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U.S. Soccer Development Academy

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Mjuszcza (talk | contribs) at 17:44, 18 October 2016 (I edited the new 2016/17 U-15/16 & U-17/18 Clubs by adding new clubs and removing old ones. I also edited the cities where the club were from.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

U.S. Soccer Development Academy
Founded2007
CountryUnited States
Other club(s) fromCanada
ConfederationUSSF
Conferences3
Number of teams96
Current championsFC Dallas (U17/18)
FC Dallas (U15/16)
WebsiteUSSDA website

The United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) is an American soccer league, considered the top tier of youth soccer in the United States. Formed in 2007, the league features youth academies and youth clubs from various organizations, including Major League Soccer, the North American Soccer League and the United Soccer Leagues. It succeeded the Super Y-League as the premier youth soccer league in the U.S. Its mission is to provide education, resources, and support to impact everyday club environments in order to develop world-class players.

As of the 2015-16 season, the Academy has 96 total clubs, in three age groups: U-13/14, U-15/16, and U-17/18. The Academy is currently in the process of expanding its programming to include 56 new clubs at the U-12 age group and to develop a Girls' Development Academy that will begin in Fall 2017.

Joining an Academy Club

For players to join the Academy, they must first join one of the member clubs. The Academy suggests any interested player should contact the club directly for specific information regarding the tryout process. Clubs can be found based on age group within the three regional conferences.

Clubs must apply directly to the Academy through the ussoccerda.org website. Applications for the Girls' Development Academy are now open. Applications for the Boys' clubs are available in early fall on the Development Academy website. Accepted clubs join the Academy the following fall season.

History

The U.S. Soccer Development Academy was founded in 2007, after a comprehensive review of elite player development conducted by the USSF, to serve as the top tier for youth soccer in the United States and provide an elite everyday environment for player development. The organization was created as a partnership between U.S. Soccer and top level clubs across the country, emphasizing increased training with more competitive games versus more games in general, with the ultimate goal of producing top level players for the US men's national team.[1]

In addition, the league serves to connect national team coaches at all age levels directly with elite youth players, while also serving as a venue for advanced coaching and referee development.[2]

The league is unique from other professional soccer leagues domestically, as it runs on a winter-based schedule. The season generally begins in September and ends in June or July. There is usually a hiatus in January and February while players have the summer off. Most of the clubs are associated with professional teams, either in North America through MLS, the NASL or the USL, or with European clubs. The professional teams cover most, if not all of the fees, while the academies offer a pipeline of talent to the professional club.

The league also welcomed two Canadian teams, the respective academy sides for the professional clubs of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Montreal Impact of MLS. The only MLS club whose youth teams do not participate in the league is Toronto FC.

Champions

USSDA Champions
Season U17/18 U15/16
2007-2008 Baltimore Bays Chelsea Carmel United SC
2008-2009 Carmel United SC Derby County Wolves
2009-2010 Vardar SC Freiburg Chicago Fire Academy
2010-2011 Pateadores Academy Los Angeles Galaxy Academy
2011-2012 FC Dallas Development Academy New York Red Bulls Academy
2012-2013 New York Red Bulls Academy Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy
2013-2014 Players Development Academy Los Angeles Galaxy Academy
2014-2015 Chicago Fire Academy FC Dallas Development Academy
2015-2016 FC Dallas Development Academy FC Dallas Development Academy
Original USSDA logo

Growth and Development

Player Development Initiatives

U.S. Soccer's new Player Development Initiatives (PDIs) are geared towards giving players the right tools to succeed and develop to the best of their abilities in age appropriate environments. For more information about best practices, the Birth Year Mandate, and further resources, please visit the U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives homepage.

Coaching Education

The Academy offers a pathway to U.S. Soccer coaching education resources and licenses through the Digital Coaching Center.

U-12 Program

The Development Academy will expand to include the U-12 age group beginning in fall 2016.The U-12 Academy program will improve the training environment for players at younger ages by providing more and higher quality training, more meaningful yet less total games, and age-appropriate learning environments.

U-13 and U-14 Single Age Groups

The Development Academy will split the U-13/14 age group into single age groups to create foundation of the pathway at U-12, U-13, and U-14 to focus on individual player development. This will provide the base for a long-term streamlined pathway with flexibility to move players between rosters within the club, a better transition period for players from 9v9 to 11v11, and include late developers.

The U-13 Academy Program will follow the same schedule as the current U-13/14 program, consisting of divisional play, futsal training, and a reigonal showcase event.

Girls' Development Academy

The Development Academy is pleased to announce the launch of the Girls' Development Academy in fall 2017. The Girls' Development Academy is part of U.S. Soccer's global leadership position in women's soccer and connects with its long-term plan to improve player and coach development. The mission of the program is to provide education, resources and support to directly impact the everyday environment for clubs to develop world-class female players.

Age Groups

The Academy has 96 total clubs, in three age groups: U-13/14, U-15/16, and U-17/18. These 96 clubs are all located within nine (9) geographically-based divisions at the U-13/14 age group and seven (7) geographically-based divisions at both the U-15/16 and U-17/18 levels.

