Striving to Develop World-Class Players
Changes for the 2017-2018 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season
U.S. Soccer is determined to develop World Class youth soccer players in the USA and has a plan to achieve success for the top 1% of youth players — and is expanding its reach, adding new youth soccer clubs to the Development Academy program.
The U.S. Boys Development Academy is looking to the future as a highly elite group of youth soccer clubs have been selected to participate in an expanding program.
Youth Soccer News: The U.S. Soccer Development Academy (DA) continues to reach new heights with the announcement of its second largest expansion to date. With the comprehensive identification process competed, and the selected youth soccer clubs confirmed, this major announcement was made public on February 3, 2017.
With an eye towards the future of the Development Academy, Director Jared Micklos added, “We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with existing and new Academy clubs to build a foundation of players that will progress through the Academy pathway as we strive to develop world-class players.”
As part of its ongoing effort to develop world-class players, coaches, and referees, the DA expands its total numbers of teams to enhance the player development pathway at all levels.
New clubs were selected for admission to the Development Academy’s eleventh season based on organization leadership and quality of coaching staff, desire to embrace DA philosophy and core values, infrastructure and investment of resources, player production history, player pool depth and geographic location.
The expansion includes 17 new clubs accepted into the Academy, 108 existing clubs receiving promotions into additional age groups and two new geographical regions – the Portland and Seattle markets – being introduced at the U13 and U14 age groups.
The recent news — creating the U15 into a single age group for the upcoming 2017-2018 Development Academy season — and the expansion of the U11/12 age group (with 15 new teams will be added to the U11/12 age group), along with 27 new clubs being added to U13, 34 teams added to U14, and 82 teams added at the new U15 age group, five additional teams to U16/17 (formerly U15/16) and two new teams will be added to U18/19 (formerly U17/18) … the focus is evident. America will train its young players according to the standards and guidelines established by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
Along with the 17 new Academy clubs joining the ranks of the top clubs in America offering the DA program, there are now a total of 165 additional teams, 2 new divisions and one newly introduced age group added for the 2017-2018 Academy season.
What do the youth soccer clubs think?
Albion SC is one of the five youth soccer clubs across the country to gain the U16/17 age group and is proud to be San Diego’s third Development Academy.
“We are proud to have the U.S. Soccer Development Academy alignment as it allows us to offer the top quality programming to our players and coaches. I instinctively appreciate and respect the initiatives and values set forth by the U.S. Soccer Federation and want to provide our players with this opportunity to connect with the U.S. National Team and gain maximum exposure,”said Noah Gins, Albion SC Executive CEO/Executive Director.
“We are very proud to be a part of both the girls and boys side of the Development Academy,” said Chance Frye, Eastside FC Executive Director. “The leadership and pathway the DA provides is not only essential for our top players but the best practices of the entire structure will cascade down over our entire club. Our goal at Eastside FC is to advance soccer in our local environment and hopefully as a group, the DA community will advance the level of soccer in our entire country.”
Southern California’s youth soccer club Legends FC General Manager Alex Bengard said, “The commitment from our staff to always put player development first, and their dedication to the club’s core values and philosophies, has led us to this point. We are pleased and excited that our hard work is paying off and eager to work with US Soccer in developing our countries next national team players.”
“All of us at Murrieta Surf are absolutely delighted and honored to be granted a Boys U12 US development academy spot for the 2017/18 season,” said Murrieta Surf coach Steve Myles. “It is a fantastic opportunity for all our 2006/2007 aged talented soccer players in the Inland Empire Valley to have a chance to compete and develop at the highest level ”
“It’s great for LAGSD to be given Academy Status for the boys 06, 05 and 04’s. It’s a fantastic opportunity for young players to play at the highest level of youth soccer in the USA. Our club now has a pathway for young players at an Elite level,” said Paul Ritchie, LA Galaxy San Diego coach.
I think it’s the USSDA aim to build a big platform at the bottom of the pyramid, allowing multiple clubs the opportunity to play at the highest level of youth soccer at a young age — which is truly great for the kid.
“This means that more kids can participate at an elite level regardless of their size. For too long, success in youth soccer has been attributed to bigger, faster, stronger players.”
“Smaller fields for the U12’s dictate that players have to think quicker and play under more pressure than ever before. It is clear that U.S. Soccer is determined that youth soccer players are technically proficient and are learning to play the right way, rather than results driven. Clubs, parents and coaches have to buy into this philosophy,” said Ritchie.
“We were pleased to be accepted into the Development Academy and are looking forward to the start of the 2017/2018 season,” said Sean McCafferty, Grande Sports Academy Academy Director. “We firmly believe that the environment we are creating at our residential Academy will be one of if not the best in the country and ultimately be the destination for some of the most talented players and coaching staff in the US.”
What is the impact of the DA changes?
To make it simpler to understand, here are how the changes impact youth soccer. The statistical representation below illustrates a comparison between the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 Academy seasons.
At U11/12, all but one of the 15 teams entering the age group for the 2017-2018 Academy season are new clubs to the Academy. Cincinnati United Premier and San Antonio FC are the only new clubs who have been accepted into multiple age groups along with U11/12 for their inaugural Academy membership.
