90 American Youth Soccer Players Participate in One of the Most Elite Youth Soccer Tournaments in Europe
Bringing together many of the world’s top youth soccer teams, the MICFootball 2024 was held from March 27th to 31st at the Costa Brava. Four of America’s EA’s Six Teams advanced top their groups while playing against some of the most recognized football clubs in the world.
In March 2024, the Elite Academy Talent ID Program embarked on its second year of international competition. Known as one of the top leagues for boys in the USA, the EA league is also widely recognized for Talent ID – its player scouting and identification program. This year, the EA Talent ID program selected players from all across its teams to travel to Spain for the prestigious Mediterranean International Cup, often known as the MIC. These player ID efforts resulted in six of the EA top clubs traveling overseas with talented players born between 2011 and 2008 to test their abilities at the MIC.
Held in Costa Brava, Spain, these six EA Talent ID teams faced off against professional academies from legendary European clubs in the MIC and four EA teams soared to the top of their groups; 2011 Red, 2010 Blue, 2010 Red, and 2009 in the prestigious youth soccer event.
The MIC tournament, often dubbed the “Youth Champions League,” serves as a melting pot of talent where young footballers, aged between 8 to 19 come from all over the world to take on top Clubs such as FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Boca Juniors to name a few.
First kicked off in 2001, the MIC tournament celebrates the shared passion for the game and has evolved into a global event, attracting teams from over 50 countries. Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., Gavi, Pedri, Brahim Diaz, and many other super stars have cemented this youth soccer tournament’s reputation of a proving ground for young football stars.
Throughout the year, the EA Talent ID initiative handpicks top-performing players across various age groups from every club within the youth soccer league. Through showcase events in the US and collaborative efforts with EA’s Academy Directors, a meticulous approach is taken to construct teams, considering positional requirements, essential player attributes, and impactful personalities.
This year, the EA Talent ID led by Dave Carver and Eddie Henderson scouted all EA teams U13- U14 along with U15 – U16 before selecting the players who would travel to compete in Spain. The players they identified within the EA are recognized as some of the best in the USA. U.S. Soccer should take notice of EA’s initiatives and talent pool.
EA has brought over top elite players from within the league and showcased they can compete with the world’s best.
Eddie Henderson
“The MIC tournament is one of the greatest events on the planet due to competition, format, environment, and overall education for the player,” says EA’s Talent ID Scout and Head Coach, Dave Carver. “By playing and coaching in this event you immediately understand the international elements of the game. We look forward to continuing to elevate players and competing in MIC as it is a top platform to showcase talent.“
With the attitude that #EVERYGAMECOUNTS, the EA is raising the level of the youth game in the USA and providing international experiences for its top players selected through the Talent ID. Over the last few years, the EA has competed against Barcelona, Juventus, Man city, Atlético Madrid, FC Porto to name a few of the top professional academies.
Read more: Mediterranean International Cup: A Spectacle of Youth Football in Spain
This EA process selecting those who participates entails a comprehensive journey starting from their identification, followed by virtual preparation, pre-tournament training, and friendly matches. It also focuses on team building, fostering a cohesive team dynamic both on and off the field, ultimately enhancing learning and increasing team chemistry.
“The EA is comprised of top Clubs throughout the country with very talented players. But the EA goes above and beyond by providing those top clubs and players a Talent ID program that delivers top national and international exposure,” said Eddie Henderson, EA National Director. “Through our EA Talent ID program, players have competed in MIC Cup going against clubs such as Juventus, Man City, Athletico Madrid and Barcelona! These opportunities make the EA one of the top youth soccer leagues for boys in the country.” Henderson is also the EA Talent ID Director.
Mauricio Simms from Barca Academy in Casa Grande, Arizona says, “The opportunity to compete in the Mediterranean International Cup and showcase EA’s world-class players, who develop in the Elite Academy League environment, is clear proof of the league’s commitment to providing access for the young talent, and its commitment to building a culture of excellence for advancing US youth soccer domestically and abroad.”
