The Minnesota United Development Academy will take another major step forward next season when it adds an Academy Residential program for players from outside of the local market to its existing programming. The program will allow MNUFC to expand its influence across state lines, and similar programs across MLS have proven critical for a club’s long-term success.
The addition of a residency program will allow Minnesota United to supplement their in-market recruiting efforts with highly talented out-of-state players with a desire to develop in a professional environment.
“Residency is a key component of our Academy’s long-term strategy and is critical to achieving our mission of developing players for our first team,” said Academy Director Tim Carter.
MNUFC will partner with the International School of Minnesota in Eden Prairie, Minnesota to provide an outstanding academic environment for Academy players in the residency program. According to Carter, selecting the right academic environment was an important consideration while designing the residency program and based on his 10-plus years of building, directing and coaching in residential programs, he believes incoming players will benefit from their experience at ISM.
“Ensuring that the academic program would provide these soccer student-athletes with a quality education was extremely important to us,” said Carter. “We witnessed first-hand the care and attention ISM provides each student and that made us very comfortable in establishing this partnership.”
Establishing a residency program gives MNUFC the ability to bring in players from all open territories across the country. This will benefit both the MNUFC Academy and the players who are looking for a professional environment that may not exist in their home community. The residency program can change the course of young players’ lives for the better and allow them to be a part of Minnesota United’s growing organization.
Minnesota has already received a commitment from its first out-of-market recruit for the 2018-19 year. Spots in the residency are highly competitive. Several players are currently being evaluated for selection. Out-of-market players interested in trying out should sign up for player trials by clicking here.
