The strong connection between the San Jose Earthquakes Academy system and the first team was on full display last week as former Academy players JT Marcincowski and Josh Morton were featured in the club’s training session at the Earthquakes Training Facility.

As an opportunity to earn valuable training experience with first team players, Marcinkowski and Morton’s busy summer of soccer in the Bay Area continues as they currently star for club’s PDL affiliate Burlingame Dragons FC.

Marcinkowski, who spent June and July with the United States U-20 National Team at the U-20 Men’s NTC Invitational, has used these training sessions to soak it all in from past and present San Jose net-minders.

“It’s an amazing experience,” Marcinkowski said. “Not only talking to them but seeing how [David] Bingham, Bryan [Meredith] and Andrew [Tarbell] all train, it’s a level that I really want to be at. I’ve been soaking in all of the advice from Tim [Hanley] and just picking everyone’s brains. They’ve seen a lot of stuff and been in big games and they’re where I want to be one day."

Morton, entering his junior season at Cal, has appreciated the competitiveness of these sessions, noting the physicality and speed of play as big differences from the collegiate level.

“The physicality of the training sessions has really stood out to me,” Morton explained. “The physicality is a lot higher than college for sure. It takes time to get used to. You have to learn how to manage it, but I think I’ve fit in during my time.”

After helping the Dragons clinch a PDL playoff spot last Sunday, July 10 against the Las Vegas Mobsters, Marcinkowski and Morton continue their summer stint with Burlingame on Tuesday, June 19 against Fresno Fuego in the first round of the PDL playoffs at Chukchanski Park in Fresno; kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.