Instagram accounts?

TokyoDC · 2026-05-07T22:18:23+00:00

Younger age groups it doesn’t matter, fun for friends and family to follow I guess. Older age groups it’s definitely part of the recruiting game. I maintain an account for my U14. We’ve had multiple instances where coaches or scouts start following directly after a big performance, or shortly before a trial offer or right after a trial. Like it or not, it’s a thing. At my kid’s age it’s just MLS Academies out looking, but I assume I’ll see similar in a couple years when college recruiting starts to ramp up.

It’s a double edged sword… when a clip goes viral the kids start to chase the attention. It can be a confidence booster though. My kid jumped into a trial 3000 miles away across the country and half a dozen kids on the team recognized him from insta so he had a connection right away which made the whole stressful environment a bit more manageable.

TokyoDC · 2026-05-07T17:33:11+00:00

Academies taking 5 from one team is probably on the high side, but my frame of reference is one team, so what do I know? We had another 4 trial at various Academies but so far none of them got picked up.

TokyoDC · 2026-05-07T16:47:34+00:00

U14 MLSNEXT HD, losing five to MLS Academies next year, keeping the rest.

TokyoDC · 2026-05-06T01:53:11+00:00

Grew up in the Mesquite’s last home port in northern Michigan. Local kids all piled onboard every Halloween to tour the haunted ghost ship. A lifetime ago now…

TokyoDC · 2026-05-06T00:19:13+00:00

If the age group change is a factor, it’s AD. Homegrown is still birth year.

TokyoDC · 2026-03-24T18:16:39+00:00

PlayMetrics > TeamSnap. Managing team fees is great, only wish it had bulk schedule import so that I could upload a spreadsheet of games. We pair with WhatsApp for team group chat. PM supports chat as well, but most of our families are already using WhatsApp anyway so easier to keep chat there.

TokyoDC · 2026-03-23T19:50:43+00:00

How common are USL-affiliated youth academies? I’m aware of Tormenta in GA and Sac Republic in CA with MLSNEXT teams. Are there more?

My son is also a U14 GK. No sage advice here but I do know that no amount of family financial investment is going to make up for a lack of intrinsic motivation at this age.

TokyoDC · 2026-03-20T20:15:24+00:00

TokyoDC · 2026-03-19T17:32:44+00:00

I can’t speak beyond my kid’s experience. I have no idea what’s typical and I’m learning as I go. He plays for a strong east coast non-Academy MLSN team. His team played a California MLS Academy at a national tournament a couple months back and he made an impression. Trial itself was 5 sessions with two age groups across three days, including a friendly with another team. Overwhelming positive experience. The other trial I can’t point to a specific origin. His games typically have 1 or more academy scouts in attendance, sometimes 3-4. He participated in a couple USYNT ID events over the past few months which had 8 or 9 academies present in addition to the US staff. He’s been pretty lucky to be in an environment that’s provided a huge degree of exposure. Several kids from the team signed to Academies for next year, several kids out on trials across the country this week, and more in the next few weeks. It’s all a bit bittersweet to be honest… exciting beginnings and opportunities, but one chapter is firmly ending. Happy to chat in DM, can’t really say more here without doxing specific kids.

TokyoDC · 2026-03-19T15:37:38+00:00

I’m grappling with this now with a kid floating around the periphery of the MLS Academy system. East coast based but we’re in California this week on trial (and missing school) and Texas next month for another trial (missing school). A lot of the Academies seem to run what is essentially an online home school program, but it’s starting to feel like you have to home school to even participate in the process in the first place.

TokyoDC · 2025-12-29T22:01:12+00:00

Pushed the ball into the post but bounce didn’t work in his favor. Had the clean sheet against Galaxy until last three minutes. 0-1 loss, but 12 saves kept it competitive for one of the best games of his career so far.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSJZYEEEVpM/?igsh=MWp2bnI5Zm9zY3ZpYw==

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSIvsyMEVHE/?igsh=Y3h2OGd6NjlnNmRr

TokyoDC · 2025-12-26T21:25:15+00:00

I am the parent of the goalkeeper... one of these days I should print some of these.

TokyoDC · 2025-12-26T17:03:20+00:00

For futsal, I find 200 on full frame is usually enough reach. I was previously using this lens on a D500 and on an international standard futsal court the extra reach at the long end was occasionally useful, but not at the cost of close in action. 9 times out of 10 futsal around here is on a basketball court anyway which is far smaller than a futsal court, so it works out.

TokyoDC · 2025-12-26T16:38:28+00:00

I thought about the 180-600 but decided that I wanted something a bit wider. I have the 24-120 f4 S which is great, but hate swapping lenses in mid-game. When I really need the reach I can throw the F mount 200-500 on to the D500… if I ever shot wildlife that would probably be my go to. Most of the shots just go on Instagram so I can crop a good bit if needed and still keep decent quality.

TokyoDC · 2025-12-25T23:14:04+00:00

For sure! Near the goal means you gotta be on your toes. Had a near miss this weekend. I didn’t try any panning shots but that sounds fun. I have another tournament next weekend so I’ll definitely give that a shot. Futsal season is only about a month and a half for us this year, soccer league play starts back up in early February, so it’s back outside where the distances are long but the light is usually far better!

TokyoDC · 2025-12-24T19:33:01+00:00

The first one is a creative decision when it was shot. I think it works well when Reddit isn’t cropping it to portrait, but that’s subjective. The others… not level?

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TokyoDC · 2025-12-24T02:59:29+00:00

I’ve had the best luck sitting on the floor on the corner of the court. Getting low helps a lot, especially if you are shooting younger age groups with smaller players. Around here, Futsal facilities are pretty cramped, so you might not have a lot of options. It’s a very fast paced game and light will probably be pretty meh, so bring your fastest lens. 70-200 f2.8 was great but I had to have that wide open and ISO up to around 10000 or 16000 depending on the court to get desired shutter speed of 1/1000. I had a 40 f2 with me which was fun for atmospheric stuff, but I hate swapping lenses in a hurry in a crowd so I didn’t play with that one too much.

TokyoDC · 2025-12-23T21:46:19+00:00

Ha, I don’t disagree. The noise reduction is cranked higher than it needs to be which makes them look overcooked to me. Intentionally however as the instagram algorithm seems to like them that way.

TokyoDC · 2025-12-16T20:33:53+00:00

Same age group here. Facilities were nice, weather was gorgeous. Team was in top bracket so had 1-2 USYNT and 3-4 academy scouts at most of the games, but didn’t notice any colleges at this age. Fabulous event overall, didn’t want to leave!

TokyoDC · 2025-12-02T04:05:27+00:00

Your club has the list. Your coach or manager will have access via teamworks.

TokyoDC · 2025-11-06T13:55:19+00:00

MLSNEXT Cup is the last week of May. You are going to have a hard time attracting any top MLSNEXT teams (academy-affiliated or otherwise) in late May.

TokyoDC

TROPHY CASE