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En Route: USA U-17s Talk MLS
Luis Gil and Jack McInerney talk about their future development in the league.
Mar 3, 2010 9:09:00 PM
By J.R. Eskilson
Historically, MLS has not been regarded as a premiere league for youth player development. The lack of a reserve league, the infancy of the youth programs, and the limited rosters make player development an afterthought for clubs. However, almost every year there are a few U.S. U-17 players that make the jump from youth residency to professional soccer.
This year, three new youth national team players have entered the the league, Luis Gil, Jack McInerney, and Zac Herold. Goal.com talked to Gil and McInerney about MLS and youth soccer. Herold was unavailable for comment.
While the potential is there for all three of them, Gil and McInerney are realistic about their chances for success during their rookie campaigns.
“I am joining the league champions. I am here to develop as a player. If the coach thinks I am ready, then that is great, but I don’t think I will see many minutes in my first season.” Luis Gil told Goal.com in a phone interview on Wednesday.
His former youth teammate, McInerney, is joining a much different situation with the expansion club, Philadelphia Union.
McInerney's plans weren’t much different, though, from his U17 peer. “My expectations are just to get into as many games as possible, and learn from the veterans, taking in whatever I can get out of them.
Both players came from the U.S. Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida. McInerney said, “When I was invited to be a part of the Residency Program at the age of 14, I realized I could be playing soccer as a job. So I worked real hard to prepare myself well for the professional level.”
He went on to say that the national team staff “treated us like professionals, so I was already familiar with the type of environment a preseason would demand.”
Gil said that “soccer wise, (preseason with Real Salt Lake) is a huge step forward, now that you are playing with grown men.”
Neither let the potential of a lock-out in their rookie season affect their decision to sign with the league.
Gil stated that he “doesn’t anticipate any of that.”
McInerney explained that “It didn’t affect my decision at all. I’ve always dreamed of playing professional soccer and I’m just really happy that I’ve been given the chance to do that.”
McInerney also had the opportunity to enjoy the SuperDraft in Philadelphia. “The SuperDraft experience was a unique and a very exciting one. I’ve never been in a situation like that; and I knew that wherever I did end up is where I would be starting my career.”
He added that he was very happy to play under Coach Peter Nowak, “and the rest of the coaching members, and I’m really looking forward to the beginning of the season.”
With the lack of a reserve league, and limited opportunities for the youngsters to prove themselves, pre-season training and friendlies are a crucial time for Gil and McInerney to showcase their abilities.
McInerney noted, “We’ve been training hard and I’ve been learning many things not only from Coach Nowak, but the players. So yes, it’s tough, but I’m enjoying every second of it.”
Gil added that with the lack of playing time potentially, there has been discussion about loaning him out.
While previous youth national team players have not been terribly successful in the league, it is easy to argue that these talents are a special case.
U.S. U-20 head coach Thomas Rongen told Goal.com during the December camp that he believes Luis Gil can survive at this level “because of his good tactical ability to buy a little time on the ball.”
With both Gil and McInerney, it might just be a matter of time before they can break through to that next level, but they both seem to have the right mindset heading into their rookie campaigns.
J.R. Eskilson is the youth editor at goal.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/NCAAsoccer
Become a fan of Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything the related to the beautiful game
This year, three new youth national team players have entered the the league, Luis Gil, Jack McInerney, and Zac Herold. Goal.com talked to Gil and McInerney about MLS and youth soccer. Herold was unavailable for comment.
While the potential is there for all three of them, Gil and McInerney are realistic about their chances for success during their rookie campaigns.
“I am joining the league champions. I am here to develop as a player. If the coach thinks I am ready, then that is great, but I don’t think I will see many minutes in my first season.” Luis Gil told Goal.com in a phone interview on Wednesday.
His former youth teammate, McInerney, is joining a much different situation with the expansion club, Philadelphia Union.
McInerney's plans weren’t much different, though, from his U17 peer. “My expectations are just to get into as many games as possible, and learn from the veterans, taking in whatever I can get out of them.
Both players came from the U.S. Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida. McInerney said, “When I was invited to be a part of the Residency Program at the age of 14, I realized I could be playing soccer as a job. So I worked real hard to prepare myself well for the professional level.”
He went on to say that the national team staff “treated us like professionals, so I was already familiar with the type of environment a preseason would demand.”
Gil said that “soccer wise, (preseason with Real Salt Lake) is a huge step forward, now that you are playing with grown men.”
Neither let the potential of a lock-out in their rookie season affect their decision to sign with the league.
Gil stated that he “doesn’t anticipate any of that.”
McInerney explained that “It didn’t affect my decision at all. I’ve always dreamed of playing professional soccer and I’m just really happy that I’ve been given the chance to do that.”
McInerney also had the opportunity to enjoy the SuperDraft in Philadelphia. “The SuperDraft experience was a unique and a very exciting one. I’ve never been in a situation like that; and I knew that wherever I did end up is where I would be starting my career.”
He added that he was very happy to play under Coach Peter Nowak, “and the rest of the coaching members, and I’m really looking forward to the beginning of the season.”
With the lack of a reserve league, and limited opportunities for the youngsters to prove themselves, pre-season training and friendlies are a crucial time for Gil and McInerney to showcase their abilities.
McInerney noted, “We’ve been training hard and I’ve been learning many things not only from Coach Nowak, but the players. So yes, it’s tough, but I’m enjoying every second of it.”
Gil added that with the lack of playing time potentially, there has been discussion about loaning him out.
While previous youth national team players have not been terribly successful in the league, it is easy to argue that these talents are a special case.
U.S. U-20 head coach Thomas Rongen told Goal.com during the December camp that he believes Luis Gil can survive at this level “because of his good tactical ability to buy a little time on the ball.”
With both Gil and McInerney, it might just be a matter of time before they can break through to that next level, but they both seem to have the right mindset heading into their rookie campaigns.
J.R. Eskilson is the youth editor at goal.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/NCAAsoccer
Become a fan of Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything the related to the beautiful game
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