Alex Popp

Web stuff @washu. Blues fan. STL CITY SC supporter.

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

developing top local talent. Why not create that same opportunity for girls in St. Louis? As the first majority female-owned club in MLS, it seems like a no brainer. #allforCITY (2/2)

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

If CITY ownership can't get an NWSL team, why can't they start a girls academy program? For those who don't know, academy programs are free, fully funded youth development pathways for elite players. MLS academies have transformed the boys' side by identifying and (1/2)

[David Kerr @_davidskerr]

There’s a lot of frustration amongst the general population with the loss Monday, but it’s just as frustrating to see the blatant misinformation being spread about youth soccer in the country. Easily 95% of the posts I am seeing are objectively false

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

@_davidskerr Thanks! Hopefully that's a gap MLS can fill eventually, but I imagine scouting is even harder at something like u9.

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

@_davidskerr This is great, thanks David! I agree completely.

My question is pay-to-play mandatory for u9-u11 to get a realistic shot at an academy spot at u12?

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

@JacKLynch321 @AndyJ0seph @Sean_C2 I disagree that the only path is club for u9-u11. Futsal, indoor, rec leagues, other sports. Again, I'd be interested to see what academy scouts are looking for at u12.

Some MLS clubs have invested in u9. I'm sure that will get expanded on in the future.

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

@AndyJ0seph @Sean_C2 I'd like to see how scouting works for the academies, my hope is that it's not exclusively from club soccer. But that's still not a requirement, not sure it's fair to call that a hidden cost. The truly gifted kids will be found at the academy level whether they played club or not

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

@AndyJ0seph @Sean_C2 Is there really a benefit for select clubs at u12 and under? I'm not sure there is, let the kids play as many different sports as possible and then get into the academies at u13.

what are the hidden costs for mls academies? I haven't seen that at all

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

@dsloaned This was true in 2010 but MLS academies are free now. It’s scouting those top players (that want to continue playing soccer) that seems to be the challenge.

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

@MattBakerSTL MLS academies are free, no? It costs nothing to kick the ball around in the backyard or join a school league. If anything, it's a scouting problem with getting our best into the academies. Scouts should be present at the St. Paul CYC tourney and a scott gallagher showcase

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

@MattBakerSTL Need to keep finding ways to get games with the top 15 teams. CONCACAF isn't competitive enough unless we are playing mexico every window.

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

@Beganovic2026 @BiHGooner He is looking at Adams, looks back at the ball, then looks back at Adams while raising his arms to the face. It's a pretty ugly challenge IMO.

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

@BiHGooner @Beganovic2026 Like I already said, I think balo's challenge was a red. But there wasn't intent to injure, I think Dzeko did have intent to injure. Head up and arms raised to the head at contact.

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

@bparsons831 @NobletStrength Have a player laying down to block going under the wall and have the wall jump. If all of them jumped it would have been blocked.

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

@MikeyOver1 the curse of chris wondolowski

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

@ManagerTactical gonna ask a lot of wes in the middle today

[Alex Popp @al_popp]

@NHL @NHL_On_TNT @Sportsnet @TVASports