Chivas USA, which folded after the 2014 season, had one of the MLS’s most ambitious youth programs. Its U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams are still in action through next summer. What happens toits players remains unclear. “We have no clarity to this day,” Chivas USA U-14 coach Brian Kleiban told Liviu Bird. “Right now, we’re in the dark.Supposedly, in the next coming weeks, we’ll have answers. From what I’ve been told directly, MLS is pushing hard for it to continue. I don’t know exactly what that means, but they’re pushing on theirend. U.S. Soccer has told me the same thing.” Possibilities for Chivas USA in the near future include playing under the league or federation banner. The academy’s uncertain future came as partof MLS buying the Chivas USA franchise and contracting it, to be replaced by LAFC in 2017.
“I’d like to say that given the opportunity, I think I could duplicate this product at the highest levels.”Brian has thrown down the gauntlet. It would be daring if Sunil and JK took him up on it.
Brian and his brother Gary have been leading the charge for innovative youth player development for years, US Soccer and MLS need to step up!