U.S. Soccer's Development Academy Adds Sixteen More Clubs for the Inaugural Season

- U.S. Soccer's Development Academy Nearing Expected Number of Available Slots for the 2007-2008 Season with 47 Clubs On Board
- New Development Academy Will Provide Improved Soccer Environment for Thousands of Elite Players, Coaches & Referees from Coast-to-Coast



CHICAGO (July 16, 2007) – U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy has now grown to 47 clubs from across the country with the recent addition of 16 more clubs, nearing the expected capacity for the inaugural season. With the launch of the new Development Academy, the U.S. Soccer Federation has taken the initiative in extending its National Team program and putting an emphasis on the development of the player by improving their daily environment.

The Development Academy concept is designed to shift the focus of the young elite player from an ‘overburdened, game emphasis’ model to a ‘meaningful training and competition’ model. The concept was unveiled on June 4 and the response has been unprecedented.

“We are very excited about the excellent roster of clubs that have the desire to change their development environment,” said U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team head coach John Hackworth. “The quality of applications has been outstanding and we are approaching our targeted number of expected slots for the Inaugural Academy Season.”

Player Development Academy Information
“We are very pleased with the quality of the clubs currently admitted into the Development Academy,” said U.S. Soccer’s Director of Coaching Education Bob Jenkins. “These clubs embrace the Development Academy’s mission of changing the development environment for the elite player both now and for the long term.”

The 16 latest clubs added to U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy continue to reflect the high quality of participants:

AFC Lightning Soccer Club (Georgia)
Arsenal SC (California)
Birmingham United Soccer Association (Alabama)
Carmel United Soccer Club (Indiana)
Empire United Soccer Academy (New York)
FC Milwaukee (Wisconsin)
FC Portland Soccer Academy (Oregon)
Internationals Soccer Club (Ohio)
Irvine Strikers (California)
Metro United Soccer Club (Illinois)
Metropolitan Oval Foundation, Inc. (New York)
North Meck Soccer Club (North Carolina)
Ohio Elite Soccer Academy (Ohio)
PA Classics (Pennsylvania)
Schulz Academy (Florida)
Scott Gallagher (Missouri)
After the latest round of Academy admissions, it is anticipated that only a limited number of remaining spots are available for the inaugural Academy Season. The Selection Committee has reviewed over 100 applications thus far and expects the final selection process to be very competitive.

“With only a few weeks remaining in the application window, we encourage interested clubs to send in their applications for review,” said U.S. Soccer’s Director of Coaching Education Bob Jenkins. “The selection process thus far has been very intense and will only increase in the final weeks.”

Created to provide players with the best possible opportunity and environment to develop, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy is being initiated after a comprehensive review of player development systems in the United States and around the world.

U.S. SOCCER DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY – STRUCTURE


Objective: The focus of the Academy is on player development and providing players with the best possible opportunity to develop to the highest level they are capable of achieving
Standards: A minimum requirement of three training sessions and one rest day per week
Selection: U.S. Soccer coaches will select qualified applicants on a rolling basis until Aug. 1
Age Groups: U-16 & U-18 teams (minimum roster of 22 players); providing opportunities for more than 2,000 players
Competition Format: Divided into conferences with each team playing between 30 and 38 home and away matches during an eight-month season. Each conference will be comprised of approximately 15-20 teams based on geographic proximity. The winner of each conference will play in the Academy Finals at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Teams: Below is a complete list of the Development Academy’s 47 current clubs representing 22 states and the District of Columbia:
Alabama

Birmingham United SA
California

Arsenal SC
De Anza Force SC
Irvine Strikers
Mustang FC
Nomads SC
Colorado

Colorado Rush
Real Colorado
Connecticut

Oakwood SC
District of Columbia

DC United
Florida

Clearwater Chargers SC
IMG SA
Kendall Soccer Coalition
Schulz Academy
Georgia

Atlanta Fire United SA
AFC Lightning Soccer Club
Illinois

Chicago Fire Soccer PDA
Chicago Magic Soccer Club
Metro United Soccer Club
Sockers FC Chicago
Indiana

Carmel United Soccer Club
Maryland

Potomac Soccer
Massachusetts

FC Greater Boston Bolts
Michigan

Michigan Wolves
Vardar
Missouri

Scott Gallagher
New Hampshire

Seacoast United
New Jersey

PDA
New York Red Bulls
New York

B/W Gottschee
Empire United SA
FC Westchester
Met Oval
North Carolina

CASL
Greensboro Youth SC
North Meck SC
Ohio

Internationals SC
Ohio Elite SA
Oregon

FC Portland SA
Pennsylvania

FC DELCO
PA Classics
Virginia

Richmond Kickers SC
Richmond Strikers
VA Rush SC
Washington

Crossfire Premier SC
Washington Premier FC
Wisconsin

FC Milwaukee