With its five-man coaching staff all laid off or furloughed this week, Minnesota United's MLS-mandated youth academy is being reimagined and not discontinued, Loons Chief Soccer Officer Manny Lagos said Friday.
Tim Carter, director of the youth academy, was one of those let go.
The club will join MLS' new elite academy league that is still being envisioned after the 13-year-old U.S. Soccer Federation's development academy folded in April, citing financial issues created by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Loons' academy has 80-plus players in four age groups. They have been told to train with their local club teams while the MLS academy league — and Minnesota United's place in it — is being determined.
Other MLS academy teams have inquired about some current Loons academy players. Lagos said academy players will be encouraged to play with their high school teams this fall if the MLS academy league hasn't moved forward by then. Decisions on high school-level sports are expected later next month.
"We don't want kids to miss out on anything with training or development," Lagos said.
MLS plans for its new academy league will let the Loons "figure out what the best program and pathway is" for their youth players, Lagos said.
Lagos, who became responsible for youth development as part of a management restructuring last fall, spoke Friday about a five- to 10-year plan. He envisions a club that he said is more "collaborative" with all Minnesota soccer club teams and one that adapts to the state's unique conditions, challenges and "creates more access for soccer for all."
