Before the 2019-20 season, Joseph Buckley (Westwood, Mass.) was already on a promising path.
Having starred for GPS Massachusetts on the local club scene, he progressed onto the New England Revolution Academy U-13 and U-14 teams several years back. He was even called into a U-14 East Region Talent ID Camp by U.S. Soccer last spring, having impressed national scouts for his Development Academy play.
But searches for Buckley on the local soccer scene will come up empty, because his roots are now planted in Casa Grande, Ariz., with the Barca Academy. Yes, that Barcelona of La Liga and European fame.