American Invited to Join La Masia!!!

Ben Lederman, a U-11, has been invited to join FC Barcelona’s youth Academy!

This will go down as a mark in US Soccer history!

He started his trial with the famed academy Monday, April 11, and just 4 training sessions later, the Director of all 7 v 7 at the club, Andres Carrasco, had made a decision.

On the Barcelona grounds receiving some instruction

As my brother, Brian Kleiban, shared some details …

The Trial

Monday

Ben trained with the 98′s (two years up). He had a solid performance. Did some passing drills, possession drills, then played 10 v 10 on a little bit bigger than half the full field with big goals.

Tuesday

Ben trained with the 99′s (one year up). They started him off with the “A” group but then switched him within 2 minutes to the “B” group … looked like it was for numbers to even out the teams and nothing else. They also did a series of possession games. And then set up a regular 7 v 7 game.

Ben started on the bench, but when Albert Puig and Guillermo Amor showed up, they went straight to the coach to tell him to get Ben in. Ten seconds later (like 4 minutes into the game), he was on the field playing CM in a 3-1-2 formation for the B team – the A team was playing 3-2-1. So naturally, he got shredded to pieces in the middle vs 2 bad ass CM’s from the A squad. He had a horrific showing with the exception of one nice turn and split of their 2 defenders in the middle of the field … “a la Iniesta”!

Note: Ben was sad and quiet the entire night and the next day. He knew he was horrific. Danny [his dad] was depressed as well. We all thought he was toast!

Now we began to make noise and insisted he train with the 2000′s (age appropriate).

Wednesday

He had training for the first time with his age group. Series of fitness and dribbling drills where Ben thrived … dribbling at speed with the ball and turning corners with a team relay race going on.  After that, they had some juggling and then played on a tiny field 4 v 4 with 4 neutrals going to goal … 18 yard box was the length and very narrow to have the boys immediately shoot when receiving and having any type of space. He played really well! Scored, dished, worked hard, dribble. Amor and Puig watched like 5 minutes of the session too.

Thursday

The 2000′s went straight to the back field (where we played the 10′s) and within 2 minutes got organized and started to play.  Ben was one of the CM’s on his team. Both teams 3-2-1 formation … Ben also had the Japanese 2001 playing fw on his squad! He is siiiiiick! Well, long story short, he played the 1st 3 quarters of 15 mins as CM and put on a show!

Dribbling, scoring a goal, dishing 2 assists, and creating countless opportunities. Running his ass off as well. His squad was up 5-3. Last quarter he got moved to left back, and did well there too. Calmly touching out of the back and attacking.

As this was going on, 2 other Barca coaches went to sit on the bench opposite where we were. Oscar was there as well. So towards the end they got up and were bouncing, I went to sniff and approached Oscar to ask their opinion …

The Moment it Happened!

Oscar introduced the Director of all 7 v 7 at the club, Andres Carrasco. They asked me if Ben’s parents were present. I said yes and called them over because Andres wanted to speak with them. I translated.

Andres opened up saying that Ben has all the technical qualities that Barca looks for in players and that he had performed very well. All the coaches who had trained him were impressed with his quality. That being said, he pointed over at some of the apartment buildings adjacent to the training complex and said: “If you guys lived in that building, Ben would definitely be playing with the academy team”.

Sounded like it was heading in a negative direction but he quickly followed with the offer saying they cannot arrange their move and all that, but if they would like Ben to play for the academy and could relocate here, that he would be offered 2 years in the academy. They would help Ben get into school and assist with that.  He then went on to suggest that Danny and Tami start researching all types of things they would need to make an educated decision … go to the embassy and ask away. Whatever help or problems they encounter, to call him and he will put them in contact with a special department the club has for these types of things. He told them to take some time to make a good family decision because there is never a guarantee that Ben will make it all the way through the system. There is no way to tell … even with Messi they had no clue he’d turn out to be what he is.

It’s a 2 year process where they’ll evaluate; and if he continues to develop the right way, then he’d continue.

