FC Cincinnati’s player pathway is designed to resemble a pyramid. Starting with the Academy at the base, the pathway was created for local youth players to filter into the first team.
In theory, this is how FCC’s “Process” should appear:
The pathway is a long-term approach, but we’re already seeing signs of short-term benefits.
Beckham Sunderland became the first FCC Academy player to train with the first team this month when the goalkeeper joined training sessions ahead of the now-postponed home opener.
“It’s been a great experience,” Sunderland said at the time. “I’m getting some high-quality reps in with the goalkeepers … It’s just great to start the pathway from the Academy to first team.”
Sunderland normally practices exclusively with the Under 17 Team, but with Bobby Edwards sidelined with an ankle injury, the teenager was called into training with the first team while Edwards missed time.
It’s unknown if Sunderland returns to first-team training when MLS’ training moratorium expires Friday – which could be extended. There’s a good chance Edwards will return to training when that’s able to resume. In turn, that would likely mean Sunderland is back with the U-17s.
The short-term stint with the first team shouldn’t be downplayed, though.
While it’s an exciting opportunity for a teenager aspiring to be a professional soccer player, the call-up shows FCC’s player pyramid is starting to produce tangible results.
“It’s a great opportunity for the player,” Larry Sunderland, FCC’s Director of Player Development said. “It’s a nice recognition of guys coming through the Academy and developing in the Academy.
“It’s a new thing for us and we’re pretty young at it, but to get somebody moving through it, and getting that opportunity is a sign that things are heading in the right direction.”
Yes, Beckham is Larry’s son. But Larry said he hasn’t played a part in any of the first-team promotion process.
Instead, it’s been goalkeeper coach Jack Stern and Dave Schureck, the academy’s goalkeeper coach and administrator, who coordinated Beckham’s promotion. Schureck was FCC’s goalkeeper coach in 2017 before Stern arrived the following year.
As FCC get closer to developing their first Homegrown Player, Beckham training with the first team is a small step toward a player eventually graduating from the Academy and earning a professional contract with the Orange and Blue.
“There are clearly touchpoints and there’s clearly alignment within the organization, and Beckham will be the first of many,” Larry said. “There are other kids that are close.”
When Mercy Health Training Center was designed, the floorplan included world-class facilities for the professionals and a modest setup for the Academy players. The idea was that nicer locker rooms and facilities needed to be earned, not given.
Beckham was the first Academy player to join the first team’s ecosphere. That meant using their locker room, joining film sessions and spending time with the pros after practice. In short: this is exactly what FC Cincinnati hoped would come to fruition.
“It’s great being in the same building (as the first team),” Larry said. “The Academy kids see the first team every day. The first team guys come to the games and they see the players. Now with this opportunity to get the Academy players in training, it’s a good thing.”
