Forty years ago soccer promoters in the United States relied heavily on bringing foreign superstars to play in the North American Soccer League. They introduced the best in soccer through Brazilian legend Pele, popular Dutch player Johan Cruyff, Italian goal scorer Giorgio Chingala and Germany's best defender Franz Beckenbauer. It is different now, with U.S soccer promoters and professional clubs relying more on American talent to create a new generation of players.  VOA'S Mohamed Elshinnawi visited D.C. United's Soccer Academy in Washington, D.C. to explore the new approach.

Promoting soccer - U.S.  kids playing soccer

"The new academy was created to try to help some of the deficiencies that we have here in the U.S. I think too many kids do not get enough good training, so with the academy the focus is going to be on training and eliminating some of the extra burdens that the kids have here in this country."

Tommy Soehn

D.C. United professional players are expected to serve as role models for young soccer players at youth camps. Youth soccer player Nick Mattingly finds their presence inspiring. "They teach you how to do better at soccer, more at their level, so I guess it is raising you up to a higher level and it's really great to see professional players at a camp."

Nick says he hopes one day to be a professional player in Europe like Freddy Adu. The Ghana-born superstar joined D.C. United at age 14 and signed recently for the Portuguese club Benfica.

John Measner

With its soccer academy providing two full teams to the national development academy, and hosting friendly games with prominent soccer teams from the English Premier League, D.C. United is determined to promote soccer in America.