US Soccer Development Academy
Development Academy Description
Developing the Next Generation
U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy program is driven by the game and its players, coaches and referees. This game-centric approach allows for long-term development to occur through a deep understanding of what makes players successful around the world. As the sport of soccer grows in the United States, young players in our country need the proper environment to compete against the world’s elite. The U.S. Soccer Development Academy program provides the optimum developmental environment for the nation’s top youth soccer players, coaches and referees by emphasizing development through quality training and limited, meaningful competition.
Meaningful Training
Academy teams spend a greater amount of time focused on training to improve as individuals and as a team. The teams and players receive direct feedback and evaluations from National Team Staff and ProZone video analysis. To round-out the complete training environment, Academy teams are tested in their physical capabilities using the SPARQ testing methodology and their hydration levels by Gatorade. They also receive a SPARQ training curriculum for soccer-specific athletic training and Nutrition and Hydration recommendations from Gatorade’s Sports Science Institute. Each athlete then gains a greater understanding of how they compare physically against their peers and what they need to do to achieve their optimal performance levels.
Competitive Environment
The Academy program features teams from the top youth clubs from around the country. Each Academy team plays approximately 30 regular season games to ensure all games are meaningful. Games are also played according to FIFA’s Laws of the Game and officiated by a pool of the nation’s top young referees in order to prepare players for the next level of competition. National Team Scouts regularly attend Academy games, so players are evaluated over the course of the season and in their natural positions allowing for better player assessment.
Early Success
As the program enters its second year, it has already dramatically impacted the player development process in the United States. In 2008, more than 100 players from Academy clubs were included in U.S. Youth National Teams and almost 800 graduates from the inaugural Academy class participated in college soccer the following fall. Virtually all college programs use the Academy program as a scouting vehicle and the program has received increased attention from professional scouts representing domestic and international clubs. Visit ussoccer.com to view the top Academy teams in action
US Soccer Development Academy Team Pages
To view the latest Academy information, including schedules, standings, player rosters and contact information please visit the U15/16 and U17/18 Academy Team Pages.
Apr 17
Development Academy Home Page
To view the latest information on the Development Academy, please visit the Development Academy Home Page on ussoccer.com
Apr 17
Great Weekend for the TSC Texans
U16 USSF Academy Team Warming Up at the Showcase
The U 16 & U. 18 USSF teams traveled to Sarasota Florida for the USSF Spring Showcase. The U 16 team won all 3 games and the U18 teens won 2 out of 3 losing only to the MLS Academy team Chivas. TSC Texan Director Scott James was excited about his teams results in Florida aganist the top teams in the nation with over 200 college coaches in attendance
May 26
From the U.S. Soccer Communications Center:
DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY SPRING SHOWCASE KICKS OFF
WITH NEARLY 70 GAMES AT THE SARASOTA POLO GROUNDS
U.S. U-17 Men's National Team Caps Opening Day Events with
Match Against Development Academy Select Team
SARASOTA, Fla. (May 22, 2009) – The U.S. Soccer Development Academy Spring Showcase kicked off a busy weekend with a full slate of games, capped off by the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team match against a Development Academy Select Team. All 146 Development Academy teams were in action for the first of five days of games as the event continues throughout the holiday weekend.
The Showcase Game of the day drew hundreds of spectators as many of the participating teams stayed to support their fellow Development Academy athletes, who were getting a chance to showcase their skills against the national team and have chance to impress the national coaching staff. The Select Team, chosen by the U-17 staff and the DA Technical Advisors, held their own against the U-17s, scoring the first goal of the match when the Los Angeles Galaxy’s Riley Wolfe finished a breakaway in the ninth minute.
It did not take long for the U.S. team to respond, however, as George Malki equalized just five minutes later. In the second half, the U-17 MNT took control of the match and Andrew Craven scored to give his team the lead. Stefan Jerome added a late goal to round out the scoring and complete a 3-1 victory.
On Saturday at 4 p.m., the U-17 MNT will play another match against different group of Development Academy Select players. The two games are part of a weekend filled with national team action, more than any other Showcase to date. The U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team arrives May 24 and will play an intra-squad scrimmage on the Showcase Field at 4 p.m. Sunday. The U-20s will close out the Spring Showcase with an international friendly against reining CONCACAF Champions Costa Rica on Monday afternoon at 4 p.m.
A brief period of lightning in the area suspended afternoon play for a little more than 30 minutes, but the weather held up for most of the day as nearly 70 games were played throughout of the day. All of the results from the day’s games can be found by clicking here.
Between games, participants have been spending time in the two-story athlete’s lounge that features a free Gatorade Drink Bar and the EA Sports lounge equipped with FIFA ‘09. Beginning on Saturday, teams will also be going through the patented SPARQ testing for the second time this season.
Along with youth national team coaches and scouts, more than 220 college coaches were on hand to watch some of the country’s best players square off on the 20 fields spread across the Sarasota Polo Grounds.
Between games, participants have been spending time in the two-story athlete’s lounge that features a free Gatorade Drink Bar and the EA Sports lounge equipped with FIFA ‘09. Beginning on Saturday, teams will also be going through the patented SPARQ testing for the second time this season.
