Clubs Receive Acceptance Into U.S. Soccer Development Academy U12 Program
Updated January 21, 2016 – Originally Published December 15, 2015 @ 18:29
Soccer News: In October 2015, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy announced the program will be expanding to the Under-12 age group starting in the Fall of 2016. Now, selected youth soccer clubs are receiving notification of their potential acceptance.
The U.S. Soccer Development Academy is a comprehensive program that provides education, resources and support to impact everyday club environments that will develop world-class players. Accepted clubs were selected based on their commitment to U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s 7 Key Performance Categories:
1. Player Development Effectiveness
2. Staff Leadership, Structure, and Qualifications
3. Style of Play and Philosophy
4. Training Environment & Personal Development
5. Facilities & Infrastructure
6. Respect
7. Resources
“The opportunity to provide a simplified development environment for youth soccer players will have a direct impact on their advancement as players. U.S. Soccer will continue to invest resources and work together with our clubs to serve as the leaders in the community to collaborate with local clubs to provide players with an opportunity to grow,” said U.S. Soccer Development Academy Director Jared Micklos.
Related Soccer Editorial: MICKLOS ON USSF DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY SUCCESS
SoccerToday has confirmed that the following clubs have been accepted into the U-12 program:
All the youth soccer clubs have been notified of their potential acceptance and will be confirmed by Jan. 11, by which time they all must respond to U.S. Soccer. SoccerToday will provide a complete list of the names of all the participating youth soccer clubs at that time.
Original Article: U12 DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY LAUNCHING FALL 2016
California
LA Galaxy San Diego (LAGSD)
“Acceptance into the U.S. Soccer Development Academy is a natural progression for our program, and brings a long-term vision to reality” said LAGSD Technical Director Steve Cowell. “When we merged the two clubs in Carlsbad this was always an integral part of our plan, and we embrace the opportunity to work closely with U.S. Soccer. We are excited to help develop the next generation of elite level players at such a critical age, and support our players who have dreams to go on and represent the LA Galaxy at a professional level.”
LAGSD Director of Boys Program, Glenn Malone, commented, “We are thrilled to have been chosen as one of the clubs that will kick off the inaugural BU12 Academy Program and we feel our vision matches the very high standard the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Program demands.” Malone continued, “Our club has always prided itself on doing things the right way as far as player development is concerned, and now, being part of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, we will be aligning ourselves with the very best in the country. These are very exciting times for what now is LA Galaxy San Diego!”
San Diego Soccer Club (SDSC)
“San Diego Soccer Club is thrilled to be invited as part of US Soccer’s ongoing initiative to improve the level of play within the country at the grassroots level”, says SDSC Youngers Director of Coaching, Brian Quinn. “The U12 age group is a fantastic time to grow and develop a love of the game while grasping the technical nuances needed to perform at a high level. We embrace the challenge of developing players from San Diego and our surrounding communities. ”
“As a college coach with over 37 years of experience at the division 1 level I am very excited on this particular day to announce our acceptance into the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. This provides a great opportunity for all of the young players in our program, to aspire and play at the highest level in youth soccer. We look forward to being part of this process.” says SDSC Olders Director of Coaching, Seamus McFadden.
Total Futbol Academy (TFA)
Paul Walker/TFA Website: “It’s been eight years in the making and through persistence and hard work we finally earned Academy status. This is a special moment for all of our committed coaches, players & parents to savor. Special thank you to all the coaches, board members, staff and parents who have worked tirelessly behind the scene helping to ensure the future of our club. Lastly, a big “qmlsc” shout out to all..!!”
Chula Vista FC (CVFC)
“It has been an exciting journey in the development of Chula Vista Futbol Club,” said Guy Boccia, President of Chula Vista FC. “The success in our development program at the youth level has fed our adult U23 player pool, that continues to produce success in our organization. Acceptance into the U.S. Soccer Development Academy has been a natural progression for Chula Vista Futbol Club in achieving our vision, providing our youth access to the highest level of education and competion possible in our region.”
“Acceptance into the U.S. Soccer Development Academy is an exciting opportunity for our entire club,” said NEFC Junior Boys Director Christian Battaglia. “Our commitment and mission of developing players in an elite environment is integral to the development of this program. We embrace this opportunity to continue developing our players by exposing them to an exclusive group of Academy clubs. NEFC is excited to make an all-in commitment to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy U12 program.”
“We are very honored to be trusted to implement U.S. Soccer’s program in San Francisco,” said Eddie Soto, SF Elite’s Director of Coaching. “This is an enormous opportunity for the city and its vibrant youth soccer community. Being selected by U.S. Soccer clarifies the club pathway here for high performance players. We are proud that San Francisco is now on the U.S. Soccer Development Academy map.”
Oregon
“We are very excited to be involved in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy” said Boys Director of Coaching Rob Baarts. “This program aligns with our vision for development and competitiveness. F.C. Portland has always prided itself on being the cutting edge of the game and being part of this program supports that.”
Eastside Timbers Website: “We are looking forward to being inaugural members in this Academy program and we look forward to getting our players on the field next season.”
Washington Timbers Website: “We will be sending out more information as it becomes available. For now it sufficient to say we are extremely excited about this opportunity for our club and our members.”
“We are thrilled that the hard work of our coaches and players has been recognized by US Soccer with this invitation” said Jim Brazeau, Crossfire Oregon Boy’s Director of Coaching. “Over the past several years as we have steadily increased the membership of Crossfire Oregon we have focused on providing commensurate levels of play for as many of our players as possible. This program enables us to provide our elite level players with the opportunity to compete in the best arena possible here in the US.”
“We are excited to take the next step in our club’s development. Our selection validates the investment our club and coaches make in the long-term development of our players and our staff,” said Matt Dacey, Technical Director of BSC Oregon. “It is an honor to be regarded at a National Level. This is a huge step for our club and we look forward to providing a proper pathway for our High Performance players at this critical learning age.”
Washington
“We are very pleased and honored to have been selected as one of the inaugural clubs that will kick off the inaugural BU12 Academy Program in the 2016-17 season,” said Leighton O’Brien, PacNW Technical Director. “We feel our club’s vision matches the very high standard the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Program demands.” O’Brien continued, “Our club has always prided itself on undertaking player development in the right way, and now, as a member of the Development Academy, we are aligning ourselves with the very best soccer clubs in the country.”
“We are excited to participate in this elite program as we feel this is a great pathway for young players in our area to reach soccer at the highest level,” said WA Rush Technical Director, Ben Somoza. “I think it shows the strength of our staff and program, as well as highlights what we have built over several years in Snohomish County.”
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