Homegrown talent.
The Kia TFC Academy continues to develop youth players in hopes that in a few years they’ll be playing along side the likes of Sebastian Giovinco, Michael Bradley and local star Jonathan Osorio.
These academy athletes are the foundation of the club’s future success. Former Academy graduates such as Toronto FC defender Ashtone Morgan and Doneil Henry – who is now with West Ham United FC of the English Premier League – have established the path and set an example for those within the academy system.
The Kia TFC Academy Juniors have been tested against other MLS academies and some of the best international youth clubs in the world as a way to determine if they’re on the right path.
This past summer the Juniors travelled to Italy to participate in a well-regarded international tournament.
The team took on top international clubs in the group stage – Italian clubs Udinese Calcio, Inter Milan, and USD Gravis – and more than held their own.
The squad went undefeated in the group stage (1-0-2), beating Udinese 1-0 and finishing both matches against Inter Milan and USD Gravis with a 1-1 draw.
Although the team didn’t advance past the group stage – even after going undefeated – it was an impressive display by the boys against some tough European competition and showed that the academy continues to move in the right direction.
A few weeks ago the Juniors took part in the first round of the 2015 Generation adidas Cup qualifiers held at the Kia Training Grounds.
Led by Head Coach Danny Dichio, the future Reds picked up consecutive 2-1 victories against New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union but suffered a 2-1 loss in their final match against D.C. United.
The performance by the group in the GA Cup qualifiers caught the eye of Canada U-18 and U-20 Head Coach Rob Gale who was in attendance.
Eight players from the team were selected by Gale to participate in a 10-day U-18 development camp following the qualifiers: Gianluca Catalano, Brogan Engbers, Dante Campbell, Klaidi Cela, Jordan Faria, Marko Mandekic, Glenn Muenkat and Shaan Hundal.
Seven of the eight TFC Academy players selected have featured in the Canadian national youth program before with the exception of Mandekic who made his debut in the program.
Engbers and Cela had also received call-ups to Toronto FC II this past summer. Engbers played in a friendly match against Italian youth side A.S. Roma Primavera and Cela made a league appearance against USL Champions Rochester Rhinos.
Soon this group of homegrown talent will be knocking on the door of Toronto FC II as they continue to move up the ranks in hopes of following in the footsteps of Ashtone Morgan and Doneil Henry in putting on that coveted first team kit.
The future looks bright.