Along with youth national team coaches and scouts, more than 220 college coaches were on hand to watch some of the country’s best players square off on the 20 fields spread across the Sarasota Polo Grounds.
Launched in the fall of 2007 after a detailed review of player development systems in the U.S. and across the world, the Development Academy provides players, coaches and referees a nationally-coordinated program designed to enhance their development environment. The Academy has improved the training environment, provided relevant, high-level matches on a consistent basis, increased the level and efficiency of scouting for the national teams and provided players, coaches and referees with structured programming. For more information on the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, visit the Development Academy homepage at ussoccer.com.
For the most up-to-date scores and standings throughout the weekend, check out the Development Academy section of ussoccer.com.
May 23
The U16 and U18 TSC Texans US Soccer Academy teams finish home season with 2 Wins over Texas Rush.
The U16 TSC Texans played at Meyer Park #4 against the Texas Rush at 6:30pm in the last home game of the season. TSC Texan Leobardo Vasquez scored the only goal of the game in the first half to give the TSC Texans the 1-0 win. Christian Duarte and Tony Rocha provided the passes to Leobardo.
The U18 TSC Texans played at Meyer Park #4 against the Texas Rush at 8pm in their last home game of the season. TSC Texan Kyle Oehring opened up the scoring off a pass from Michael Micheletti to give the TSC Texans a 1-0 lead. Later in the second half, Juan Castillo scored to make the game 2-0.
The Teams will now travel to Sarasota Florida for the Spring Showcase over Memorial Day weekend. Good Luck to TSC Texan Christian Duarte who leaves for Germany on Friday May 15 with the US National Youth Team.
May 15
TSC Texan Selected to U.S. National Team Camp
Christian Duarte, who is a member of the 92 TSC Texans US Academy Team has been selected to participate in the upcoming U-15 Boys’ National Team Training Camp in Bradenton, Florida, this event will take place February 15 – 22, 2009.
Congratulations to Christian and Good Luck at Camp!
Jan 15
Texas SC Learns From First Development Academy Showcase Experience
• First Day Exposes Teams to Travel, Intense Competition
LANCASTER, Calif. (Dec. 6, 2008) – Texas SC U-15/16 forward Mario Diaz watched his teammates play FIFA 2009 in the Athlete’s Lounge at the 2008 Development Academy Winter Showcase. Diaz had played his first showcase game at 10 a.m., and was soaking in the experience participating in an Academy Showcase for the first time.
“I think it’s really cool,” said Diaz, who joined Texas SC specifically to be able to play in the Development Academy. “I like that we get to travel to different places. I had never been to California before. This is my first time.
“I was looking forward to the games and I’ve been told that we’re being looked at by college coaches, so I want to be good and try to get a scholarship.”
Texas SC joined the U.S. Soccer Development Academy for the 2008-09 season, along with 11 other clubs. As they get used to the travel and quality of competition, the U-15/16 Texans opened their showcase experience with a 1-0 loss to Washington Premier. The older team played immediately after, winning 3-0 against Washington Premier.
“It’s been so beneficial for the players and also for the coaches,” said Texas SC U-15/16 head coach Scott James. “We struggled a bit with the travel and playing this morning, so maybe it’s a learning process for us to get in a bit earlier.
“The experience of traveling, sleeping in a strange bed, playing in quality game after game, it’s new to them. Before, they would only do that if they made a national final or a regional final, and now we’re regularly getting the quality games. It’s only going to help the players in the long run.”
Those new experiences aren’t limited to the new travel schedule. The games themselves have also changed in intensity, despite playing fewer games throughout the year.
“Their preparation is something that I can see has improved tremendously,” said Texas SC U-17/18 head coach Scott James, who points out such things as the no re-entry rule and only playing one game a day as being extremely beneficial to the players. “I think they’re better players already because of it.
“This is a program that is for the players, to better the players. I think in other areas, it’s not necessarily geared towards what’s best for the players. Our kids now, they put so much effort into one game, they couldn’t turn around and play a second game like they normally would in these other tournaments. It’s great to be with the best clubs in the nation.”
As a member of the Development Academy, the Texans have seen a marked increase in the level of competition, as well as the level of exposure to college coaches and coaches from the U.S. Soccer National Scouting Network.
According to said Texas SC president Chuck Vallentine, the quality of the Academy is such that one of the first questions college coaches ask the athletes when recruiting is whether they play for an Academy club. The athletes also realize that the dedication and professionalism provided by the Academy will be beneficial when trying to improve.
“I came for the Academy,” said U-17/18 Texas SC defender Blake Shannon, who joined the club at the beginning of the 2008-09 season for the exposure to U.S. National Team scouts, the quality of the competition and the overall environment. “They take things more seriously, it’s more competitive and the players want to be here. They want to play and try to make it to the next level. It’s big time. These are the best of the best teams, and you only get better when you play against the best.”
As for Diaz, he recovered from his team’s 1-0 loss in the morning with a 5-0 FIFA 2009 win in the Athlete’s Lounge.
“This is one of my favorite parts, too,” he said, laughing and pointing at the televisions.
