For the first time in the history, a soccer player from Chattanooga has been offered a full-time position to train with an MLS team in its Development Academy.

Joseph Collins received the good news last week. At just 13-years-old he was already playing on a Chattanooga FC 01 Premier, a team three years older.

ChattanoogaSoccer.com featured Joseph back in September. We knew he had a bright future but not many could have predicted this.

Born in Accra, Ghana in West Africa, he and his brothers were adopted from an orphanage in 2010 by Kathleen and Tim Collins. Joseph was just 7 years old when he came to Chattanooga. Soccer was already a favorite pastime for them all. Older brother, Godfred, plays with Joseph on the 2001 Premier team. Older brother, Clinton, played for the 98s last year. Younger brother, Phillip, is making his own mark as a u12.

As a center forward for his Chattanooga FC Academy team, Joseph said he always felt the same size as the older boys. “Size is not a big deal for me,” he said. Known a great teammate, he is quick to credit others.

“My teammates are really good. They always try to help me. They correct me and tell me what to do and stuff.”

He also credits CFCA coach Jimmy Weekly with helping him reach his goals.

“I just like the way Jimmy trains us. He make us to want to get better every day and help play our position every day. He helps us keep moving the ball. He’s trying to help us get ready for college.”

"We've had plenty of players move on to play college soccer in NAIA, D3, D2, and even D1 in the SEC. But this is a first for the club. It shows that, with hard work, we have the coaching staff and facilities to help a player go as far as they want." - Matt Yelton, Chattanooga FC Academy Executive Director

His training outside the club is pretty simple. No fancy private lessons or other expensive training. His training plan is free.

“I run in my neighborhood. I like to run in the street. It helps me. I am working on playing forward and more quickness. Getting quicker every day.”

Joseph opted out of playing for his middle school team, saying he wanted to focus on playing at the club level.

As far as advice for other CFC Academy players?

“I would tell them to keep working hard. When you do something keep doing it. Don’t just quit, keep playing and working and you’ll get better every day.”