Red&Gold Football Expands South American Talent Network Through Partnership with Ecuador’s S.D. Aucas.

Roger Hampel

Image: FC Bayern Munich

Red&Gold Football, the joint venture between FC Bayern Munich and Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), has announced a new strategic partnership with Sociedad Deportiva Aucas, a top-flight club based in Quito, Ecuador. The agreement strengthens Red&Gold Football’s presence in South America and adds Ecuador to its structured international talent development network.

The partnership is designed to create clearer development pathways for young Ecuadorian players, with opportunities linked to both European football and Major League Soccer.

Ecuador as a Strategic Talent Market

Ecuador has emerged over the past decade as one of South America’s most efficient talent-producing markets, combining strong athletic profiles with increasing tactical and technical development. Players such as Moisés Caicedo, Willian Pacho and former Aucas player Diego Palacios illustrate the country’s ability to develop footballers capable of transitioning successfully to elite European leagues and MLS.

Partnership Structure and Development Focus

Under the agreement, Red&Gold Football and S.D. Aucas will collaborate on scouting, methodology exchange and player development frameworks. The partnership includes opportunities for Aucas youth players to participate in training sessions, trials and tournaments in both Europe and the United States, aligning with Red&Gold Football’s transatlantic development model.

Rather than immediate player transfers, the focus is on exposure to high-performance environments and gradual progression through competitive benchmarks. This model reduces risk for both players and clubs while maintaining long-term optionality.

Integration into Red&Gold Football’s Regional Model

Red&Gold Football has already established Racing Club de Montevideo as its primary operational hub in South America. The addition of S.D. Aucas expands this footprint without duplicating infrastructure, allowing Ecuador to function as a secondary sourcing and development node within the broader regional network.

This hub-and-spoke model is increasingly common among multi-club and joint-venture platforms, enabling central oversight while leveraging local expertise and access.