Top Drawer Soccer’s Will Parchman recently wrote a piece on how Toronto FC has set a firm Academy foundation without being an active participant in the U.S. Development Academy (although the Kia Toronto FC Academy does participate in showcase events from time to time).

"The current set up in Ontario, we believe, is strong enough to develop our players,” Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko told TopDrawerSoccer. “Really this is about our ownership’s commitment to creating a sustainable club over the long term."

Here are some of the key points to take away:

• Local leagues and competition are strong enough for the Kia TFC Academy to develop players.
• The Kia TFC Academy saves the costs of playing in an American-based development league and invests it in the free-to-play Academy structure.
• Partnership with the Ontario Soccer Association will help the Kia TFC Academy identify the top players in the province.
• College soccer not as deep-rooted in Canada in comparison to the U.S. means a more fluid pathway from Kia TFC Academy, to Toronto FC II, to Toronto FC.

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