Montverde Academy will run part of Orlando City's DA program
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Jan 9, 2018
Orlando City players will gain access to SIMA’s on-site residency programs for student-athletes and use its academic programs. The Lions' girls teams and the boys U-12 through U-14 groups will remain the same and continue to use Sylvan Lake Park facilities in Sanford.
“This is an entirely new strategy designed to increase and grow the overall investment in our Development Academy, while offering our younger players the best development opportunities,” Orlando City CEO Alex Leitao said. “SIMA is an accomplished program with a consistent track record of producing top young talents and exceptional young adults.”
Montverde is well known for its basketball program. Its soccer program has sent three players directly to MLS clubs: Cameroonians Hassan Ndam (New York Red Bulls) and Monday Etim (LAFC) and Brazilian Matheus Silva (formerly San Jose Earthquakes). Other players have signed with clubs across Europe.
Orlando City first-team assistant coach and academy technical director Bobby Murphy will work with SIMA director Mike Potempa.
“Our residential capabilities," said Potempa, "will allow us to implement a domestic scouting network to attract the best youth talents throughout the U.S. for a world-class education in the classroom and superior training environment with our technical staff on the field. I believe this is the ideal model of youth soccer development necessary to make a major global impact.”
