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USMNT

A Hidden Gem: Barça Residency Academy

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Background

Barça Residency Academy opened in August of 2017. It is first and foremost a part of FC Barcelona. Therefore, two project directors, appointed by the club, oversee the academy. This means that all players and coaching staff are trained using Barça’s principles. 

The Academy uses the very same methods that are used at La Masia in Catalonia. In fact, top performers are even invited to train in Barcelona with the La Masia teams. Despite no player having signed with FC Barcelona from the Residency Academy yet, the experience is beneficial and a special moment for the boys. 

Player Development

Located at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Arizona, the complex includes eight pitches, a performance center, accommodation for players, as well a hotel and golf course. The vast campus offers young players the ability to train in professional settings with professional-grade equipment. For instance, in the performance center, young players have access to high-quality gym and recovery equipment.

The teams at the Academy cover the U15 to U19 levels. They compete in the newly formed MLS Next league and United Premier Soccer League. Formerly, Barça Residency was a member of US Soccer’s Development Academy. A result of being involved in these groups, is insurance that the players coming through the academy are exposed to the highest level of competition available in the US. 

Personal Development

In addition to investing in the development of youth as players, Barça Residency invests in the boys as people. Academically, the academy players are enrolled in Arizona State University Preparatory Academy. Which has classrooms on site. The curriculum is also designed to allow for school work to be completed online. Therefore, students can study and complete homework while traveling for matches. 

A part of being a residency academy is that the boys live on site. As a result, they learn important life skills. Such as managing their laundry and keeping their room clean. They are learning to take responsibility for their own lives. Additionally, the boys learn the importance of friendship and commodore, having all left home to pursue their dreams. 

The academy has residence staff to assist the boys with everyday needs. The staff also take them off campus regularly to places like movies and the mall. Throughout the year, they organize events and longer trips off-campus for the boys as well. Their goal is to ensure the players still get to be teenagers, despite the rigorous training schedule.

Barça Residency Academy Success Rate

Barça Residency has been extremely successful despite only being a few years old. Every player from the academy has gotten a college scholarship or signed a professional contract. Recent Barça graduates include young MLS stars Caden Clark (NYRB), Julian Araujo (LAG), and Bryce Duke (LAFC). In Germany, recent graduate Matthew Hoppe (Schalke 04) is working his way toward a Bundesliga debut.

A part of  FC Barcelona’s Residency Academy’s success, is the ability to operate outside of MLS homegrown territories. Where MLS academies are limited in who they can recruit, Barça Residency Academy is not. Therefore players can attend and continue to develop in a top academy, regardless of if the MLS club with their rights signs them. Additionally, it allows Barça Residency to recruit nationally. Therefore, they get the players best suited for their program, maximizing effectiveness. The residency aspect also prevents the entire family from moving in order to accommodate academy enrollment. 

The Catch

The downside to running a residency program is the cost. The raw cost of sending a player to Barça Residency is in excess of $70,000 a year. For many players, that is beyond what the family can afford. The saving grace at Barça Residency is the scholarship program. Due to sponsorships and the financial backing of a massive club like FC Barcelona, the academy is able to provide scholarships. In some cases covering up to the entire cost of attendance.

Unfortunately, the cost of running residency academies prevents more clubs from investing in creating their own. Without large sums of donated money or the backing of multi-million dollar clubs, it is unlikely the residency model will become commonplace. It simply is not feasible for most clubs to run such an expensive program without increasing the cost of academy enrollment drastically.

Barça Residency Academy, A Special Place

Since there are so few residency academies, the FC Barcelona Residency Academy becomes all the more special. The connection with FC Barcelona also enables players to have exposure to some of the best youth training techniques in the world. Additionally, living on campus grows the players into professionals both on and off the pitch. Graduating from Barcelona’s residency acadmey prepares young boys for life, if they chose to play professionally or not. 

Overall, Barça Residency Acadmey is a one-of-a-kind in the US. Despite being in its infancy, they are already producing top prospects. There will be many more in years to come. As the academy grows and becomes more established, the success rate should continue grow. This is just the beginning.

Follow Barcelona Residency Academy on Social Media

  • Instagram: @barcaacademyaz
  • Twitter: @BarcaAcademyAZ
  • YouTube: Barça Residency Academy

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About the Residency Acadmey
The 2019 trip to La Masia

USMNT

Concacaf Gold Cup is becoming tarnished

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Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)

Not long ago, winning your confederation’s tournament earned a spot in the FIFA Confederations Cup, a prestigious competition held in the World Cup host nation the summer before the world’s biggest tournament.

The tournament featured the champions of all six confederations (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA), along with the reigning FIFA World Cup winner and the host nation, rounding out the field to eight teams. The tournament was last played in 2017.

