FCD Signs Junior’s Player Bryan Leyva
September 16th, 2009 . 12:15 pm . By: Buzz Carrick
A couple thoughts immediately spring to mind. 1. Where does he fit on the roster? Turns out there is an extra slot for home grown players…
Ok. Quick, sign Ruben Luna. 2. Tremendous coup signing by FCD. This kid is a massive talent and is considered a truly special player by people I think really know what they are talking about. It was a great move to get him into the Juniors team and it’s an even bigger grab to land him now. 3. According to the FCD press release, Leyva has US “residency.” Does that mean he has a green card or just a visa? Here’s the press release… FC DALLAS SIGNS JUNIORS MIDFIELDER BRYAN LEYVAYouth Development System Yields First Professional Player FRISCO, Texas (Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009) – FC Dallas General Manager Michael Hitchcock today announced that Bryan Leyva of the FC Dallas Juniors Program has been signed to its professional team. The signing makes Leyva the first player in FC Dallas history to earn a professional contract through the club’s youth development system. “We’re very excited to sign our first FC Dallas Juniors player, Bryan Leyva, to the professional team. This is a landmark announcement for our club.” FC Dallas General Manager Michael Hitchcock said. “Similar to great clubs around the world, the future of FC Dallas is developing the best and the brightest youth soccer players in North Texas into world class professionals, and this is the first step toward that end.” Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Leyva joined the FC Dallas Youth Development System in June of 2008 as a member of the Under-16 Juniors Team. Leyva helped lead the team to a second place finish in this year’s MLS/SUM U-17 Cup. “Signing with FC Dallas is a dream come true,” FC Dallas new signing Bryan Leyva said. “The Juniors program has helped me in my development as a soccer player, and I want to thank my teammates for their support in getting me to this point. This is a very exciting day for me and my family, and I look forward to working with the first team in the future.” Earlier this year, Leyva and the U-16 Juniors participated in the prestigious Dr Pepper Dallas Cup, a tournament featuring the top youth professional and amateur teams from around the world. This past summer, the 17-year-old midfielder was named to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Central Conference Best XI and was a key player for the team last season scoring 13 goals. Leyva came to the United States in 2000 and is a U.S. resident. Leyva is currently with the U-17 Mexican National Team preparing for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria later this year. The midfielder also had training stints with Lille OSC in France and Racing Santander in Spain. Leyva will join the FC Dallas professional team upon his return from the U-17 Mexican National Team camp next week. FC Dallas will formally introduce Leyva at a media event later this month. In July 2009, the MLS Board of Governors approved an amendment to the rules governing the signing of youth academy players. MLS clubs will receive two additional roster slots that may be used to sign academy players, in accordance with current Home Grown Player rules, to Generation adidas or Developmental contracts during the 2009 season. Home Grown players will not count toward the 24-player roster limit in 2009. These players may not play in league games during the 2009 season, but can participate in training, exhibition games and CONCACAF Champions League games. Home Grown players will count toward a team’s roster upon the commencement of the 2010 season. The Generation adidas contract provides college tuition reimbursement for a player. Name: Bryan Leyva 24 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
FC Dallas has announced the signing of FCD Junior’s player Bryan Leyva. Leyva is a highly regarded midfielder who training with the Mexican National team at the age of 14 and is currently with the Mexico U17s. Multiple foreign professional clubs have attempted to sign the player since then, but none of the deals has worked out. Leyva has trained with the senior FCD side on numerous occasions. This signing to a generation adidas deal means Leyva bypasses the MLS SuperDraft. Leyva is the 6th player signed in MLS straight from a club’s academy system.
So basically where he fits on the roster is he doesn’t count against 2009 roster limits and in 2010 he has to earn his spot on the 24…
If i’m understanding it correctly… yes.
Although this is a new thing so we’ll see. It won’t shock me to see MLS extend the extra spots through 2010 this winter.
The tangled mess that are our league rules continue to amaze!
Good for FCD.
Very nice signing. I thought you said Luna wasn’t considering FCD. Has something changed, or just wishful thinking on your part?
Can he still play in ussda games?
Usually when you say “residency” that means Green Card.
Moose if you mean me, I thought it unlikely FCD could get him. Leyva’s been linked with foreign clubs a bunch of times, including team’s in Mexico.
Frankly I’m shocked FCD landed him. I thought there was no way this would happen.
Buzz,
I thought players had to be in the Junior’s program for two years before they could be signed and the article says he entered in June of 2008.
The e-mail sent to STH said “the FC Dallas Juniors Program (U-14, U-16 and U-18 elite teams led by former FC Dallas star, Oscar Pareja)”
There’s an U-14 team now? Is there going to be a U-14 division in USSDA?
Carl that is not correct, here is the rule:
(M) HOME GROWN PLAYERS
Eligible players must have resided with their parents in a team’s “Home Territory” for at least one year prior to placement on a team’s Home Grown Player list, subject to the Non-Home Territory exception. Pursuant to all rules regarding qualification as a Home Grown Player, these players may be added to a team’s roster Senior or Developmental roster. At this time teams may add up to two players per year from their Home Grown Player list subject to MLS Competition Committee rules.
FCD23, yes they are adding a U14 team.
Pwip,
since he has a contract he can not play on the same team as youth players without a contract as far as I know. The players that play with a professional player on their team would lose their college eligibility. NCAA rules allow players to play against professionals but not alongside them.
I might have a chance to check this guy out if he is with the Mexico U-17’s next week. They’ll be in SB taking on UCSB in an exhibition.
Do we really need a 5′6 140lb player. Need size and speed. Just my thought.
He’s not even 18! He could still end up 5′10 180lb. Just feed him right.
Michael:
Yeah, cuz David Ferreria is SOOO tall, just like Pareja was and Cunningham is and……
Yeah Doug! Also, how tall was Pele & Maradona?
Michael – We need balance. Balance is key. A mix of creative players, no matter their size, and tall athletic players with speed. One dimensional teams don’t get very far. Yes, even if they are composed entirely of tall speedy guys (who will get them the ball, who will help maintain possession?).
Oscar was very, very strong..That’s why he could play so well at his height.. This signing could very well have come from Oscar.. Any thoughts?? With his influence, I mean..
Good Signing! Any chance that he decides to switch to the US?
I played soccer with Leyva for 3 years, and he is undoubtedly the best player I’ve ever had a chance to play with. This is a great signing for FCD. Leyva will be the future of this team.
fcdallas2314 there is a U14 FCD Juniors team already and they are playing in U15 classic league in preparation for the developmental academy league. They just won the Plano Labor Day tournament I believe.
i know this kis since very little we are the same age and well i know hes good for the so would now that am trying for fc well hope to see him and one day be like my friend bryan
QUE ONDA BRYAN..
WEYY YO SE QUE NO ME CONOCES PERO YO JUGUE CONTRA TI HACE VARIOS ANOS WEYY EN LOS ADISON EN LA CANCHITA.. WEY NOMAS QUIERO QUE SEPAS QUE JUEGAS VIEN PERO ESA VES NOMAS NO PUDISTE CONMIGO WEYY QUE TENGAS MUCHA SUERTE Y ECHALE UN CHINGO DE GANAS AII TE VEO EN LA TELEEE ..