New York City FC sporting director Claudio Reyna believes the clubs newly-announced youth academy plans have things in good stead for the future.
The MLS expansion franchise have unveiled their youth academy strategy which will see the U13/14 team compete in US Soccer's Development Academy from the 2015/16 season on.
The announcement comes after NYCFC revealed a new Youth Development League for boys aged between under nine and U11 which suggests to Reyna that the grassroots side of the MLS outfit is in very strong shape.
"We believe that starting with one team at this age group, we can give those players the best pathway to the senior roster, giving them at least four years playing in the style which we want to establish," said Reyna in a statement.
"We have a lot more to do, but there is no better starting point than creating the infrastructure through which we can develop excellent young players and help to equip them with the right personal and technical skills to succeed."
