Post by epjr on Dec 8, 2011 21:29:42 GMT -6
Border battle for America's youth
Mexican clubs are after our Latino talent[/SIZE]
GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Countless millions of Latin Americans have crossed the Rio Grande over the years, searching for better opportunities and a chance to puruse the American dream in the United States.
Ironically, a steady stream of their US-born, soccer-playing offspring are heading back south in search of the "Mexican dream," trying to land a spot in the youth systems of Mexican professional soccer clubs.
It’s a growing problem for American soccer, and one the power brokers in the game are being forced to deal with now more than ever before.
During the past couple of weeks alone, at least eight young Americans have arrived for trials at Mexican clubs, another has won the prestigious Under-20 Apertura tournament with Club América and another was part of the Chivas de Guadalajara squad that won the Under-17 tournament.
“That will continue,” former US U-20 national team coach Thomas Rongen told MLSsoccer.com this week. “That has become not a trend, but a norm, quite frankly.”
The top Mexican clubs – Guadalajara, Club América, Pachuca and Tigres UANL, among others – see US-based Latino talent as withing their scouting territory and are constantly bringing youngsters south of the border for trials. Just how many is difficult to estimate.
www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/12/08/postcard-mexico-border-battle-americas-youth
Mexican clubs are after our Latino talent[/SIZE]
GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Countless millions of Latin Americans have crossed the Rio Grande over the years, searching for better opportunities and a chance to puruse the American dream in the United States.
Ironically, a steady stream of their US-born, soccer-playing offspring are heading back south in search of the "Mexican dream," trying to land a spot in the youth systems of Mexican professional soccer clubs.
It’s a growing problem for American soccer, and one the power brokers in the game are being forced to deal with now more than ever before.
During the past couple of weeks alone, at least eight young Americans have arrived for trials at Mexican clubs, another has won the prestigious Under-20 Apertura tournament with Club América and another was part of the Chivas de Guadalajara squad that won the Under-17 tournament.
“That will continue,” former US U-20 national team coach Thomas Rongen told MLSsoccer.com this week. “That has become not a trend, but a norm, quite frankly.”
The top Mexican clubs – Guadalajara, Club América, Pachuca and Tigres UANL, among others – see US-based Latino talent as withing their scouting territory and are constantly bringing youngsters south of the border for trials. Just how many is difficult to estimate.
www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/12/08/postcard-mexico-border-battle-americas-youth