When the Timbers Academy debuted last fall, tryouts attracted the best of the best in Oregon high school boys soccer. And spots were hard to come by. Of the 275 kids that tried out, only 49 combined to make the under-18 and under-16 Academy squads.

Still, the ramifications were felt across boys high school soccer, as the Timbers selected at least one player from 28 Oregon and southwest Washington high schools. The promise of professional coaching and exposure to college and professional programs made up for the fact that players were no longer allowed to suit up for their high school programs or club teams.

But a handful of players have decided to make the leap back, deciding that standing out on their high school and club teams will attract the attention of colleges better than falling in rank with the Academy.

It began a year ago with Jesuit's Christo Michaelson, who was a big component of the Crusaders' success last season -- which was highlighted by a 17-1-1 record, a Class 6A state championship and a win over Jesuit Sacramento, Maxpreps.com's No. 1 team in the nation. Then a junior, Michaelson's 14 goals and seven assists earned him 6A Player of the Year honors.

Yet, Michaelson almost never played a minute for the Crusaders.

The dynamic forward earned a spot on the U-18 Academy roster and was prepared to sacrifice his seasons with both Jesuit and his club team, the Westside Timbers.

But after a few weeks of training with the Academy, Michaelson longed for his high school team.

"I just wasn't feeling it," Michaelson said after a practice this fall. "I enjoyed the team and the coaching staff. But I was missing the environment here at Jesuit. I wanted to enjoy my last two high school seasons here."

After the high school season, Michaelson committed to play at Gonzaga. And now a year later, some of Michaelson's former teammates, players who also made Academy rosters, have followed suit. Seniors Chris Chertude and Antonio Porreco have rejoined the Crusaders after missing last season.

While Porreco has been injured most of the season, Chertude has had a big impact for the Crusaders. Using his long frame, Chertude can be a force in the midfield and up front, especially with his ability to win headers on corner kicks. Those qualities made him stand out last year at the Academy tryouts and he was placed on the U-18 team.

Several months later, he faced one of the biggest decisions of his life.

Chertude joined the Academy with hopes of generating collegiate interest, but offers just weren't materializing.

Chertude is a talented player, but on a U-18 roster that featured some of the best players in the state, it was hard for him to stand out enough to attract the attention of college coaches.

Chertude’s situation speaks to the broader question that all but the very best high school soccer players must ask themselves: Is it preferable to star on a lower-profile team in high school or does the name recognition the Timbers Academy provides make a difference for kids who aren’t getting the playing time they desire?

For Chertude, the lack of college interest, coupled with missing his high school and club teammates, were catalysts in his decision to leave the Timbers in November. He rejoined the Westside Timbers immediately and was back on the Crusaders roster this fall.

A week after he left the Academy, he was playing in a tournament in San Diego with the Westside Timbers. Coincidently, a coach from Loyola Marymount was at the tournament and noticed him. Chertude has now committed to play NCAA Division I soccer for the Lions.

"It was kind of a big shock. Things don't always happen like that," Chertude said of the timeline between quitting the Academy and being contacted by Loyola Marymount. "You make such a big decision -- at this age it was the biggest one I've ever made -- and for it to happen so quick..."

The same reasoning went into Westview junior KP Morgan's decision. Like Chertude, Morgan was getting limited playing time with the Timbers Academy and wasn't being scouted as much as he would have liked.

Morgan played the entire season for the Academy last year, but rejoined the Wildcats this fall.

Morgan said he really missed the camaraderie of playing for his high school team. Last season, he said felt helpless as the Wildcats struggled to a 5-7-4 record a year after winning the 2011 6A state title.

"It was all about the family here," Morgan said. "I barely got playing time at the Academy and seeing these guys here, and having them say, 'Hey, we need you to come back out.' It feels great."

Westview coach Tom Lathrop said having Morgan back is an asset, and seeing other players come back from the Academy only strengthens the level of play around the state.

"They're coming back," Lathrop said. "I don't know enough to make a qualified suggestion of why, but high school is a special experience. There are screaming fans in your peer group that are cheering for you. You can't replace that."

Timbers Academy Director Mike Smith isn't shy about pointing out the main priority of the Timbers Academy. Major League Soccer teams use academy programs to identify and develop homegrown prospects. A homegrown player is a designation a MLS team puts on a player signed from its academy team. The program allows teams to target and develop local players and eventual have them join the first team.

The program is beneficial to the MLS team on two fronts. First, it prevents teams from losing out on local talent to the MLS draft. Secondly, the contract of a homegrown player doesn't count against the team's MLS salary budget.

A prime example of this is the Los Angeles Galaxy’s Jose Villarreal. Villarreal signed as a homegrown player with the Galaxy as an 18-year-old in 2011 for $33,750. This season, Villarreal was named to the MLS’ 24 Under 24 team, a list of the league’s best players under the age of 24.

The homegrown program began in 2008, and the Timbers have signed two players -- Brent Richards and Steven Evans -- under that designation. But Smith said the success of the program isn't entirely based on players eventually making the Timbers.

Smith points to the 209 kids who tried out for the Academy this past July as a measure of success. An Academy spot is still a highly sought-after position and, if the match is right, it can be fruitful.

From the 2012-13 Timbers U-18 Academy team, Smith said 16 players are currently in their first seasons of collegiate soccer -- six of those in Division I programs. In addition, Smith said four players returning to the U-18 team have made verbal commitments to college programs, with three players going to DI programs.

"At its core, the purpose of MLS academy teams is to help identify and develop homegrown prospects, but at the very least, it is our hope that we help put all of our Academy players in position to receive scholarships to play at the college level," Smith said.

University of Portland Director of Soccer Bill Irwin said it's easier to keep track of the Academy teams than the many club programs around the state. Because of budget limitations, Irwin can't go out and see every player from every club team that he would like. He knows that when he scouts an Academy roster, he'll be presented with players who know how to play against tough competition and are properly trained.

"(Academy teams) present the most bang for your buck," Irwin said. "Players there will be seen. If they're good enough, a college will pick them up."

Irwin said it's easier to get a read on a player in a game. And for those players who might not be playing a lot on Academy teams, it could be a tough decision.

"That's a choice a kid is going to have to make. When you try out for certain teams you have to assess how much playing time you might get. Are you content with being on an academy team and sitting on the bench? Or would you like to play for a club where you're playing 80 or 90 percent of the time?

"There is no substitute for playing."

Players such as Chertude and Morgan don't have anything negative to say about their time with the Academy program. Chertude said the training was "world class" and it ultimately made him a better soccer player.

But it just wasn't the best fit for him at this time in his career.

"It's not a bad thing at all and I think it's one of the best things that will happen to American soccer. It's a higher level of play all around," Chertude said. "If you're on the Timbers Academy, it will draw eyes on you. If you play, it's a perfect place.

“If you don't, you won't get the looks you feel you deserve."

--@tysonalger