A rare chance to speak with a young player going through one of the most important times of his career.
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His journey through the sports world started much like most young American boys. He played multiple sports, quickly settling in to just soccer.
But around the age of thirteen, things changed.
Kyle Gruno, now at Leicester City F.C. and part of their U18 Academy – having signed at age fifteen and a half – is an American player who has spent time at multiple MLS and other development academy programs.
He spoke about his experiences with a calm voice throughout our conversation. American born, but now speaks with an accent similar to that of Brad Friedel who spent many years playing in England.
Kyle began flying back and forth to Europe as a teenager, going on trial with numerous clubs. He ultimately ended up at Leicester City, who at that time was in the Football League Championship (2nd Division) in England.
Leicester City F.C. were on their way to promotion into the top flight though, and at the time of this publication, sit at the top of thePremier League table.
The youth academy was, and is, doing equally amazing things.
Kyle and I discussed what it is like to be part of the experience of having LCFC running wild in the Premier League. And honestly, he doesn’t seem to be phased by it. He knows that his job is to continue impressing his coaches with his work on and off of the field.
Kyle and I also discussed what it was like to play for Hugo Perez on the US Youth National Team and how Hugo changed his playing style.
You can follow Kyle Gruno and his journey by keeping up with him on Twitter.
Big thank you to Jack Gidney for joining in on the conversation.
Really great stuff to hear a young guy talk about his experience while he’s in it. Great work guys!
I agree, Benjamin.
We probably should look into doing more interviews of this nature. Real value for many who want, or need, this sort of insight. Totally untapped education.
Yes and now he’s been released as he was below average. Only given a scholar as he moved from America.
Very excited about the experience of my Grandson.
I hope his skill level will continue to grow.
Hi Don,
Thank you for commenting, and thus far, congrats on having your grandson on such a prestigious trajectory.
Long way to go, but he’s on a good path.
John, I love the point you made when talking about how it’s those that have “made it” that get interviewed frequently but not enough interviews with those players who are in the process of trying to get there. Would be great to hear more podcast of players in this part of their career.
When you asked Kyle about what makes his experience different from here in the states he mentioned that in Leicester, he is around players who are hungry to go Pro and over here his level would at times drop because players weren’t driven to train hard.
I would think having a pro/rel league in the states would contribute to an environmemt where more younger players would come out to clubs with a hungry mindset to turn pro because the possibility of their team going up the ladder.
Keep grinding Kyle!!
Hey John, have you ever thought about interviewing coaches who themselves are also working their way into the pro systems? May it be from a 3rd tier league to a 2ND and so forth. Coaches who have experienced the coaching environment abroad, and doesmt have to be necessarily with a first division team. But point being experienced coaching in countries like England, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, etc, etc.
Just an idea. Keep up the good work with these podcasts ?.
-Erick De la Rocha