San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC #VamosSJ SJ Earthquakes Academy | San Jose CA That is a huge factor in advancing the development of American soccer, which has been dominated for years by a pay-to-play system with elite youth clubs. about San Jose dont expect Fisher to significantly increase the budget for the Quakes, which ranked 22nd in the league in payroll when the MLS Players Association released its list of player salaries on April 15. He has roots in Colorado and Arizona and joined the Bay Area News Group in March 2019. Valencia is excited to be a part of that. during San Jose Earthquakes Academy practice in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, August 9, 2017. "There is absolutely something to the fact that it's a girls team and we're keeping the boys [team] and getting rid of the girls [team]," Marcisz said. These funds also support players educations to ensure their success off the field. The academy checks on players grades. The Earthquakes didn't respond to a request for comment, but the San Jose team is one of a number across the country, including the Los Angeles-based team LA Galaxy, to make similar decisions. Fioranellis head coach hire ahead of the 2018 season, Mikael Stahre, was an abject disaster. Deza said once they opened registration for their club, they were pleasantly surprised to find that about 90% of their original membership decided to move to the new club. We look forward to guiding our Academy players towards success both on and off the field as we continue to enhance and improve our development pathway.. Featured PLUS $349 - for life. San Jose has an elite prospect in 17-year-old homegrown forward Cade Cowell, a homegrown starting goalkeeper in J.T. The girls used to be part of the San Jose Earthquakes Girls Academy. US Soccer . Youre there because youre good.. I'm trying to think what player went the USL route to get into international soccer faster and has found success in a good league. San Jose Earthquakes Top Sellers View All Ships Free $10999 Men's San Jose Earthquakes adidas Black/Blue 2023 On-Field Anthem Full-Zip Reversible Team Jacket Most Popular in Jackets & Vests Ships Free Ready To Ship Reduced: $3149 Regular: $4199 Men's San Jose Earthquakes Concepts Sport Black/Blue Meter Long Sleeve T-Shirt & Pants Sleep Set This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. (Sportsology) has a different approach than just a traditional search firm, Shawlee said. "As young players make the jump from the Quakes Academy to the first team, we believe it's very important to offer a strong support system that includes the best education," said Earthquakes General Manager Chris Leitch. I feel Ive been a top player on every team Ive played on.. This season, the winner of the Audi Golden Boot awarded to the player who leads MLS in goals will earn a $25,000 contribution from Audi to his MLS teams academy. Thatll make it difficult for the new GM to build a team that can compete for trophies. Yes, that's a toucan flying around Walnut Creek. Highlighting the youth talent development system used by every MLS youth Academy in North America, the series gives fans a first-hand account of top players who join an MLS club, and with hard work and determination, rise through the ranks to play professionally in MLS and abroad. Gonzalez was appointed to the job in August before seeing through his responsibilities at the World Cup as an assistant on the US squad. @USYNT pic.twitter.com/5cJ29ngyex. So that a 12-year-old has a feeling he belongs with something.. How to join San Jose Earthquakes Academy, tryouts 2021 B/R Football is the most engaged soccer brand on social in the U.S. reaching more than 33 million cross-platform followers. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Can i join this academyy if im from europe? Cookies are small text files placed on your device that remember your preferences and some details of your visit. Boys U-17 coach Mario Fernandez talks to his players during San Jose Earthquakes Academy practice in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, August 9, 2017. It is the #1 sports brand driving engagement and video views across all social platforms and the Bleacher Report app, while fueling offline engagement through unparalleled experiences that blend sports with culture. He gave particular credence to San Joses academy, which hes played a large role in growing over the years. The audience for THE ACADEMY continues to grow with Season 2 registering more than 15.7 million views across five episodes. Saturday, March 4, 2023 7:30 p.m. PT A number of executives and agents around the league struggled to define the Quakes in recent conversations with The Athletic. How to join San Jose Earthquakes Academy: tryouts 2021, cost, contacts, location. San Jose Earthquakes Vancouver Whitecaps FC We want to get players into the developmental pathway when theyre young and take them to the highest level.. The San