Mike Matkovich is currently Assistant Coach of Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. In addition, he continues his role as Director of Operations for the Chicago Magic one of America’s top youth programs. PSG International asks Mike questions regarding his views on issues facing youth soccer and its relationship to Major League Soccer.
1. Mike, you are currently working in the MLS as an assistant coach for FC Toronto. Prior to that position you were a Director of Coaching for one of America’s top youth clubs, The Chicago Magic. From that standpoint are America’s youth clubs doing enough with young players to develop the environment where talented players can become professional athletes?
A. First, although I am the assistant coach here in Toronto, I have retained my relationship with the Magic, as the Director of Soccer Operations, which allows me to stay in contact with, and help manage, the club.
To answer your question, I think that, yes, there are youth clubs in the US that do a tremendous job of creating a good environment for talented players. Obviously, there are some better than others, but I feel the top, top clubs are doing a good job.
2. Cleary in terms of a comparison of the club youth system, (not including pro clubs) America does very well in terms of structure, quality of coaching and administration. However, this is usually linked to the high fees that players and their families pay to be part of a club. What solutions do you see in the future for the club environment in offering a more affordable environment for youth players?
A. The first part of the solution is for the clubs to generate sponsorship dollars from corporate America, which is not always the easiest thing to do.
The other part of the solution is for the US system to come in line with the rest of the world so that it is the players, rather than the teams, that are the assets. Youth clubs would then be able to focus more acutely on player development, knowing that they can sell the players on to professional clubs, and then reinvest the revenue back into their development program.
3. Youth clubs for the vast majority are administered by boards of directors. There is no doubt that the environment is political when you have parents of the youth players being the voting decision makers on boards. Is it appropriate to have parents as members of boards of clubs where their children play?
A. Our philosophy is that decisions within a soccer club should be made by soccer people. There is an obvious conflict of interest when parents are board members of the club that their child plays for, which can lead to decisions being made with short term, rather than long term, interests in mind. Parents who have had children go through the club soccer system would benefit, and impact, the game if they served as board members after their children are done playing, using the experiences they have had to make key decisions.
4. Youth players spend vast amounts of money and time traveling to tournaments each year. Many high level teams will play 10 plus tournaments each year on the road. It is clearly not ideal for any youth player to travel a thousand miles and then to play 3- 5 games over a two day period. Do you think the allure of new regional leagues by USYSA, US Club and Super Y League will help to diminish the emphasis on expensive travel to tournaments, and should clubs place a high importance on the development of these leagues?
A. Yes, the new leagues have diminished the importance and need to spend money traveling to tournaments throughout the year. Most of the top clubs have already moved away from tournament hopping and trophy chasing.
5. Should a particular youth club (DOC) develop a set system or style of play for that club or should it be left individually to the coach to coach the team as he/she determines? Did the Chicago Magic have a consistent club formation/style of play?
A. At the Magic, we believe in having a “club” environment, where there is consistency, in all aspects, of what we do with the players. We believe that it is crucial for development that there is a common philosophy running through the club, and that coaches are not out on their own island, with no direction or accountability.
6. Did you have a college placement program at The Chicago Magic? If players make the grade to play in college is the college system a good developmental system for players to graduate to The MLS?
A. Yes, we have a College Assistance Program (CAP) with Magic. There are many college programs that do a great job of preparing and developing players for the MLS and other professional experiences.
7. The MLS Clubs have now started developing their own youth systems and ‘Academies.’ Are these Academies free for selected players? What is the importance of these professional club Academies to offer these programs and more importantly for free?
A. I know of a few MLS Academies that are free for the players; however, I would not like to speak for the majority of the teams, because each one is different. It is important that the costs to play in the professional club Academies are as low as possible.
8. It seems as MLS clubs have an agenda to offer youth programs and Academies is there a consistent structure, such as a particular league that all teams play in? Will they compete against each other on a regular basis?
A. With the advent of the USSF Academy Program, and the incentive that MLS clubs now have in developing their own players, there is a positive agenda for the MLS clubs offer youth programs. Through the USSF Academy Program, the MLS academy teams will compete against other MLS teams, as well as the top youth clubs from around the country.
9. With that said, can the MLS Academies offer a better program than some of the country’s top youth programs, such as The Dallas Texans, Sereno Golden Eagles, Arsenal FC, Slammers, Chicago Magic and so on?
A. Like all clubs, the success of the MLS Academies depend on who is running the Academies and what their philosophies are.
10. I recently read on mission statement at Blackburn Rovers Youth Academy. It stated the mission of their academy was first and foremost to develop players for the first team at Blackburn Rovers. Is this going to be the first and foremost goal of The MLS youth academies?
A. It should be, yes. The MLS teams now have the first right to draft players they have developed, so there is a major incentive to focus on player development.
11. How important is it for youth teams to experience international travel and competition. What do you see as some of the benefits to international travel and competition?
A. In my opinion, experiencing international travel and competition is fundamental to player development. The benefits are many. First, to go to countries where the people live and breathe the game is a unique experience. Also, the experience of seeing the soccer culture within clubs, teams, and players in a foreign country is a great learning tool.
I have had the opportunity to take countless trips overseas with players and teams, each time I have seen marked improvement and positive differences in the players when we return. I would encourage all players to seek out opportunities to experience soccer in a foreign country.
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