U.S. Soccer Launches Development Academy
Albertson is the 4th NY team in Academy
Albertson SC became the fourth club from Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association that has been selected to join U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy.
The Long Island Junior Soccer League club was one of 13 teams added by U.S. Soccer Tuesday, bringing the total to 64 Academy teams.
Albertson joined FC Westchester, B.W. Gottschee and Metropolitan Oval/Brooklyn Knights as ENY teams in the competition.
The Development Academy concept is a comprehensive program providing more than just improved competition in the development of players. It involves the training of players, coaches and referees, scouting by U.S. National Team and college coaches, and the sharing of the latest information and concepts on performance training and expertise development.
“The Development Academy has been implemented to shift the focus of the young elite player toward a ‘meaningful training and competition’ model, with the U.S. Soccer Federation taking the initiative to extend its National Team program into the daily environment of the elite player,” U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said. “The response thus far has been unprecedented for a youth initiative.”
The admission process was extremely competitive with more than 150 applications being submitted in less than two months. The competition component of the Academy will feature 63 clubs, representing 24 states and the District of Columbia, plus the U.S. National Team from U.S. Soccer’s Residency Program, playing at the Under-15/16 and U-17/18 age levels.
The 13 final teams that were selected:
Albertson Soccer Club (New York)
Baltimore Bays Soccer Club (Maryland)
Bridge Futbol Alliance (South Carolina)
Cleveland Alliance Soccer Academy (Ohio)
Concorde Fire Soccer Club (Georgia)
Crew Soccer Academy (Ohio)
Match Fit Academy FC (New Jersey)
Pateadores Soccer Club (California)
Real So Cal (California)
San Diego Surf (California)
Solar Soccer Club (Texas)
South Central Premier (Connecticut)
South Charlotte Soccer Association (North Carolina)
The Academy’s structure
* Objective: The focus of the Academy is on player development and providing players with the best possible opportunity to develop to the highest level they are capable of achieving.
* Standards: A minimum requirement of three training sessions and one rest day per week.
* Selection: U.S. Soccer coaches selected the Academy clubs from more than 150 applications.
* Age Groups: U-15/16 and U-17/18 teams (minimum roster of 20 players); providing opportunities for more than 2,000 players.
* Competition Format: Divided into eight conferences with each team playing 30 matches during an eight-month season. Each conference is comprised of eight teams based on geographic proximity. The winner of each conference will play in the Academy Finals at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Academy clubs (listed by conference)
Northeast Conference
Albertson SC
B/W Gottschee
FC Greater Boston Bolts
FC Westchester
Met Oval
Oakwood SC
Seacoast United
South Central Premier
Mid-Atlantic Conference
Baltimore Bays Soccer Club
DC United
FC DELCO
Match Fit Academy FC
New York Red Bulls
PA Classics
PDA
Potomac Soccer
Atlantic Conference
Bridge FA
CASL
Greensboro Youth SC
North Meck SC
Richmond Kickers SC
Richmond Strikers
South Charlotte SA
VA Rush SC
Southeast Conference
AFC Lightning Soccer Club
Atlanta Fire United SA
Birmingham United SA
Clearwater Chargers SC
Concorde Fire SC
IMG SA
Kendall Soccer Coalition
Schulz Academy
Great Lakes Conference
Carmel United Soccer Club
CASA
Columbus Crew
Empire United SA
Internationals SC
Michigan Wolves
Ohio Elite SA
Vardar
Mid-America Conference
Chicago Fire Soccer PDA
Chicago Magic Soccer Club
FC Milwaukee
Metro United Soccer Club
Scott Gallagher
Sockers FC Chicago
Solar SC
U.S. National Team (U-15/16 & U-17)
SoCal Conference
Arsenal SC
Chivas USA
Irvine Strikers
L.A. Galaxy
Nomads SC
Pateadores SC
Real So Cal
San Diego Surf
West Conference
Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rush
Crossfire Premier SC
De Anza Force SC
FC Portland SA
Mustang FC
Real Colorado
Washington Premier FC
