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[quote=Anonymous]1) Move to a metro area with a top MLS academy, preferably one that has a history of producing homegrown pros and/or selling to European clubs. Sadly, DC United (and therefore the DMV) does not count (and my son plays for DCU academy). Philadelphia Union is probably the best example on the east coast.
2) Live close to the MLS academy training ground, if possible. Logistics is the #1 barrier to overcome -- you are just driving your kid ALL THE TIME.
3) Find and play for a top local club that has ties to that MLS academy (e.g. top players regularly matriculating there, coaches moving there). In Philly, a good example would be FC Delco -- lots of connections to the Union academy. Err on the side of a club that trains closer to the MLS academy training grounds (see #2 above).
4) Be active and involved with that club. Talk to the experienced parents; talk to the coaches; be helpful; don't be a dick or a helicopter parent.
5) Train on your own, especially technical training. You can't teach touch, but it is the top thing MLS academies are looking for in a young player. You'll get bigger, you'll get stronger, you can be taught tactics or even how to defend better. But they can't teach you touch, and if you don't have it by ~U13 it probably ain't happening.
6) Move to the MLS academy by U15. If you can move earlier, that's OK, but not necessary. They rosters turn over a lot in the younger ages. But best to be there by U15.
7) Now, there is much less a parent can do. You can be supportive, but you can't do all the stuff you can at a regular club to help pave the way for them. It's really up to your son now.
8) Your son should probably be getting regular looks by the US Soccer scouts and getting invited to YNT ID Centers (these are local invite-only "tryouts" by the national team scouts and coaches). Even better if you are going to the next level of regional YNT training camps. If this isn't happening, being a pro is getting less likely.
9) By U17, you need to be a regular starter, and one of the best, say, 10 players on a good MLS academy team. At this level you are still in the mix. All the better if that is top 5.
10) By U17, the club should start to have conversations with you about next steps. Best is just signing a homegrown contract, but more likely it's that you start to train with the reserve team (their USL team or team in the new "MLS Next Pro" league); or, even better, train some with the first team (actual Philadelphia Union in this example). If this isn't happening by now...not a good sign.
11) You should still have at least a "backup plan" of going to a top soccer college (like an ACC team). There is still a chance your MLS club will offer you a homegrown contract after a year or two of top flight college soccer.
12) If now, you could still get taken in the MLS Draft after you graduate, but fewer and fewer MLS players come through this route every year. Or by then you are old enough to go to Europe and try to keep the dream alive there.

See...easy! Anyone can become a pro.[/quote]

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