As the Seattle Sounders ramp up their preseason preparations down in Tucson, Ariz., the training camp has a distinct local influence. Homegrown Players Jordan Morris, Henry Wingo, Seyi Adekoya and Handwalla Bwana are joined by four more Sounders Academy products in S2 standouts Sam Rogers and Azriel Gonzalez, as well as current Academy players Khai Brisco, Dylan Teves and Ray Serrano.
For the second consecutive season, the First Team coaching staff has opted to integrate some of the top talents from the youth system into the professional ranks, inviting eight youth players for the first phase of preseason. This exposure is critical for accelerating the development of young players who hold ambitions of one day pulling on the Rave Green jersey and playing in front of a packed crowd at CenturyLink Field.
Moreover, it’s critical in cultivating a culture where talented local players can rise through the ranks on the merits of their hard work and ability.
“If you look at most successful clubs around the globe, a big part of their success and winning culture is the promotion of young players from within the system,” said Sounders FC Director of Player Development and Academy Director Marc Nicholls. “These players understand what the club stands for, what it’s about, and can continue that winning spirit.”
While Rogers and Gonzalez are hoping to impress the coaching staff so they can garner additional First Team call-ups in the coming season, Brisco and Serrano are aiming to cement their places in the club’s long-term plans.
So far, the Academy staff has received glowing evaluations from their First Team counterparts.
“The feedback [from First Team coaches] has been very positive,” said Nicholls. “I think everybody appreciated the fitness, work ethic and attitude of the young players. But most importantly, the First Team staff have commented positively on their quality as players.”
Now that the club is in phase two of its preparations ahead of the 2018 MLS campaign, the likes of Rogers, Gonzalez, Serrano and Brisco will continue to compete alongside established professionals and national team legends. It’s the type of learning experience that can’t be recreated in a classroom or an Academy training session.
For Brisco, a 17-year-old center back who has made the transition to right back this season, the opportunity to learn from one of the league’s most technically gifted outside backs, Kelvin Leerdam, is immeasurable.
Nicholls added: “For Khai to learn from someone like Kelvin, who grew up in Holland where there’s a major emphasis on technical development and tactical understanding, being in an environment like that, and being able to watch Kelvin up close and speak to him and learn from him, it’s as valuable as any possible experience. It's the optimal learning experience.”
Serrano, an inventive and creative attacking player, can further his development by absorbing information from players like Nicolas Lodeiro and Clint Dempsey, a player whose style the young Sounder tries to emulate.
“It’s a very special moment for Ray,” said Nicholls. “Those players are extremely talented and for Ray, he’s fluent in Spanish so he’s able to speak with Victor and Nico and pick their brains.
“The First Team players and coaches are creating a fantastic environment for our boys.”
This weekend, the First Team will play a pair of friendlies against the Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew. For the young Sounders, these matches present an opportunity to apply the lessons they’ve gleaned from First Team players to a match setting. In particular, Gonzalez might just get a chance to showcase his quality in front of goal, a trait that has greatly impressed the coaching staff throughout preseason.
“It’s obviously great that four of the boys have been invited to continue with the First Team in Tucson,” said Nicholls. “The team has some friendly matches this week, so it will be really interesting if the boys are able to earn some minutes.”
With four players, who have an average age of 16.5-years-old, turning so many heads in preseason, it’s safe to say that the future of the First Team is incredibly bright.