Comments

  1. Travis says:

    Would love to see some video… Do you have any you can post?

  2. short passes says:

    Great story Gary — now if only we could get some of our coaches enrolled !!!!!!!

  3. Rivelino says:

    Has your brother worked with Ben? Would really like some clues on what went right with the kid’s development.

    • Gary Kleiban says:

      All credit goes to Ben for living and breathing the game, his parent’s support, and his coach of 2 years, Juan Guerrero, for decent training and trying to play the right way.

      We’ve seen the sessions and watched them play.

      More details will follow in posts…

  4. Kevin says:

    Wow that’s awesome! I’ve seen this kid and his team play on youtube, they certainly play the Barca way. I couldn’t believe it was an American team, and this kid was the best player. He’s still very young and has a long way to go obviously but what a tremendous achievement to even get invited to their academy! As others have said, some video, and some details of how he has been developed would be great, but we understand that you only do this as a hobby. Thank you for all the time and effort you put in to this to keep us fellow soccer fans entertained and constantly growing our knowledge of the game.

  5. Ty says:

    Wow this a very impressive feat for a young American player. Hopefully he will go far with his teachings if he decides to attend the academy. Congrats to him and good luck in his future!!!

  6. short passes says:

    Gary — totally forgot to ask whose team Ben was on — I loved watching the entire team. Is that one of your club teams? If so, you need to franchise !!!

    • Gary Kleiban says:

      Not one of our teams … just have a relationship.

      If you aren’t aware they (Los Angeles Samba) are currently competing in the prestigious Mediterranean International Cup with the like of Man United, Barcelona, Ajax & others:
      http://www.micfootball.com/en/tournament/calendar.html?accio=1&cat=d

      They are playing a year up (U12) and have won all their group stage games.

      • Glen says:

        Would anyone have any links to video for this tournament -especially of the U12′s?

        • Gary Kleiban says:

          Supposedly we have lots of video. But I am yet to see it and don’t know the quality. We’ll have to wait for Brian to do something with it.

        • Glen says:

          Great!! My son is a U11 and I’d love to see how his skills/style and his club team’s level of play compare to LA Samba and other teams in the tourney.

        • Brandon says:

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dehU4xMiqc

          We have had some success with getting Samuel seen by alot of people. Some Barca folks have taken notice and we are hoping that they will invite him to one of thier camps this summer. He is a 99 and is something special to watch on the pitch. He just needs the right teachers at this point. Please post his video on your blog incase somebody is watching. Thanks
          Brandon

  7. pbc141 says:

    Saw the vids on YouTube, the kids were amazing saw many one touch passing with them and that is hard concept to grasp even for older kids. Good to see that Ben Lederman made the transition to Barca, which is good for American soccer and the soccer community as a whole. Good luck to Ben.

  8. kevin says:

    WOW exellent story! I was wondering how did you get a trial with the barcelona academy?

    • Gary Kleiban says:

      The FC Barcelona club in SoCal has built a relationship over the years with the real Barca.

      Last year Ben’s U10 team went to Spain and played several games. One of those matches included a victory against Barca’s U10′s – something that very rarely happens we were told. Anyways that match is where Benny was first identified.

      • Danny says:

        That was An amazing journey for that boy ,he works very hard at practice and try to live the dream .
        He accomplish a big thing but will need to work even harder to maintain it
        There is no shortcuts.

        • LFelipe says:

          Congratulation on this achievement, this is really great for soccer in America….I am really glad for the kid and the family; I have been trying to get tryout for my son in Barcelona and there is not way to happens.

          • jdtelleria says:

            Yes this is one of the better things you can do as an American who wants to play footy at the highest level. I feel like taking the MLS route cripples you for a number of reasons (pay is low, technical skill level is low, coaching technical ability is low, physical strength in the game is high, and worst of all the MLS can make it difficult for you to break away once higher level football clubs want you; e.g. dempsey and donovan.)