“The EA is one of the top boys leagues in the country because they align their programming with the desires and needs of their member clubs,” says Jon Scoles, Executive Director of Diablo Valley Futbol Club. “The EA provides players a platform to showcase their abilities on not just a national stage, but also on an international stage through their Talent ID program. It has been great working with the EA and I look forward to seeing the league continue to grow and succeed.”
“The exposure to top coaching, training with elite players, and playing in the greater Barcelona area is an experience unique to what the Elite Academy offers to its players who have serious aspirations to play at the highest level of the beautiful game,” adds Simms.
EA players competing in the MIC were from all across America and enjoyed being immersed in the European culture and seeing first hand how European football players, fans and their entire communities adore the sport.
In the playoff rounds, thousands of people pack into township stadiums to cheer at these high level youth matches. Crowds chanted, coaches problem solved and players battled in this special environment that pushes youth players to test their skills in the game which have not done before.
“You see players literally develop and mature in front of your eyes from each day to the next,” says Carver.
This event has some of the best clubs in all of a Europe and really allows us to evaluate the EA talent.
There is no question the EA has started to not only earn respect but it has attracted major international clubs interested in players.
EA Talent ID’s Coaching Staff for the 2024 MIC Football Tournament:
- Jon Scoles, Diablo Valley
- Eddie Henderson, Surf Washington
- Dave Carver, Boulder County
- Joel Chalkey, Indy Premier
- Chris Mchaffey, Atlanta Fire
- Sam Nicholson , Laguna United
2011 Blue Roster: Emmanuel Games Argueta, Justin Vikash, Caden Johnson, Matte Abutin, Nosa Osagie, Jayden King, Axel Ruiz, Everett Bateman, Brayden Shen, Dylan Galvin, Blake Bayer, Cody Morrison, Jameson Pace, William Schroeder.
2011 Red Roster: Karim Kurd, Xavi Garcia, Brian Cerna Rios, Torin Wallace, Carson Starrett, Andrew Pancardo, Luis Isaias Hernandez, Axel Reynoso, Mario Martinez, Nathan Lamb, Sam Powell, Knox Napoe, Tyler Tabukum, Isaiah Yeboah, Lucas Wood, Will Pierre.
2010 Blue Roster: Alexandr Rodriguez, Lam Hoang, Adan Hernandez, Jayden Ramirez, Theo Larsen, Michael Bustos, Ari Benjamin, Liam O’Munneke, Mathew Garcia, Nicco Zuccarro, Beckham Mahaffey, George Soeffker, Luke Kraus, Joseph Weidner.
2010 Red Roster: Jackson Kaufman, Mathew Guevara, Aldo Damian-Moran, Jonathan Olivo, Joel Rivera, Brady Dang, Connor Sarigul, Jovanny Lizardi, Eli Millner, Emanuel Recinos, Lucas Turasz, Emerson Altman, Cyrus Shrestha (2009), Lucas Diaz (2009), Zachary Eynon.
2009 Roster: Sasha Amiri, Johan Cifuentes Leiva, Will Perelman, Ousmane Ndiaye, Caelan Eaton, Saajan Northrup, William Doman, Daniel Pickett, William “Wils” Levy, Siraj Alsaghrji, Juan Molina, Vincent Pelle, Ashton Wood, Gavin Grantham, Davis Scott.
2008 Roster: Zack Wisan, Dominic Toro, Angel Eduardo Flores, Aiden Hale, Austin Rabadan, Lennox Moua, Kai Schrepfer, Isaiah Randall, Jarren Merced, Macallister Curran, Greg Gonzalez, Dixon “Kauila” Kapuniai, Patrick McCarthy, Majd Fakhouri, Emiliano Gomez Cuesta, Miguel Angel Martinez, Quinn Bateman
