Can someone please explain to me how Project 40 works? Specifically, do the kids in P40 still attend college? Or do they have to give college up for P40? Do you have to graduate P40 before getting on an MLS team? Do these kids sign some sort of development contract or something with MLS when they join P40? How old do you have to be to join P40?
sure no... most typically leave college altogether for mls, although some do take night classes (brian west)... which is paid for by Project-40 (all P-40's receive scholarships that can be used whenever) P-40 players are roster exempt... meaning they don't take one of the 18 roster positions and they don't count against the team salary cap... when they graduate P-40 they work against the cap and the 18 man roster... but they retain those scholarships for future use yes... basically whatever contract they agree upon and then the player doesn't count against the cap or the roster so that they have time to develop and aren't counted on to produce right away... which thus increases their chances of becoming a productive player a college junior or younger... i'm not sure if there is an age maximum or not... you also need to be a u.s. citizen (ramon nunez is a JI or TI... not a P-40) hope that helps -jim