Jose Earthquakes have built one of the most successful academy programs and while the senior team isn't very good, the future of the Earthquakes - and hopefully American soccer - is promising thanks to the infrastructure that MLS is supporting. What I would say is that since this role has opened up, I have heard from countless people around the league who are interested in the role, he said. Valencia was found playing for the Tecos, a youth team in Hayward, when he was 14, and invited to a tournament in Portland. That system has, too often, left out talented players from financially struggling families. (MLS). The San Jose Earthquakes have built one of the most successful academy programs and while the senior team isn't very good, the future of the Earthquakes - and hopefully American soccer - is promising thanks to the infrastructure that MLS is supporting. Attacking midfielder Ryan Gauld currently leads the league in key passes with seven, centre back Ranko Veselinovic tallied the second-best passing accuracy (96.7%) amongst players who played the full 90 minutes in Matchday 1 and as a whole, the 'Caps sit second in the league in passes played in the opposition's half with 237. Next Wednesday, March 8, the 'Caps will begin their 2023 Concacaf Champions League campaign at BC Place as they host Honduran side Real CD Espana in the first leg of the Round of 16. The club also run Open tryouts for players interested in securing a place in the Academy. Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer features 28 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, in addition to an expansion team in St. Louis beginning play in 2023. BROADCAST: MLS Season Pass (FREE), TSN1/4 - RADIO: AM730 The main difference is physical maturity.. The article highlights how to join San Jose Earthquakes Academy, tryouts, location, cost and contacts. Partnership to offer premier online education to Quakes Academy student-athletes. High school football participation dropping in Bay Area, More ominous signs for high school football, Hayward couple file lawsuit over harrowing honeymoon ocean ordeal in Hawaii. Part of the infrastructure that Earthquakes owner John Fisher has invested in includes a full-time scout. With Audi's support, we feel we can strengthen our . There are ample prospects, like Medina and Barajas, flashing pro potential. Quakes add Columbus captain Mensah in wake of Nathan injury. February 3, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - San Jose Earthquakes News Release SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes today unveiled information regarding the club's new second team. But its youth system, while growing, still isnt near the level of some of the other teams in MLS. San Jose Earthquakes name USMNT assistant coach Luchi Gonzalez as m Jesus Ferreira leads FC Dallas to rare win over Quakes, Jeremy Ebobisse's late goal lifts Earthquakes to draw with Austin FC, Jean Mota's early goal helps Inter Miami past Quakes. The third season of THE ACADEMY, made possible by Audi, will debut exclusively on the Bleacher Report app and across B/R Football channels on Friday, June 24 at 12 p.m. Recent call-ups include Owen Anderson and Rohan Rajagopal with the US Under-15 team at the Torneo delle Nazioni, while Fidel Barajas, Edwyn Mendoza, Cruz Medina and Oscar Verhoeven recently finished up a trip with the US Under-17 squad at the UEFA Development Tournament in Portugal. "It was really exciting even at the time and not being able to train for three months prior to that.". In 2013, Leitch was part of an MLS delegation that went to the French Football Federations training program for 16 months. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type. BUSY MARCH: Saturday's clash against the Quakes will mark the beginning of a busy March stretch for the 'Caps as they play five matches in 14 days. Of course, professional development is fickle and impossible to predict. A few years ago such a bold statement, from a San Leandro teen whose family has limited economic resources, would be a far-fetched dream. He sees the difference. "It was special to be able to go out once a week," said Marcisz. It ended badly, Hit bean company Rancho Gordo embroiled in discrimination lawsuit. The San Jose Earthquakes have built one of the most successful academy programs and while the senior team isn't very good, the future of the Earthquakes - and hopefully American soccer - is promising thanks to the infrastructure that MLS is supporting. Follow Sam on Twitter @samstejskal, A number of executives and agents around the league struggled to define the Quakes in recent conversations with. Like I said, hes one of the top coaches in the league, Shawlee said. "We decided that we'd give it a shot and try to see if we could, you know, keep the program together somehow.". The San Jose Earthquakes have built one of the most successful academy programs and while the senior team isn't very good, the future of the Earthquakes - and hopefully American soccer - is promising thanks to the infrastructure that MLS is supporting. Laurel Springs values and encourages student individuality and recognizes the need to aid them in aligning their passions and pursuits with their academic aspirations. We are dedicated to supporting young players as they strive for excellence on the pitch and in the classroom, while also advancing the growth of soccer in the U.S.. The club opened its home stadium, PayPal Park, in 2015, which has a capacity of 18,000 fans and is among the most technologically advanced in MLS. Holocher spent three years with the Earthquakes before moving on to join the Houston Dynamo and oversee their academy rebuild. Earthquakes 2023 schedule reveal includes LAFC, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Bay Area weather: After thunderstorms and hail, snow could be on the way this weekend, Earthquakes 2023 schedule reveal includes LAFC date at Levis Stadium, Earthquakes season preview: 3 keys to reversing downturn, shocking MLS under new coach Gonzalez. A lawsuit alleges that Stanford-trained chemists Alexander Burckle and Elizabeth Webster nearly drowned after a dive boat left them behind in choppy water near Maui. The Quakes plan to reverse direction for their next GM, with COO Jared Shawlee saying. CALI BOUND: Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to travel to California for their first away match of the 2023 MLS regular season, where they'll face fellow Western Conference side San Jose Earthquakes this Saturday, March 4 at PayPal Park. Laurel Springs School has similarly structured partnerships in place with other MLS academies including Chicago Fire FC, as well as other sports academies such as IMG Academy. San Jose Earthquakes. So that is our focus on the role this time around. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The St. James To Host NCAA Programs in Spring College Cup, Sign up today! Over the past couple of months, the Earthquakes had 11 players summoned to US youth national teams, reflecting the academys evolution into one of the best among MLS clubs. Any unauthorized use is forbidden. Beane is assisting San Jose in the GM search. Considering Almeydas unique style of play and the fact that a significant roster overhaul could be in the cards this winter under the new GM, it would make sense for San Jose to either extend or break ties with Almeyda, and not let him enter 2022 in a lame-duck position. The California Clasico against the LA Galaxy is set for July 1 at Stanford Stadium, and it wont be the only home game played at a venue larger than PayPal Park. from 8 AM - 9 PM ET. What was a small-scale, lightly funded operation in 2012 when Chris Leitch took over as the teams technical director has been built into a deep developmental system, with six age-specific boys teams from U-12 to U-19, that include several players who are playing in the U.S. national youth programs. As of last month, theyre looking for a new leader to change that. The Major League Soccer and MLS name and shield are registered trademarks of Major League Soccer, L.L.C. From San Jose to Argentina. "As you can imagine, the budget is very tight.". Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning), Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy, Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American, LAUREL SPRINGS SCHOOL IMPROVES CURRICULUM AND INCREASES STAFFING FOR 2022-23 ACADEMIC YEAR, Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships Introduce Laurel Springs School as Presenting Sponsor. In other countries, the top soccer clubs have academies that promote vertical development. San Jose Earthquakes Youth Development System San Jose Earthquakes Academy Tryouts For information on tryouts, please submit the tryout request form. 2023 MLS. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. It does not store any personal data. Now available on the Apple TV app, Know Thy Enemy: Managing wide play a key factor in 'Caps clash against San Jose, Managing wide areas a key in 'Caps clash against San Jose, Colin Miller gives his keys ahead of the radio call on AM730, Whitecaps FC 2 to kick off 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season on March 26 at Swangard Stadium, Stay up to date with Real CD Espaa ahead of our CCL opener next Wednesday, Whitecaps FC 2 add Gloire Amanda, Levonte Johnson, Malcolm Johnston, re-sign Giovanni Aguilar, Secure your spot to one of our eight Celebration Matches this season, MLS announces expanded playoffs format, including new Round One Best-of-3 series, Catch all the action live on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass. Well see if the next GM can change that. Thats the rub with San Jose. Its Philadelphia getting huge production from academy graduates and finding low-cost gems from cheaper markets like the German lower divisions, Cameroon or Venezuela. Valencia will spend a week with the Earthquakes lower division affiliate