Footy Access coverage
Reporting, player profiles and analysis from across youth soccer. Follow the story, then explore the competition.
From playing against older boys at TFA to smashing transfer records, Alyssa Thompson’s journey has been fearless. Now, at 20, she takes her talents to Chelsea FC in a landmark move that signals her next big leap on the global stage.
Lucas Aguirre ·
At just 16 years old, goalkeeper James Donaldson has signed with Atlanta United 2 through 2026. With a Homegrown deal set for 2027 and U.S. Youth National Team experience, Donaldson’s rise from Academy standout to professional is only beginning.
Lucas Aguirre ·
A kid from Key Biscayne took the long way to Italy—via academy fields, cup finals, a national-team crest, and the brightest lights MLS has to offer. Now the map zooms in on Parma. The stage is different; the assignment is the same: be brave, be clean, be decisive. If Benjamin Cremaschi does those things, this chapter won’t read like a detour. It’ll read like the moment the story went continental.
Lucas Aguirre ·
At only 15 years old, Robert Turdean made his professional debut for Chicago Fire II, starting on the right wing in MLS NEXT Pro. Already the holder of a club-record homegrown contract and a U.S. Youth National Team captain, Turdean’s first appearance was more than a debut — it was the beginning of a new era for Chicago Fire.
Lucas Aguirre ·
On his 19th birthday, Mykhi Joyner gave himself the ultimate gift — his first MLS goal for St. Louis City SC. Subbed on in the 59th minute against Houston, the homegrown winger made history in a moment that capped off a young career already filled with over 40 goal contributions and U.S. youth national team honors. This is the story of a night he’ll never forget — and why it’s only the beginning.
Lucas Aguirre ·
Born in Honolulu to an American father and German mother, Banks moved to Germany as a child and rose through Augsburg’s academy from U-10s to the first team. Standing nearly 6’4”, he combines size, speed, agility, and composure on the ball, with a passing range suited to the modern game. Augsburg rewarded his rapid rise with a contract through 2029 after his professional debut in January 2025. While he’s still waiting for his first minutes of the new Bundesliga season, his call-up signals both Augsburg’s and the USMNT’s belief in his future as a potential defensive cornerstone ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Lucas Aguirre ·
From rising stars at the 2025 Concacaf U-15 Championship to youth standouts signing pro deals and making headlines, we dive into the players shaping the future of North American football.
Lucas Aguirre ·
This week’s newsletter spotlights a breakout weekend for North America’s top young soccer talent, from Cavan Sullivan’s brace in MLS NEXT Pro to Taha Habroune’s first MLS goal in the Ohio Derby. We cover major milestones, including pro debuts, international training opportunities, and the latest U-15 national team call-ups by Mexico. With eyes on the future, these rising stars are proving they’re ready for the next level.
Lucas Aguirre ·
With the MLS NEXT season coming to an end, the landscape is already shifting. A wave of young talent is on the move, reshaping top academies and marking the start of a new youth cycle across North America. From headline transfers to international tournament wins and a record-breaking senior debut, here’s everything you need to know heading into kickoff.
Lucas Aguirre ·