  9. Stefan says:

    I´m from Stockholm, Sweden and I´m leaving for a 4 days visit to Barcelona on friday (13 of May) with my ten year old son. I´ve tried to find out where it´s possible to whatch matches (or training sessions) whith the 2000-boys from the Barça academy.
    Any ideas someone?
    Thanks for the story, we wish him luck

  10. AK says:

    It will be really grateful of you if you tell me how to get into these la masia trials?? When and where are they conducted?? What is the procedure?? Please reply.

    • Brandon Elwood says:

      They will basically find you if your kid is worthy. Now if you are rich like I am not, then you can take your kids to Barca and attend one of the camps that they are running this summer and im sure if he was that good he could be noticed. I made some videos of Samuel and sent them to everyone possible. We finally got noticed by Tony Carr of Westham united and have been invited this summer to a trial that can end up taking you to England to play with the academy. I also discovered that MLS is finally getting on board and trying to do some academy stuff now. I was able to get video to one of the clubs and Sam has been invited to train with one of the teams for a week. Video is good because if your kids has athleticism than it will be hard to hide it. They dont have to all be clips of them scoring goals. They just need to show them being comfortable with the ball and they should highlight speed, quickness and technical control. These people know what they are looking for. Here is a Sample of one video of Sam.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dehU4xMiqc
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnGSEVx6D3A
      Hope it helps ya and good luck.
      B

      • jdtelleria says:

        I was born and raised in Virginia, and growing up I came to realize that any type of youth training did not focus on improving your technical ability, but instead on speed and strength first. Basically I feel that if you take the high school college MLS route as an american player, you end up being an athlete and not a footy player. If we have any aspirations as US footy fans, we need to teach our youth that technique is much more difficult to develop then speed and strength.

  11. hello…….i’m arabian… i have 14 years and i have sklills to be player.. …..can i join “la masia”??? if i can……..how can i do it……please answer on my e_mail:derghamadan@hotmail.com……please…..don’t make me loose my hope……because i wish play with barca…….and if i don’t…….i don’t know what i will do

  12. Chad says:

    Even if Ben becomes the next Messi at FCB, I bet Bob Bradley and his cronies will still leave him off the USMNT!

  13. Chad says:

    Let me clarify that I think Ben is an amazing player, I didn’t want to take anything away from him. Kids like him are what the future of US soccer should be.

  14. Brandon says:

    I doubt that Ben will become a Messi. He is more of a control player that changes the tempo and shifts the ball on the pitch. Like his video says….little Iniesta. Messi is more of the X factor. Super quick and able to move by two players in tight space easily. Kids like Ben should be the future of US soccer but foriegn academies know how to nurture and take care of any youth talent that comes along. Here in the US its still…how much money can we get our talented kids to pay for opportunities?

    • Chad says:

      @Brandon, I used Messi not in the literal sense. My point was that our system would fail to recognize such a talented player. I do agree with your point about paying to play. I have seen many great young players go by the wayside because they cannot afford to pay the playing fees. Like I have said before, soccer is considered an elitist sport and until it is played in the abandoned parking lots and alleyways by our youth, the quality of our players will remain as it is now.

      • Brandon says:

        There is hope, a large family of Mexicans that live in a trailer park near my Mothers house took three days by hand to clear a litterd field and array two stumps goal width. It looks third world with brown dirt and uneven surfaces. I took Sam down there just he could play on it and see what the rest of the world does. I should post some pics or video….

  15. Konnor says:

    this is awesome! just make sure if he becomes a messi that it doesnt go to his head and that he’ll play for the usa team and not pull a guiseppe rossi! (:

  16. Brandon Elwood says:

    Roger that!!!

  17. Steven Anthony says:

    This is great for us here in the U.S. Hopefully he makes it to the national team one day, and helps kill the stereotype that we can’t play football in this country. Kudos to your boy.

