Super-20 League Feature
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
BRADENTON, Fla. – The Super-20 League Championship kicks off on Thursday morning at the world-class facilities of IMG Academy with 16 teams taking aim at claiming the championship. In addition to the challenge of the competition they will face, though, the players will also be under the watchful eye of scouts from not only teams within the PDL, but also this year from USL PRO, Major League Soccer and the English Premier League.
The Super-20 League Championships have frequently been populated by some of the top young players in the country, with players such as current New England Revolution rookie Andrew Farrell, the No. 1 selection the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, and Columbus Crew homegrown product Ben Speas just two players who have taken their turn in the spotlight at the event in recent years. Farrell was named the 2011 Super-20 League Championship Most Valuable Player after leading the Crew Juniors to a title.
Other players to feature at the championship in recent seasons have included Montreal’s Andrew Wenger, the LA Galaxy’s Tommy Meyer and Sporting Kansas City’s Teal Bunbury, all of whom are now featuring in Major League Soccer.
That level of talent is what has brought Everton scout Jim Barron to IMG Academy, with the accomplished former player and manager hoping to see the traits of a top player among the teams headed to Florida.
“A lot depends on the position, but I think just their natural ability and touch if they’re outfield players,” Barron said on what he looks for in a potential pro. “Good touch, good vision, can they see a pass, is it a short pass, a long pass? Stamina comes into it now, because it’s a physical game, they need to be strong, and then the big, big plus at the moment is pace. Everybody is looking for somebody who has got pace.”
Everton as a club already has ties to the United States, through former USL standout and current U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard, while USMNT goalkeeping coach Chris Woods was recently added to new manager Roberto Martinez’s staff at the club. Barron believes that the U.S. will start seeing more players get the opportunity to make the jump to England, and Europe, as the game continues to grow and players become more developed at a younger age.
“With the Pacesetters, they’ve got a camp where they’ve got 200 boys one week, and 200 girls in another week, so out of those 400, you’ve got a chance of finding a player,” Barron said. “I think it’s brilliant. I’ve been helping the camp with the Pacesetters, and there’s some tremendous talent. You look at one or two of the young boys at eight, nine, and they have great ability, so if they can keep developing that ability, by the time they’re 12, 14, you’re looking at some very, very good players.”
Everton won’t be the only professional club represented at the event, with Sporting Kansas City also expected to have a presence at the tournament, while USL PRO’s VSI Tampa Bay FC and Orlando City will also be present. Coaches from local PDL teams, including the playoff-bound Ocala Stampede, are also expected to be in attendance as they look for players that could carry their clubs to success next summer.
Fans unable to make their way to Bradenton will also be able to check out the action online thanks to Tourbeau Sports, which will offer pay-per-view games on each of the opening three days during the group stage, while the semifinals and championship game will be available live and free on uslnation.com.
As the battle for a championship gets set to commence, both the teams and players, and the scouts that will have their eye on them, will be hoping their trip to Florida this weekend is a productive one.