The Concacaf Gold Cup is a semi-cycle tournament played in the first and third years of the cycle. The CAF Africa Cup of Nations is the only other confederation that plays two tournaments a cycle, and in many circles, the frequency of the Concacaf Gold Cup and the addition of the Concacaf Nations League has made the Gold Cup a throwaway tournament for the USMNT, as it’s been six years since the so called A list player pool has played in the event.

It raises the question for FIFA and Concacaf: should the Gold Cup be played once a cycle, and should FIFA consider bringing back the Confederations Cup?

The USMNT won the inaugural Gold Cup in 1991 and has claimed seven of the 17 editions since. Only two other CONCACAF nations Mexico (9) and Canada (1)—have lifted the trophy, and both are contenders in this edition.

The USMNT has a strong track record at the Gold Cup, finishing first in their group every year except 2011. They’ve reached 12 finals, with a record of 69 wins, 12 draws, and 9 losses, scoring 189 goals and conceding just 60


Gold Cup Player Stats

Across 17 editions of the Gold Cup, the USMNT has netted 189 goals, conceded just 60, and recorded 50 clean sheets. Here’s a look at the players who made it happen, those who found the back of the net, and those who kept it out.

Goals


18-Landon Donovan
13-Clint Dempsey
9-Eric Wynalda
8-Brian McBride
7-Jesus Ferreira

Assists


16-Landon Donovan
7-Michael Bradley
6-DaMarcus Beasley
6-Alejandro Bedoya
6-Eric Wynalda
5-Clint Dempsey

Wins


17-Kasey Keller
11-Tim Howard
8-Tony Meola
7-Matt Turner

Shutouts


14-Kasey Keller
8-Tim Howard
6-Tony Meola
6-Matt Turner

Captain

10-Michael Bradley
10-Kasey Keller
9-Carlos Bocanegra
8-Tony Meola
7-Claudio Reyna

Gold Cup Manager Stats

Over the past 34 years, the USMNT has reached 12 of the 17 Gold Cup finals under the leadership of seven different managers. Here’s a look at how each of them performed.

Matches Coached


25-Bruce Arena
18-Bob Bradley
12-Gregg Berhalter
12-Jurgen Klinsmann
10-Bora Milutinovic
8-Steve Sampson
5-B.J. Callaghan

Matches Won


19-Bruce Arena – GF-52-, GA-14
14-Bob Bradley – GF-34, GA-17
11-Gregg Berhalter – GF-26, GA-3
9-Jurgen Klinsmann – GF-32, GA-9
8-Bora Milutinovic – GF-15, GA-8
6-Steve Sampson – GF-14, GA-5
2-B.J. Callaghan – GF-16, GA-4

Gold Cup Trophies


3-Bruce Arena
1-Gregg Berhalter
1-Bob Bradley
1-Jurgen Klinsmann
1-Bora Milutinovic

Conclusion

In the future, U.S. Soccer and the USMNT should clearly communicate roster expectations for the Gold Cup, especially if a full A-list squad is not planned. Transparency on this front is essential, as it directly affects fan interest and attendance.

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Club News

From Louisville to Lisbon: Joshua Wynder’s Journey with S.L. Benfica

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The current state of the USMNT has been at an all-time low since Couva in 2017.  One of the positions in dire situation is Center Back.  Tim Ream will be 38 by the time of the 2026 World Cup.  Chris Richards has too many highs and lows and has not shown his club form with the US.  Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty have yet to perform for the national team.  Miles Robinson, despite what many MLS fans want to believe, is not good enough and makes too many errors, like the second Turkish goal on June 7th, 2025.  Walker Zimmerman has one World Cup left in him and he has a history of making critical errors as well, like the penalty against Gareth Bale in the 2022 World Cup.  Lastly, Mark McKenzie has improved his game since his move to Toulouse, but he is lacking the deserved opportunities and a good partnership.

Our U20 CBs will need to be called up sooner rather than later, either before or immediately after the 2026 World Cup.  The top 3 prospects by fans and analysts are Noahkai Banks, Matai Akinmboni, and Joshua Wynder.  Of the three, Joshua Wynder is the oldest at 20 years old and is part of a club that is world-renowned for their development, S.L. Benfica.

How did Wynder manage to accomplish such a move from Louisville City in the USL Championship to Benfica?  To summarize, Wynder had a breakout season for Lou City at 17 years old in 2022, so much so that he was included in the US U20 World Cup team in 2023. 

LOUvOKC.Photographer: EM Dash Photography

Wynder secured a spot to go on trial at Benfica and passed.  On June 8th, 2023, Benfica officially acquired Joshua Wynder from Lou City for a record-breaking $1.2 million transfer fee, which still stands today.

