Efrain Alvarez may be playing in the Mexican national team program, but he has committed to club ball on north side of the border. The 15-year-old star of the Galaxy’sU-18 Development Academy runner-up team became the youngest USL signing in history when he inked a contract with Los Angeles Galaxy II. The Los Angeles native […]
development academy
Posted inStory
A coach's life: MLS veteran Eric Quill returns to his Texas youth club and wins another national title
By Mike Woitalla Eric Quill played on the U-16 U.S. Youth Soccer 1994 national championship-winning Houston Texans team coached by legendary youth coachRoy Rees. During Quill’s nine-year MLS career, his coaches included Bob Gansler and Bob Bradley. After his playing career, Quillreturned to his childhood club and this summer guided Texans SC Houston to the […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Academy pipeline: Gonzalez, 16, inks Sounders 2 pro deal
The Seattle Sounders made Azriel Gonzalez, who turned 16 in May, their youngest signing ever when he inked a pro contract with Seattle Sounders FC 2. He has already played five gamessince joining S2, another MLS second team that has been aggressively promoting academy players. Listen: Ezra Hendrickson on Azriel Gonzalez.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Tab Ramos on 2017 Development Academy finals and Mexican-American tug of war
By Mike Woitalla The U.S. Soccer Development Academy concluded its 10th season last weekend, with the Texans SC Houston winning the U-17/18 title and Atlanta United the U-15/16crown. U.S. Soccer Youth Technical Director Tab Ramos, also the USA’s U-20 national team coach, liked what he saw. “I think every year the Development Academy isgetting better […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Efrain Alvarez, age 15, helps shoot Galaxy into U-17/18 Development Academy final
By Mike Woitalla Efrain Alvarez, who turned 15 on June 19, sparked the Los Angeles Galaxy’s comeback against the Seattle Sounders in the U.S. Soccer DevelopmentAcademy U-17/18 semifinals. After Seattle took a 2-0 lead into halftime, Alvarez scored in the 71st minute. Ulysses Llanez equalized in the 78th minute and EthanZubak, who plays for Galaxy II in the […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Development Academy Awards: FC Dallas and Weston FC coaches repeat
The U.S. Soccer Development Academy announced Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and Best XIs from its three conferences for the 2016-17 season. FC Dallas’ Chris Hayden (FC Dallas)was named Central Conference U-14 Coach of the Year for a second straightyear. Weston FC’s Victor Pastora was named East Conference U-17/18 Coach of the […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Texans SC Houston are only non-MLS club at this weekend's Development Academy championships
By Mike Woitalla Texans SC Houston, which beat Real So Cal, 2-0, in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/18 quarterfinals, is the only non-MLS club to reach the semifinals ateither age group. Alex Alaniz and Alex Bruce scored overtime goals for the Texans to book their trip to this weekend’s Development Academy Championshipsin Carson, California. […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Video Pick: Top Development Academy golazos of the season
Nine goals from three regions, scored by boys ranging from U-12 to U-17/19, have been nominated for 2016-17 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Goal of the Year. Eastern James Brighton (Atlanta United U-15/16), Jose Barrera (Capital Area RailHawks-Del Sol U-12), Austin DaSilva (BeachsideSC U-17/18): CentralDaniel Wright (Crew SC Academy Wolves U-17/18), Luis Fernandez-Salvador (Shattuck Saint Mary’s […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
USA to face host India, Ghana and Colombia at U-17 World Cup
By Mike Woitalla@MikeWoitalla The USA was drawn into Group A for the boys 2017 U-17 World Cup and willopen against host India (Oct. 6) before facing Ghana (Oct. 9) and Colombia (Oct. 12) in first-round play. The top two finishers and the top four third-place finishers in each of the sixfour-team groups advance to the […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
FC Dallas U-16s return to Development Academy final four
FC Dallas kept its hopes alive of winning three straight U-15/16 U.S. Soccer Development Academy championships by beating theColorado Rapids, 5-0, in the quarterfinals. Jesus Ferreira, who on June 2 became the second youngest player to score an MLS goal when he struck in a 6-2 win overReal Salt Lake, scored a hat trick against […]