Sounders FC U-23 Feature -- www.soundersu23.com
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
During the 2013 Sounders FC U-23 campaign, Dave Clark will be contributing stories about the team, league, and where the side fits in the soccer pyramid. Dave Clark is the founder and managing editor of SounderAtHeart.com, a site dedicated to soccer in the Greater Puget Sound with a focus on Sounders FC, tactics, analytics, passion and humor. Dave is a Sounder by birth and spent the vast majority of his life in South King County.
TACOMA, Wash. -- When the Sounders U23s take the field, some are in Rave Green for their first time. Others are continuing a tradition of green that goes back years. At this time those newer to the Sounders’ colors are getting more playing time as Coach Darren Sawatzky balances winning games with developing talent.
"These guys [former Sounders Academy players] are coming back as sophomores and freshmen and they’re on the younger side of the PDL age group," Sawatzky told SoundersU23.com earlier this month. "They’re playing against juniors and seniors. It’s important to get a balance of seniors and older, local veteran guys to help them along."
One of those local veterans is former Sounders pro, current coach and sometime player Ben Dragavon. He is not the only one helping the youngest players take that next step in their playing careers. The roster has soon to be drafted into MLS seniors, former youth pros and some youth national team players.
Each match the roster choice is about finding those wins in order to make the Playoffs and challenge for a PDL Championship while also developing talent. The U23s are an intermediary step on what every player and coach hopes will be a long soccer journey.
"It’s incredibly important that young players play against men in the developmental process," Sawatzky says. "Not everybody believes in that system, but from what I’ve seen the best players in the world develop by playing with and against men. When you have older guys within the varying levels of the system it definitely helps those younger guys learn."
That is also true for training. Development is not just about games, nor is it just about playing skills. This is the age when players develop as adults as well. They become young men. The challenges they face to earn playing time, continue their education and behave as professionals will mold their futures whether that is within soccer or not.
Sitting at 13 points in eight games played the balance of winning and development is on track for a late season push. Friday’s road match against Vancouver can go a long way to help the Playoff goal. Every game, every training session, helps the players improve their own futures.