SoccerAmerica - U-14 Academy League welcomes 22 newcomers 03/18/2013

[DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY] U.S. Soccer has named the 22 new clubs that will join existing Academy clubs in the Academy's first U-13/14 season, which begins play next fall. Northern California, with seven, has the most new entrants.

The Development Academy, which launched in 2007, has 80 clubs competing in its U-15/16 and U-17/18 leagues this season. U.S. Soccer is admitting clubs without older division academy teams in order cut down on travel for U-13/14 league play, to spread the Academy philosophy, and to cast a wider scouting net, says Development Academy Director of Scouting Tony Lepore.

“The new clubs have the qualities we look for in the areas of coaching, player pools, training programs, facilities, infrastructure and age-appropriate development philosophy,” Lepore says. “They are also well located and based in key markets that help to expand the elite player pool in this age group, while incorporating a model that minimizes the amount of travel and costs for league play."

New U-13/14 Clubs
Los Angeles/San Diego Area
Albion SC (San Diego, Calif.)
Central California Aztecs (Bakersfield, Calif.)
FC Golden State (Pasadena, Calif.)
Los Angeles Futbal Academy (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Santa Barbara Soccer Club (Santa Barbara, Calif.)

San Francisco Bay Area
Ballistic United SC (Pleasanton, Calif.)
Burlingame SC (Burlingame, Calif.)
Diablo FC (Concord, Calif.)
Juventus SC (Redwood City, Calif.)
Marin FC Alliance (Greenbrae, Calif.)
Merced Atlas Soccer Academy (Merced, Calif.)
Placer United SC (Rocklin, Calif.)

New York/New England
Beachside of Connecticut SC (Norwalk, Conn.)
New York Soccer Club (Chappaqua, N.Y.)
World Class FC (WCFC) (Orangeburg, N.Y.)

Washington, D.C., Area
Bethesda Soccer Club/OBGC Soccer (Frederick, Md.)
Soccer Association of Columbia (Ellicott City, Md.)

Carolinas
Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (Greenville, S.C.)
North Carolina Alliance (Hillsborough, N.C.)

Florida
Boca United FC (Boca Raton, Fla.)
Jacksonville FC (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Tampa Bay United (Tampa, Fla.)

9 comments

Bill Anderson

commented on: March 19, 2013 at 8:21 a.m.

If the Academy Club says something like Houston Dynamos or Vancouver Whitecaps by its name, then it is Academy. If the Academy Club doesn't say MLS next to its name it is glorified rec. Sorry if the truth hurts. Quit lying to the parents and players.

Peter Skouras

commented on: March 19, 2013 at 5:52 p.m.

Hey Bill...YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!!! GLORIFIED REC is an understatement. Will return in a few...something pressing...but in the meantime, I am compiling a few questions for the "Youth Soccer Insider" who claims to be an expert! See you in a bit!

Peter Skouras

commented on: March 19, 2013 at 9:19 p.m.

Bill...I follow the USSDA here in Los Angeles on all age groups. You are absolutely correct...ONLY MLS, USL AND NASL CLUBS should have their Academy sides participating in "1" league or division! The rest should stay in their recreational leagues. Why? The standard! At best and at all age groups the USSDA compared to the rest of the world is average to bad! No bona fide "pressure!" No promotion/relegation, massive options for players if they don't make the grade. However, if we look at this last issue of not making the grade, College Soccer is a blessing! Now, the clubs that were added to the the USSDA at the younger age groups at least from the Los Angeles area are POOR (from my standards) in playing quality. Most likely they are funded or the parents are well off to flip the bill! Thus, "glorified" rec is absolute! Furthermore, the addition of the "Recreational Clubs" from the Los Angeles area into the USSDA will lower the level. I know of "1" particular club who Soccer America did a "feature" on not to long ago. The director of coaching of this club is a former NASL and US International...how in the world are they not in the "USSDA?" Must be financial. Additionally, I could round up 11-15 "ballers" from Non-Affiliated leagues at various age groups and give "USSDA" sides a lesson...believe me! It's out of control Bill! It's all about "$$$" and not being qualified. You are absolutely correct...LYING TO PLAYERS AND PARENTS AND TAKING THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY! The Professional Clubs need to have their own Division, League, or what ever else you want to call it! Let the National and Open Cups allow everyone else to participate with the Pro Clubs once a year!!! Yours in the Beautiful game, Peter Skouras www.wikipedia.com/peter skouras

Peter Skouras

commented on: March 19, 2013 at 10:32 p.m.

