NOVI, Mich. - Alex Gimple and Noah Jackson (2008 MLS NEXT) were invited to train with professional MLS Academy Sporting Kansas City last week. Both boys participated in training sessions before returning to Michigan for MLS NEXT league play.

"It was an awesome experience," Jackson said. "I really enjoyed the focus level and the high intensity training."

Michigan Jaguars FC continues to seek out opportunities like this for its players. As the former head of Talent Identification for the Philadelphia Union Academy, Jaguars Academy Director Pete Pososki is well connected to MLS scouts around the league. 

"If a player is good enough to play in a professional academy, we will do everything we can to make that happen for them," Pososki said. "Obviously it needs to be the right fit, and there needs to be mutual interest between the player and the professional club, but we are committed to finding that fit our players."

MLS NEXT continues to open doors for Michigan Jaguars FC boys players who dream of playing at the highest level. This fall alone, Jaguars MLS NEXT teams have competed against professional academies like Columbus Crew, Chicago Fire, FC Cincinnati, Minnesota United, and future MLS side St. Louis City FC, giving our players direct exposure to that level of soccer and the scouts for those clubs. 

"This is just our second year in the MLS NEXT program, and we are already seeing benefits," Pososki said. "We are excited about the future as we continue to build our program with the ultimate goal of serving our players as best we can. It's a great time to be part of the Jaguars Boys Academy." 

Photo courtesy of the Gimple family.