The Unreal Rise of America's New Wonderkid

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The United States has taken massive strides in men’s football in the last decade. Multiple players at major European clubs, a dominant run over Mexico, and a trip to the knockout stages of the last World Cup. Now, there’s a 14-year-old who seems to be ready to take the world by storm. An MLS academy product that drew eyes from Bayern, Real Madrid, and Manchester City, and looks like he’ll shatter homegrown salary records in the United States. He’s the next American wonderkid on the hype train, for better or worse.
Much Love,
The Zealand
Sources
►theathletic.com/5374618/2024/...
► / 1768670996330856780
► search?q=Cavan%20...
► / 1407492929623560192
►www.marca.com/en/football/man...
►www.sportingnews.com/us/socce....
►en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinn_S...)
►www.goal.com/en-au/lists/cava...
► PhilaUnionII/stat...
►socialblade.com/instagram/use...
► cavan.sull...
►en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_A...
►en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_S...)
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🙌 Thanks for watching & scrolling!
#USA #Football #Soccer #Hashtags

[@marcovisintin9670]

The year is 2032. Real Madrid and Manchester City are fighting for the 10 million euros signing of a 5 y/o kid that knows hot to do a backheel pass. Surely the best in the millenium

[@davispaul2279]

You jealous?

[@Karpify]

2059: Newcastle United and Manchester City are in a war of corporate espionage and high-stakes litigation to secure the patent for the so-called "Messi-Sullivan Gene".

[@JT-rx1eo]

At some point you'd think they would learn.

[@shrimp99991]

Wanna give some props to Tom. Never heard of him, but I love his energy and the way he communicates. Love the video Z!

[@kalmenbarkin5708]

Check him out he’s the best American soccer reporter.

[@youenjoy8468]

Tom is one of my fav MLS reporters. A lot of his stuff is behind a paywall on The Athletic, but you have to get paid somehow.

[@tombogert]

🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@kalmenbarkin5708]

@@youenjoy8468 I far prefer paying for quality sources than relying on ad supported clickbait

[@shadycarry]

@@youenjoy8468 The athletic is totally worth it tho. One of the bastions of athletic journalism at his point

[@jordylont1879]

The pressure put on these kids is terrifying

[@AlexRN]

Yeah no shit. When that article flashed calling him "The next Lio Messi" I facepalmed. He hasn't even debuted yet on a professional level! Give him a chance.

[@ZealandonYT]

I don't disagree, it's tough because a 14-year-old signing a future deal with Man City's first team and being put on the path to debut in MLS is huge news, but you don't want to make it harder to achieve I wanted to try to just talk about why he is where he is now, obviously what scouts are saying about him is going to get out into the media, but hopefully he has a good structure around him to help him stay grounded. It sounds like he does, honestly

[@JamesHussain82]

It's good for you

[@Edward-xh4oj]

@@AlexRNhe has actually debuted on a professional level…

[@AlexRN]

@@Edward-xh4oj fine point taken but you know what I mean. Kid’s 14. Let him be for a bit before we call him the next Messi.

[@tombogert]

Thanks for the editing to make me look much smarter than I am!!

[@ZealandonYT]

Hi Tom

[@ourhandsaretied]

Loving the Fulham scarf in the background!

[@justsomethingtothinkabout8515]

My 12 year old son just made the academy for Sac. Republic. His dream is to play for Real Madrid. These academies have become so much more advanced and the speed of play at such young ages is amazing. They all look like little professionals… I’m truly excited for the U.S.M.N.T. and the future of American soccer (futbol).

[@jrn2121]

So, you are surprised by Manchester City’s financial power? And you’re a football writer ?

[@aisosaihama]

14 years old, American, already dubbed the "New Messi"... I feel like I've seen this film before? 🤔

[@_UberEats_]

Freddy Adu?

[@pattamon9432]

@@_UberEats_ They called him" New Messi" in 2004? Doubt it

[@jamesrexus8555]

​@@pattamon9432They called him the "new pele"

[@RedCharLang]

@@pattamon9432 Messi started in 2004, so saying the "New Messi" in the same year Messi started is a wild statement

[@pattamon9432]

@@jamesrexus8555 Yeah I know. They even created a media campaign with young Adu AND PELE. That was sooooo wild

[@Malbert.]

I know his brother, Quinn, who plays for Philadelphia! Amazing guy and family filled with talent!

