West Ham United's development partnership through the West Ham United USA Academy with United Soccer Leagues has continued with 12 of the US-based organisation's brightest young talents training this week with the club.
The USL provides the second and third division of professional football in the United States, as well as Under-23, Under-20, youth and women's leagues with clubs across the US, Canada and Caribbean. The partnership entails a number of player identification, player exchange, coaching and club development initiatives. As well as the dozen players over this week, three other USL representatives have made the trip.
The delegation have been busy already, having watched three Academy age groups in action at Little Heath on Sunday before heading off to watch the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United. That was followed by training sessions with the first drills put on by Academy coach Paul Hilton before an introduction to the 'West Ham Way' by Paul Heffer and various classroom seminars. The youngsters will also have a question and answer session with the US international defender Jonathan Spector.
Ryan Lehman, of Atlanta Fire United, has been speaking to the USL website about his experiences. He said: "The biggest difference I have noticed between soccer in the US and soccer in England is the speed of play," said Lehman. "The players also have a lot more discipline in their training. Where a few kids would tend to slack off back home, everyone here is focused on what they are doing and what the coach is saying."
"The trip has been great so far," added midfielder Lehman. "We are staying in a hotel that overlooks the stadium. Everything is just amazing. Heading over here, I knew it would be fun, a once-in-a-lifetime experience - but it has gone far above my expectations."
USL's West Ham United Academy Invitees
Justin Maheu (Ottawa Fury), Alan Narvaez (Juventus Sport Club), Cody Mizell (Atlanta Silverbacks), Renato Pezzulo (Parsippany SC), Glenroy Chapman (South Jersey Barons), Ryan Lehman (Atlanta Fire United), Aaron Liang (Santa Cruz County Breakers), Cody Cropper (Bangu Tsunami), Sekani Sinclair (Schulz Academy), Giovanna Freitas (Sunrise SC), Fabian Bastiads (Sunrise SC) and Antonio Schneider (Chicago Magic).