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The U.S. Cultivating a Culture Built on Legends and Led by Youth
While the world's top talents are usually developed in Europe or South America, Gone are the days of America shipping its players to other countries to develop them, as we take a look at some of the diverse youth talents that are being developed here in the States and witness some of the ones already doing their trade in Europe representing the U.S. at the UEFA Youth Leagues. We also got to witness history being made as a footballing prodigy garners the recognition of one the greatest to ever step foot on a pitch.
Its hard to look past the influence the U.S. youth system has been having in the development of youngsters for national teams around the world. More and more players are filtered through the U.S. system to the international stage and through the help of MLS NEXT, it has created a bridge for young players to get opportunities to represent their country.
LA Galaxy academy defender Edward Chadwick will join the England U-16 youth squad in the coming days, ahead of friendly matches against Ukraine and France.
Chadwick, who captained the LA Galaxy U-15s last season to a runner-up finish at the MLS NEXT Cup and was a champion with the United States U-15s at the Vlatko Markovic in Croatia, will get his first taste of England's youth national team and marks an important milestone for the development of U.S. youth soccer.
Eddie Chadwick is among the few recent U.S.-based players to be called up by the world's top youth teams. England already has its eyes on two other English-American players playing in MLS or MLS academies, NYCFC left-back Christian McFarlane and New England Revolution midfielder Noel Buck.
In recent years, NYCFC attacking midfielder Maximo Carrizo has been called up to the Argentina U-15 and U-17 youth national teams. Inter Miami midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi has been called up to the Argentina U-20 team for a domestic camp in late 2022.
Alejandro Granados, currently at Club Brugge but trained at Orlando City's academy, was a key part of Spain's U-17, U-18 and U-19 youth teams. Granados, who has Spanish, Cuban, and American nationality, was also part of a youth camp with the United States U-17s.
NYCFC academy goalkeeper Anthony Suarez has been called up to Uruguay's U-15 and U-17 youth national teams.
Devon Decorte who trained at the Philadelphia Union Academy where he was crowned champion of the Generation Adidas Cup had plans to join Stanford University. He eventually joined the prestigious RSC Anderlecht and quickly made an impact, earning him a call-up to Belgium's youth national teams.
It's clear that the United States is producing great talent, and that the U.S. has become a hub for youth to develop and flourish under the U.S. development system to prepare them to represent their countries and move onto greater things in the sport. More and more players from diverse cultures will be ready to represent their national teams while developing in playing in America, a few years ago this was an unforeseen progression in the American games development.
When Legends of the Past Meet the Stars of the Future
Cavan Sullivan, 14, is perhaps the biggest promise and most important prospect in American soccer. The teenager made headlines a few weeks ago when he became the youngest player to ever debut in a Major League Soccer match.
While Cavan didn't play in Saturday night's match for his team, the encounter was immortalized in a now-historic photograph: Messi crossed paths with Sullivan, who hopes to follow in his role model's footsteps.
"I look up to Messi, the GOAT. He's been my idol since I learned how to use YouTube. I still watch clips of Messi to this day, and I always watch his games at Inter Miami. Even though I play for the Union, they are a very fun team to watch. Him, Luis Suarez, that old connection to Barcelona. They are special,”
This past Wednesday the young player managed to enter in the 89th minute of the match between NYCFC and Philadelphia Union. Although he only had a few minutes, Cavan continues to make an impact both on and off the field.
Americans Light Up the UEFA Youth League
This week with the start of the UEFA Youth League several young Americans managed to make appearances for their respective teams.
Pedro Soma, who recently joined FC Barcelona, made his debut with the U-19 team in the UEFA Youth League and did not disappoint. Although the team fell 4-3 against AS Monaco, Pedro Soma was heavily involved in the game and was instrumental in FC Barcelona's first goal where he managed to provide the assist prior to the goal.
Former NYCFC academy player Din Klapija started for RB Leipzig in their game against Atletico Madrid.
Cole Campbell, meanwhile, started for Borussia Dortmund in the 1-1 draw against Club Brugge and in that game for Club Brugge Alejandro Granados started and scored for the Belgian team.
Paulo Rudisill did not make it off the bench in Feyenoord's loss to Bayern Leverkusen. For the German team, dual national forward Montrell Culbreath started in the match.
Revolution's New Engine: Eric Klein Powers Into Pro Ranks
New England Revolution II has signed midfielder Eric Klein, a product of the New England Revolution Academy, to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract through the 2026 season.
Klein signs his first professional contract after two seasons in the Revolution Academy's amateur ranks. The versatile 17-year-old midfielder, who also has experience playing along the backline, featured for New England’s Under-19 team. Klein joined the Revolution Academy in 2023 and recorded one goal and two assists in his first MLS NEXT season with the club. He previously signed an amateur agreement with Revolution II in March ahead of the 2024 season.
Eric is deserving of this opportunity to take the next step in our pro pathway. We look forward to watching him continue to flourish in our system as he gains experience at the MLS NEXT Pro level.
The Manheim, Pennsylvania native made his professional debut with Revolution II on July 12, 2023, against Crown Legacy FC and has since tallied one goal and three assists over 24 appearances, including 20 starts. Klein leads the team with 1,861 minutes played in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign.