LAFC announced a partnership with German giants FC Bayern Munich to launch a “global soccer development cooperation” called Red&Gold Football on Monday.
"A partnership of this magnitude is the next step in our evolution as a Club,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said via press release. “We are extremely excited to work together with FC Bayern to identify and develop young talent in Southern California and beyond and believe this relationship will provide players throughout our systems the ability to maximize their potential and see a clear pathway to first-team football.”
Red&Gold Football will provide a platform for young talent to elevate their development and potential first-team soccer opportunities.
The press release states that LAFC and Bayern will each own 50% of shares in Red&Gold and that "the joint venture envisions further cooperation with other football clubs and development academies throughout the world as part of a global development initiative.”
Two Champions of the Game. Bound by the common goal of player development.#LAFC 🤝 @FCBayern
— LAFC (@LAFC) March 13, 2023
“This is a truly special moment for LAFC,” LAFC Co-President & CBO Larry Freedman said. “We look forward to working together with our partner FC Bayern to not only develop talent and continue to grow our sport and our brand on the global stage, but to share best practices and improve our organizations off the pitch as well.”
With Southern California rich in soccer talent, this partnership can be alluring for a player, pairing the current MLS champions with the perennial Bundesliga victors and UEFA Champions League participants. Bayern last missed the continental tournament in the 2007-08 season.
LAFC, in year six of its MLS existence, is making positive strides to be the premier club in Los Angeles, though it's not the only SoCal team partnering with a European-based club. USL Championship side Orange County Soccer Club announced a partnership with Dutch giants Feyenoord last month. The 2021 USL champions also partner with Rangers Football Club in the Scottish Premiership.
The LA Galaxy approach
On the other side of town, the LA Galaxy takes a different approach to youth development. The club doesn't have a European partner such as LAFC, but has structured its youth development to help cultivate potential first-team players.
The club has the academy and Galaxy II close to the first team, with players frequently crossing paths during training days and during workouts. The Galaxy also has High School for the academy players to accommodate their education while they focus on soccer during the day. The club also provides players with a training plan and nutritionist just like the first-team players on the roster.
Current first-team players Efraín Álvarez, Jalen Neal, Marcus Ferkranus, Adam Saldaña, and Jonathan Pérez were part of the LA Galaxy academy before signing homegrown contracts with the club. The LA Galaxy II pipeline has led Preston Judd, Jonathan Klinsmann and Daniel Aguirre to get first-team contracts.
The Galaxy also has a handful of youth international players. Ferkranus (U20), Paulo Rudisill (U17), Ruben Ramos Jr.(U16) have been part of U.S Youth National team setups. Perez (U20) and Brandon Tellez (U18) have also been called up for Mexico’s youth national teams.
Neal (USA) and Alvarez (Mexico) have made their full international debuts and both started in the LA Galaxy’s last match on the road to Sporting Kansas City.