in Reno and hopes to sign a contract soon. Which means creating an environment that our players are free to take risks and collaborate, [and] that they must take an active role in their individual development., Shoutout Owen Anderson & Rohan Rajagopal on starting for United States U15 Mens National Team today! By that measure, the San Jose Earthquakes are in a good spot. In this match you stick with. According to Major League Soccer (MLS) rules, the Earthquakes are "required to have a boys academy program, but they are not currently required to have a girls program," said Andres Deza, a former coach for the Earthquakes' girls program. The Earthquakes will host their newer Southern California rival, MLS Cup champion Los Angeles FC, at Levis Stadium on May 6 for what the team is calling the Bay Areas biggest Cinco de Mayo celebration. Additionally, he said that the club wants to hire somebody who uses data and analytics in their decision making.. By. The club won MLS Cup championships in 2001 and 2003, as well as Supporters' Shield trophies for the leagues best regular season record in 2005 and 2012. The San Jose Earthquakes have built one of the most successful academy programs and while the senior team isn't very good, the future of the Earthquakes - and hopefully American soccer - is promising thanks to the infrastructure that MLS is supporting. But for Valencia, one of the top players in the Earthquakes Academy Under-19 program, its a real goal. Follow Sam on Twitter @samstejskal. Thiago Almada's stunning late goals lift Atlanta United over Earthq Thiago Almada scored twice in second-half stoppage time to rally host Atlanta United to a 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday. Official Twitter of the San Jose Earthquakes. Deza is excited about the developments for the program, but he says it's expensive to run. What would b Major League Soccer 2023 kit ranking: Which club's jerseys are this Nicolas Lodeiro's brace leads Sounders to draw with Earthquakes, Quakes continue Loons' ill-timed swoon, 2-0, Chicharito's double helps LA Galaxy edge Earthquakes, FC Dallas, Earthquakes split points after draw, Keegan Rosenberry leads Rapids to victory over Quakes. Sportsology worked with Chicago, Miami and Cincinnati all sitting near the bottom of the MLS standings to hire their current CSOs. I dont think Id be playing if I had to pay to play, Valencia said. "Our course offerings nurture personal growth for students as they pursue their passions and talents, and uniquely positions Laurel Springs School and the Earthquakes Academy to support these student-athletes in their development, offering them limitless learning opportunities.". "But we're going to try.". The academy also emphasizes developing professional, mature individuals. "Us not being able to play for months on end for me, it kinda put a fire in my belly about wanting to improve and be my best every time I step on the field because nothing's guaranteed at this point," Kitahata said. Theres no arguing that its been unsuccessful. Assists with the U17 boys. Managing owner John Fisher doesnt spend much money on the roster and, unlike other low-budget teams that lean into their academies or try to find bargains in the domestic market, the Quakes havent developed an effective strategy to punch above their weight. It also gives this hire added importance. The official Facebook page of the San Jose Earthquakes Academy system. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. California snowpack hits highest level this century for March, could I-80 closed across Donner Summit as snowstorm pummels Sierra, San Francisco citizens once traveled by gondola. The academy program will help us make bounds and leaps in the success of the U.S. national team and MLS as a league.. An award-winning columnist and a veteran of 11 Olympics, several World Cups and the Tour de France, Ann joined The Chronicle in 2012. Marcinkowski and the club has put more resources into the academy in recent years. She is a New York Times best-selling author, having co-written "Solo: A Memoir of Hope" with soccer star Hope Solo,"Throw Like A Girl" with softball player Jennie Finch and two middle-grade books on soccer, "Champions of Women's Soccer" and "Champions of Men's Soccer." Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. The San Jose Earthquakes have built one of the most successful academy programs and while the senior team isn't very good, the future of the Earthquakes - and hopefully American soccer - is . If you ignore or are punting on the academy, for example, I dont think youre putting yourself in a position to be successful. I think Im not that far. I think its definitely realistic, said the attacking midfielder, whose favorite player is Messi. The Quakes are coming off a 2-1 road loss to Atlanta United FC on opening day, conceding a pair of late goals after holding the lead for much of the match. Globally, we are committed to net CO2 neutrality by 2050. Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli joined the team in January from AS Roma, a team in Italys top league, Serie A. Then, in May, the San Jose Earthquakes decided it would shut down their girls program. Partnership to offer premier online education to Quakes Academy student-athletes. And from the folks Ive talked to, I think people are pretty excited about that.. The benefits are already apparent for our players such as Ethan Kohler, who will be attending Stanford University after high school.". I think the academy is in a really good position, Leitch said. Baca attended Loyola Marymount University (2007-2010), where he was a star player for the team. Homegrown signings started to pick up the pace at the end of Holochers time. Marcinkowski and the club has put more resources into the academy in recent years. The Quakes announced on June 29 that they fired general manager Jesse Fioranelli after four-and-a-half years with the club. Born in San Francisco and raised in Marin County, Ann Killion has covered Bay Area sports for more than a quarter of a century. "As a coach, my goal is to inspire our student-athletes to perform at their best both on and off the field," said Earthquakes II and Quakes Academy coach Dan DeGeer. The Earthquakes lone national TV game included in Tuesdays schedule release is a May 14 road game at the Galaxy. Heres how to watch. When the San Jose Earthquakes made history in the offseason by signing Jacob Akanyirige and Gilbert Fuentes to Homegrown player contracts, they welcomed the two youngest ever players to their first team. The SJ Technical Staff leverages Matt's keen eye, tireless work rate and understanding of all levels of Identification, Tracking, Acquisition and Succession Planning for the Academy, MLSNext Pro. Since 2019, Audi has committed more than $3 million dollars to MLS Academies across North America to create a better future through soccer, and the impact of this funding has been immediate since March 2020, 29 MLS Academy players who benefitted from the program have been signed to First team, Homegrown pro contracts. When asked for his thoughts on other high-ranking individuals around the league having a hard time categorizing San Jose, Shawlee chuckled, saying thats an interesting way to talk about the Quakes. 2023 MLS team previews: What has your club been up to? That, combined with the current crop of national team call-ups which isnt limited to just US teams, with players competing for the likes of Malta, Mexico, Iceland, Peru, Guatemala and El Salvador at youth levels are indicators of the progress made. Promising young players are invited to join an academy and learn to play the game the right way as they develop. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Take this as motivation, if you're not [called into a] national team, to try to close that gap. Its Colorado using allocation money as an intra-league transfer fund while simultaneously getting good mileage from homegrowns. This weekend, the 'Caps will be looking to spoil the party and claim all three points as San Jose host their home opener. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The San Jose Earthquakes have built one of the most successful academy programs and while the senior team isn't very good, the future of the Earthquakes - and hopefully American soccer - is promising thanks to the infrastructure that MLS is supporting. 2023 IMG Academy 150; 2024 IMG Academy 150; 2025 IMG Academy 150; 2026 IMG Academy 150; 2027 IMG Academy 150; Regional Rankings; Position Rankings; Soccer Masters TeamRank Top 25; Boys; 2023 IMG Academy 150; 2024 IMG Academy 150; 2025 IMG Academy 150; 2026 IMG Academy 150; 2027 IMG Academy 150; Regional Rankings; Position Rankings; Soccer . Top players from all over Northern California are invited for tryouts. Basic $79 - for life. Featured youth soccer clubs on SoccerWire are better than most websites! Miami and Cincinnati are the erratic rich kids. The next few years should offer even further fruits of the work Leitch and the rest of the organization began nearly a decade ago. Over the years, Quakes Academy student-athletes have enrolled in Laurel Springs School, but this partnership represents a significant investment in the development of their homegrown talent, ensuring players who are looking to commit to increased training schedules have access to a Laurel Springs education. I dont know if people can understand what a difference it makes, said Marcinkowski, who was on the U.S. roster for the U-20 World Cup last spring. And in order to close those small margins, it takes an inordinate amount of work to close those margins up. The series provides in-depth, behind-the-scenes coverage of the next generation of soccer stars on and off the field as they compete to join the ranks of MLS professional athletes. But he knows he is more prepared for the college game, a professional career, and for a role in the national program thanks to his academy