Hey Bill...here is something interesting for you to ponder. Greece who is ranked #12 in the world and ranked in the top 1-4 in Basketball on both International and European levels to say the least, has approximately 230 Professional Football Clubs (Super League, Football League, Football League 2 (North and South) and 10 Groups of approximately 15-17 clubs in its 4th Division. Now, we move to the Amateur Football of Greece where the number is approximately 500+ clubs (I am not 100% certain) as it seems its township has a club (and a ground) all playing within a PROMOTION/RELEGATION SYSTEM. One of the most important factors is the way these club survive financially...TRANSFERRING YOUNG TALENT TO THE UPPER DIVISION CLUBS! EVERY ONE OF THESE CLUBS BE IT PROFESSIONAL OR AMATEUR HAS A YOUTH SYSTEM OR ACADEMY! Remember, Greece is in the UEFA Confederation which means that "business" opportunity is vast for the "smaller clubs!" But most importantly is: NOT "1" YOUTH PLAYER IS CHARGED TO PLAY!!!! Currently, I am involved with other Greek American businessmen with a particular club in Athens which is in a "wonderful" battle from the one of the Amateur divisions to the Greek 3rd Professional League. Thought you might be interested! Oh, and by the way, Olympiakos U-20's are playing Aston Villa in the Quarter Final of the Nextgen tomorrow!!! Pay to play???? Not in Greece Bill!

Peter Skouras

commented on: March 19, 2013 at 10:51 p.m.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZOTu8WXN9A

Charles Huston

commented on: March 20, 2013 at 1:36 p.m.

Youth Soccer has become a joke. It is nothing but adults making money off of kids playing a "game." In addition, our current so-called club system, is destroying the national team. We will never have a Michael Jordan on our Nats because kids like MJ can not afford what has become a rich sub-burb sport. It is very sad. All clubs should only be allowed 1 or 2 teams per age bracket. When I was a kid, half the teams in the local league were from low income areas. Now there are ZERO teams from the low income areas. Very sad.

0 M

commented on: March 20, 2013 at 2:30 p.m.

Peter love this: "I could round up 11-15 "ballers" from Non-Affiliated leagues at various age groups and give "USSDA" sides a lesson...believe me!"

Ric Fonseca

commented on: March 20, 2013 at 5:55 p.m.

The "cult" of a bunch of "former pro players," mostly from the UK and other Euro countries began way back in the early 70's and continued to grow and expand. I know this for a fact, and I am sure Peter also knows, since the greater LA area suddenly was overflowing with European former pros and building exponentially by the 80's. And mind you it wasn't just the UK/Euros because we were also deluged with former Latino pros, many that espoused the "academia de futbol" concept, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Central America. What their goal? $$$ I personally know quite a few, one that said he was a former member of the AC or Inter Milan groups, while another said he played in the EPL, yet another that claimed to be an FA licensed coach by virtue of his "school-boy-player" experience. As for the "elite" club system, a local SoCalif League member of Cal South, has super elite divisions, and also a rec division. Some coaches whom I know in the area have moved on to form their own very profitable clubs, and while they're not UK/Euros, but local talented players-turned-USSoccer licensed coaches, are also reaping and raking in the money. Oh, Lordy-be, there are hundreds of stories, and it will be a cold day in hades before we ever see any changes, whether it will be through the "Academy" concept or super-elite clubs and their pay-for-play ideology, we'll see said the blind man as he opened up his eyes and saw....

Luis Arreola

commented on: April 3, 2013 at 11:58 a.m.

Wow!! There seems to be a lot controversy on politics within the Academy system. You want to make 00, 99' National Team? You have 22 more Academies to choose from to get the look.

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