The soccer world spotlight has shifted to the U20 World Cup, in which some of the sport’s brightest younger stars are battling on behalf of national pride as much as a chance to get their names on the worldwide radar. It’s all taken place at the Chile-hosted tournament, which has been anything other than predictable —filled with breakout performances, surprise tactics, and even experimental rule manipulation that might just redefine the way the sport is played into the future. Perhaps the biggest news came when Mexico scored the decisive 1–0 victory over Morocco, the match that saw as much punch as heart. Gilberto Mora’s expertly aimed penalty, given after the hand was judged, was all that was needed to get Mexico through the Round of 16 as the second-place team in Group C. It wasn’t all confetti, however. Early on, forward Mateo Levy was the victim of a gruesome collision that brought play to a stop and sent him off into the medical tent, a grim reminder just how physically taxing youth internationals can be. Yet discipline and defensive solidity saw the Mexicans through when confronting a Moroccan team that had already clinched the group and elected to sit back on multiple starters. In other action, the United States U20 team shot out of the gates like a shot. Their initial-round defeat of New Caledonia by the score of 9–1 was more than just a victory — it was a statement. Midfielder Benja Cremaschi, best known already in the circles that revolve around the MLS, treated fans to a masterclass tutorial, providing the hat trick as well as two-assist night that puts him on the short list as one among the biggest American hopes in the age category. The United States moves on towards the powerhouse Italian team, who will test the Americans’ depth, defensive cohesiveness, and tactical adaptability.

Most prominent among the experiments attempted comes the use of the “green card” system, under which the manager is allowed the chance at questioning the decision on the part of the referees and challenging as many as two VAR reviews per contest. The action is a harbinger of similar coach-activated review systems in tennis and cricket and was similarly greeted with skepticism by players, officials, and fans. An early high-profile use was when Spain was awarded a penalty after Moroccan head coach Mohamed Ouahbi challenged — and was successful in — a decision that had gone in his team’s favor. The decision was reversed despite the applause that followed, and the criticism that came with it, as the incident and the reactions that followed underlined FIFA’s commitment to new methods in transparency and fairness, even among youth levels. While the future is unsure for the green card, there is no doubt that the introduction has given the already nervously tense group stage something like a new dimension. With the knockout stage imminent, the stage is being set for some intriguing matchups. Colombia faces South Africa, a meeting between one of the technically brightest teams on the continent of South America and one of the fast and flashy African newcomers.

Back home, the discussion on youth development is about to take a historic turn, and the center is San Diego FC. The club, who entered the fold this season, has, expansion aside, officially opened its Right to Dream Academy, initiative that is likely to redefine the way the way American youngsters are found, trained, and developed. Based on Sycuan tribal land on the outskirts of El Cajon, the academy is conterminous with the club’s training center and subscribes to the full-scholarship system. Five years of stellar coaching, academic education, and personal growth assistance — all on a full-ride basis — go to every scholar-athlete who is accepted into the school. It is revolutionary in the American soccer context, as the pay-to-play system has been the subject of all manner of criticism as shutting the door on all the youngsters who cannot raise the thousands every year that the club membership requires. Right to Dream turns that equation on its head. Born in Ghana more than two decades ago, the academy’s philosophy is straightforward yet forceful: talent is ubiquitous, opportunity is scarce. It’s a mindset that’s yielded dozens of pros across Europe and Africa, and now, with the San Diego project, finally reaches North America. San Diego began as a U-13 academy, but the plan is to grow into multiple ages and, down the road, a girls’ team, too. It’s not just about making players, after all — making people is the goal. Students board on campus, get academic education, and receive mentorship in leadership and life skills. Even if all the players don’t become professionals, the plan is that every graduate is ready to succeed in life. For a league that has sometimes struggled to evolve its youth setups, this is a very bold statement of intent.

San Diego FC’s goals go way beyond the academy. In just its one season in the league, the club has already beaten records — most expansion-team victories (18 and growing) and the league lead in merchandise sales. All that success has brought outlandish local excitement, and the club’s fansbase is becoming one of the league’s most active. The ownership group is ambitious, too. Actress/producer Issa Rae recently came on board, bringing cultural clout and profile to the brand, and ex-Manchester United and Chelsea legend Juan Mata became the initial active professional player to take a stake in the club. Both signings highlight the same aspiration on San Diego’s part — the desire to merge worldwide credibility with local authenticity. On the field, the team made a meaningful signing, too, bringing in Emmanuel Boateng, who is a Right to Dream Academy alum of the original Ghana-based camp. Boateng’s signing is more than just a roster addition — it is the past meeting the future, the connection between Right to Dream’s original vision in Ghana and the new market in the United States. It is also a tangible example, seen and know, that is given the youngsters in San Diego when opportunity is combined with preparation.

Either the next superstar middle will turn up via academy in California as easily as via one among the leading European club teams. Either the next significant rule adjustment will arrive via a youths competition as easily as the final of the World Cup. And as more clubs, nations, and governing bodies open themselves up the innovation — both technological as well as human — the sport draws all the nearer towards becoming as inclusive as well as forward-looking as has always hoped. And fans, that is the beauty of the situation, is the appreciation that we’re watching games, we’re watching the soccer future develop — one academy, one compete, and one green card at any given time.