The Major League Soccer edition of the Columbus Crew is not the only one that is having a successful season.
The club's Crew Soccer Academy advanced to the U-18 finals of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Summer Showcase, set for Saturday through July 18, in Carson, Calif.
That's quite a leap for a first-year program, Crew general manager Mark McCullers said.
"This sets the table for player development overall in terms of its reputation and being able to attract the top players in the state to the academy team," he said. "That's the whole purpose, to fuel the player development program. It's critical to us to have that. The way we started off I don't think we could have written a better script."
There is more than just a rooting interest in the youth club that bears the Crew name. The MLS team fully funds the academy and offers its training facilities in Obetz as well as its coaching staff when available.
"We wouldn't have done it any other way," McCullers said.
The players gain the benefits of a professional life without losing their college eligibility. In turn, the Crew hold the pro rights to any player who spends at least two years in its youth programs.
"This quality is unbelievable. It's top notch, the coaching and everything. It's a lot better quality than club level," U-18 captain Chad Barson said. "You couldn't ask for more. Training in Obetz, we have great facilities. We have Bran Bliss, the (Crew's) technical director, come out and coach us. They take care of us so well, making sure we're treated well. It's really good for the MLS teams. They're trying to go to the more European-style of youth programs trying to feed into the full teams."
Barson, who attended the U.S. Soccer residency program in Bradenton, Fla. last year, is one of many players who Crew U-18 coach Eric Nichols feels will advance to college or directly into the pro ranks either in Europe or MLS.
He credits the vision of MLS to start their own academies in bringing the best of the best together. So often, club teams are so competitive with each other that the players' interests are left at the wayside.
"A lot of coaches sent them this way and we appreciate that. They saw that this is a big thing, a good thing and they were very gracious in saying, 'This is best for you,'" said Nichols, a former head coach at nearby Ohio Dominican University before recently leaving to become an assistant at Davidson. "These kids took a leap of faith, The Crew has been fantastic. The league has been fantastic. What U.S. Soccer has set up is great. Before, it seemed so disconnected. The route to the top was (jagged). Now it's pretty clear."
The Crew has been able to establish a partnership with Brad Friedel's Premier Academy in Lorain, Ohio, as well as other notables clubs, including the Worthington United program run by former Crew midfielder Billy Thompson.
"It's pretty unique," McCullers said. "By the way MLS designed it we have to cover the entire state of Ohio. We don't view that just as an opportunity. We view it as an obligation. It's our responsibility to scout and know who the best players are in the state and get them in our program."
McCullers and Crew head coach Sigi Schmid see the potential in the Crew Soccer Academy to eventually provide players to the full club.
"We've got some blue chippers," Nichols said.
The Crew's U-18s became the first MLS Academy team to qualify for the Summer Showcase by beating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 last week in Greensboro, N.C., although the Chicago Fire's team later advanced to the U-18 finals as well. No other MLS team will have their academy team in Carson.
"We were the first. That's something we'll always have on our resume," McCullers said. "Hopefully, we'll be the first team to sign a player to the senior roster. That would be the next goal."
Crew Soccer Academy has group play matches Saturday, Monday and Wednesday at The Home Depot Center with the winners from the two stages meeting in the championship July 18 on ESPN2.
Craig Merz is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
