Albion SC US Development Academy Success — 2002 Score Big For Development & Come Home Undefeated
Albion SC has just returned from the USSDA Summer Showcase in Westfield, Indiana. The Summer Showcase kicked off last Tuesday as top Development Academy teams in the country gathered for a week of high level soccer action.
Southern California’s Albion 2002 DA team competed under the guidance of Paul Holohan.
Youth Soccer News: The U.S. Soccer Development Academy hosted the 10th annual Summer Showcase and Playoffs last week at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana.
Over the last 10 years, thousands of elite level soccer players from around the United States have taken part in the Development Academy Summer Showcase.
With the top level, elite players in attendance at the event, the showcase features players that will transition from the Development Academy to the collegiate level — and if dreams come true — the very best will be called up to national player pools.
“Albion SC believes fully in the U.S. Soccer Development model and the approach of the Academy — and want to be on par with the MLS teams,” says Noah Gins, Executive Director of the premier youth soccer clubs. “We have been awarded the U12, U13, U14, U15, U17 Development Academy age groups for the upcoming season.”
Away from the field, the Summer Showcase is a platform where U.S. Soccer’s Coaching Education, Referee, and Player Development initiatives and programs take place, with 17 sport development events scheduled throughout the week.
Paul Holohan serves as Albion SC Academy Director and the head coach of ’02 team. He holds the U.S. Soccer National License “A” and has been working on the U.S. Soccer Academy Director Coaching Course, which is the next step in the licensing pathway.
“U.S. Soccer Development Academy Showcase affords everyone the opportunity to see the benefits of hard work and the improvements in coaching education,” says Holohan whose 2002 squad competed successfully in the U14 Summer Showcase.
“I am very proud of these 2002 players. This is one of the best teams in the country. The team has just bought in unbelievably and everyone knows their role and are executing their perfectly, which you can see on the field,” says Holohan.
“While results at this age are not important and stressed in this program, it is a reflection of the work,” says Gins who is also proud of the Albion 2003 and 2004 teams also enjoyed good Academy seasons.
Albion SC 2002 defeated:
- Kendall SC 2-1 on June 20th
- Georgia United 1-0 on June 21st
- Oakwood SC 3-2 on June 23rd
The U14 age group of the USSDA is focused on the development of the individual player and the team — and, although the U.S. Soccer Development Academy does not maintain official standings during the regular season and does not have a playoff component for this age group — most teams know where they stand in the general rankings.
“The team has a combination of great talent and unbelievable work ethic. The combination of these two has made us an unstoppable force in the last six months,” says Holohan. “LA Galaxy finished top and we finished right after them. At this Showcase, we have been paired with really tough East Coast teams and the result have been fabulous.”
How did the team prepare for the end of Academy season Showcase? According to Holohan, the team has been building up to this event all season.
“We prepared with our consistent, four days-a-week training — with great attendance and focus,” adds Holohan. “The success really belongs to these talented and hard working players.”
Holohan and his squad took advantage of being in the area and visited the University of Notre Dame, which is home of one of the most elite college programs in the country. Holohan is a long time friend of head coach Bobby Clark and has sent a number of players to Notre Dame over the years. Holohan’s team enjoyed going behind the scenes into the collegiate locker rooms, the gym and indoor facilities.
Technical Advisors from both the Boys’ and Girls’ Development Academy use the event to evaluate players, coaches and referees. While the event brings together teams from all across the country, the Southern California based Albion SC 2002 team came home very proud of their efforts — leaving it all on the fields of Indianapolis and returning to San Diego with pride.
