D
Diane Scavuzzo
Guest
The Future is Black & Gold: LAFC And Real So Cal Establish Soccer Partnership
LAFC So Cal Youth is the latest of impressive partnership in American youth soccer and in the ever shifting landscape of the youth game, this is significant. Gone are the days of MLS youth affiliate programs, now only real partnerships are allowed.
Real So Cal is one of the most heralded and accomplished youth soccer clubs in Southern California. Real So Cal teams have won six national championships and are well respected for their prowess and skills on teh soccer fields.
Los Angeles Football Club, better known as LAFC, emerged on the soccer scene with panache and had the best inaugural season, setting a new standard for a first-year team in MLS with earning 57 points. LAFC took third place in the Western Conference and made it to the playoffs in its first season. Beyond great on field performances led by head coach Bob Bradley and thrilling fans with its Black & Gold style, this is an MLS club that thinks out of the box.
Earlier this week, LAFC and Real So Cal Soccer Club announced the formation of LAFC So Cal Youth, an authentic partnership that extends LAFC’s player development expertise to the over 4,000 youth soccer players in the Real So Cal and West Valley Soccer League (WVSL) program.
“When you think of soccer in the city of Los Angeles, you think of LAFC,” said LAFC So Cal Youth Program Director Alberto Bru (AB). “By becoming LAFC So Cal Youth, we are now aligned with a tremendous, high quality professional club that will be able to share its expertise, resources and leadership.”
“The LAFC So Cal Youth partnership is incredibly important to us,” said LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington. “Our Club strives to be a force for good – not just for those players that are already in our Academy, but for all players and parents in the youth soccer landscape in Southern California, and this is an important next step.”
“We are their youth club,” said AB. “This is a real partnership that includes coaching and technical components. This weekend we are having tryouts and LAFC coaches are coming.”
When asked why would a successful youth soccer club with 70 teams form a partnership like this, AB was very clear.
“The youth soccer market is changing,” said AB. “It is evolving. It is a very competitive market — and if you must keep evolving to be successful. This partnership provides our players with a real pathway.”
While Real So Cal may have changed its name, the stars representing its six national championships are incorporated into their new logo.
The LAFC So Cal Youth club will continue to compete in ECNL while the LAFC Academy competes in MLS Next. The LAFC Academy launched in 2016 and now has five teams from U-12 to U-17.
LAFC has established a proven pathway, signing its first three Home Grown Academy players in 2020; 16-year olds Christian Torres, Erik Duenas and Tony Leone.
The Real So Cal players, families and coaches have embraced this partnership and welcomed becoming part of their local MLS club. The West Valley Soccer League WVSL is included in this partnership.
LAFC So Cal Youth is now a part of the MLS Youth Affiliate Network in partnership with adidas.
“We are really excited to see the partnership evolve and for players and their families to experience the program; whether that is through the education platforms or the pathway to playing in MLS,” adidas Soccer Sports Marketing Director Skate Noftsinger said.
“It feels like a natural fit,” LAFC Academy Director Todd Saldana said. “For a long time, they have been a front runner and ahead of the game in the youth market. This partnership gives us an opportunity to work with even more players and impact their player development program and get players even more prepared for the next level.”
With a working relationship which brings LAFC Academy coaches together with their counterparts at LAFC So Cal Youth, along with a beautiful new website and many other benefits, this partnership could set the standards and inspire future partnerships with other MLS clubs.
Source: Release plus interview
The post REAL SO CAL BECOMES LAFC SO CAL YOUTH appeared first on SoccerToday.
Continue reading...
SoccerToday News from Diane Scavuzzo