MLS partners with French Football Federation with Academies in mind

Today, Major League Soccer and the French Football Federation (FFF) announced a partnership that will provide Academy coaches from around the League world-class training. The Black-and-Red’s U-18 Head Coach Nolan Sheldon will be among 19 MLS Academy representatives chosen to participate in a 16-month development course that will culminate with earning an Elite Formation Coaching License.

"We are incredibly excited about this new partnership with the French Football Federation,” said MLS executive vice president of player relations & competition Todd Durbin in a statement. “As part of our vision to be among the top leagues in the world by 2022, we are committed to becoming leaders in the area of player development. This initiative will provide an important learning opportunity for MLS youth academies.”

Sheldon is abroad currently to begin the coaching curriculum, which includes eight weeks of coursework and a two-week immersion at the academy of a major European team (including Real Madrid, PSG, Athletic Bilbao). The program is divided out over eight sessions between February 2013 and May 2014, with full integration of the teachings into MLS academies set to take place starting in July 2014.