Youth Soccer News: LA Galaxy and West Coast Futbol Club Seek to Change the Future of Youth Soccer

In another example of Major League Soccer’s commitment to developing youth players in America, LA Galaxy and West Coast Futbol Club (WCFC) have joined together to create a partnership that the two organizations believe will help change the future of youth soccer. The partnership will provide unparalleled opportunities for Orange County youth to reach new levels in the game, and possibly open doors for a select few to become professionals.

As 2011 MLS Cup Champions, LA Galaxy have set new standards on the field for youth players to emulate. WCFS is a premier youth soccer program dedicated to helping players to excel and achieve excellence in the sport of soccer. The partnership will allow WCFC and LA Galaxy coaches to work together to develop elite athletes and teams, while creating common curriculum and methodology for development. The program will provide a single organization with the best staff, facilities, resources, methods and opportunities to help players perform at the highest level in all facets of the game.

"The Galaxy Academy is excited about this partnership with West Coast Futbol Club,” said LA Galaxy Academy Senior Director Chris Klein. “This is the second partnership we’ve now formed and the first with a club in Orange County. West Coast FC has an excellent reputation and is committed to developing the next generation of soccer players." LA Galaxy previously partnered with South Bay Force in a similar program last year.

Related Article: Chris Klein One-on-One Interview on LA Galaxy Academy

WCFC coaches Oliver Wyss and Mike Lane helped to develop the partnership, along with Klein and others with LA Galaxy Academy. Wyss, WCFC Boys’ Program Director, has been with the club since its inception in 1997. Under his leadership the club has grown to be one of the top programs in the country, with the 2009 BU14 team becoming the first WCFC team to win Nationals. Mike Lane, Vice President of Boys Program and Boys Goalkeeping Coach, has brought to the club a background that includes experience at the high school and collegiate levels.

“We look forward to developing elite players who have the potential to become professionals,” said Wyss about the new partnership. “We are looking forward to increasing the quality of the talent in our program by working together with LA Galaxy.”

One of the primary objectives created by this partnership will be for WCFC and LA Galaxy Academy to identify and develop Orange County area players who can make an impact as professionals at the Los Angeles Galaxy. This goal will be achieved by implementing a unified philosophy and working on a common goal for all different age levels.

The program will not just benefit players hoping to make soccer a career. “There are many soccer players whose goal is a college scholarship and not to play professional soccer,” Klein said. “I think this type of partnership will impact the top level of the elite players.”

Through this collaboration, the clubs look to create a pathway for WCFC players to join LA Galaxy trainings and games with little or no adjustments to the style of play. “This will be the greatest accomplishment we have had as a club,” Wyss said. “We feel humble and proud to have been selected by the best club in the MLS for this partnership.”

WCFC already has an impressive structure, with over 45 competitive club teams, an Academy program and a Women’s W-League team. “Selecting a club is a careful process,” Klein explained. “We felt very comfortable partnering with West Coast. I have known their Director of Coaching, Oliver Wyss, for years and respect him very highly. West Cost Football Club is well-respected and has been well run for over 15 years.”

As plans continue to develop, WCFC and LA Galaxy will begin to implement the elements of the program. Currently no other club partnerships are planned for the immediate future, but Klein did not rule anything out. “There is no set timetable on this.”

WCFC is one of the most unique youth soccer clubs in Southern California.  In addition to 45+ competitive youth teams playing in the SCSDL, the WCFC organization can take players all the way from our Youth Academy through College and Professional level of play.

LA Galaxy Academy is dedicated to being the USA’s best soccer Academy and helping young players achieve their goals in soccer. The Academy works to develope elite athletes and teams by providing an organization of the best people, facilities, resources, methods and opportunities.

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