USSF Development Academy

Academy Schedule to Run from September through June Beginning in the Fall of 2012

Monday, 13 February 2012 19:53 |

U.S. SOCCER DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY MOVES TO 10-MONTH SEASON STARTING IN 2012-13

Academy Schedule to Run from September through June Beginning in the Fall of 2012

CHICAGO (Feb. 10, 2012) – The U.S. Soccer Development Academy has announced it is moving to a 10-month season starting with the 2012-13 season.

After receiving overwhelming support from the Development Academy membership, the Academy is moving to a schedule beginning in the fall of 2012 that runs from September through June (or July based on postseason play). This creates a format that is similar to those followed by the elite soccer playing nations around the world as the Development Academy and U.S. Soccer continue their goal of closing the performance gap with the top soccer nations.

“If we want our players to someday compete against the best in the world, it is critical for their development that they train and play as much as possible and in the right environment,” said U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. “The Development Academy 10-month season is the right formula and provides a good balance between training time and playing competitive matches. This is the model that the best countries around the world use for their programs, and I think it makes perfect sense that we do as well.”

A number of clubs already have switched to the 10-month season and have seen substantial improvement (Western Conference, Texas Division). U.S. Soccer recognizes there might be challenges during the transition process and will work with individual clubs to make this swift transition as easy as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions | Quote Sheet: Academy and National Team Coaches
Video: Academy Clubs Move to a 10-Month Season

Moving to a 10-month season means players can focus on training together three or four times per week and play meaningful games on the weekend nearly year-round. Fewer games and an extended season will allow for the addition of a substantial number of extra training sessions, which are the primary vehicle for player development.

The 10-month season allows for a greater opportunity to institute a style of play and implement a system according to U.S. Soccer’s Curriculum as well as build team chemistry. It also gives teams increased opportunities for younger kids in their club to “play up” against older players in both training and matches, thereby accelerating their development.

“Going to a 10-month season is an important step in the evolution of elite player development,” said U.S. Soccer Youth Technical Director Claudio Reyna. “The format provides the ideal platform to place an increased emphasis on the value of training on a regular basis, and offers the opportunity to play in quality, competitive games throughout an extended season. This schedule puts our elite players in line with kids in their age group internationally, and places the appropriate physical demands at this stage in their development.

“The addition of a significant number of training sessions per year will enhance the ability of players to develop,” said Reyna. “Along with the support of our membership, this move has been greeted with enthusiasm from leading soccer nations around the world.”

U.S. Soccer created the Development Academy in 2007 to improve the everyday environment for the elite youth player. The Development Academy is a partnership between U.S. Soccer and the top youth clubs around the country to provide the best youth players in the U.S. with an everyday environment designed to produce the next generation of National Team players.

- ussoccer.com -

U.S. SOCCER DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY MOVES TO 10-MONTH SEASON STARTING IN 2012-13

Monday, 13 February 2012 19:50 |

Academy Schedule to Run from September through June Beginning in the Fall of 2012. For the full story click here >>>

Former CESA Player Mikey Lopez

Monday, 12 December 2011 21:32 |

Congratulations to former CE player Mikey Lopez and his University of North Carolina team in winning the NCAA D1 National Championship at the expense of former CE coach Kevin Langan and his UNC Charlotte team who they beat 1-0 in Sunday's final.

Former CESA player Mikey Lopez named UNC ACC Freshman of the year

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 14:15 |

Former Classics Elite US Academy player Mikey Lopez now playing at UNC has been named ACC freshman of the year. Click to here to read more.

Former CESA Player Mikey Lopez on FSC

Wednesday, 28 September 2011 19:06 |

Former Classics Elite U18 US Academy player Mikey Lopez will star for the University of North Carolina against Duke in one of the biggest college soccer rivalries around on FOX soccer channel this Friday 9/30 @ 7:00pm Eastern Time. Click here for Foxsports TV Schedule.

2011-12 U.S. SOCCER DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY TO KICK OFF FIFTH SEASON

Monday, 19 September 2011 13:55 |

Teams from the West, Central and South Conference to Play 50 Games in Both U-17/18 and U-15/16 Age Groups; Teams from SoCal Division Transition to 10-Month Season.

CHICAGO (Sept. 16, 2011) – The 2011-12 U.S. Soccer Development Academy will kick off its fifth season in earnest on Saturday, Sept. 17, as teams from the West, Central and South conferences take to the field to play 50 games over the course of the weekend. Read More>>>>

Six Top 100 Player's Land at One Program

Tuesday, 10 May 2011 17:04 |

Miguel Lopez

Graduation Year: 2011

Age Group: U18

Position: Central Midfielder

Club Name: Classics Elite

Region: Texas

City: Mission

Article by: www.TopDrawerSoccer.com

The Latest: Six Top 100 players land at one program - 5/9/2011
One of the nation's best programs has finally released its 2011 class in today's Signing Day Analysis...

Read more: Miguel Lopez | Classics Elite | Club Soccer Players To Watch(TM) Profile

U-18 MNT Portland OR April 16-24, 2011

Monday, 21 March 2011 16:29 |

Classics Elite U18 US Development Academy player Mikey Lopez has been invited to US National Team Camp in April. Congratulations to Mikey and Academy Staff!! To read the full story click here.

At the request of Head Coach Mike Matkovich, Miguel Lopez has recently been invited to the U-18 MNT training camp in Portland, Oregon from April 16-24, 2011. The team, as a whole, will meet in Portland on the morning of April 16 to begin training. The entire team will then be released on the morning of April 24. This camp being domestic will play an important role in the evaluation of players as this age group prepares for international friendlies, as well as our U-20 MNT player pool.

US Academy Texas Division ends for Winter Break

Thursday, 16 December 2010 00:00 |

Classics Elite U16 and U18 Academy Teams played their final games of the fall season this past weekend against current National Champions Vardar U and 2009 National Champions Derby County Wolves. U18 came away with a victory against current champions Vardar U 1-0 and lost a close game to Derby County Wolves 2-1 giving away a late pk. U16s lost both games in very close fought contests that could have gone either way. Teams return in January to prepare for spring season.

For more information on the US Academy program go to www.ussoccer.com.

US ACADEMY SHOWCASE SUCCESS FOR CE BOYS

Thursday, 09 December 2010 00:00 |

On the back of a very strong fall season CE U16 and CE U18 US Academy Teams wrapped the season up and showed their ability in front of National Teams/College and Pro scouts at the Phoenix Showcase Dec 4th-7th.

U18s came home undefeated and U16s brought back a 1-1-1 record against 3 of the most recognizable and strongest clubs in the Academy Program. Real Sol Cal , San Diego Surf and Richmond Strikers.

Two CE players were selected from amongst all the Academy Teams to play in the Red v Blue games which represent aspiring US National Team players. Congratulations to Mike Lopez U18 and Andy Lopez U16.

For more information on the US Academy Program contact Brian Monaghan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This.

Click here to read Across the Academy: Winter Showcase Wrap Up - Dec. 7, 2010.

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