Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati are set to join forces with FirstPoint USA to extend their support program for academy players exploring the pathway to college soccer.
Established in 2001, FirstPoint USA are the world’s leading college soccer recruitment agency and have supported more than 35,000 student-athletes in securing scholarships across their network of 2,500 colleges and universities.
The new partnership will see FC Cincinnati’s academy players and their families being supported by FirstPoint’s experienced team of college soccer experts, providing a high touch and in person guidance service to those players aiming to combine playing and studying for the next stage in their careers.
Founded by University of Cincinnati Hall of Famer Andrew Kean, FirstPoint already works with a number of major clubs in the US and internationally to provide a similar service, including Philadelphia Union and Arsenal.
Kean, who played for the Bearcats soccer team from 1996 to 2000, is excited to move into partnership with his former hometown club:
“Having enjoyed four fantastic years playing and studying in Cincinnati, I have a huge attachment to soccer in the city and I’m looking forward to working with the club and developing the college soccer pathway for the next generation of players.
“FC Cincinnati has a fantastic track record of developing players and our partnership will enhance the impressive range of player care services they already offer their academy players. I know from first-hand experience the incredible life-changing opportunities playing and studying at college can provide, and we’re excited to see the progress those players make who follow this pathway.”
The collaboration will involve FirstPoint USA having a member of staff on site at the Academy who will work closely with players and their families, including watch training and games, and a dedicated talent management team who will liaise between the families and prospective college coaches.
Dave Schureck, Academy Coordinator at FC Cincinnati, said: “We are delighted to be working with FirstPoint USA.
We want to ensure young players have opportunities beyond the club and for those transitioning out of the Academy, and playing and studying at a top college is a fantastic option which retains them in the game at a high level, while developing their education for a career beyond soccer.
The club is committed to strengthening our player care provision and this partnership places the players in great hands, tapping into the wealth of college soccer experience that the FirstPoint team has. To have a dedicated on site resource will be a valuable asset to the club.”
