konrad added to barcas ucl squad obviously wont play barring a complete disaster, but still a positive career development and continued work with the first team
I'd like to point out that while they play for the Philadelphia Union of Chester, the Aaronsons are NJ all day.
Yes, most of South Jersey. They do overlap. It's supposed to be a 75 radius from their stadiums. They're about 88 miles from each other. They also all get a 25 mile smaller radius that is protected from the overlap. It's really weird and dumb. They should just get rid of the rule. Some teams have to compete in overlapped areas, but Royal Salt Lake gets to claim Phoenix.
100% should get rid of territories. Why should kids in Portland or Minn be stuck with those choices when they could go to Seattle or KC instead and be in a real academy.
Yup. Dumb to force kids to go to terrible academies when there are some that actually give a shit. Don’t reward teams for putting no effort in.
First of a multipart series on Sporting Academy. Also the first of the new MLS-BR media deal: The kids shown, first, Jake Davis, oldest, 18 yr old MF, will join the first team probably next year, spent the entire preseason with the first team. Ok, he’s done now the studs. Osvaldo Cisneros. An 04 striker. From Omaha and his parents would drive him to KC for trainings. The whole family lives here now. Not the best athlete and not at fellow 04 Sanogo’s level but this kid is a baller. Every youth tournament he’s been in with the USYNT he’s dominated the box. Scores goals like crazy. Gage Akalu, winger (#2 US 2005 prospect), scouts call him “the American Neymar”, insane athleticism, smooth af dribbler, scouts agree he’s the most dynamic youth player we (USA not SKC) have on the ball at any level. Nati Clarke, right back (#1 US 2005 prospect) Holy shit. The accolades. The last prospect I was this hyped on was a 14 year old winger from Vancouver that came on in the 80th minute of a CCL game at Sporting Park and dribbled past all 11 player before notching a top corner goal. I’ll put some of the scouting quotes in spoilers about your future favorite player in case grandkids are on laps. Spoiler “There are only two players I have thought were at Nati Clarke’s level at the age of 15: Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna. Nati is the highest ceiling defensive prospect that the United States has produced so far in my opinion,” continues Kerr. “Nati has lighting speed, he has elite dribbling, he is a great passer, he is smart enough to play in the midfield or on defense, and he is a great defender. Right now Sporting Kansas City typically plays Nati at center back but I think he may actually be a better fit at right back long term. Right now people are locking Sergino Dest into the starting right back spot for the next decade but they shouldn’t because of Nati Clarke,” stated Kerr. “Nati may be the most athletically gifted player in this entire list (USYNT TOP 50 UNDER 20) but being athletically gifted does not get you a top 5 spot. Nati has all the technical tools in his game and if Sporting Kansas City can develop his soccer IQ then Nati will quickly be Europe bound and locked into a starting lineup for whoever can sign him. When looking for a young player to break into the USMNT for the 2026 World Cup cycle, Nati Clarke has the highest chance of them all as he will be 21 in 2026.” Everyone with Sporting says those 3 are all more talented than Busio (who still holds a $4 million offer from Fiorentina). And the last two are on a level they’ve never seen before. Also, like the aforementioned Davies, Nati has an amazing story. Orphaned, starving most his life, lived through the Haitian earthquake, adopted, and now soon to be superstar. (Open link in incognito to read about him) https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article242762176.html