Kevin Gowrie: The Perthshire football coach in charge of America's top-ranked U16 team

He grew up playing down the local park in Burrelton.

Now a Perthshire football coach is living the American dream and enjoying plenty of success along the way.

And recently, Kevin Gowrie (37), a former Perth Academy pupil, proudly watched his Chicago United Soccer Club under-16s lift the National Academy Championship.

That was made possible thanks to a 3-1 win in the final against Indiana Fire.

“The National Academy Championship is a new event for MLS Next clubs to compete for a National Championship at the highest level of youth soccer in the country,” Kevin explained to the PA.

“The difference between this event and MLS Next Cup is that the pro-academy clubs are not involved in this one. We will see them in June.

“We came into the event not playing a game since December and training indoors due to the Chicago climate.

“Our first two opponents were from Florida who were already a month into their season and used to the heat. We lost 1-0 and drew 2-2 before winning 5-1 to get out of the group.

“We then went on to win 1-0 in the quarter-final and 2-0 in the semi-final to make the final.”

On the showdown success, Kevin continued: “It wasn’t actually a nervy affair at all.

“We were 3-0 up after 20 minutes and should really have won by six or seven. Their goal was a late consolation at best.

“Indiana Fire play in our conference so we know them well. Our styles of play are polar opposites.

“I was really pleased with how composed the lads were, how they kept the ball moving and didn’t allow them to turn it into a battle.”

Kevin, a big St Johnstone supporter, reflected on the achievement as one of the best moments of his coaching career so far.

“We had a goal setting meeting at the start of January and the team decided that was