Arnold Soccer Standout Invited To Olympic Development Program Team

Landon Kaline outmaneuvered a defender enroute to the goal.

Photo courtesy of Hugo Van’t Veer/Barça Residency Academy

Having lived and trained in Spain and now Arizona, Arnold native Landon Kaline has been invited to play for the U.S. Olympic Development Program tournament team.

Photo courtesy of the Olympic Development Program

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At just 16 years old, Arnold native Landon Kaline received an invitation in February to join the Olympic Development Program (ODP) National Select soccer team while still playing for his U17 American national team, Barça Residency Academy USA, in Casa Grande, Arizona. The honor is Kaline’s next step toward playing for the U.S. national team, and one day perhaps play for the U.S. Olympic or World Cup team. The ODP National Select team is a tournament-only team that competes internationally and is made up of top-tier American players in their age group.

The meteoric rise from playing recreation soccer at age 5 to the international level has been a steep though steady trajectory of hard work, commitment and maturity. Former coach Pat Hulede, head coach of the Arundel Soccer Association’s Juventus Elite 2009 team, was one of the first to see Landon’s potential.

“When Landon first joined the team at 11, he immediately stood out for his strong motivation to improve, his determination to compete, and his hunger to take his game to the next level,” Hulede recalled. “He consistently demonstrated a willingness to put in extra work on his own, which translated into steady and noticeable progress.”

The Kaline family began to realize that Landon may have exceptional talent in the summer of 2021 when he was 12 years old. They were approached by the head coach of the Maryland Bobcats during a soccer camp. The coach said he believed Landon should be playing at a higher level and suggested he try out for the team, which was for an age group two years older than Landon. He didn’t try out for that team, but the seeds were planted.

In early 2023, then 14-year-old Landon, a Magothy River Middle School eighth-grader, went to Spain for a tournament with his travel club team, Arundel Soccer Association 2009 Juventus Elite.

“We realized he had some serious talent during the Surf Cup Salous tournament in Spain,” explained Landon’s mother, Jennifer Kaline. “The competition was out of this world and Landon was able to hang with the Spanish players, even winning Man of the Match in one of the games.”

During that tournament, an independent FIFA agent saw Landon play and contacted the Kalines to ask if Landon would be interested in trying out for teams in Spain. Concurrently, the Kalines were in communication with the head of the International Soccer Academy where Landon was enrolling. It was official: Landon’s skill was widely recognized on the international playing field.

Landon played his youth career with Arundel Soccer Association Juventus Elite 2009 boys’ team from 2020 until he left to train in Spain in late February 2024. In August 2025, Landon moved to Casa Grande, Arizona, to play with the Barça Residency Academy USA. He will continue to play with his Barça U17 team and play in tournaments with the ODP national team. Should he stay healthy and continue to refine his skills, his next step would be to play for the United States youth national team for an opportunity to play in the Youth Olympics.

Landon lives, trains and attends high school classes at Barça Residency Academy in Arizona, which is the first and only FC Barcelona-affiliated residential academy in the United States. He is the only player on Barça U17 invited to the ODP tournament team. His days at the academy are strictly structured.

“Landon has shown exceptional mental strength, having lived and developed in Spain and now Arizona, while remaining fully committed to achieving his goals. His ability to adapt to new environments and continue progressing speaks highly of his character and resilience,” said Hulede, who stays in touch with Landon and the Kaline family. “He’s a strong role model for young players pursuing their dreams and an example of what can be achieved through hard work, dedication and belief in oneself.”

Landon’s favorite national team – after the United States – is the Spanish team, which plays in Barcelona. He credits Hulede and Carles Coto, his coach in Spain, for guiding his career thus far.

Growing up, Landon closely watched the career of Eden Hazard, a former Belgian footballer who retired in 2023 after a 16-year-career. “His impact on the field and ability to keep the ball close to his feet was insane,” Landon said.

Today Landon follows Lamine Yamal, an 18-year-old professional on the Spanish national team, who Landon may have the opportunity to play against in the future. For now, Landon is focused on getting stronger, faster, improving his fútbol, but never taking his eye off his ultimate goal of playing in a World Cup.