[MLS TRANSACTIONS] The Seattle Sounders have signed U.S. U-18 Victor Mansaray — originally from Sierra Leone by way ofJamaica — to a Homegrown Player contract. The forward is in just his second full season in the Sounders FC Academy, playing with the U-16s in 2012-13 and 2013-14. In his second seasonwith the U-16s, Mansaray scored […]
development academy
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Jared Micklos named Director
[DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY] U.S. Soccer has named Jared Micklos as the new Development Academy Director. Micklos most recently served asAssociate Athletic Director at North Carolina’s High Point University, where he was responsible for the oversight of strategic planning, financial management, compliance, strength and conditioning,and athletic training. He also created the Sports Performance Department to provide student-athletes […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Crew signs its youngest Homegrown Player ever
[MLS TRANSACTIONS] The Columbus Crew will sign 17-year-old midfielder Ben Swanson to a Homegrown Player contract onThursday. The signing deadline for the 2014 season has passed, so Swanson will be added to the Crew roster for the 2015 MLS season. He is the youngest of the 10 Homegrown players the Crew has eversigned. Other Homegrown […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Pittsburgh youth stars leave home
Soccer in Pittsburgh has a long tradition, dating back to the 19th century, but without a Development Academy program top young Pittsburgh players are moving away to programs such as the PhiladelphiaUnion, D.C. United, even Real Salt Lake AZ. “I know I’m doing the best thing for myself,” said Fox Chapel’s Max Silberg, who joined […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Orlando City U-16s off to 4-0-0 start
[DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY] Orlando City’s U-15/16s beat the previously unbeaten Capital Area RailHawks Academy-CASL, 2-0, on Saturday to improve to 4-0-0 in the 2014-15Development Academy. Nathaniel Adamolekun scored his third goal in four games and Jonathan Rosales addedhis second goal in the win. David Loera leads Orlando City with four goals. In the Atlantic Division, the […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Mystery surrounds Hugo Perez's USSF status
By Paul Gardner A strange business, this Hugo Perez affair. He is no longer the coach of the U.S. U-15 boys national team. The USSF has — well, what has it done? Fired him? No, not that.Perez is still a full-time Technical Advisor to the USSF. What then? We are told — that is, Tab […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Curt Onalfo: L.A. Galaxy builds bridge from youth to first team
Interview by Mike Woitalla One of the biggest challenges in U.S. player development is providing a highly competitive, professional environment for players who have graduated fromthe youth game but aren’t ripe for first-team MLS action. The LA Galaxy has addressed this by creating LA Galaxy II, which competes in the 14-team USL PRO. We spoke […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Hugo Perez is out as U-15 national team coach
[U.S. SOCCER] Hugo Perez has been informed by U.S. Soccer that he will no longer be coach of the U.S. U-15 boys national team. He will continue toserve as a U.S. Soccer technical advisor. “It’s simple,” said Perez. “They want have someone else with the kids. I didn’t ask why. When your employer makes certaindecisions, […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Matt Pilkington: Encourage Creativity
Interview by Maddy Shiber Matt Pilkington was recently named U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/18 Coach of the Year for the East region after hisBethesda-Olney team finished runner-up to PDA at the USSDA national finals — its first season in the national league — and was honored with the “Style of Play” award for the East. […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Lars Richters: Explain rationale and outline expectations
Interview by Maddy Shiber Crew Soccer Academy Wolves coach Lars Richters was named 2014 U.S.Soccer Development Academy U-15/16 Coach of the Year for the Central region. Richters is an English teacher at Livonia (Mich.) Stevenson High School, his alma mater where he also served as boyshead coach for 14 years through 2011. He was 2009 Development […]