If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That formula led to Mike Kraus‘ current position as director of one the oldest MLS residency academy programs. At the end of his stint with the Sporting Kansas City, the former Creighton University captain moved to Arizona in 2010 with his wife, who had finished medical School and matched with […]
development academy
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Comparing youth leagues in the wake of the DA's demise
When the Development Academy folded its tent earlier this year, MLS immediately launched its own academy to keep control of its clubs’ youth efforts. Some clubs still jumped over to the ECNL, and a few put teams in both national leagues. On the girls side, where the ECNL had already kept a lot of its […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Claudio Reyna on his son Gio in the Bundesliga, America's youth soccer future, and the Austin FC project
Last December, Claudio Reyna became Sporting Director of 2021 MLS entry Austin FC after serving that role for NYCFC since its launch in 2013. He was U.S. Soccer Youth TechnicalDirector in 2010-13. The Hall of Famer who was part of four U.S.World Cup teams started his pro career in Germany in 1994 at age 21. […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Rocky Delgadillo on Central Los Angeles club LAUFA's future without the Development Academy
Rocky Delgadillo, the former City Attorney of Los Angeles (2001-2009), is the founder and president of Los Angeles United Futbal Academy, a youth club serving over 500 players based in Central Los Angeles. LAUFA fielded U-13, U-14 and U-15 age groups in the Boys Development Academyuntil U.S. Soccer ended the DA on April 15. Delgadillo, […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Boys DA clubs to ECNL: Six each from Southern California and Mid-Atlantic, and Washington's Crossfire
Before U.S. Soccer finally made official its termination of the Development Academy, Boys DA clubs flocked to the ECNL. * * * * * * * * * * SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. Arsenal, Pateadores, Real So Cal, San Diego Surf, Strikers FC — founding members of the Boys DA that launched in 2007 — andFC Golden State signed […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Six Southern California Boys DA clubs commit to the ECNL
Arsenal, FC Golden State, Pateadores, Real So Cal, San Diego Surf and Strikers FC will join the Boys ECNL for the 2020-2021 season as members of the Southwest Conference. All six are members the BoysDevelopment Academy run by U.S. Soccer. While U.S. Soccer has yet to a make public announcement, two sources from MLS clubs […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
ECNL vs. Girls DA hits tipping point: North Carolina Courage and Georgia's UFA leave U.S. Soccer's league
The youth academy of the USA’s top women’s club, which is linked to the club where new U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone coaches, is leaving the Girls DA for the ECNL. Two weeks after Real Coloradoand the Dallas Texans quit theGirls DA, the North Carolina Courage and Georgia’s United Futbol Academy (UFA) are also moving to […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
ECNL president Christian Lavers on clubs leaving the Girls DA, how U.S. Soccer should serve the youth game, and movement on the boys side
With Real Colorado and the Dallas Texans returning to the ECNL for the 2020-21 season, more than 20 clubs have either withdrawn from U.S. Soccer’s Girls DA during its first three seasons or withdrewafter accepting a spot upon the Girls DA’s 2017 launch to remain in the ECNL. The list of clubs opting to play […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Real Colorado and the Dallas Texans leave Girls Development Academy for ECNL
In major blow to the U.S. Soccer’s Girls Development Academy, Real Colorado and the Dallas Texans are the latest clubs to defect since the Girls DA launched in 2017, when it began competing with theECNL (founded in 2009) to be the nation’s top girls league. “Real Colorado have played in both leagues,” said Lorne Donaldson, […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Four new clubs join downsizing Boys DA for 2020-21 season
Three pro clubs and a County Sheriff’s Office-supported program will be joining the Boys Development Academy for the 2020-21 season, at the younger age groups, and 11 current clubs are adding teamsfor other age groups. Unclear is how many clubs from the 2019-20 won’t be returning, although U.S. Soccer confirmed that there will be fewer […]