[DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY] The Seattle Sounders FC's Youth Academy teams will begin play in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy beginning next season following the transfer of membership from Washington Premier Football Club. WPFC will operate the current WPFC Academy teams until the end of the 2009-10 season in July.

“Our current working relationship with WPFC has been great,” said Darren Sawatzky, Sounders FC Director of Youth Development. “We currently run the South Regional Training Center (RTC) at the Washington Premier complex.  The president, directors, and coaching staff have been tremendous with a shared goal to further develop soccer players in Washington State.”

Current WPFC Academy players will be invited into the Sounders FC Youth Academy tryout process. Open tryouts begin on March 10.

“WPFC strives to help its players compete at the highest levels of youth soccer, and our relationship with the Sounders FC is a natural extension of that practice,” said Charlie Dent, WPFC President. “We appreciate the substantial investment of Sounders FC in youth soccer in our community, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”