In 2018 a new soccer organization will emerge in Los Angeles to compete in the MLS, and while LAFC is still over a year from competition, the groundwork is being done right now to build the franchise from the bottom up. 

One of the main people responsible for the franchise's direction is the keynote speaker for our upcoming Soccer Career Conference, John Thorrington, LAFC executive vice president of soccer operations.

The 37-year old Thorrington spent 9 seasons in the MLS after beginning his playing career in Europe, signing with the Manchester United youth squad as a 17-year old, then bouncing around Germany and other lower leagues in England prior to signing with the Chicago Fire in 2005 . After his playing career was finished in 2014, Thorrington moved to the MLS player’s union, working as a special assistant to executive director Bob Foose, before signing on with LAFC in late 2015.

“I know how difficult it is as an expansion team. I lived it, I was part of one,” said Thorrington referring to his year as a player with the then expansion Vancouver Whitecaps. “And that’s what makes this foundational period all the more important. So we are going to start from the bottom and build up.”

Building up from the bottom requires, amongst other things, hiring the right staff - academy directors, scouts, player personnel, sales & marketing, youth directors and more will form the backbone of the organization. Thorrington knows what he is looking for, and will explain more of his vision for the future of soccer and LAFC in his keynote address.

“Our objective is to represent our city, to represent our fans and put a product out there that our fans and our city will be proud of.” 

Register today for the SMWW Soccer Sports Career conference held January 13-14^th during the MLS SuperDraft in Los Angeles, and learn the business of soccer from Thorrington and other experts of the industry.