As the Academy prepares for its inaugural season this year in the Second Division League of the United Premier Soccer League, FC Minneapolis has made a key addition to its Academy technical staff. Daniel Mendoza has been named Academy/Nexts Head Coach and will start his work as the Head of this player development program in April 2024.
Mendoza, who also recently served as part of the coaching staff at Cooper High School, brings to the Nexts program 8 years of soccer coaching experience, as well as experience working as an assistant coach at Brooklyn Center High School.
Mendoza shared his thoughts regarding his new role in FC Minneapolis.
“Building upon the FC Minneapolis Nexts Program helps create a well-rounded, full-year soccer experience for all players below 21. Our mission is to win the UPSL National Championship with the help of both local and foreign players. To realize that, we must first recognize the need to help improve our local talents by equipping them with the right sets of skills and the mindset required to compete at the premier level. That’s where the Nexts Program comes in – to help bridge the skills gap between local and foreign players through year-round player development for local talents.”
With years of experience in the sport, Mendoza will work with the senior coaching staff at FC Minneapolis to support talented local players, age 21 and below, with aspirations to continue playing beyond their teenage or collegiate years at the highest levels.
ABOUT FC MINNEAPOLIS NEXTS
Nexts is part of the club’s commitment to providing quality playing platforms to young players within Minnesota and across the United States. It’s our mission to provide the needed transition from Youth football to adult football. Its goal is to equip our promising young players with the skills and strengths demanded for future collegiate and professional football while serving as a pathway into the FC Minneapolis premier team that currently plays in the United Premier Soccer League – Premier Division.
The Nexts Program is not a youth team or a competitor to youth clubs. FC Minneapolis Nexts is a supplementary program in which players can continue to play with their club teams, high school squads, and college programs. To keep program costs low, FC Minneapolis Nexts require no travel. All games are local, and players are required to pay a small fee of $699 that goes towards covering training, games, and gear costs. Qualifying players may be eligible for scholarships depending on availability.
The Nexts Program is for ambitious players. It is designed to support talented local players, age 21 and below, with aspirations to continue playing beyond their teenage or collegiate years at the highest levels. The program is a good fit for players who require an accelerated environment that will prepare them for collegiate and professional soccer or desire a higher level of competition to augment their current club or collegiate environment.
Spring seasons for the Academy will kick off in the coming weeks with registration still open for new players across Minnesota. Interested athletes are encouraged to visit Trials – FC Minneapolis for further information on upcoming tryouts and how to register.
