BLAINE, Minn. — For every Major League Soccer Club, there is a youth academy.
However, only a few of the academies have a partnership like Minnesota United Football Club now has with Allina Health in providing 24/7 mental health resources to the academy's student soccer players.
In late August, Allina representatives came to campus at the National Sports Center in Blaine to introduce their free online program, Change to Chill, which is also widely used in Minnesota schools.
Goalkeeper Ramon Lujano-Salto said the content is already helping him navigate his busy schedule as he starts his days before 7 a.m. He said it's also helping him cope with some homesickness. The 16-year-old moved away from family in Michigan for the opportunity here.
"I always go on the website," Lujano-Salto told KARE 11. "Yeah, I would say stress is a part of the experience … We go out for training about 9 to 11 a.m. and then my first class is at 1 p.m."
Change to Chill covers reducing stigma, grief support, healthy relationships and more. Part of the website speaks specifically to teen athletes, providing visuals of "mindful movements" for them to try.
"How to talk to a friend, how to talk to a family member," said Sydney Hobart, community health improvement consultant for Allina Health. "It's a testament to Minnesota United and just really valuing of the mental health and well-being of their young players. I think that's going to carry through with them for the rest of their lives, whether they're on the field or not."
Minnesota United's own Zarek Valentin said he didn't have supportive programming like this growing up but wishes he had.
"Fourteen years ago becoming a pro, it was, 'You just got to power through, you gotta be strong,'" the defender said. "I can't even imagine being an Academy kid these days with some of the stressors of going pro, going to college, taking care of your families … but nowadays, we're a lot more empathetic to some of the pain and the mental anguish that some of these decisions have."
That's why Change to Chill provides tips not just to players but also their coaches and the youth development staff. Lujano-Salto said the program has encouraged him to speak openly with coaches and peers about stress and to practice grounding techniques like breathing.
"That's probably my favorite thing to do," he said. "Just breathe."