ET Radio: Talking Youth Development with Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas) & Jon Parry (SKC)

We know it's hard to wait for the 2017 MLS season. That's why we put together a 10-show run to take you throw March 3, including another ExtraTime Extravaganza leading up to Opening Weekend. Might as well just subscribe on iTunes now.

 First up, a show devoted to Homegrowns and the academy system, the conveyor belt of talent that clubs (and the US and Canadian national teams) hope will sustain them long term.

 Matt Doyle gives his thoughts on the 2017 Homegrown class, then Sporting KC academy director Jon Parry joins Andrew and David to explain why producing talent from within is so important. And while the "why" is crucial to the process, it's all about the "how" when it comes to producing future pros, and Parry goes deep to help listeners understand what SKC are doing to seed their first team with local (and recruited) talent.

 FC Dallas and USMNT midfielder Kellyn Acosta is a Homegrown success story, and he calls in from preseason camp in Argentina to tell his own story -- from the U13s to the first team. When and why did he join the academy? How did FC Dallas help him make the jump from grassroots to the pros? What's next for one of the most talented young players in the league? MLSsoccer.com and iTunes listeners get the full story!

 

In the mailbag, the guys decide the fandom of an unborn child and discuss (then cross an entry off of) a rather creative MLS bucket list.