[@DimBeam1]

Bull sh.....it

[@EastCoastReese]

I worked at YSC (the facility where the Union academy plays) for a few years, and I refereed a game with a then-11 year old Cavan. We knew then he was incredibly talented, and I'm so very proud of him for helping put us on the map. Great video and love from Philly, Z.

[@DimBeam1]

Liar. You Yanks are something else. Bet youre MAGA, they always lie.

[@cierankinsella3451]

I work as a scout for a non-league team in england, i have friends working much higher up the pyramid, and we sometimes sit and talk about players were excited about, cavan was mentioned by a friend who works for spurs. And he was super confident that he was gonna have a top shelf career. There's always the unknown of how a player this young will develop, and he might turn out to be anything from world beater to not good enough. But usually when every top scout is drooling over a kid they usually end up being correct.

[@DimBeam1]

BS

[@mattf1sh97]

I'm not sure about this, hype like this for young players often puts a lot of pressure before they've even made the first team. I hope the kid goes far but the media has squashed a lot of promising young players

[@Popmycherryyo]

Honestly, as a gunners fan (and fellow norwegian) I'm honestly just glad and SHOCKED that Martin Ødegaard/Ødegård managed to fight through the insane hype he had, and then the..lets call it a flop, he had the first few years at R.M.

[@LeboMochudi]

​@@Popmycherryyo Fair. But I never viewed his time in Madrid as a flop at all. They sent him out on perfect developmental loans that ensured that he continue to grow towards his potential even though he wasn't playing for his parent club. That's success. And he's still on a trajectory that could see them courting him again in a few years at his peak.

[@zacharyreno2001]

Agreed. I know this kid is really good, but he won’t end up on the level he’s projected to be on, especially with an approach to his career like this. I fear the Man City camp is going to mess with him bad and it will delay his advancement. Being American is clearly an automatic disadvantage in English football, so they’re not going to like this hype around what they call a yankee.

[@JoDyMa]

Ahhh, it's Freddie Adu. Bro's not old enough to know how good he is. Simple as.

[@d.l.d.l.8140]

Backyard games at family gatherings must be INTENSE 😂

[@wuxiagamescentral]

Cavan is scaring the shit out of me. He's getting more hype than Adu. And I don't know anything about this kid

[@droo9466]

Def not more hype than Adu 😂 Adu everyone knew about

[@jackied962]

Adu was probably the most famous American soccer player, before he had even played a professional match. He was going to the teen choice awards with a pop star. People that follow the USMNT know this kid but that's about it.

[@BGeezy4sheezy]

It’s really not meaningful at all until he’s playing against adults. Maybe he’ll be great, but the vast majority of hyped 14 year olds don’t go on to become the worlds best players

[@robertvries1]

Cool video dude. Always love hearing about new wonderkids.

[@destelpa]

As a Philly Union fan, it always makes me happy when one of our players gets bought by a European club. Its obviously a little bittersweet to lose them, but i think them playing well elsewhere helps elevate American players in the minds of the rest of the world. Like, good players can come from here too. Best of luck to Cavan and hopefully he can develop into a great pro talent one day

[@davidjr4903]

🧢

[@FreeWilly22]

🤣🤣🤣🧢🧢🧢🧢 none of your players are making it in Europe, go back to sleep

[@SixGodHobbs]

With this young of a kid I hope that the family protects him from all this. Pressure can either make you better or fail. Hope he succeeds and we can see him be great on the national team.

[@jackied962]

I thought we were passed still doing this. I can still remember the hype around Ben Lederman just because he was at Barcelona's La Masia. Manchester City also signed Americans, Zach Steffen, Eric Palmer Brown and even Mix Diskerud at one point. I hope he's great, but let's calm down.

[@TheLaughingMustache-oh5ff]

I hope his family keeps him grounded. Sounds like there's already a lot of hangers on to a 14 year old. Tbh he should stay off social media too and keep his local buddies close to him. I wish him nothing but the best and do like Pulisic, always celebrate with the guys you're playing with. It truly is a privilege to be in a team.

[@michoseadane5925]

Cavan is gonna be a great player in the future, as well as a wonderkid i'll definitely use in FM

[@mantorras7752]

Yea we have never heard that before

[@simenstory3321]

An excellent video man, would love to see more like this! Might I suggest a video on Rosenborg's Sverre Nypan? You might be able to get an interview with his dad. His camp/family have some very clear and reasonable thoughts about his career planning, it's very refreshing to hear.