List of Youth Soccer Clubs Now in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy by Age of Player:
New Clubs Welcomed at U11/12:
Ajax United (Bay Area)
California Odyssey SC (Bay Area)
Charlotte Soccer Academy North (Carolina)
Cincinnati United Premier (Great Lakes)
Discoveries Soccer Club (Carolina)
Elk Grove Soccer (Bay Area)
Legends FC (LA)
Murrieta Surf Soccer Club (LA)
Mustang Soccer Club (Bay Area)
Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals (North Atlantic)
Rebels Soccer Club (San Diego)
San Francisco Glens Evolution (Bay Area)
San Antonio FC (Texas)
Existing Clubs Promoted Into U12:
- New York City FC (NY Metro)
The addition of 27 U13 and 34 U14 teams in 2017-2018 is primarily due to the expansion of two new divisions in Oregon and Washington. Combined, these two markets currently have 17 teams participating at U12. The recent success and player development efforts from the clubs in these markets are the driving forces behind the expansion. This growth expands the player pathway in the Northwest region, which will create additional opportunities for player development.
New Clubs Welcomed at U13:
- Cincinnati United Premier (Mid-America)
- Minnesota United FC (Mid-America)
- San Antonio FC (Frontier)
- South Florida Surf (Sunshine)
Existing Clubs Promoted Into U13:
- AFC Lightning (South Atlantic)
- Campton United SC (Mid-America)
- Capital Area RailHawks – CASL South (South Atlantic)
- Crossfire Premier (Washington)
- Eastside FC (Washington)
- Florida Rush Soccer Club (Sunshine)
- Greater Seattle Surf SC (Washington)
- ISL FC (South Atlantic)
- LA Galaxy San Diego (Southwest)
- Lanier Soccer Association (South Atlantic)
- Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) (Southwest)
- Minnesota Thunder Academy (Mid-America)
- NEFC (Northeast)
- New York City FC (Northeast)
- NTH – NASA (South Atlantic)
- Pacific Northwest Soccer Club (Washington)
- Seattle United (Washington)
- Snohomish Youth Soccer Club (Washington)
- Southern Soccer Academy (South Atlantic)
- TSF Academy (Metro)
- United Futbol Academy (South Atlantic)
- Washington Premier FC (Washington)
- Washington Rush (Washington)
New Clubs Welcomed at U14:
- Cincinnati United Premier (Mid-America)
- Minnesota United FC (Mid-America)
- San Antonio FC (Frontier)
- South Florida Surf (Sunshine)
Existing Clubs Promoted Into U14:
- AFC Lightning (South Atlantic)
- BSC Oregon (Oregon)
- Campton United SC (Mid-America)
- Capital Area RailHawks – CASL South (South Atlantic)
- Capital FC Timbers (Oregon)
- Crossfire Oregon (Oregon)
- Crossfire Premier (Washington)
- Eastside FC (Washington)
- Eastside Timbers (Oregon)
- F.C. Portland Academy (Oregon)
- Florida Rush Soccer Club (Sunshine)
- Greater Seattle Surf SC (Washington)
- ISL FC (South Atlantic)
- LA Galaxy San Diego (Southwest)
- Lanier Soccer Association (South Atlantic)
- Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) (Southwest)
- Minnesota Thunder Academy (Mid-America)
- NEFC (Northeast)
- NTH – NASA (South Atlantic)
- Pacific Northwest Soccer Club (Washington)
- Portland Timbers (Washington)
- Seattle United (Washington)
- Snohomish Youth Soccer Club (Washington)
- Southern Soccer Academy (South Atlantic)
- TSF Academy (Metro)
- United Futbol Academy (South Atlantic)
- Washington Premier FC (Washington)
- Washington Rush (Washington)
- Washington Timbers FC Academy (Oregon)
- Westside Timbers Soccer Club (Washington)
At the U15 age group, 10 additional clubs have been promoted for 2017-2018, along with the 72 current clubs who received automatic expansion into the U15 single age group. Greater details of the U15 expansion were highlighted earlier this month.
New Clubs Welcomed at U15:
- Grande Sports Academy (Southwest)
Existing Clubs Promoted Into U15:
- Albion SC (Southwest)
- Armada FC Pro Academy (Southeast)
- Ballistic United SC (Northwest)
- Cedar Stars Academy – Bergen (Atlantic)
- Los Angeles United Futbol Academy (Southwest)
- New York Soccer Club (Northeast)
- Tampa Bay United (Southeast)
- United Futbol Academy (Southeast)
- Virginia Development Academy (Atlantic)
The U16/17 age group will see a total of five teams expand into its 2017-2018 divisions.
New Clubs Welcomed at U16/17:
- Grande Sports Academy (Southwest)
Existing Clubs Promoted Into U16/17:
- Albion SC (Southwest)
- Armada FC Pro Academy (Southeast)
- United Futbol Academy (Southeast)
- Virginia Development Academy (Atlantic)
At the U18/19 level, one MLS Academy club and one full-time residency program headline the expansion effort to 73 teams. New York City FC continues their planned growth and will now field teams at all age groups, and Grande Sports Academy will enter the Development Academy for the first time at the U15, U16/17 and U18/19 age groups.
New Clubs Welcomed at U18/19:
- Grande Sports Academy (Southwest)
Existing Clubs Promoted Into U18/19:
- New York City FC (Northeast)
Related Articles: U.S. Soccer Girls’ Development Academy Welcomes New Clubs; U.S. Soccer Development Academy Awards