experience. Tweets & replies. during San Jose Earthquakes Academy practice in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, August 9, 2017. "This education program will provide that platform for our academy members, ensuring a successful school career while preparing them for college. The Earthquakes finished the 2022 season last in the Western Conference with just 34 points, firing coach Matias Almeyda in April after San Jose managed just three points from its first seven games and was the last team left without a win. Generally, he described a no-stone-unturned approach, a seeming departure from the Fioranelli years which saw the Quakes largely ignore the MLS trade and free agency markets. In addition, more than 130 players have benefitted from increased housing options near MLS Academies, and more than 1,600 players are utilizing expanded education resources including tutoring and improved education infrastructure known as Audi Performance Centers. San Jose Earthquakes #3185 Jan 17, 2023 Just randomly met Academy player Sammy at Wells Fargo at Coleman Market Center. On average, students attending Laurel Springs earn higher than the national average scores on the SAT and ACT, which has led to acceptance to the top colleges and universities. Another standout is Quakes Academy and Earthquakes II player Ethan Kohler, who currently holds a 4.0 GPA and recently committed to Stanford University after his high school program. Beyond that, details, even basic ones, are hazy, and it's unclear if the new competition will simply step into . "As we're expanding our student base, student-athletes represent a group of individuals who can greatly benefit from our student-driven academic approach," said Laurel Springs School President Arra Yerganian. The San Jose Earthquakes have built one of the most successful academy programs and while the senior team isn't very good, the future of the Earthquakes - and hopefully American soccer - is promising thanks to the infrastructure that MLS is supporting. The San Jose Earthquakes have built one of the most successful academy programs and while the senior team isn't very good, the future of the Earthquakes - and hopefully American soccer - is promising thanks to the infrastructure that MLS is supporting. Thats one reason I want to pursue soccer, to help my family.. San Jose Earthquakes @sjearthquakes 13.9K subscribers Home Videos Shorts Live Playlists Community Channels About Recently uploaded Popular 2:01 U15 Quakes Academy at MLS NEXT Fest in Indio 946. This person is going to be tasked with building a championship roster, building a player development pipeline and building a sustainable soccer operations model that centers around all those things that great MLS teams are doing right now., Shawlee confirmed that San Jose technical director Chris Leitch, who has been with the Quakes in various capacities since 2009 and has been running the soccer operations department since Fioranelli was fired, is one of the candidates. The Earthquakes system will produce only a handful of pro prospects each year, at most. Peter Marcisz, Peyton's dad, said the decision by the Development Academy and the Earthquakes to cut the girls program didn't sit well with him. In MLS, exploiting market inefficiencies takes a few different forms. Theres a quiet revolution going on in the Bay Area, an offshoot of a bigger one that will likely change the way the worlds most popular sport is played by Americans. elhula repped this. This is a carousel. Famed baseball executive Billy Beane has done that for decades with the Oakland As, which are also owned by Fisher. The upheaval in the coaching staff was part of that process. I realized a lot of my training was missing, he said. The margin between the guy that gets on the national team and that doesn't get on that team is very small, he said. Holds the USSF A license. Earthquakes II manager Alex Covelo was elevated as the interim manager for the remainder of the season. The hills above town. 2023 MLS. Leitch recalled how just a couple of years into the job, the club performed well in the old Development Academy. With the development of MLS NEXT Pro, an affiliate league of Major League Soccer, the San Jose Earthquakes are creating an innovative, enhanced soccer program where players can more easily ascend from the youth academy to the professional ranks. Deza hopes to rely on parents' chipping in more fees and on fundraising and corporate sponsorships. Ivan Valencia with the boys U-19 team before San Jose Earthquakes Academy practice in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, August 9, 2017. By The Athletics count, he acquired a grand total of three players from other MLS teams during his time, a neglectfully low total from a market that other teams have gotten good value out of. These unique stories demonstrate how Audi and MLS youth Academies are working to ensure this next generation of athletes is ready to compete at an elite level.