Texas SC continues their Development Academy experience on Saturday, Dec. 6, against the Concorde Fire. The Under-15/16 team takes the field at 11 a.m. PT, followed immediately by the Under-17/18 match at 1 p.m. PT.
Dec 7
U.S. SOCCER DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY SET TO HOST WINTER SHOWCASE IN LANCASTER, CALIF.
CHICAGO (Nov. 7, 2008) – U.S. Soccer is one month away from hosting the second annual Development Academy Winter Showcase from Dec. 5-8 at the Lancaster National Soccer Center in Lancaster, Calif. All 148 teams representing 74 clubs, plus the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team will participate in 240 games over the extended weekend.
Dozens of professional scouts from around the world and hundreds of college scouts are anticipated to attend the event to view some of the nation’s top prospects from the Under-15/16 and Under-17/18 age groups. The head coaches from all of U.S. Soccer’s Youth National teams and additional members of the National Team scouting network will watch and evaluate all 240 games played over the long weekend.
A new component of this year’s Academy Winter Showcase will be the Nike International Friendlies, featuring Under-17 Men’s National Teams from the U.S., Australia and Brazil. The games will be played on a reserved field at the Lancaster National Soccer Center.
The Academy Winter Showcase will be the first major Development Academy event for the 12 newest clubs in the Academy that joined at the beginning of the 2008-09 Season. While the eight new clubs from Texas and the three new clubs from California have already started their seasons, it will be the first Academy games for the New England Revolution.
The Winter Showcase will also feature some of the nation’s top young referees, who will be working under the guidance and instruction of the U.S. Soccer Referee Department Staff. Officials from Major League Soccer and some professional referees will also be working games and mentoring the younger referees.
U.S. Soccer will continue to provide a technically driven environment, including SPARQ testing for all athletes and Gatorade hydration testing for select teams. All games will be videotaped and distributed to the teams and ProZone will analyze teams to provide additional objective feedback for coaches and players.
The Academy Winter Showcase will also provide a platform for coaching development. College and Academy coaches are invited to attend a SPARQ Strength Training Seminar led by Paul Winsper, a Goalkeeper Coaching Symposium led by Under-20 Men’s National Team Assistant Coach Tim Mulqueen and Scouting Symposiums with National Team Scouts.
The 2008 Winter Showcase will be the first of two Showcases held during the 2008/09 season followed by the Academy Playoffs and Academy Finals Week. The upcoming Academy Spring Showcase will be held in Sarasota, Fla. from May 22-26, the Academy Playoffs will be held in Greensboro, N.C. from June 26-29 and the Academy Finals Week will be held from July 11-18 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Nov 13
Sep 29
Are You Good Enough for the US Soccer Development Academy?
The TSC Texans US Soccer Development teams can evaluate players throughout the year.
Do you feel you have the ability to play at the highest level that youth Soccer can offer?
Please contact Scott James at 281-355-9362 for theTSC Texans U.S. Soccer Development Team
Jun 8
John Hackworth – Director of U.S. Soccer Development Academy and U.S. Men’s National Team Assistant Coach Presents to Texas Soccer Club
John Hackworth, US Men’s National Team Assistant Coach and the Director of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Program spoke last night about the Development of the Elite player and how meaningful games and a better training to game ratio will improve the Elite player and prepare them for the future. This information was exciting and refreshing for Youth Soccer in South Texas and in the direction that the TSC Texans are going. U.S. Soccer has Selected 75 Clubs in the country to be an extension of the highly successful U17 US National Team residence Program. “ We currently have 40 players in the U17 U.S. National Team Residency program, with the US Soccer Development program we now can reach over 3000 players,” John Hackworth, US Men’s National Team Assistant Coach. This program will not only effect the players that are selected for the TSC Texans U16/U15 and U18/U17 U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams but will affect the entire club structure. All of our players will receive the benefits of being part of the U.S. Soccer Development Program.
Thanks for all of you that attended.
May 7
For Immediate Release: Feb. 26, 2008
www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_6094864.html
Texas Soccer Club - Texans is proud to announce that we have been selected to join the United States Soccer Federation Development Academy for the 2008/2009 season.
The USSF Development Academy is a comprehensive program designed to improve the development of Elite Players by providing improved competition, training for players, coaches, and referees. The USSF Development Academy is an extension to the very successful U.S. Under 17 Residence Program. John Hackworth is the Technical Director of the USSF Development Academy and is the US Men’s National Team assistant coach. The Academy will provide an improved scouting environment for college, professional and U.S. National Team Coaches.
U15/U16 and U17/18 boys’ teams will be competing in regional conference play, showcase weekends and travel partner weekends. The Dallas Texans and Solar Soccer Club have also been selected to join the USSF Development Academy.
Director of Coaching Scott James on the Academy “This is an exciting time for the club and its players, The USSF Development Academy is solely based on player development and this will allow our players the best opportunities to achieve their potential as Elite Soccer Players”
For more information on the USSF Academy please go to:
http://www.ussoccer.com/teams/acad/index.jsp.html
www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_6094864.html
Apr 18