Its Sounders focused, but I really liked Garth's perspective on how to treat these academy kids. I think it gives a good general glimpse into an MLS academy. http://www.sounderatheart.com/sound...ode-208-sounders-gm-president-of-soccer-garth Academy talk starts at 36:40 It is pretty all encompassing, touches on many facets of the academy and how its expanding as well as how to use their USL team S2. Near the end they get into why they didn't sign Ryan Herman as a HGP and let him enter into the draft instead. He was drafted by FC Dallas.
Another Sounders focused piece of information. Not sure where else to drop this bit of info. http://www.soundersfc.com/post/2016...y-teams-shine-final-us-soccer-showcase-season Sounders are claiming their U-16 team is the youngest team in that age group because of several U-14s playing up.
More Sounders Academy news. http://www.soundersfc.com/post/2017/01/23/seattle-sounders-academy-playing-above-age-group Follow the link to learn about the successes of players playing up in age groups etc. The Sounders U16 team is the youngest at that age group and is doing pretty well in the USSDA. And each age group seems to have multiple players being called up to USYNTs.
And some talk about international success at the youth levels. http://www.soundersfc.com/post/2017/01/23/seattle-sounders-academy-impress-international-competition