Fifty-six clubs will join the U.S. Soccer Development Academy at the U-12 level, which the DA will launch for the 2016-17 season. They join 78 existing Academy members that field teams for U-12competition for a total of 134 clubs. The expansion is intended to reduce travel distances between clubs at the youngest division in the […]
development academy
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: St. Louis soccer executive Pat Barry
“There are some things that will actually be better than before. It’s chance for us to maybe align some things better now that we have a pro team here. From a cleaning standpoint thisplace will never be cleaner by the time we’re done.” — St. Louis FC and Scott Gallagher Soccer Club executive director Pat […]
Posted inAround the Net In Youth Soccer, Story
U.S. Development Academy players who return to high school ball
U.S. Soccer Development Academy players aren’t allowed to play high school soccer, but Jon Kerr reports on three Chicago area players, including two alreadycommitted to colleges, who are leaving their Academy teams to play senior year high school ball. The article brings up the arguments from both sides of the high school vs. club battle […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
U.S. Soccer Development Academy expands to five age groups, adding U-12 and U-13 divisions
By Mike Woitalla The U.S. Soccer Development Academy is undergoing a second major expansion since its founding in 2007, when clubs competed in the U-15/16 and U-17/18 agegroups. Beginning in the fall of 2016, the Development Academy clubs will also field U-12 teams, and the U-14 division, which was added in 2013, will be split […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Another USA-Mexico thriller — in Germany
By Mike Woitalla (@MikeWoitalla) Two days after the thriller at the Rose Bowl in which Mexicoprevailed, 3-2, over the USA to earn a 2017 Confederations Cup berth, the USA and Mexico faced off in Germany in the U-19 division of Mercedes-Benz Elite Cup. Both games had a Klinsmann involved– Cal’s Jonathan Klinsmann started in goal […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Atlanta United joins Development Academy
The youth program of Atlanta United, which begins MLS play in 2017, will join the U.S. Soccer Development Academy in the fall of 2016, partnering with local and regional youth soccer clubs. Georgiacurrently has two Development Academy clubs, Concorde Fire SC and Georgia United Soccer Alliance (GUSA). Concorde Fire will continue as an Academy member […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Leonardo Cueller
“The club system is very expensive and not all of the girls in these parts have the opportunity to play with a good club. This is their opportunity.” — Longtime Mexicowomen’s national team coach Leonardo Cueller, who ventured away from the traditional academy and club systems of American soccer to scout players in rural partsof […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Kevin Hartman: 'Player growth has to be timed properly'
Interview by Mike Woitalla Kevin Hartman holds the MLS record for most games played at 416. The 41-year-old goalkeeeper, whose playing career spanned from1997 to 2013 and included two MLS Cup and two U.S. Open Cup titles, is the Technical Director of the IMG Academy, a residency program in Bradenton,Fla. IMG fields teams in the boys […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Martin Vasquez gets five-year extension at RSL-AZ
Martin Vasquez has signed a five-year contract extension to remain the head coach and director of soccer operations for the Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy. Inaddition to his roles with the the U.S. Soccer Development academy U-16 and U-18 teams, Vasquez will also serve as the director of soccer for Grande Sports World and Grande Sports […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Video Pick: Bicycle kick golazo from Academy play
Crossfire Premier’s Noe Mezascored this beauty — a bicycle kick off a soaring midfield free-kick from more than 30 yards — in a 5-3 win over Sacramento Republic in U.S. SoccerDevelopment Academy play.