  18. Eva says:

    This is an exciting story and following it with great interest. The US does have some excellent hopefuls. Now that the rest of the world has decided to find those young American talents and invest/risk $ on their development, their may be more kids seriously pursuing their passion. The key is playing/training at the highest level of play possible to compare to the rest of the world, and then getting seen.

    This is a clip of of a US team/player in England. (2 club owners watching in the sidelines and have offered #19 academy spots from this one game). This is just a small clip of a very talented 11 yr.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=294szpr_XUo

    (BTW, this US team also defeated the FC Barcelona academy in June 2010 at the Jean Dupeaux Tournie in Lemans France.)

    • jdtelleria says:

      this is great stuff, thank you Ben you’re making strides for US Footy. I have a 19 year old friend who is leaving to live in Spain and find a club to play at. We play pick up all the time and he feels he is good enough to play at the highest level. He has Catalan, Dutch, and English blood, a good touch, and was born in the states so he has an American passport. Hope he makes it.

    • Brandon Elwood says:

      That clip would be much better recieved if it was in normal time. You can actually get a real time feel and gauge the players athleticism much better. Not trying to knock him at all, but its just to hard to gauge in slow motion….unless its a golf swing.

      • Eva says:

        Thank you all for the feedback. His athleticism was not the point of the clip. (The fact that he played an entire 90 minute game at a very high pace would have been lost in a full speed video anyway. ) The point is his creativity and technical skills to play at this level at 11 yo. If you blinked, you would have missed some beautiful movement. (Even in slow motion, you can gauge that he is moving, controlling his body and the ball while the opponents look as if they are barely moving.)

        The speed and the pace of the games at U11 and U12 overseas was unbelievable, unlike anything he has seen here in the states. The other kids around the world will catch up in athleticism when puberty sets in. Then , who is going to have the skill set to go with the size and strength?

  19. Julien says:

    I have been trying to contact this organization for my 9 year old son who is also very talented. Would you happen to have the email address or the contact information of La Masia?

    Thx

    • Gary Kleiban says:

      Julien,
      As you can imagine, I can’t give that stuff out.
      Are you in the Southern California area?

    • Brandon Elwood says:

      I have some contact information for you. I spent alot of time trying to get my son noticed by some clubs and after alot of time…i connected with some folks. He was never picked up by a European club but he was asked to come play with the Galaxy academy and he was invited to a west ham trial/clinic. If you think your son is good enough than you should test him out on some academy teams. They chomp at the bit to snach up any talent they can. Just be careful. At this age no matter how talented they are, they can be over shadowed by kids that are hitting puberty early. You can just wait a couple of years and see if he makes the ODP program for you area. Email me if you wants some La Masia contact or other European contacts. Just have video ready. They love video like this for example….
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dehU4xMiqc

      • Jennifer says:

        Hey Brandon I think my son is at the level where he needs to get seen by European teams Please help me get some contacts. Thank you!

      • Jayne says:

        Brandon,
        I would love some information on over seas contact information. I really feel my son has what it takes. I have a few videos of him on my YouTube page 4mykdz. It’s just getting the video in the right hands. Thank you so much. How do I email you?

  20. Lalo says:

    They find you. If your son has talent, best bet is to get him into an Academy Club and maybe a European tournament (that’s how Ben was discovered). If he’s good enough and lucky enough, his chance may come. And by the way, only 10-15% of La Masia grads ever make it pro (info readily avail doing Internet search). There are numerous, less high profile clubs in Europe for your son to make his mark.

    The plan for my U13 son is to try his luck in Europe at 18. He already knows he wants to do that. He has my backing to chase his dreams as you only live once. If it doesn’t work out, at least he tried and college is backup (I didn’t go to college until 23 and grad school at 28 . . . was chasing my own dreams).

  21. Brandon Elwood says:

    Any progress on Ben or footage? Would love to hear more about the happenings at the La Masia.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5KiGE-mOug

  22. Kris Chatham says:

    Does anyone know how to get into La Masia or seen by FCBarcelona?

  23. Brandon Elwood says:

    They find you…unless you can go over there and find a way into a local game or tourney. They do have affiliations with teams here in the US.