  • The U-13/14 league is divided into nine divisions in three conferences:
    • East Conference
      • Northeast
      • Metro
      • North Atlantic
      • South Atlantic
      • Sunshine
    • Central Conference
      • Mid-America
      • Frontier
    • West Conference
      • Northwest
      • Southwest
  • The U-15/16 and U-17/18 leagues are divided into seven divisions in three conferences:
    • East Conference
      • Northeast
      • Atlantic
      • Southeast
    • Central Conference
      • Frontier
      • Mid-America
    • West Conference
      • Northwest
      • Southwest

2016-17 U-15/16 & U-17/18 Clubs

West Conference

Northwest Division

Academy City State Professional Affiliate
Crossfire Premier Kirkland  Washington Internazionale
De Anza Force Saratoga  California
Juventus Sport Club Redwood City  California
Portland Timbers Portland  Oregon Portland Timbers
San Jose Earthquakes Santa Clara  California San Jose Earthquakes
Sacramento Republic FC Sacramento  California Sacramento Republic FC
Santa Cruz Breakers Academy Aptos  California
Seattle Sounders FC Tukwila  Washington Seattle Sounders
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Vancouver  British Columbia Vancouver Whitecaps

Southwest Division

Academy City State Professional Affiliate
Arsenal FC Temecula  California
FC Golden State Pasadena  California
Los Angeles Galaxy Carson  California Los Angeles Galaxy
Nomads SC La Jolla  California
Pateadores Costa Mesa  California
Real Salt Lake AZ Casa Grande  Arizona Real Salt Lake
Real So Cal Woodland Hills  California
San Diego Surf San Diego  California
Strikers FC Irvine  California

Central Conference

Frontier Division

Academy City State Professional Affiliate
Colorado Rapids Commerce City  Colorado Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rush Littleton  Colorado
Dallas Texans Plano  Texas Manchester United
FC Dallas Frisco  Texas FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo Houston  Texas Houston Dynamo
Lonestar SC Academy Austin  Texas
Real Colorado Centennial  Colorado Real Colorado Foxes
Solar Chelsea SC Dallas  Texas Chelsea F.C.
Sporting Kansas City Kansas City  Kansas Sporting Kansas City
Texans SC Houston Spring  Texas
Texas Rush The Woodlands  Texas

Mid-America Division

Academy City State Professional Affiliate
Chicago Fire Academy Bridgeview  Illinois Chicago Fire
Chicago Magic PSG Frankfort  Illinois Paris Saint-Germain
Cleveland Internationals North Royalton  Ohio
Crew Soccer Academy Columbus  Ohio Columbus Crew
Crew Soccer Academy Wolves Wixom  Michigan Columbus Crew
Indiana Fire Academy Westfield  Indiana Chicago Fire
Minnesota Thunder Academy Minneapolis  Minnesota
Shattuck-Saint Mary's Faribault  Minnesota
St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro Collinsville  Illinois
St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri Fenton  Missouri
Sockers FC Palatine  Illinois
Vardar Rochester Hills  Michigan

East Conference

Southeast Division

Academy City State Professional Affiliate
Atlanta United FC Marietta  Georgia Atlanta United FC
Boca United Football Boca Raton  Florida
Carolina Rapids SC Cornelius  North Carolina Colorado Rapids
Capital Area RailHawks Academy - CASL Raleigh  North Carolina Carolina Railhawks
Chargers Soccer Club Clearwater  Florida
Charlotte Soccer Academy Matthews  North Carolina
Concorde Fire Atlanta  Georgia
IMG Academy Bradenton  Florida
Kendall SC Miami  Florida
North Carolina Fusion Greensboro  North Carolina Carolina Dynamo
Orlando City SC Orlando  Florida Orlando City SC
Weston FC Weston  Florida

Atlantic Division

Academy City State Professional Affiliate
Baltimore Armour Ellicott City  Maryland
Bethesda SC Bethesda  Maryland
Cedar Stars Academy - Monmouth Carlstadt  New Jersey
Continental FC DELCO West Chester  Pennsylvania
D.C. United Academy Washington  District of Columbia D.C. United
New York Red Bulls Academy Harrison  New Jersey New York Red Bulls
PA Classics Manheim  Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Union Wayne  Pennsylvania Philadelphia Union
Players Development Academy Somerset  New Jersey Celtic F.C.
Richmond United Academy Richmond  Virginia Richmond Kickers

Northeast Division

Academy City State Professional Affiliate
Beachside SC Norwalk  Connecticut
BW Gottschee Academy Queens  New York New York City FC
Empire United Rochester  New York
FC Boston Bolts Waban  Massachusetts Celtic F.C.
Everton FC Westchester New Rochelle  New York Everton F.C.
Montreal Impact Academy Montreal  Quebec Montreal Impact
New England Revolution Foxborough  Massachusetts New England Revolution
NYCFC (U-15/16 only) New York City  New York New York City FC
Oakwood Soccer Club Glastonbury  Connecticut
Seacoast United Hampton  New Hampshire

References

  1. ^ "U.S. Soccer Development Academy". www.underconsideration.com. December 17, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  2. ^ "Academy Overview". USSoccer.com. Retrieved June 22, 2015.


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