Jim Curtin Makes Fascinating Comparison About Development in MLS

Curtin used Kentucky basketball as a comparison to developing players through MLS Next Pro during his press conference on Friday.

Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin produced an interesting comparison to development in American soccer during his Friday press conference.

Curtin’s answer stemmed from a few questions regarding the reported signing of 14-year-old Union academy product Cavan Sullivan to a record Homegrown contract and a future contract with Manchester City.

Curtin compared the development starting in MLS Next Pro to what Kentucky basketball has done under John Calipari.

“Take Cavan out of it, we’ve aspired and want to be the club that every young American kid wants to come and play for,” Curtin said. “We want our environment such that they get better and better here and they win things here, first and foremost, please don’t mistake that for anything. We want to win first. But when the time is right we recognize player development is huge and we believe very much in the American player.”

Curtin politely declined to talk specifically about Sullivan because the deal is not 100 percent official yet on the Union’s side. This has been Curtin’s protocol since he has been the manager. He said he will have plenty to talk about regarding Sullivan when the deal is officially announced.

“I guess I could go to the value of MLS Next Pro and talk about that and rather than talk about individuals right now,” Curtin said.

“That league is growing and getting better. I almost reference now, I’ll do a real-time reference of Kentucky basketball and the NCAA tournament and John Calipari, who is a guy who has freshmen that he has a big idea for and that idea is bigger than playing four years at Kentucky and team bonding and things like that. It’s more about producing pros. That’s what he aspires to do.”

Kentucky has had a litany of top recruits turn into NBA superstars. John Wall, Anthony Davis, Devin Booker and Karl-Anthony Towns are just a few of the stars who were developed in Lexington.

“Can Oakland link together and beat them on given day, just like an MLS Next Pro team can be beat by El Paso (in the Open Cup). Yes, that can happen because that’s top, top talented kids playing against a group of men,” Curtin continued.

“I’m not disrespecting the men, the USL, the leagues in the country, but if we want to get things right and grow things right in this country and really believe in young American players, I think the idea and the vision and the foresight of (MLS Next Pro) is a good one and it’s to really believe in American players.”

“Not talk about believing in players, but actually believe in them. I use the Kentucky example because that maybe resonates better with people because they see it. John Calipari produces five pros a year and they go on to make millions of dollars and he has a vision that it’s still good for those families, those people and on and on and on. 

“The story of Oakland is great too, but a lot of those kids are going to go on and have successful careers, but they’re not going to be in the sport at the highest level. 

Curtin’s comparison makes sense in that regard, and while no one admits MLS Next Pro is close to producing superstars every yet, the foundation, in Curtin’s eyes, is there.

“I think big-picture wise that league will grow more and more each year and we’re not there yet, but I think that league can be that for American players and the value of the talent here is real,” Curtin said. “It’s going to continue to get better and better.

“Cavan is a part of that. There are 7-8 players from our Union II team last night who will go on to be top pros as well. I think it’s a really good system. You might get beat in the Open Cup by some 25-26-30 year old pros and people say the league is terrible.”

“No, you don’t see what 5-6-7-8 years out what this thing is gonna grow to. That’s my belief. People are going to kill me for saying this, but that I think is the aspiration from our league. It’s very forward thinking, and most importantly, a focus on the American player. I’ll still say our national team has the responsibility to help our national team get better in this country.”

Where Curtin lost me on that comparison is with the winning side of things because Kentucky has one title this millennium under Calipari in 2012. An argument could be made that Calipari’s focus on one-and-done players actually hurts him when it’s time to win meaningful games.

The Union advanced to a handful of big games in Curtin’s tenure, but as many disgruntled fans will point out, they haven’t won shit outside of the 2020 Supporters’ Shield.

In an ideal world, the Union would bring home trophy after trophy while also being a talent factory for the top European leagues.

The Union have not proved the “do both” strategy can work in terms of trophies, but they have at least been competitive in most competitions over the last five years.

“You can do both. You can win games and have success and develop players,” Curtin said. “That’s what we want to do. Pro sports are hard, though, everybody else wants to win too and does it in a different way. I’m not here to tell you which is the right way, but this is the way our club has decided to it. I think we have an incredible fan base and they understand and embrace it. Of course, there’s going to be some noise from people who aren’t happy. It’s going to be same everywhere in Philly, but you can’t make everyone happy. This is also the beauty of pro sports. I like nothing more than watching kids get better and better and better and when the time is right winning things here, but also having incredibly successful careers in Europe. I think that is special and that is our way and we’re proud of it. 

Curtin is actually on the right track with the development comparison, but the “do both” part falls flat when Kentucky basketball is the primary example.

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union.