MLS finds early success with invitation-only program for underrepresented coaches

There is a new avenue to join the Major League Soccer ranks. On Tuesday, MLS officially launched their MLS ADVANCE initiative. The invitation-only program is focused on identifying and developing underrepresented candidates for various sporting roles within the league and across the MLS ecosystem, including its development league and academy.

Candidates who participate in the program will have unique opportunities to meet with team officials and front office executives, along with mentorship and access to skill-building resources.

“With our League’s richly diverse player and fan populations, our work at MLS is to continue to ensure that our league and clubs reflect the diversity not only of MLS but our sport around the world,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement released by the league.

MORE: MLS Advance pipeline program brings underrepresented coaches to the forefront. Here's how

SEASON PREVIEW: MLS opens 28th season, build up to World Cup starts now

How does it work? MLS ADVANCE will have 3 key pathways

According to the league, there are three keys to increasing diverse hires through MLS ADVANCE:

• A global diverse database, which curates a list of qualified underrepresented candidates for open positions.

• Networking events with key decision makers. Candidates will be invited to key events, including MLS Board of Governors meetings, to network with front office executives.

• Professional development. Candidates will learn through mentorship and year-round programming that includes interview preparation, coaching licensing support and a speaker series featuring MLS leaders.

MLS ADVANCE launched as a pilot in December and has already placed five of 12 candidates — 42% — in sporting positions, according to the league.

A 'life-changing' opportunity

CF Montréal assistant coach Hervé Diese, who attended a two-day MLS ADVANCE event in Florida, called it "truly life changing."

"I was able to learn from some of MLS’ most important leaders, had the chance to sharpen my interviewing and networking skills and ultimately met CF Montréal Assistant Sporting Director Vassili Cremanzidis, which led to my new role with the club," Diese said in a statement. "The level of support, assistance and encouragement I’ve received from MLS league staff and leaders around the league over the last few months has blown me away."

Diese added he wants to stay involved in MLS ADVANCE and one day become a mentor to the next generation of leaders.

Charlotte FC assistant Pa-Madou Kah said meeting decision-makers made a difference for him.

"You often do not get the chance to hear how the thought processes from the CSOs or the GMs because they are the ones that making decisions," Kah told the Tennessean. "And when they face you and see you and you get to talk to them, you can then give them a different narrative than maybe what they've heard about you."

MLS diversity by the numbers

MLS committed to increasing "inclusion and representation" in 2020. Entering the 2023 season, which begins Saturday, 57% of the league’s players are Black or Hispanic and 34% of the league’s head coaches are Black or Hispanic. The league said there was a 120% increase in hiring of Black candidates between August and November last year.

In 2021, the league also updated its Diversity Hiring Policy, requiring teams have two or more non-white candidate, one of whom must be Black, in their finalist pools for open sporting positions. Teams also have to enter all vacant positions and details of their interview process into the Diversity Policy Portal or face up to a $100,000 fine.

According to the league, the changes made an immediate impact.

• Underrepresented candidates made up 51% of MLS sporting roles filled in the first year after updating the policy and 64% of MLS NEXT Pro sporting roles filled in the first two months of the new policy.

• The league now has a database of over 300 underrepresented candidates

• More than 200 underrepresented candidates have been interviewed as finalists.

“We are encouraged by the results we’ve seen so far to date and know that the list of qualified individuals eager to contribute to the further advancement of the league will only continue to grow," said Quincy Amarikwa, Founder & Executive Director of Black Players for Change (BPC).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLS launches new initiative to advance underrepresented coaches