One thing that did strike me in writing this post is that its interesting the PDL does not get more attention as a key developmental tool–college players do, can, and should get opportunties in the summer to be in a more professional environment (like the Chicago Fire PDL team) and building that system would seem like a real opportunity that I don’t hear much about. In some ways MLS teams and the US nats (most of whom did play college soccer) get a really good deal because they haven’t had to pay for extensive development schemes themselves. Maybe fodder for another post someday…

To the issue about team names–another fun debate; I did try to point out that there is a fine line between having local meaning and being tacky. The Earthquakes may in fact err a bit on the side of tacky. Being in the Northwest, I’m biased but I think the Timbers and the Sounders have got it about right. I also kind of like the new Philadelphia Union name because, unlike ‘United,’ it seems like an American spin on a global idea. I don’t entirely mind Chivas USA because they do share ownership. I hate the name ‘Real’ Salt Lake because it just seems insane, pathetic, and innapropriate to me to have a team in Utah tributing the Spanish monarchy.

To Bobby’s Concordia Cobblers–I like it. My west coast favorites are the Evergreen State Geoducks ( http://www.evergreen.edu/athletics/geoduck.htm ) and the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs ( http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1898998_1898997,00.html )

College sports are actually much more popular than pro sports in the Carolinas. I guess South Carolinians don’t really have a choice, but in North Carolina people tend to favor college sports unless the Panthers are doing well, which is rare.

Tar Heels is a cool nickname, it goes with the history of North Carolina really well. A pro team that had a good nickname was the Charlotte Hornets — and we’re still really sore about that one — it goes with Charlotte’s history. They were actually the fourth team to use it.

Concordia Cobblers is my favorite though, I mean, just look http://www.themonkeycage.org/cobber-thumb.gif

But on topic… I tried watching the men’s college cup and it was just awful. Akron had zero offense and they just completely fell apart inside the attacking third. One could tell that many of these players have little to no future in professional football. I do like the fact that they play an aggressive, physical, straightforward American style though. You don’t see any semblance of the “beautiful game” in the college game, which is one way you can see the American-ness of their styles. The problem with the college game is still that a good player should really be playing professionally against high quality opponents rather than going to university. Until we get a real developmental infrastructure built, we are going to lose lots of quality athletes to other sports. The youth development aspect of soccer is one of the things that I love most about the game. I love watching the highlights from the academy kids and I like watching the U20 or U17 teams. Part of the challenge of developing a great club is not just signing players and the buy low/sell high aspect of things, but developing a few big stars from your academy. Americans don’t get to experience that part of the game, which is very disappointing.

Also great way to put the college game in context. I think it’s actually doing a decent job of developing talent for MLS. It just can’t be the only pipeline.