AC Milan is one of the biggest names in the world of soccer, rivaling Manchester United, Real Madrid, and FC Barcelona as the most popular team on the planet. But no one has the global programming offered by AC Milan, which has operations in over 50 countries.
AC Milan is likely the only club in the world to have a structured and coherent youth program in the Americas. From identifying talented youngsters to camps and tournaments, the Italian giants are everywhere. Youth players that attend AC Milan Jr. camps have the chance to earn an invitation to Milan, which is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The best of the best live the “Milan experience,” getting face to face with players, touring facilities, and eventually training as part of an elite international team under the AC Milan umbrella.
These elite teams then participate in tournaments like the AC Milan Continental Cup in Cleveland, Ohio. This tournament is one of the fastest growing in North America and has quite an international flavor, thanks to teams from 20+ countries. The Cleveland event is tied into AC Milan qualifying tournaments in Tulsa, Orlando, and in Colombia. This allows players to compete at the very highest level with the event becoming the key cog in AC Milan’s presence in the Americas.
And what an event it is. The Continental Cup is part of an international youth sports festival also supported by the Cleveland Indians (MLB) and Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA). Three giants of sport putting their brand and talents behind the youth, an amazing concept in a world where pro athletes are often misunderstood.
Why choose Cleveland for this festival? Cleveland is a sports town and also happens to be one of the best soccer markets in all of North America. The tradition of excellence in Cleveland goes all the way back to the Cleveland Stokers, who passed the torch to the Cobras, Force, Crunch, City Stars, and now AFC Cleveland.
Why all the interest in the America game? Lots of reasons, many centering on promoting their global brand to a sea of people that are truly warming up to the beautiful game. The most important being the raw talent of the American footballer and the sheer number of players in the U.S. Eighteen million players in the U.S. to be precise. AC Milan has taken notice in a big way, sending resources and talented individuals to the Americas to find the next generation of Serie A legends.
Eddie Marles, AC Milan youth program coordinator for the Americas, is excited about the potential of American players, saying that our game is extremely fast, physical, and tactically organized. “The side of the game that the U.S. is lacking is creativity,” Marles commented in an interview with ISNSoccer.com. That creativity is slowly being added by players from Africa and South America and a top-class national team coach like Jurgen Klinsmann.
AC Milan is doing their part, expanding their presence in soccer academies across the country, spreading the Italian style of soccer to elite American players. Cleveland will benefit from this as well, thanks to an affiliation with a prominent local club and an academy announcement in the coming days and weeks. Truly something that will change the face of the soccer landscape in Northeast Ohio for years to come.
Want to be part of the very best? Come on out to Cleveland this summer to see tournaments, camps, and academies all under the AC Milan brand. Like we always say “it is going to be a great summer of soccer.”