[@connahg6414]

Loved your final sentiment! He must always remember how much he has and will accomplish

[@netayconnection6236]

I've just subscribed mate, a great video 📹

[@cabhan]

dude this guy has my name and its bugging me out, never heard so many people who i dont know writing "cavan" lmao

[@mrfreeland123]

Hi Cavan ,ps Cavan

[@saoirsedeltufo7436]

dia duit a Chabhán!

[@cabhan]

@@saoirsedeltufo7436 dia is muire duit !

[@MegrelMamba]

გამარჯობა, კავან.

[@cabhan]

@@MegrelMamba is that georgian ? :o

[@xFurashux]

It's amazing how young they get with Lamine Yamal at Barca already being a starting player. Also it's funny how insecure Americans are about their reputation in the football world.

[@peoplelikefrank]

Most important he stays fit and healthy. Any bigger injury could end his career.

[@jeffbaldino1059]

Enjoyed the video, FYI that is Reuell Walters and not Austin Trusty in the photos

[@meowwww9275]

Great vid, even better shirts. What are you both wearing?

[@muhammadryanelyeddari8631]

0:54 I didn't know what I expected when I heard ''Fabrizio Romano of the United States'' but it definitely wasn't someone who looks exactly like Fabrizio Romano but if he was from the United States.

[@NoHesiBenny]

This is incredible work Z!!

[@meinoi7420]

love this i have got 2 watch more !!

[@bijikedelai]

bruh i thought this was zealandism for a second 🤣

[@marsussabili1804]

it is

[@shibafm]

@@marsussabili1804it isn’t

[@64BitTv]

Great video but just a heads up that the photo at 10:11 is not Austin Trusty, that’s Reuell Walters

[@matthewmason8982]

😬

[@lutho1230]

Facts! *CryingEmoji

[@ZealandonYT]

Just testing your reflexes

[@mattmac5605]

I was in high school history class at St Joes Prep in Philly and my teacher was Brendan Sullivan and he had brought his 2 young sons to class that day and they had their soccer ball. He told me to get up and pass the ball to them, so I kicked it and it made a loud bang on the desk and I got kicked out of class. One of his young sons was Cavan Sullivan. Hope he makes it to the top.

[@NatsFan18]

Can’t wait to follow his career!

[@pagirios2285]

How many "new messi's and ronaldo's" do we have right now? 300 ?

[@sonicwithglasses131]

He plays nothing like them

[@pagirios2285]

@@sonicwithglasses131 thats not good

[@sonicwithglasses131]

@@pagirios2285 i meant position, cavan is an attacking midfielder thats just direct

[@kashshhds8824]

America got a pretty solid young national team growing even if this kid doesn’t work out

[@fimbus7692]

great idea to invite Tom Bogert he seems like a cool guy

[@CTWealth]

Here's my issue with this. The best of Europe are developed in Europe. La Masia players are playing against each other when they're 6-18. If Cavan is as good as they say, by the time he gets to City at 18 he will be way behind the best of Europe. This is one reason our best talents flame out. 16-18 are arguably the most important years for development. Pulisic was at Dortmund by 16 playing against the best of Europe. I worry about Cavan staying in MLS until 18.

[@BGeezy4sheezy]

It’s not ideal, but if he’s training and playing with first team that’s a good level. If he’s playing against other American youth players, that level isn’t high enough

[@dixoncider8372]

Hey Zealand! Love the vid but the guy you have on 10:11 is not Auston Trusty

[@quinny2144]

zealand+tom bogert= my two biggest obsessions rn

[@sparkyanderson6520]

Thank you for the context. As a fringe follower of US Soccer, I needed the context of understanding the major differences between the '04 version of MLS and the current version of MLS and its academies. In reality, I am no longer a big supporter of the US school system and believe a person can achieve greater things in life by being disconnected from the US school system and instead learning from experienced, successful people in any field, from soccer, to other sports, to investments, to relationships, to communication and more. I believe success mentality can be achieved by reading, studying, interviewing, and spending time with those who've succeeded before us in any endeavor and that the US school system is designed to create worker bees. Thanks again.

[@Munthasir123]

Can we take a moment to appreciate how many young talent is coming out of the Philadelphia Union academy!

[@perigosu8449]

What kind of camera lens do you use? Have you tried moving it further back and zooming in a bit? Or placing it a bit lower?

[@steliosmouratidis3829]

Great Vid! Only that was not Austin Trusty, that was Walters

[@nyykSIUUU]

btw the hair looks really good man

[@scottcallis3491]

Pleased for Cavan and his family. Wish all the best. 🍀

[@rmmvw]

This is a smart move on Philly Union's part because it can at the very least develop American talent as well as end up becoming the go-to team when talent is in need. It could effectively make them the Benfica of US Soccer in terms of being a talent farm.

