As American soccer evolves, prep schools maintain academic emphasis

Brooks midfielder Luke Muther and South Kent midfielder Santiago Bonifasi. (Mike Gridley/NESJ)

As ideas for the future of American soccer are tossed around, Owen Finberg, the head boys coach at South Kent, has an ambitious prediction that — in a way — takes a page out of the prep school playbook.

“I think within the next five to 10 years, if not sooner, all the MLS teams are going to have a residential academy,” Finberg proclaimed.

Finberg’s forecast might not be too far off, considering D.C. United, Real Salt Lake, Sporting Kansas City, LA Galaxy and Philadelphia Union already offer residential models. They recruit, essentially, players from around the country and place them in local schools, with the hopes of developing prospects for their Major League Soccer franchises.

And therein lies the key distinction, Finberg believes, during a time when U.S. Soccer will elect a new president Feb. 10 and systemic change surely is coming across most levels.