The drafted players do.

Does MLS allow loaning out players? It would be interesting in the future to see if Academy kids get loaned out to NASL teams and such.

yes...sutton was loaned to Montreal last year

[DavydMT]

Henry is still very young an no teenager should be expected to come in and push for a starting spot. It will happen here and there but should not be expected to be the norm. Henry was pushed up as much as he was last season because of the injuries. Realistically it will be Henry's job this season to push himself to be the #4 CB, which will be a difficult task in itself.

There are still hopes that Henry can be a big part of this squad for years to come.

Agree. In my opinion what Adrianno said applies to all 5 players promoted last year. All 5 looked very good playing in Academy team, but were pushed up too soon, because club had no players and needed something to justify all the money invested in the Downsview facility. If everything goes as planed we should see one solid player promoted to the first team every one/two years.

Overall 2010 academy team looked much stronger and all the promotions and few players leaving reduced the quality of play in 2011. Vukovic is the obvious name to move to the next level, as he needs to play against better quality defenders. Honestly i won't be surprised if we have no one promoted this year

you can find more academy talk in this thread: http://www.redpatchboys.ca/forums/sh...=26664&page=20

[ag futbol]

If everything goes as planed we should see one solid player promoted to the first team every one/two years.

Probably a little on the light side considering what we are aiming for here. That would be ok if we're a club that's more concerned with the transfer market, but considering the goals that seem to exist regarding youth development I think you aim for more players and try to accommodate. I also like the value proposition of young players occupying the back end of the roster as opposed to journey men who have little upside.

The issue is there's a step missing in the process between CSL and MLS play. Doubt the guys are getting what they need out of that half-assed reserve league. So it's not too surprising that we're bringing a fair number of guys up, only a low percentage of which will actually establish themselves, but that's ok. You miss all the shots you don't take...

[Wingback6]

I was impressed with Cordon, I was susprised he didn't get more gametime? Anyone know why?! To me, he was just as good as Stinson, maybe better.

Stinson has a higher work rate. And he scored a goal against Red Star Belgrade in pre-season, which no doubt curried a lot of good will with teammates and coaches.

He is also more versatile, playing midfield and Defense.

Cordon was playing in the 10 spot which in a 4-3-3 which has A LOT of responsibility, and he seemed a bit of a pushover, and not too sharp. Will probably develop, but he needs to keep his confidence up.

Of note as well, is that we had Maicon Santos playing the number 10 at the time, and even an untested 18 yr old is going to do more than that pathetic ego in shorts.

[deschamp86]

Stinson didn't really impress me...

He impressed Thierry Henry...

[MartinUtd]

Wow harsh words for Santos. People act like he was the second coming of Ruiz now that he's gone. Personally I thought gelled with his teammates a LOT better than half the malcontents that have cycled their way through our roster. Anyway.. this isn't a Santos thread so I'll stay on topic: Stinson will boss this league, I guarantee it.

[JuliquE]

Wow harsh words for Santos. People act like he was the second coming of Ruiz now that he's gone. Personally I thought gelled with his teammates a LOT better than half the malcontents that have cycled their way through our roster. Anyway.. this isn't a Santos thread so I'll stay on topic: Stinson will boss this league, I guarantee it.

Let's not forget that Santos had a few choice words, after leaving Toronto.

I know many put it out of their minds, since it seemed rather cliche from him, at this point and I'm not one to focus on negativity, myself.. but I can understand the vitriol a few, here, have shown.

** * **

I'm really confused as to how someone wouldn't be impressed by Stinson; used to get hyped, everytime I'd see him make a stiff challenge or firmly shield the ball -- beast! As someone else has also mentioned, Thierry Henry was also rather impressed.. which was something to be proud of, about our up and coming Reds.

Morgan's another easy favourite.

I think the roles Cordon and Henry play have so much responsibility attached to them, that it's only natural that they won't have as immediate an impact as the others mentioned.

[Keegan]

Yes, I remember Henry in a post match interview picked out three players: Frings, Koevermans... and then Stinson! This kid is going to be good, it's a shame his first cap for Canada didn't work out in November he deserved it IMO.

[MarkoftheDrink]

Yes, I remember Henry in a post match interview picked out three players: Frings, Koevermans... and then Stinson! This kid is going to be good, it's a shame his first cap for Canada didn't work out in November he deserved it IMO.

@4:31



or click here to go to 4:31.

PS. Anyone know how to embed a youtube video to a specific time? The youtube tags seem to just ignore the #t=.

[MarkoftheDrink]

@Spark, DavydMT: Thanks for the links. Some good info there.

Let's not forget that Santos had a few choice words, after leaving Toronto.

I know many put it out of their minds, since it seemed rather cliche from him, at this point and I'm not one to focus on negativity, myself.. but I can understand the vitriol a few, here, have shown.

** * **

I'm really confused as to how someone wouldn't be impressed by Stinson; used to get hyped, everytime I'd see him make a stiff challenge or firmly shield the ball -- beast! As someone else has also mentioned, Thierry Henry was also rather impressed.. which was something to be proud of, about our up and coming Reds.

Morgan's another easy favourite.

I think the roles Cordon and Henry play have so much responsibility attached to them, that it's only natural that they won't have as immediate an impact as the others mentioned.

That's a really good point, I think the same can be said of Makubuya. Anyone know if Cordon, Henry and/or Makubuya got much time with the reserves last year, and if so how did they perform? I'm guessing that's where they're going to get most of their time this year.

[Soccerpro]

Let's not forget that Santos had a few choice words, after leaving Toronto.

I know many put it out of their minds, since it seemed rather cliche from him, at this point and I'm not one to focus on negativity, myself.. but I can understand the vitriol a few, here, have shown.

** * **

I'm really confused as to how someone wouldn't be impressed by Stinson; used to get hyped, everytime I'd see him make a stiff challenge or firmly shield the ball -- beast! As someone else has also mentioned, Thierry Henry was also rather impressed.. which was something to be proud of, about our up and coming Reds.

Morgan's another easy favourite.

I think the roles Cordon and Henry play have so much responsibility attached to them, that it's only natural that they won't have as immediate an impact as the others mentioned.

I agree with that sentiment with respect to Henry. You never see 1st team central defenders at 18 in any league, anywhere. When young players break into the 1st team extremely early, it's usually in attacking positions. The only players who traditionally get their chance later than CB's are Keepers.

[MarkoftheDrink]

Here are the TFCA invitees:

GK – Chad Bush (A), Quillan Roberts (A)

DF – Brandon John (A), Tyler Pasher (A)

MF – Sergio Camargo (A), Jay Chapman (A)

FW – Jordan Hamilton (A), Tristan Jackman (A), Stefan Vukovic (A)

Full list of invites here.

Guess Camargo isn't going to London.

[JuliquE]

I agree with that sentiment with respect to Henry. You never see 1st team central defenders at 18 in any league, anywhere. When young players break into the 1st team extremely early, it's usually in attacking positions. The only players who traditionally get their chance later than CB's are Keepers.

I included Cordon simply because the AM is something of a lynch-pin to our attack, in a 4-3-3 formation.

And yes, MarkoftheDrink, I would group Makubuya in there, as well; the target man, in the middle, is such a crucial piece to the puzzle.

You can probably just suffice it to say that any position down the middle of the pitch will usually have more seasoned players, versus those out wide.

[jasper]

Guess Camargo isn't going to London.

it was Carreiro and Petrasso going to london, not Camargo.