Le Havre’s Mathieu Bodmer on a Soccer Vision That Includes New York City
In a recent interview on Game In Frame with Jeremy Pastel, founder of Boost My Sports, Paul Kontonis, President of the CJSL, and Mathieu Bodmer, Sporting Director of Le Havre AC. Bodmer outlined his club’s global strategy for youth development, with a clear focus on expanding into the U.S. through a strategic partnership with the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL). As the oldest youth soccer league in New York City, CJSL has long been a proving ground for future stars—and now, our league is aligned with one of Europe’s most storied talent incubators.
“CJSL Is a Good Partner for the Future”
Bodmer expressed admiration for the CJSL’s role in grassroots development: “It’s important for Le Havre to have a good partner in New York. CJSL is a good partner for the future because they have a lot of good players, a good mindset, and they want to improve. We share the same values.”
Le Havre’s decision to work with the CJSL through the Precision Play Soccer Showcase 2025 on June 28th and 29th, underscores the league’s reputation for nurturing talent while maintaining a competitive and diverse environment—attributes that align with Le Havre’s emphasis on long-term player growth.
Building an International Bridge for Player and Coach Development
One of the key themes of the interview was Le Havre’s commitment to establishing long-term player pathways, not just one-off scouting visits: “We’re not just here to take players—we want to build something together. We want to give the kids and coaches more opportunities, more education, more training, and the possibility to come to France.”
As part of this collaboration, CJSL players will have opportunities to train in France, while Le Havre’s technical staff will visit New York to lead sessions and workshops. Bodmer described it as a true exchange of ideas, talent, and methodology.
Sharing a Proven Development Philosophy
Le Havre AC has produced world-renowned talent such as Paul Pogba, Riyad Mahrez, and Dimitri Payet. Bodmer was clear that this same developmental philosophy would be shared with CJSL clubs: “In France, we know how to develop young players. The idea is to bring that philosophy to New York—to bring our culture, our training, and our structure.”
This partnership offers CJSL players, coaches, and clubs a direct connection to elite European training through Le Havre’s renowned academy, hands-on education from one of the world’s top youth development systems, and a powerful validation of our league’s excellence on the global stage. More than a milestone, this collaboration is a launchpad for the next generation of talent. As Mathieu Bodmer affirmed, “We are here for the long-term. It’s not just one year, two years. We want to be here for a long time, to grow together.” At CJSL, we are proud to take this next step—rooted in development, united by shared values, and committed to the beautiful game.
