Brainerd Soccer Academy

When looking for hotspots of soccer talent, Brainerd Minnesota does not seem like a popular destination. Club Tijuana sees an untapped resource and wants to develop the Mexican style of play in young Americans.

The Liga MX club expanded in 2014 with a team in San Ysidro, California in the Women’s Premier Soccer League. The club has opened a youth academy in Brainerd to help develop young talent for college, or even professional soccer.

Mexican National team alumnus Ignacio Rulvacaba oversaw Saturday’s tryouts to make sure the coaches maintain consistency with the Xolos Football Club program, including the workouts. The Under-11, U-14 and U-17 Xolos Academy teams will compete with teams from across Minnesota, and hopefully in the U.S.A. Cup.