U.S. Soccer Development Academy

The U.S. Soccer Federation has launched its U.S. Soccer Development Academy, creating a professional playing and training environment that will provide participating players the opportunity to continue to develop and to decrease the men’s national team programs dependence on the Olympic Development Program. It is an idea that has been discussed for a long time and has worked exceptionally well on a smaller scale with the current U.S. U-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida.

The academy features 64 of the top youth clubs from around the country at the U16 and U18 age groups. Teams were accepted into the academy by U.S. Soccer National Team coaches. Players participating in the academy will not be allowed to partake in ODP, play in any other leagues, tournaments, or even state cup. The focus of the academy is to continue the development of our countries elite youth players through national player development directly to the clubs. The clubs accepted into the academy league will be divided into eight conferences. Each team will train at least three days a week and play in about 30 games throughout the academy season (8 months). The winners of each conference will compete in an annual final at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

The academy will provide many advantages for teams chosen to participate such as world class training for players looking to play at the college, professional, and National Team levels, increased player visibility for college and National Team coaches, higher level of competitive play, and player oversight from club coaches and U.S. Soccer coaches.

The 64 clubs that have been chosen to participate in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s inaugural year come from 24 states and the District of Columbia. The U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs have been broken into the eight conferences listed below.

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

For more information on the U.S. Soccer Development Academy click on the links below or visit www.ussoccer.com

Academy Overview
Program Technical Specifications
Academy Presentation