There are a lot of benefits to playing in the Earthquakes Youth Academy, but competing in a match against first team players may just top them all.
Academy head coach Paul Holocher and his U-18 side did just that Monday evening as they squared off against a handful of first team players at the club’s training facility.
Playing 11-a-side for two 35-minute halves, the next generation mixed it up with the current generation of San Jose stars, an experience that the Academy uses as the ultimate development process during the early stages of their preseason.
“This is just a great opportunity for these young guys to be on the same field with these professionals,” Holocher said.