Plantation Eagles FC

Eagles Form Partnership with Miami FC

Miami FC, Kendall Soccer Coalition (Kendall SC), and Plantation Eagles SC recently signed an umbrella partnership to develop youth soccer in South Florida anchored by their joint initiative to field the Miami FC Kendall U-16 and U-18 teams as the only representatives from the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale metropolitan area in the new Development Academy program.

The Development Academy is a program instituted by U.S. Soccer this year to enhance the development environment for elite boys soccer players - ages U-16 through U-18 - throughout the country by setting minimum training standards and providing a structured competition among especially selected clubs from across the United States. The sixty-four clubs chosen for the inaugural 30-match season had begun Academy league play on October 4, 2007 with a kick-off showcase tournament at the Home Depot Center in California.

Given that Miami FC was actively planning to launch its own youth divisions and the close ties that already existed between the professional club and Kendall SC, when U.S. Soccer selected the nationally renowned youth club to be the single representative from Miami-Dade County in the Development Academy, the two organizations decided it would be mutually beneficial to join forces in order to recruit, coach and field the best possible U-16 and U-18 Academy teams. Plantation Eagles SC, who have an existing program partnership with Kendall SC, have also been instrumental in helping the Development Academy program reach youth players from the Broward County area. These Academy teams play under the name of “Miami FC Kendall” and wear the official Miami FC uniforms and apparel.

“This partnership is a natural. Miami FC is committed to developing soccer at all levels. As is the case with major soccer clubs around the world, one of the keys to doing so is creating a club structure that begins at the youth level and culminates at the professional level,” said Aaron Davidson, President of Miami FC. “Youth soccer and professional soccer have primarily developed on parallel tracks in the United States and one of the primary objectives of the Academy is precisely to bridge this gap between youth and professional soccer in this country. The Miami FC– Kendall SC – Plantation SC partnership represents our first effort to bridge this gap in South Florida.”

Miami FC’s contributions to the partnership include financial support, coaching assistance, sales and marketing services and other resources. The financial support will be allocated primarily towards the significant costs of the Academy in an effort to reduce the financial burden on the players and their families, and ensure that the best possible youth soccer prospects are able to participate. The other contributions will be made available to Kendall SC and Plantation Eagles SC teams of all ages, levels and abilities.

The partner youth clubs will actively promote their partnership with Miami FC including, for example, displaying signage at their respective club facilities, and wearing a Miami FC patch prominently on the sleeves of their recreational and competitive team jerseys.

“This partnership with Miami FC will provide us with important resources to take our program to the next level,” stated Marcos Fernández, President of Kendall SC. “Miami FC’s contributions and active participation in Kendall SC will give our club an unprecedented support base and inspire our members to believe that they can one day play at the highest levels of the sport in our country, including professional soccer.”

Kendall SC’s proven track record developing collegiate and professional talent earned them the special recognition from the U.S. Soccer Federation as one of the inaugural Development Academy clubs. In addition to the more than 30 high school seniors who graduated last year and are now playing college soccer, three former members of the club advanced to play professionally in the United States during the last year: Nicolas Mosquera and Luis Calix signed with Miami FC and U-20 US National Team member Bryan Arguez, was drafted in the first round of the MLS Draft. Several other Kendall SC members have also played in the past year with US National and Regional youth teams.

“This is yet another step in the development of Miami FC and our relationship with Kendall SC. Our partnership shows how professional teams and youth clubs can come together in very positive ways for the good of soccer,” added Luiz Muzzi, GM of Miami FC. “We are confident that this relationship will help both of our organizations tremendously as Kendall SC looks to build on its long-time success in youth soccer and Miami FC looks to assist in developing future soccer professionals. We believe that our joint efforts will increase the likelihood of producing future pros such as Nico and Calix, who have made an impact as rookies for Miami FC after coming through the Kendall SC program.”

Victor Pastora, Kendall SC’s Director of Coaches and Assistant Coach of Miami FC, commented, “This is a genuine partnership. The participating clubs are coming together with a common mission to develop soccer in the US from the ground up. I have been working for both Kendall SC and Miami FC over the past couple of years and am confident that this partnership provides a foundation to establish a fully integrated soccer pyramid in South Florida that will produce some of the best and most well-rounded soccer talents in the country.”

“This is truly a unique partnership amongst the professional team and the top youth clubs in South Florida. We saw the opportunity to unite around the new U.S. Soccer Development Academy and have done so in a way that benefits all of us and soccer in general. The U.S. Soccer Development Academy aims to bring the best players together and this partnership will ensure that the best of South Florida participate,” said Mike Rowan, Director of Plantation Eagles SC.

Juan Carlos Michia, USSF Region III Men’s National Staff Coach, commented, “This is an exemplary partnership. Miami FC and Kendall Soccer Coalition had the mutual respect for each other and the vision to jointly create what I anticipate will be one of the most competitive teams at the U-16 and U-18 age groups in the Academy.”