UPDATE - The 3rd US Soccer Development Academy Showcase has been underway for the last five days in Rockford, Illinois. Highlights of the 62 club Showcase include the newest gear from Nike, SPARQ Strength and Conditioning testing, DJ’s knocking down beats in the main lounge, US Refereeing clinics, Coaching Research Centers, EA Sports Challenges and games.

For all the information on the event, you can check out the US Youth National Team Blog, which also has up to date info on the U-23 squad playing in the 2008 Toulon Tournament.

If you were asked if 52 goals and 30 assists during an 10 year MLS career along with 2 goals in 6 appearances for the US National Team was pretty damn good, I know I’d answer yes.

I still remember being 20 years old in my first official start for the New England Revolution, in Dallas for a must win game to put us in the playoffs and seeing Dante with the subs board above his head around the 70th minute. Those damn bright yellow Reebok cleats sprinting onto the field at the Cotton Bowl and wondering (probably out loud) if he just ate protein bars all day long.

Somehow we won that game, but D-tae threw me around like a rag doll and that game I learned a valuable lesson. Never go tight with a “Super Hero” sized forward when he has the ball at his feet and back to the goal because he’ll turn you like a top.

Now an MLS Ambassador and Color Analyst for the Columbus Crew, this is Dante in his words:

If you’ve ever watched a U.S. National Team game with commercials (and missed the goals that were scored during that time), then you will be able to identify with how far the game has come in this country. I recently witnessed what, for me, was somewhat historical but definitely monumental for soccer in this country. I spent the majority of Sunday and Monday on the fields of Pizza Hut Park watching some of the best and brightest young stars at the US Development Academy.

For those not in the know, the Development Academy was created by US Soccer to address the issue that is prevalent in youth soccer from winning to developing. The Development Academy has changed the face of youth soccer in this country. People are talking about it, and it has created some tension in the communities. Now, I know the age groups are U-16 and U-18 and you aren’t truly “developing” these kids this late in their careers, but there still is some development going on. These players are no longer playing in the ODP and some probably will be playing on their high school teams. Also, they’re not playing 3 games in 24 hours as is common in many tournaments. The clubs in the Development Academy are held to guidelines as far as trainings, games, and tournaments. It is an attempt to concentrate more on training than playing a large number of games.

Now back to Dallas. I, and many other former players, wish that we were A LOT younger. I’m sure these kids have no idea what experience they are getting. These kids are being exposed to a professional atmosphere at much younger ages. US Soccer did a great job in putting the event on – not to mention there was 2” of rain the day before the games started! There was a tent with US Soccer gear, interviews with players, coaches, and former players, a DJ spinning some hot tracks (he could be the 1^st DJ to spin Thievery Corporation at a soccer event), and a bunch of TVs for the youngsters to kill time in between games playing FIFA Street 3. The list of college coaches and people involved in the game was impressive. College coaches now know where they’re going to be able to definitely see some of the best players in the country. And, of course, most of our National Team head coaches were there scouting our talent.

This system isn’t without its flaws, but it’s a positive step in the right direction