Nashville SC youth academy rosters released for MLS NEXT Season

Nashville SC’s academy will begin competitive play for their inaugural season in MLS NEXT. The club will field U-13, U-14, U-15 and U-17 sides for the 2021 season as the club begins to develop homegrown talent to eventually supplement their senior roster. From the press release:

Nashville Soccer Club’s Youth Academy will begin play in their inaugural season in MLS NEXT with the 2021-22 campaign set to kickoff this weekend as the U-15 and U-17 side will take on Inter Miami CF’s Youth Academy.

Under the guidance of Jamie Smith, Nashville SC’s Technical Director, Nashville SC’s Youth Academy will participate in MLS NEXT a new paradigm for player development, launched in 2020 to transform youth soccer in North America.

Founded on a collaborative approach to governance and a commitment to innovation, MLS NEXT players have access to the highest level of competition, training and personal development opportunities that will prepare them for their futures, both in soccer and in life. Current membership includes 134 clubs, 590 teams and over 12,000 players across the U.S. and Canada.

“Jamie and his staff have worked so hard over the past year to prepare these players for the start of the MLS Next campaign, and we are excited to see the next generation of the Boys in Gold in action this weekend versus Inter Miami.” Nashville SC General Manager Mike Jacobs.

Smith brings a wealth of experience to Nashville SC’s Academy, both as a professional player for 14 years and a coach, having served as Academy Director and launched several Academy programs throughout the United States.

As Nashville SC Academy Director, Smith oversees the technical aspects of the Academy including player identification, curriculum, staff development, leadership and more.

Nashville announced Jamie Smith as their academy director in October 2019, and the upcoming MLS NEXT season will be the first tangible look at the on-field product he’s produced. Smith has assembled a group of four teams, largely with players from the Middle Tennessee area.

U-13 Squad

Coach – Kosuke Kimura

U-14 Team

Coach – Alan O’Connor

U-15 Team

Coach – Kyle Roelke

U-17 Team

Coach – Kyle Flanagan

Of the 90 players on academy teams, 91% come from Tennessee, with 14 players brought from out of state areas. 52 players hail from the Middle Tennessee area. Tennessee Soccer Club is the highest representative, with 22 players coming from their system.

Nashville SC’s full MLS NEXT schedule can be viewed here.

Author: Ben Wrightis the Director of Soccer Content and a Senior MLS Contributor for Broadway Sports covering Nashville SC and the US National Team. Previously Ben was the editor and a founder of Speedway Soccer, where he has covered Nashville SC and their time in USL before journeying to Major League Soccer since 2018. Raised in Louisville, KY Ben grew up playing before a knee injury ended his competitive career. When he is not talking soccer he is probably producing music, drinking coffee or hanging out with his wife and kids. Mastodon

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