U-17 prospect Aleman, TFC, part ways By Charles Posted on May 20, 2011 Comments Off on U-17 prospect Aleman, TFC, part ways 0 712 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Keven Aleman, TFC Academy’s star of Canada’s second-place finish at the CONCACAF U-17 Canadian championships, has parted ways with the club. Toronto FC announced Thursday evening that the club has parted ways with Aleman, Dino Gardiner, and Jonathan Lao — all members of the Academy. “We ask that our Academy players sign a letter of commitment, which is an agreement between our club and player that they will receive the best training and development opportunities, with the goal of reaching the first team,” said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter in a release issued by the club. “These players have decided not to commit to our Academy in order to pursue tryouts overseas.” Aleman scored the goal of the CONCACAF U-17 tournament, beating four Trinidad and Tobago defenders before unleashing a rocket of a shot in a 2-0 win over the junior Soca Warriors. He scored three times in Canada’s five matches in Jamaica, in which it qualified for next month’s U-17 World Cup. Aleman is considered to be Canada’s top attacking threat going into Mexico 2011. But, even during the CONCACAF tourney, there were whispers of European interest in Aleman. So, TFC fans will have to swallow the news that the team’s top U-17 prospect has left the club. Is TFC’s policy too rigid? The Academy will turn over players as they age at a level far greater than spots will open up on the roster. It’s logistically impossible for each and every Academy player to have a shot to make the MLS squad.
