The extraordinary range of Alecko Eskandarian’s soccer experiences dates back the old NASL — his father played for the Cosmos – and includes college ball, winning an MLS Cup, serving as an MLS club’s youth technical director, and coaching in the new NASL. “Among my earliest memories is sitting on my mom’s lap watching my dad’s Cosmos team play,” says the 39-year-old Eskandarian, who is now MLS’s Director of Player Relations/Player Development. The launch of MLS Next, which last month concluded its first season with playoffs and a showcase in Frisco, Texas, added another dimension to his job. We spoke to Eskandarian about MLS’s youth movement and a childhood that included kicking around with World Cup stars and meeting future U.S. stars while working his first job, at his father’s soccer supply shop.
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