  24. dejavu says:

    Please i need help.I am talented young player in China.I got to China through a fake agent.My dream is to play for United States in future,then i can also continue fighting against terrorism.I like US.
    please visit my website http://www.dejvumagic.jimdo.com
    Last summer,i went to Spain,France and Hungary.
    I want to play soccer all my life,PLEASE CATCH ME YOUNG

  25. Hector Vega says:

    Brandon I have been following the string of comments, Looks like you have done extensive work tying to get your son noticed. I have an 11 year old that is very talented is starting to get recognized in northern california, but I would like to have him try out over the summer at a club…. can you help with information to send clips of his playing…..

  26. Brandon Elwood says:

    Hector, what city are you in? What club are you near that you are interested in having your son try out for? I can give you some tips. Have you recorded any video of your son yet? It all depends on how well he plays and how willing you are to travel and put forth a little cash. I have found that geographic location is very key and getting in with a good club in that location is key. We are in the sticks three hours from a MLS club. Ben was noticed because he was connected to a great club. Rhys Pak was noticed because he was connected to a great club. ODP was a great way to get noticed but many kids are bypassing ODP and just getting noticed through MLS academies because they are attracting all of the great players anyway…do to a little thing called MONEY. Why should kids that are good enough to play top level of there age group be paying thousands of dollars….it rediculous. You should try however to keep your kid playing with other good kids as much as possible and at the highest level possible depending on his or her love for soccer so I applaud your investigating new opportunities. Let me know what you are looking for and I would be glad to help. Getting into the La Masia is a combination of talent + money + connections.

  27. HECTOR VEGA says:

    BRANDON:
    THANKS FOR QUICK RESPONSE. YES HE PLAYS FOR ONE OF THE BIGGEST CLUBS AROUND THE AREA. ITS CAL ODYSSEY IN CLOVIS CA. THEY HAVE AN ACADEMY BUT THEY DON’T BEGIN TILL THERE ABOUT 13. HE CURRENTLY PLAY U12 AND GUESTS PLAYS FOR THE U13′S. HIS CURRENT TEAM IS VERY TALENTED , LAST YEAR THE FINISHED 3RD FOR STATE CUP. I HAVE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH AND SAVING MONEY WITH THE THOUGHT OF SENDING HIM OVERSEES TO EUROPEAN CAMP OR MAYBE EVEN SCHULZ ACADEMY FOR A MONTH… VERY EXPENSIVE I MUST SAY. ANYWAYS I DO HAVE SOME CLIPS OF HIM THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEND OUT, MAYBE HE COULD GET A LOOK BY SOME CLUB WITHOUT ME HAVING TO FORK OUT TO MUCH MONEY…

  28. HECTOR VEGA says:

    BRANDON:
    HERE IS A CLIP FROM ONE OF ULYSSES GAMES. WHEN VIDEOS ARE SENT OUT, HOW LONG SHOULD VIDEOS BE?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtGz_z6EwMo&feature=feedu

    • Brandon Elwood says:

      Hector, I prefer to give clips that typically invole a completed reception to a completed pass. Bens footage is good because it shows the whole field and how he could spread the game. Your son seems to do that also. I think that any footage is good because a person that knows the game and coaches the game at a high level can tell if a players is good pretty quick do to the demands of the game itself with regards to every touch. I would start looking at the earthquakes academy. They are having a tryout on the 28th but thats for 97, 98, 99. But maybe you could email the director and just ask if he could show for touches and you never know what. Go to the San Jose Earthquakes youth academy website. Last summer we did the west ham united international academy that ran through Santa Clara sporting. An ID camp should be coming around for that again to. I think its starts at u12. Check that website also. That is your best bet right now for the area you are in. FC Barca did have a youth thing going shortly for the bay area but that seemed to have failed and that was a bummer. It would be nice if that started up again.