[@kalmenbarkin5708]

MLS academies have exclusive territorial rights. You can’t just pick up and go to any academy you need to go to the one who owns your area.

[@rmmvw]

@@kalmenbarkin5708 but that doesn't matter when international clubs are looking for talent. Regardless of proximity, if the players are better/more consistent in Philly, that's where the clubs will go

[@kalmenbarkin5708]

@@rmmvw the clubs will go wherever the talent is. The talent will go wherever MLS allows them to go. This is unlike Germany where you can just go to Dortmund or Portugal to Porto etc and they have all the talent because the talented kids all go there. In the US the talented kids belong to particular MLS academies by virtue of their area.

[@matthewbrown3240]

I am interested in whether or not this is actually a shift in the level of talent coming through the MLS and their academies. Because despite Tom's claim the MLS hasn't developed that many elite players. The best American players sprint away from the MLS and go to Europe as soon as possible (McKinnie, Reyna, Pullisic) and really the only top level talent that played any minutes in the MLS were the Aaronsons, Adams, and Pepi. Sure the MLS has gotten a few guys to random places outside of the TOP 6 leagues in Europe, but so does Belgium, and plenty of kids from African nations are scooped up into European academies at a much higher rate than American kids are.

[@Tomo_Ender]

Have a look at the run Donny rovers have had in league 2 this year from fighting relegation to needing a draw last day of the season to clinch playoffs all within 10 games

[@astralchimp]

Toast of London !

[@saoirsedeltufo7436]

hahaha I'm so glad I wasn't the only one thinking this

[@JamesHussain82]

Laszlo!

[@gamingdnaofficial]

Let's just wait and hope he gets better and better. Don't forget the amazing reviews that Gio Reyna had when he was at NYCFC academy also

[@mcgc93]

He's still decent but bvb got a new manager that benched him and now he's at NF on loan when he could be playing UCL. He can turn it around but idk maybe he's not as hungry (?) anymore

[@Jdubayou]

I mean Gio Reyna was literally playing for Dortmund at 17 and flashing world class potential. He's just had tons of injuries and a manager that didn't like him. It's not like he was hyped up and never did anything. He's still one of the best players for the USMNT at 21 and once he gets a move to a team that will actually give him playing time he can still end up being a very good player.

[@TheThingsDude]

Having a star like Cavan would be great for the USMNT

[@nickfury8973]

Real Madrid would have bought him if he were Brazilian Barcelona would have bought him if he were Argentinian Manchester United would have bought him if he were English, or couldn’t juggle the ball at least once..

[@gucijaki7508]

would be a nice vid if we actually saw some of this talent

[@Skinny_Popeye]

"...but let me tell you: Just based on the celebration I can guarantee you that he's going to make it as a pro." - says the so-called scout...

[@dagosegovia843]

My thoughts exactly

[@jaykera]

yk i'm only 20 so i could still play collegiately if I wanted too i really wish i knew about this stuff when i was younger; i'm from the middle of nowhere so while i loved soccer and played travel once i hit highschool i was consumed by basketball and those aspirations and leaned off of soccer even tho it was both my preferred sport and the one i was better at naturally. Growing up I didn't even really know about the broader world of football nor did any of the kids around me with "soccer" growing in the U.S. I hope the ability to find kids and talent from smaller areas and less connections grows like in the case of basketball and american football in recent years.

[@plonzz]

at 10:11 thats actually a picture of Reuell Walters not Auston Trusty @Zealand

[@bullionsgaming]

Someone's been playing too much fifa with that tea cup celebration 😂😂😅

[@lemonz2189]

I have a problem with the pre game editor. I made a team in the premier league but when i start a save file it's greyed out when i go to manage it. Anyone know why?

[@Zephyr653]

It’s very difficult to project young boys’ talent ceiling. As he develops physically, If he loses 1/2 second of lateral speed relative to others, he won’t compete at the highest level. Yes, talent and football IQ compensates massively but hard to project 14 year olds until more developed. Wishing the kid all the success and clearly the biggest clubs on the planet see talent.

[@lordfarquard9902]

“Based on his celebration I can tell you he’s gonna make it as a pro” He should have witnessed a 10 year old version of me doing the Kuqi as a kid 😂

[@15plus2isnot39]

How soon can we lock him in to the USMNT? Just in terms of locking nationality not in terms of putting him in the world cup squad at 15.

