From Haiti to the MLS: Steeve Selso Saint-Duc

I remember when Steeve “Selso” Saint-Duc first arrived to train with us. He was eager to train, but only spoke a few words of English.  

Selso is from Les Cayes, Haiti. I scouted Selso during the U17 CFU Tournament where he captained the young Haitians. Selso won the Golden Ball, The Golden Boot and was named to the tournament’s Best XI. It was now our job to make a highlight video to assist him in gaining interest from professional clubs.

While we made his video, we were also responsible for his fitness, skill development, and nutrition. Like most 17 year olds, Selso did not understand what those things really meant. Of course he is very talented, but he needed elite level training to tip the scale in his favor of landing a professional contract.

Selso went to trial with the Seattle Sounders in MLS. His experience there was difficult. The language barrier among other things sent him back to train with us while he still needed more refining. He had 4 weeks before his next trail with LAFC.

We spent weeks working on the little things: first touch, agility, and fitness training. We used our 4-week fitness course, 4-week nutrition guide, and 4-week skill development program  to prepare him for the rigors of the professional level. 

After the trial at LAFC, he received the news that he would be signed. 

It was amazing to see that an 18 year old signed a contract to play in the MLS from using our training programs. It was also wonderful to see his determination after being rejected, but he was able to bounce back and land a professional contract.