Louisville City FC, LOUvPIT.Photographer: EM Dash Photography

Benfica registered Wynder with the second team for the 2023/2024 season, who participate in Liga Portugal 2.  Due to Portuguese rules (players play in the youth system until they are 19 years old), he spent the season with Benfica’s UEFA Youth League team and U23 team and only received 21 minutes with the B team until a season-ending injury.  What began as a promising start, with the support of the fans, was cut short after just six matches.  The following season went according to plan for Wynder.  Wynder became a consistent starter for the B team where he started in 29 matches and appeared in a total of 31 matches.  He also scored four goals, all headers from corners. 


His success with the B team made him a fan-favorite and several calls to be called up to the first team by fans on social media.  That day came on April 9th, 2025, when he made the team sheet for Benfica’s Taça de Portugal Semi-Final match against FC Tirsense.  Wynder made his first team debut when he was subbed in at the 76th minute mark of that match.  He made a following appearance on the bench for the first team in their second leg match against FC Tirsense.

As early as November 27, 2024, it was reported by Glorioso 1904 that Joshua Wynder had gained the attention of the Benfica manager, Bruno Lage.  The report further said that Wynder was becoming an option for the next season’s first team.  A similar report surfaced on March 25, 2025, by Record, in Portugal, that Wynder is on track to be with the first team for the 2025/2026 season.  That day may be coming sooner rather than later.  Joshua Wynder will be joining Benfica on their 2025 Club World Cup campaign.  This will be a true test for him to prove to Bruno Lage that he is ready to be part of the first team for the upcoming 2025/2026 Liga Portugal and UEFA Champions League season.  If he is given serious minutes with the first team and performs, Joshua Wynder needs to be considered for the 2026 World Cup or immediately following the World Cup.


Benfica is in Group C of the Club World Cup with Auckland City, Bayern München, and Boca Juniors.  Their first match is against Boca Juniors, 33-time Argentine champions, on June 16th.  Game two is on June 20th against 10-time New Zealander champions, Auckland City FC.  Lastly, their 3rd group stage match is against the 6-time UEFA Champions League winners, Bayern München, on June 24th.

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USMNT

A Legacy of Stars and Stripes: The Evolution of the USWNT Kits

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Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)

The release of new kits is always an exciting moment for U.S. Soccer fans. Traditionally, U.S. Soccer unveils new designs during the spring or summer international windows. The USMNT did have their 2022 World Cup kits released in September, three months before the World Cup.

The USWNT recently debuted their new home kit during their last two friendlies, while the USMNT is expected to showcase their new away kit in the lead-up to the 2025 Gold Cup.

U.S. Soccer has unveiled two stunning new kits for the USWNT. The home jersey, dubbed The Brilliant Kit, will make its debut when the USWNT faces China. The away jersey, known as The Heartbeat Kit, will be worn by both the USWNT and USMNT. Both designs have been met with widespread praise from fans, with many calling them among the best in recent memory. I believe these are the sharpest U.S. kits we’ve seen in nearly fifteen years.

History of the USWNT Kit

For those who follow me on social media, you might remember a project I completed back in 2022, where I tracked the history of the USMNT from the evolution of the U.S. Soccer crest to the iconic team kits. Now, I’m channeling that same passion into a new labor of love: researching and recreating the kits of the USWNT to help preserve and celebrate their rich history.

USWNT Kits – 1985 – 1993

Forty years ago, the U.S. Women’s National Team played it’s first-ever match, wearing a white Adidas home kit with red diagonal pinstripes. But like many things in those early days, the kit wasn’t made with the women’s player in mind. The kits were designed for the men’s players in size and fit. For years, USWNT players were forced to pin back and alter oversized uniforms just to keep them from getting in the way on the field. It wasn’t until 1994 that they finally received a kit specifically tailored for women.

USWNT Kits 1994 – 2011

In 1994, the final year Adidas outfitted U.S. Soccer, the USWNT finally received its first uniquely designed kit made specifically for women. This marked the beginning of a new era, with the team continuing to wear custom kits through the 2011 World Cup.

USWNT Kits – 2012 – Current

Starting in 2012, Nike decided to unify the look of the USWNT and USMNT by having both teams wear the same kits. However, there have been a few exceptions over the years where one team debuted a unique design. A recent example is the newly released USWNT home kit, while the USMNT continues to wear the 2024 home kit.

USWNT and USMNT Kits Going Forward

Nike hit the most recent kit release out of the pitch, and it raises the question of what will be next for the USWNT and USMNT kit creations. The 2026 World Cup will see at least two new kits for the USMNT, with the USWNT likely wearing one or both of them.

For decades, both the USWNT and USMNT have struggled to establish a strong, unified identity through their kits. While some designs are instantly recognizable, there’s still a sense that both teams lack a distinct visual representation that truly reflects who they are. I hope that Nike continues to create kits that bring both teams together, while also allowing for occasional unique designs, once or twice per cycle, that capture the essence of American identity, something both teams have long needed

The true identity of the USWNT and USMNT is embodied in the Stars and Stripes, woven together in red, white, and blue, perhaps with the addition of a bold sash to complete the look.

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