[@matthewrochowski6593]

12:00 holy shit, that's Connor Antley, my college team captain lol. Also played with Weston McKinney in FCD academy... And now I'm doing medical research.

[@hayden6829]

my glorious king cavan

[@marklehman5272]

Make a video about the philadelphia union pipeline. Theyve produced a ton of talent lately.

[@BGeezy4sheezy]

Pennsylvania seems to produce the best American players of any state

[@Oll1000]

Hopefully the story goes more like how it went with Odegaard than how it went with Adu. Then again, I just made a 15M offer for a 16-year old German wonderkid who might not end up being anything special on my FM save...

[@johnwatchorn6548]

I know I’m probably gonna get flack for this, but I’ve got a lot of hope for the talent coming into the US men’s team in the next decade. 🇺🇸

[@JT-rx1eo]

Put the accent on the second "a" of Cavan and it sounds cooler.

[@BoxinSquare_]

Zealand you should see Giannis Konstantelias at the age of 14 doing things with much more technique and flow ..

[@Josh22Gaming]

We will see.... With 14 year old are many like him.... Only one thing is going to affirm if he's good or not time

[@andreanecchi5930]

there are some guys who play in the USL who are bought by some teams in the Netherlands and Belgium

[@kalmenbarkin5708]

Bottom of the Netherlands and Belgium are MLS level. You’re talking 3-4 million euro budgets with no notable internationals. That’s not a big deal - even if PSV/Feyenoord/Ajax are a big deal.

[@PirateDrive]

Hair is looking smart, Z.

[@dherman0001]

Kid has 5 elite level soccer players in his family. All 3 brothers and both parents. He was born surrounded by soccer everything. If he chooses to be the GOAT, its in his grasp.

[@isaacatkinson1882]

I get where Tom is coming from when saying it is unfair to not hype the kid because he is American / going through US football academies. I think most people take the view of, "give the kid space and allow him to grow into the lime light" that includes cooling hype around young lads regardless of where they are coming from.

[@meelooxavier6502]

Adu mentioned. FM tears of joy intensify

[@M3cha.]

10:10 is Reuell Walters not Trusty 😂

[@osobad1127]

He’s the next Freddie Adu! Excited

[@Yerocco]

A lot of these people don’t understand that overseas it’s not uncommon to have young stars on crazy contracts with insane hype. Do I think it’s fair? No. But it’s a huge compliment to the one being praised. LeBron lived up to it. John McEnroe in tennis. Tara lipinski in figure skating. Mia hamm. And more. The main difference is from then and now is the things we’re saying about these people are so much more spread out through media that it seems like we just overhype something. I look at it more so of being optimistic that another legend is in the making. I love when I go to a friends place and you hear about someone being a “insert video game pro”. I get hype. Like shoot play hop online and show me. Its up to those around to help keep the young one grounded to keep the grind going. Jalen Brunson is a true product of that. His father did him right.

[@mantorras7752]

Wasnt Philly the last MLS team Adu played for before he went to Europe?

[@wagfinpis]

Very interesting. Time will tell more. The big doubt in my mind that they didn't represent in this video is he doesn't need to be as good as we hope he will become. The marketing path for hyping American talent for the American dollar in the top 5 leagues is well established. If you put a talented player in the right role it is easy to make them look better individually than they really are. I hope the kid enjoys devouring his challenges and lives a meaningful life and maybe he can also become something like a Premier League top 10% player.

[@philippscheutz786]

Neither Haaland nor Szoboszlai went to the Red Bull Salzburg Academy. They were bought after showing up at their home club.

[@thargoff]

Szoboszlai signed for Salzburg at 16 and went through the whole RB pyramid (Salzburg U18, Liefering, Salzburg, Leipzig). And that's what is meant: identify talent young and then nurture them with your expertise. At 16 Szoboszlai wasn't a sure fire thing, as Sullivan isn't either, of course. But if you have the right people around that helps massively. And if you have a guy that has this pedigree that means a lot.

[@pagirios2285]

@@thargoff szoboszlai is an average player i think

[@thargoff]

@@pagirios2285 Average? Lol. Starter at a Top 3 PL club, captain of a Euro qualified, Nations League A, world Top 30 national team at 23, yeah, average, of course. But that doesn't even matter, the point is the guy referenced in the video has the expertise how to build up young players, knows how to handle them and make sure (as sure as can be) they reach their potential.

