Football

Bayern Munich partner with MLS giants to ‘cooperate in the development of young talent’

March 14, 2023 1:30 pm
Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich have partnered with MLS outfit Los Angeles FC to “cooperate in the development of young talent.” The joint venture, known as Red&Gold Football and based in Munich, aims to develop international talents for the two clubs, with its management team to be announced in the near future.

The German giants have established three foreign offices since 2014 for its American, Chinese and Southeast Asian markets, in New York, Shanghai and Bangkok respectively. The club keeps in contact with such bases with regular summer tours to the likes of the USA and Asia.

Bayern Munich legend expecting big things

Bayern Munich and Germany legend Oliver Kahn, who is now working as CEO of his former club, believes the partnership will strengthen the German outfit in their bid for future success.

“FC Bayern will expand its promotion of young talent with Los Angeles Football Club,” said Kahn, as reported by the Bayern Munich website.

“On an international level, soccer is developing rapidly, which is also evident in the transfer market. We see this partnership as an opportunity to strengthen FC Bayern in the sporting competition with the best clubs in Europe and the Bundesliga.

“The fact that the 2026 World Cup will largely take place in the USA, where we already have an office in New York, makes Los Angeles even more attractive. I expect a boost in quality and young talent in Major League Soccer, which will have a positive impact on our partnership.”

LAFC ready for ‘next step’ with partnership

The 2023 MLS campaign got underway last month, with LAFC winning both of their two matches so far, defeating Portland Timbers and New England Revolution. The club was only founded in 2014 and only played its first MLS match in 2018, but has already tasted huge success, winning the 2022 MLS Championship.

LAFC are also going strong in the current CONCACAF Champions League, which features the top clubs from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The MLS club overcame Costa Rican side Liga Deportiva Alajuelense 3-0 in their recent round of 16 first leg encounter, with the second leg scheduled for this Thursday.

LAFC Co-President and General Manager John Thorrington commented: “A partnership of this magnitude is the next step in our evolution as a club. We are extremely excited to work together with FC Bayern Munich to identify and develop young talent in Southern California and beyond and believe this relationship will provide players throughout our systems the ability to maximise their potential and see a clear pathway to our first teams.”

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich to take advantage of MLS influx?

The number of exciting young American players earning their trade in the Bundesliga has increased in recent years, with the likes of Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Jordan (Union Berlin) and Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach) all shining in the current season for their respective clubs.

Bayern Munich do, of course, have a very talented North American on their hands, with Canadian Alphonso Davies undoubtedly one of the best full-backs in world football. The defender scored in Bayern’s 5-3 victory over Augsburg on Saturday.