September brings with it many things. The start of the school year, the end of summer pumpkin spice lattes, and beer as far as the eye can see. However, for those of us stuck seeking an escape from autumn bliss in painstaking soccer observation, it brings the start of the academy league season.
For Sean McCafferty, who will be entering his third season as director of the New York Red Bulls Academy, it’s a perfect time to speak from his front row seat to a youth development overhaul happening in New York. As players such as Caden Clark and John Tolkin begin what McCafferty hopes will be the next and biggest wave of young talent polished by the club, the former Barcelona Arizona coach has been troubleshooting up and down the club’s development pipeline.