Professional - MLS

Portland Timbers sign Academy star Marco Farfan as Homegrown Player

The Portland Timbers today announced the signing of 17-year-old academy defender Marco Farfan as an MLS Homegrown Player for the 2017 season.

Real Salt Lake breaks ground on new training facility, youth academy

Real Salt Lake broke ground on a $50-million multi-purpose training facility and charter school for Academy players on Tuesday in Herriman, Utah.

Q&A pt. 2: D.C. United’s Nolan Sheldon talks fees, DA, more

In the second part of our Q&A with D.C. United academy director Nolan Sheldon, we discuss a range of topics, including the United's academy residential program at the Calverton School in Huntingtown, Maryland, the growing divide between MLS and non-MLS clubs in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and the sore subject of the annual fees that D.C. still charge many of their DA players.

Q&A: D.C. United academy’s Nolan Sheldon on Homegrowns, much more

This month D.C. United's youth academy reconvened to begin preparations for the 2016/17 season, which kicks off with matches for the club's five U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams on Sept. 3. Last week academy director Nolan Sheldon was kind enough to sit down for a detailed conversation with SoccerWire.com about D.C.'s mindset, methodology and expectations for the season ahead. Here is part 1 of our far-ranging chat; the second part will run next week.

Pipeline repair: Why Chris Durkin picked D.C. United over Europe

Looks can be deceiving in soccer. Chris Durkin's baby face matches his tender age of 16, but his 6-foot frame, calm demeanor and cultured passing range give the impression of a much older talent. And though he's only been a full professional for a few weeks now, D.C. United's newest Homegrown has already blown up a few other shallow impressions, too.

Atlanta United up the ante with Andrew Carleton Homegrown signing

On Thursday Atlanta United FC marked another milestone on their impressive ramp-up from expansion concept to instant contenders, announcing the signing of U.S. youth national team prodigy Andrew Carleton, age 15, to a Homegrown player contract. SoccerWire's Charles Boehm investigates what's happening down in Georgia.

Portland Timbers add Boise Nationals SC as youth partner club

The Portland Timbers have announced the addition of the Boise Nationals Soccer Club (BNSC) as part of the “adidas Timbers Alliance,” a strategic partnership with elite local youth clubs in the Timbers’ development territory, designed to build unique working relationships and development opportunities to help channel the top youth players towards the Timbers’ development programs and the Timbers Academy.

City of San Jose, Earthquakes move forward on new youth fields complex