U.S. Soccer's Development Academy Line-up Set As 64 Clubs Selected For Program's Launch

24 States and the District of Columbia Represented in Program's Inaugural Year with Clubs Focused on Improving Development Environment

CHICAGO (August 7, 2007) – Thirteen final clubs have been selected to join U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy, bringing the total number of clubs taking part in the first year of the revolutionary new program to 64. The Development Academy concept is a comprehensive program providing more than just improved competition in the development of players. It involves the training of players, coaches and referees, scouting by U.S. National Team and college coaches, and the sharing of the latest information and concepts on performance training and expertise development.

“The Development Academy has been implemented to shift the focus of the young elite player toward a ‘meaningful training and competition’ model, with the U.S. Soccer Federation taking the initiative to extend its National Team program into the daily environment of the elite player,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “The response thus far has been unprecedented for a youth initiative.”

The admission process was extremely competitive with more than 150 applications being submitted in less than two months. The competition component of the Academy will feature 63 clubs, representing 24 states and the District of Columbia, plus the U.S. National Team from U.S. Soccer’s Residency Program, playing at the Under-15/16 and Under-17/18 age levels.

“We are excited about the high level of quality in the clubs that will partner with U.S. Soccer to extend our National Team training models into their everyday environment,” said U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team Head Coach John Hackworth. “As we work with the clubs and enable the players to have more training time, we anticipate only positive improvements for the national teams as well.”

The 64 teams will be divided into eight conferences, each comprised of eight teams based largely on geographic proximity. Each team will play approximately 30 matches during an eight-month season, with the winner of each conference playing in the Academy Finals at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Additional Development Academy program elements such as a Technical Workshop and Best Practices seminars are being finalized.

“The clubs participating in the inaugural Academy season represent a shared vision of player development and the desire to change the current landscape,” said U.S. Soccer’s Director of Coaching Education Bob Jenkins. “These clubs were selected because of their ability to implement the best development environment for our elite youth players.”

Player Development Academy Information

The Development Academy kicks off in September with a two-day orientation in Chicago. The first matches of the inaugural season will then begin during the first week of October. Teams will compete in three different types of game weekends – individual conference games, travel partner weekends and showcase weekends to provide them with the optimum balance of playing rhythm, economy of travel and exposure to scouts.

In addition to improving the daily environment for players, the Academy will also provide a better development platform for coaches and referees. Each club will receive two invitations to attend the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Best Practices seminars, providing coaches with the opportunity to keep updated on the latest styles and methods of coaching being used at the national level. U.S. Soccer will assign referees to the Academy matches, providing them with more opportunities to develop.

The final 13 clubs joining the Development Academy come from 10 different states:

Albertson Soccer Club (New York)
Baltimore Bays Soccer Club (Maryland)
Bridge Futbol Alliance (South Carolina)
Cleveland Alliance Soccer Academy (Ohio)
Concorde Fire Soccer Club (Georgia)
Crew Soccer Academy (Ohio)
Match Fit Academy FC (New Jersey)
Pateadores Soccer Club (California)
Real So Cal (California)
San Diego Surf (California)
Solar Soccer Club (Texas)
South Central Premier (Connecticut)
South Charlotte Soccer Association (North Carolina)
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 selected the Academy clubs from more than 150 applications
Age Groups: U-15/16 & U-17/18 teams (minimum roster of 20 players); providing opportunities for more than 2,000 players Competition Format: Divided into eight conferences with each team playing 30 matches during an eight-month season. Each conference is comprised of eight 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 64 participants representing 24 states and the District of Columbia

U.S. Soccer Development Academy Clubs (listed by conference)

Northeast Conference

Albertson SC
B/W Gottschee
FC Greater Boston Bolts
FC Westchester
Met Oval
Oakwood SC
Seacoast United
South Central Premier
Mid-Atlantic Conference

Baltimore Bays Soccer Club
DC United
FC DELCO
Match Fit Academy FC
New York Red Bulls
PA Classics
PDA
Potomac Soccer
Atlantic Conference

Bridge FA
CASL
Greensboro Youth SC
North Meck SC
Richmond Kickers SC
Richmond Strikers
South Charlotte SA
VA Rush SC
Southeast Conference

AFC Lightning Soccer Club
Atlanta Fire United SA
Birmingham United SA
Clearwater Chargers SC
Concorde Fire SC
IMG SA
Kendall Soccer Coalition
Schulz Academy
Great Lakes Conference

Carmel United Soccer Club
CASA
Columbus Crew
Empire United SA
Internationals SC
Michigan Wolves
Ohio Elite SA
Vardar
Mid-America Conference

Chicago Fire Soccer PDA
Chicago Magic Soccer Club
FC Milwaukee
Metro United Soccer Club
Scott Gallagher
Sockers FC Chicago
Solar SC
U.S. National Team (U-15/16 & U-17)
SoCal Conference

Arsenal SC
Chivas USA
Irvine Strikers
L.A. Galaxy
Nomads SC
Pateadores SC
Real So Cal
San Diego Surf
West Conference

Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rush
Crossfire Premier SC
De Anza Force SC
FC Portland SA
Mustang FC
Real Colorado
Washington Premier FC