DC United Academy Scouting Director - Trevor Singer ("FIFA Restricts Under 18 Transfers"") - Episode 29 Snippet")

For episode 29 of my podcast, to coincide with the World Cup, I decided to do something different. On this episode, I chose to focus on how MLS academies in North America work.The MLS is more than a league with teams. The MLS is a Franchiser that owns all the teams in the MLS. All the teams in the MLS are called franchises. They are all franchises of the MLS. There are no promotions or relegations. Any team (franchise) buying or selling gives a percentage of its sales to the MLS (the franchiser).On this episode, I speak to Trevor Singer, the Academy Scouting Director of DC United, which is the second most successful team (franchise) in MLS history.DC United is based in Washington DC, the capital city in the USA. Fun fact: Wayne Rooney was also once a player and Head Coach of DC United.Trevor explains that the club like most around the world, is restricted by FIFA International Clearance rules when registering international players under 18 to the academy.Trevor says that although many international players get scholarships in American colleges, it's more difficult for an under18 player to get a scholarship at an MLS team like DC United.