[@pagirios2285]

@@thargoff its a joke i wanted some attention dont mind me

[@Raynax235]

Good footballers come out of nowhere. I remember the viral England U15s in 2017 had musiala and Bellingham on the bench and American Musah as captain & palmer starting. The rest of the first 11 are all now playing at best league 2 or 1 football with some players playing in Dubai. The next american talent could be some unknown guy

[@nicolasjavaloyes4459]

Nice haircut brother

[@BourneIdentity45]

Salzburg didn’t produce those players they just bought them knowing they had high potentials and then sold them on for profit because stature wise they’re never going to beat the traditional clubs but they will be able to guarantee playing time as a springboard to furthering someone’s career. This is what I’ll never get about some journalists they try to say things to improve their argument even though they aren’t 100% true in the way they’re using it, like sure he probably helped them set up their scouting network which allowed them to find the gems they did who later have become star/potential to become stars like Håland Sesko Kjærgaard Sadio mane back in the day, all of those players were ones they scouted and brought in with the idea of helping them as a springboard to get better

[@patrickmcguffin1126]

Noticed at 10:11 that the editor put Reuel Walters instead of Austin Trusty 😭

[@medris9326]

Was that a Charlotte FC banner on Toms wall?

[@lungabiyela9081]

Remember Sonny Pike? He was supposed to be the next big thing. But the constant hype was tough on him and he couldn't deal with the pressure and ended up driving taxis. Leave the kid alone and let him learn and develop without being describes as the "great American hope". Look at what it did to Freddy Adu. No disrespect meant to taxi drivers, by the way. They provide an important service for which we should all be grateful for.

[@mda990]

Stop trolling. Sullivan is big

[@elvindejesus8584]

Poor kid going to a club with 115 charges for cheating.

[@mattgalaxy2040]

As a city fan I hope the club doesnt pressure him too much, we want him to have a smooth development, I dont want us to lose another cole palmer because the club said no to a loan ffs

[@FaraazAhmad]

KZbinr so good his hairline is growing back

[@peacefrog5193]

never

[@adamgeigerjr6995]

these little things people won't talk about when comparing transfer window spending but makes a HUGE difference ...

[@n4r4plays47]

Is that a Vegas kit?

[@dionyulloa8298]

We don’t even have to mention Adu. Just because it happened before doesn’t it’ll happen again or that it won’t happen again.

[@pablo_the_zolo]

best academy in the country and it’s not even close

[@StormyWeather21]

"Austin Trusty" 🤔🤔 😭😭😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@nicolaipedersen6500]

Future Freddy Adu!!!! Insane

[@WHUSpArKs4]

As someone from the UK who had watched the MLS for the last 12 years and randomly adopted Sporting Kansas City as my favourite team I can definitely say the talent that comes through the MLS is getting so good, I would not be surprised in years from now that most of the top talents in Football will be American.

[@kalmenbarkin5708]

At the end of the day as much as it can be irksome money buys success. And MLS has been investing heavily. In both physical and human infrastructure. New MLS stadiums and facilities are better than their European counterparts. And they also started buying up academy coaches and scouts. MLS is willing to spend and that’s going to translate more and more to getting results (in this case developing prospects) as investment compounds

[@DimBeam1]

LMAO. No chance.

[@TheLaughingMustache-oh5ff]

@@kalmenbarkin5708 the challenge in the USA is we're just so big and spread out so we have to have like ..many regions of development centers. That's a LOT of infrastructure to build upon for a sport that's probably 3rd or 4th on the totem pole atm too. The good news is we are a sport centric country and there can be some good overlap between american football/basketball/baseball training facilities. Imagine being in Texas and some of the high schools have near NFL level of training facilities lol.

[@kalmenbarkin5708]

@@TheLaughingMustache-oh5ff size makes it easier not harder. For MLS to develop enough guys to fill 30 clubs it still takes the same amount of academies etc as any other country to fill 30 rosters. But being big means each academy has more raw talent to choose from

[@Jdubayou]

@@kalmenbarkin5708 Soccer is still too much of an upper-middle to upper class sport in the US. Until we can start getting more talents from poor or working class backgrounds we won't make big strides internationally. I know MLS academies are "free" now but to even get noticed by scouts I imagine you would have to be playing club soccer which is very expensive.

[@testertesteb4915]

I hope they loan him out to a decent team in the top 5 leagues

[@oakenstake4948]

Tom looking like young Ange Postecoglou cannot be missed

[@jeanyvenus4781]

He can also play for Bangladesh before he reaches 21. That way he can get his name out there to the World.

[@ddpgokchinees839]

Damn, he almost played in Belgium.