Argentina is the Promised Land for many aspiring soccer players. The land of Messi has a well-known reputation for developing some of the top players in the world.

At the forefront of this focus on cultivating technically proficient and tactically astute players are the professional academies that host some of the country’s future stars.

A few U.S. youth players have graced the fields alongside those promising prospects with Chivas USA Academy goalkeeper Michael Suchy being the latest to enjoy a training stint in South America.

Suchy, 15-years-old, is currently training with River Plate, which he says has been eye-opening encounter.

“The experience has been amazing so far and much different than what I have experienced in the U.S.” Suchy told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “The atmosphere is very competitive and the training is much more intense. We train five-six days a week and the players here are very serious.”

The Southern California-native also highlighted some of the differences he has seen in the practices between his normal club, Chivas USA, and the one he is currently training with, River Plate.

“One thing that stands for me as a keeper is the amount of full field scrimmages we do at ever practice. As a keeper, this has been really great because I get a lot more game situation practices that I can’t necessarily get from doing keeper drills or small sided games.”

Michael Kennedy from Goal Management Group helped arrange the trial with the Argentine club giants.

“I was one of five Southern California players to be invited. Goal Management has very strong connections with River Plate – they have two players currently signed with River Plate and they also have strong ties to the academy here.”

The teenager said that seeing Estadio Monumental (River Plate’s stadium) everyday has been one of his best memories from the trip along with a journey to a local park.

“The keeper coach took us to a park last Saturday to train,” Suchy explained. “As we did our drills, a crowd of people gathered around us and began taking pictures. We are River Plate players and to them that meant something. It reminded me how important soccer is to this country and its people.”

River Plate is the first professional club that Suchy has trained with, and the initial feedback has been positive.

“The coaches really like my level of play. They also said I have good reactions and technique.”

A permanent move to Argentina, if offered, would have to wait though, as Suchy only has U.S. citizenship.

“I am currently only a citizen of the U.S. although my mom’s side of the family is from Mexico and my dad’s side is from Czech Republic.”

Monterrey’s Rising Star

U.S. U15 Boys National Team forward Joe Gallardo earned a share of the Golden Boot award at the 2013 Torneo Fuerzas Basicas de Sub-15 with Monterrey last week.

Gallardo scored six goals at the tournament including both goals in the club’s quarterfinal win last Wednesday. The Rayaditos lost 1-0 in the semifinal stage on Thursday, which was Gallardo’s last game with the club for a couple of weeks as he joined the U.S. youth national team camp at the StubHub Center on Sunday.

The San Diego-native joined Monterrey in January, but still figures to be an important piece for the next U.S. U17 Men’s National Team cycle.