According to the U.S. Soccer Federation, more than 70 U.S. athletes are playing pro soccer in Europe.

Neil Buethe, communications coordinator for the federation, said youngsters from England used to fill almost all the spots in that country's soccer academies.

"For an American to be plucked from the States and go over to a Man U or an Arsenal or a Chelsea, that's pretty rare," Buethe said.

"But the past five years, there has been an influx of 15-, 16- and 17-year-olds moving over as U.S. soccer starts to become more of a force."

It can be hard for American youngsters to go to the academies in England because they must be eligible for a European Union visa.

But 12-year-old Emerson Hyndman of Plano would not have a problem. His grandfather, FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman, is Portuguese.

Emerson is just 4-10, 75 pounds, too small to dominate older players. But Buethe, who hasn't seen Emerson play, said technical skills are more important for players Emerson's age. An example, Buethe said, was Freddy Adu, who succeeded as a youngster because of his touch and ball awareness.

Adu signed with Major League Soccer when he was 14, and now, at 19, plays professionally in Portugal.

Jesuit graduate Kenny Cooper was scouted at 14 but waited to finish high school before heading to Manchester United. He now plays for FC Dallas.