LA Galaxy Prepare to Launch Galaxy Rios With First Signing...

I came across this article this afternoon thanks to BigSoccer. This is what I like to read about, a young American soccer player, not afraid to take on the older guys, signing on with a professional clubs academy. This is what all MLS clubs should be doing. I hope as we learn more about the MLS youth development initiative we will see more of this.

As many of you know, this is what the rest of the world does. Young soccer players yearn to play for their local club. They dream of the day they get to put on the strip of their favorite player. They dream of lacing up the boots in the same locker room as their idol. Tristan Bowen, featured in the article, is a long time Galaxy fan. He now has the chance to train on the same field as Landon Donovan, David Beckham and Joe Cannon. I'm sure Bowen has looked up to these players most of his life and training alongside them will be a thrill and an amazing learning experience. Can anyone out there make the argument that Tristan Bowen's soccer game would be better off if he continues to play against his peers, coached by amateur coaches? I doubt it. Tristan Bowen and the flood of other young soccer studs joining MLS youth ranks will thrive and prosper in this new set up.

A few years ago, maybe last season, I can't remember, MLS trumpeted "A New Soccer Nation." I think the league was a couple years pre-mature, but when this first class of academy players matriculates into the senior team, we will have a new soccer nation. This 16 year old will be learning from the pros the same way soccer stars around the world do. The USA is now free to produce their first Ronaldinho, Ronaldo or Rooney. Imagine if Donovan had been able to live at home while playing with professionals. He may be at an even higher level since he wouldn't have gone through his petulant "I want to live at home" mood. I'll even go so far as to say that Freddy Adu would have been better off being introduced to the league this way as opposed to being thrown in front the national media as a MLS savior.

It will certainly be interesting to see who else LA signs and the other MLS clubs sign. I'm ready for the New Soccer Nation to appear and I think the youth academy will bring it to us my friends. Enjoy!!!