Youth Soccer

USL Launches New Academy Cup As It Continues To Shape The Future Of U.S. Soccer

Prior to the start of the 2019 season, the USL launched its new league brand as the organization looks to expand its reach over U.S. soccer. The USL was renamed the USL Championship, a new USL League One (third tier) was created and the Premier Development League (PDL) was rebranded as USL League Two — straight out of the FA playbook in England.

And while expansion across all three tiers will continue, the USL's next focus is formalizing academy competitions for the next generation of players. 

American Teen Ledezma Scores First Goal Since Joining PSV Eindhoven

Richard Ledezma, an 18-year-old Phoenix native, scored his first goal since joining PSV Eindhoven on Saturday, netting in a 1-1 draw for the U-19s against NAC Breda.

Ledezma, a dual national who has represented the USMNT at youth levels but remains eligible to represent Mexico, moved to the Netherlands in December. 

Claudio Reyna’s Son Helps Save U-17 USMNT With 3-Goal Comeback To Open Concacaf U-17 Championship

Giovanni Reyna scored on a 24-yard free kick to cap a rally from two goals down as the U-17 USMNT beat Canada 3-2 to open the Concacaf U-17 Championship on Thursday in Bradenton, Florida. 

Reyna, the son of former USMNT captain and current NYCFC director of operations Claudio Reyna, had a goal and an assist for the U.S. youth team as it began its quest to qualify for the U-17 World Cup to be played in Brazil later this year.

Five Years Later, FIFA Denies DeAndre Yedlin’s Youth Club Solidarity Payments With No Reason Specified

DeAndre Yedlin made a big move after the 2014 World Cup, leaving his hometown club Seattle Sounders for Tottenham Hotspur in August of that year. Five years later, his youth club Crossfire Premier has been denied solidarity payments on the transfer (which cost the English Premier League club about $3.71 million), ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle reported.

17-Year-Old American Plays Final Pass In Beautiful Team Goal From Barcelona In UEFA Youth League Semis

Konrad de la Fuente is living the true American dream right now. The 17-year-old Miami native is rising through the ranks of the Barcelona academy, playing for the Barcelona B squad and in the UEFA Youth League (essentially the Champions League for youth teams). 

3 Phenoms Of Mexican Soccer To Watch At The Upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup

After advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2017 event, Mexico looks to advance even further at this summer’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland with a group of 21 players that’ve excelled at the youth level for El Tri. 

A big talking point, much to the consternation of coach Diego Ramirez, is the fact that Monterrey has barred Jonathan Gonzalez from joining the side with the Liga MX playoffs looming.

The Seattle Sounders Become First MLS Club To Win Prestigious GA Cup

When Garth Lagerway joined the Seattle Sounders in 2015 as the General Manager and President of Soccer, it wasn't just to get Seattle its first MLS Cup. The Sounders wanted to build an entirely revamped academy system — one able to develop talent for the MLS side, challenge at the youth level, gain pro experience at a USL affiliate (the Tacoma Defiance), and potentially be sold on to Europe.

The club's recent historic achievement in the Generation Adidas Cup was a major step in the evolution of the process. 

American Teen Chris Gloster Racially Abused While Playing For Hannover 96 U-23s

Chris Gloster, a 19-year-old American left back, started for Hannover II, Hannover 96’s U-23 squad, against VfB Lübeck on Wednesday. 

It wasn’t a happy match for the teenager.

Gloster was subjected to racial abuse, including yells of “monkey” shouted at him. After the match, he was in tears, according to a statement Hannover 96 released on Thursday condemning the actions of the Lübeck fans.

14-Year-Old Dortmund Phenom Inks 10-Year Deal With Nike, Averages Goal Every 45 Minutes

When you’ve recently churned out talent like Marco Reus, Mario Götze and Christian Pulisic, people get a bit more interested in the next generation of young lads at the Hohenbuschei training ground in the quiet Dortmund suburb of Brackel.

Mexico U-17 Squad Includes Best 16-Year-Old In MLS, Efrain Alvarez

The 2019 Concacaf U-17 Championship, which doubles as qualification for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil, is fast approaching. Over the course of 16 days in Bradenton, Florida, 20 teams will battle for the four World Cup spots, and Mexico will look to win its fourth straight title at this level.

El Tri defeated the U.S. in the last final back in 2017. That match featured the likes of Jairo Torres and Roberto de la Rosa for Mexico while the U.S. called on Josh Sargent and Tim Weah. 

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