The advent of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy program has put high school teams at odds with clubs teams in Southern California. The Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and Pateadores OC all haveDevelopment Academy teams with South Bay teenagers who are no longer playing high school ball.
“Academies have expanded their pool of players and are bringing more kids in,” Torrancevarsity boys coach Eric Spotts said. “It used to be the elite, now it’s the elite and near-elite. You can’t blame the kids; they think they have a shot atplaying pro. And while it’s a good way for colleges to recruit you, most of the kids are not so good that they are going to play pro.”
U.S. Soccer’s NeilBuethe says coaches stress that participation in the Development Academy does not guarantee a player will make the national team or gain a professional contract. But many players find they getopportunities in the Development Academy that high school simply couldn’t provide. “It has also taken me to many great places and I’ve seen some pretty awesome things,” said senior