  29. HECTOR VEGA says:

    Brandon:
    Thanks. Noticed thay his video was posted on Sams you tube. He wanted to know about the ID2 program, not sure if you are familiar with it. Ulysses was recomended by his coach and selected to play for PDP Region 7 which is organized by Norcal Soccer. They practiced twice a month for about 6 months and had to playdates in northern california where they faced the other regions in northern california.The Region coach recommended Ulysses to try out for an ID2 state tryout that was held in August, like 12 kids were selected to attend a national ID2 try out in Frisco Texas this month. They picked mostly 1998 kids and a couple of 1999′s. I just recieved an email that next year te PDP program will include 2001,2000, and 1999 players. The intention is to pick the best 1999′s from these Regions to go to state and national ID2 try-outs… If you need further info let me know and I will infrom you when I recieve the email for the new season

  30. Brandon says:

    Hector, thanks for the tip. Please keep me informed. We have been trying to break in on any US soccer or PDP stuff and its hard because US soccer is not up here. Samuel was invited to a PDP about a month ago but it conflicted with a league game. We are tempted to go to San Jose on Monday and tryout for there pre-academy. Im trying to find out details right now. They also say that they will be expanding and forming several teams in the area under coaches that they have picked to lead these teams that will play each other. But we are chomping at the bit. I have read about the frisco tx group and many of them are coming out of the San Jose Earthquakes academy. I am attaching my email and would appreciate any updates and I will do the same if I hear anything happenning in the Nor Cal region. It seems a big part of getting to that level is finding out where and when to be somewhere. The pool is so big that they seem to not be worried about attracting kids outside there region in more rural areas. Thats ok though because if you want it you gotta go get it…right…and making them travel and work harder to get there just builds character. Thanks a gain for the info.
    Brandon
    nthewood@sbcglobal.net

    • Brandon Elwood says:

      Update, Sam made the earthquakes academy and PDP. No problem….just a 5 hour drive to each 1 1/2 practice right…. Anything for the kiddies. Hector I lost your email. Shoot me a message. Go Benny!!! Barca camp sign ups are posted for the LA region this summer too!
      We are holding out for San Jose.

  31. Gary Kleiban says:

    Benny’s doing well.
    The team just won a prestigious tournament in Poland:
    http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20111213/mundo-barsa/el-alevin-a-del-barca-triunfa-en-polonia_54241033369.html

  32. David says:

    How did they secure Ben tryout with Barcelona? The reason I ask is because my son would like to tryout for the youth development program at Barcelona and we wanted to know how we should go about it.

    • Hector says:

      David:
      Its very difficult to secure a try-out. First your son needs to be seen by someone in Barcelona. My son attended a Barcelona Camp in December. The FBScola coaches that attended loved the way he played and requested all his information. One of the coaches emailed me back that he forwarded information to Barcelona scouts to see what they thought, but he also warned me that it is very difficult to bring someone from outside spain to try out for the team. Not only does the kid have to have the skills necessary, he also needs to be regarded as better than what they have there already… Anyways they are going to have camps this year again in California here is the link http://www.barcelonacamps.com/
      You can also send him over the summer directly to a Barcelona
      camp.. If he is good enough, he might have a better shot at a try-out since he is already there.

  33. Jordan Nelson says:

    hey all, i’m an American doing a masters in journalism at the University of Barcelona. I’m interested in doing a profile piece on Ben Lederman and the Masia training program. Masia is rather picky on who they let in, but I was hoping that I could use my shared nationality as an excuse. So far no luck. Any one have any idea how I might go about getting in contact with Ben directly?

    • Gary Kleiban says:

      Jordan, FCB suggested to all involved that it’s best for Ben if media attention were left to a minimum. Everyone agreed and is following their advice.

  34. Gary Kleiban says:

    Benny on Barca TV playing and interview:
    http://youtu.be/UZIyWE8WzFA

  35. nimo says:

    i bet i could get in!!!!!!!!!! how can i get trials?

  36. Jayne says:

    Brandon,
    I would love some information on over seas contact information. I really feel my son has what it takes. I have a few videos of him on my YouTube page 4mykdz. It’s just getting the video in the right hands. Thank you so much. How do I email you?

    http://youtu.be/B_MUMEJ_BiY

  37. Orestis says:

    Please answer me!!!!!!!!!!! how i can get a trial at la masia???
    Can you tell me their email adress??

    • Brandon Elwood says:

      Barcelona will find you, It does not hurt to play for one of there academy teams here in the US. After our experience over the last year with ODP, PDP, club teams and MLS academy team my advise is this. Just make sure the player is having a good time. If they are then try to get on a team that plays in high level tourneys. If they are super good then they may stand out…or maybe not… depending on the team play. Sometimes a player can stand out without a great team and sometimes they wont. Samuel does not stand out as much without great teamates that can play tiki taka. This last weekend we played the Barca norcal team and our team really wanted to win that game even more than the championship. Samuel had one of the best games he has ever played…and did not score a goal. The ref’s were asking him for his autograph at the end (kinda odd). My point is this. I dont think an email contact will work. Focus on playing in high level games and you will be noticed if you are good. The Norcal Barca coach approached me after the game and we had a great discussion and even talked about having Sam as a guest player. I think thats how you move up or get noticed in the US. And that is probably the most healthy way for the kids to get noticed. I am the poster child for the sending of videos. It does work to get seen and it created some good opportunities for us, and they can be made to have some “wow” factor. But coaches from great places like Barca are not foolish enough to simply bite on a video made to only show the very best compilations of play. And it could give your child an idea that a great compilation of video clips will get him to the next level. I have learned that video clips are fun to do but they can get out of control as well. Humility and hard work are what we are trying to teach now. .I heard that Ben Lederman is extremely humble and real class act. What I have learned is that it is ok to try and get your kids to the next level. Just make sure that its not to big of a leap for them. I wish somebody would come out with a good book for parents with athletic kids. Cause I am learning as I go and most of the time I feel good about it but sometimes I question my decisions for him. Maybe Danny Lederman could use his experience and put out a good book. Best of luck to all kids looking to follow Bens steps. Just keep working hard and try and play with the best situation you can find that works for you and your family. Sacrifice is part of that on some level…you just have to find the healthy level for you kids an the rest of your family and that varies from player to player.

  38. Ewusi Kwsi Ebenezer says:

    Dear sir/madam,i am a boy of 18yrs of age and it is my ambition to join your soccer development program.Sir,please i am a Ghanaian and i lives in Ghana i am fully prepare of that so i want to know what should i do before i can be part of the soccer develop program.i hope i will hear from u soon.thank u.

  39. Danny M says:

    Just curious, and without giving any personal details, what did Ben’s parents do for work while staying in Spain? Are they working there, or did their jobs in the US allow them to work from abroad?

    Thanks.

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  2. [...] Ben trained with the 98′s (two years up). He had a solid performance. Did some passing drills, pos… [...]

  3. [...] this story over at MatchFit USA, but make sure you click through to 3Four3 to see the full story. Categories: Americans Abroad | La Masia | T.D.Que? Tags: Barcelona | Ben [...]

  4. [...] very outlet. According to a variety of sources (but first reported by the website BarcaLoco and soccer blog 3four3), Southern Californian Ben Lederer — a 10-year-old who visited and worked out at the club's La [...]

  5. [...] very outlet. According to a variety of sources (but first reported by the website BarcaLoco and soccer blog 3four3), Southern Californian Ben Lederman — a 10-year-old who visited and worked out at the [...]

  6. [...] outlet. According to a accumulation of sources (but initial reported by the website BarcaLoco and soccer blog 3four3), Southern Californian Ben Lederman — a 10-year-old who visited and worked out during the [...]

  7. [...] gibt es ja so einige. Aber Brian Kleiban treibt es wirklich auf die Spitze. Sieht man sein Barca California Team spielen, wird deutlich, dass der Name Programm ist. Die [...]

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