Pro Prospects: U.S. teen to European power?

Pro Prospects: U.S. teen to European power?
by Travis Clark
March 31, 2017

Is another U.S. youngster about to join a European club power’s academy?

Midfielder Will Vint is reportedly set to sign with Manchester United’s Academy, according to media reports in England.

Vint made four appearances for the Real Colorado U14 Academy side during the 2015-16 season, scoring two goals. He reportedly went on trial with both Fulham and Everton, before a visit to Manchester United impressed the coaching staff. A member of the Real Colorado coaching staff confirmed the accuracy of the reports to TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Born in 2001, Vint is the son of Peter Vint, who up until this week, served as the Academy Director at Everton.

If the move comes to fruition, and there is yet to be an officlal announcement of any kind, Vint would join Matthew Olosunde as the second American on the books with Manchester United's youth ranks.

Academy players join NASL side for 2017

The latest edition of the North American Soccer League kicked off last weekend, with the re-branded North Carolina Football Club adding a pair of amateur players last Friday.

Midfielder Jose Carranza and goalkeeper George Marks were announced as amateur additions to the team last Friday, prior to the start of the season.

“We are delighted to sign these two quality players to amateur contracts,” North Carolina FC Head Coach Colin Clarke said in a press release. “They are young and hungry players who have proven themselves in training. This is a tremendous opportunity for both Jose and George to learn and develop into future professionals by working alongside the first team on and off the field.”

Carranza, ranked as the No. 10 recruit in the 2017 IMG Academy Top 150, trained the Capital Area Railhawks last fall after playing with DC United’s Academy. The midfielder possesses a wealth of U.S. youth national team experience, recently called into the U.S. U18 MNT in January, and has several stints at the U15 and U16 age group levels. Like Nicholas Taitague, who spent time on an amateur deal with the club, Carranza’s stop at NCFC is likely the precursor to a future move overseas.

The No. 146 ranked recruit in the 2018 IMG Academy Top 150, Marks is a Clemson commitment and standout on the current Railhawks U18 side (the DA side will rebrand as NCFC later this fall). The shot-stopper will be a nice pickup for the ACC side in a year and a half.

While neither player made the 18 in last weekend’s opener against Miami FC, Carranza did see minutes in a 2-1 friendly loss against Atlas on March 22.

Related Topics: Atlantic Coast
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