If you scan the list of teams participating in the first ever Prospects Cup in Kissimmee, Florida this week, several names will stand out, from Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City and AS Roma.
One team that won’t immediately register is the Medford, New Jersey-based Real Jersey FC, a boutique club that has to date quietly found success feeding players to the Philadelphia Union Academy (goalkeeper Tomas Romero, midfielder Brenden Aaronson and defender JD Wagner to name just a few).
“The fact that we were recognized to participate says a lot,” club president Rusty Aaronson said.