US Soccer Development Academy FAQs
What is the timeline for the US Soccer Development Academy U13/U14 season ?
The US Development Academy schedule will run from Sept 2014 through July 2015 (10 months)
When are EBU Bay Oaks tryouts or placement for the US Soccer Development Academy U13/U14 Team?
EBU Bay Oaks placement/tryout dates are not yet set. When they are set we will announce it to our membership and on our website.
COMPETITION FAQS
Which clubs will our EBU Bay Oaks US Development Academy U13/U14 team play against in the 2014-2015 US Development U13/U14 season?
Our 2014-2015 EBU Bay Oaks US Development Academy U13/U14 team will play in the West Conference against other Northwest Division U13/U14 clubs. The current 2013-2014 teams in the West Conference are:
West Conference - Northwest Division U-13/14
Ballistic United Soccer Club
Crossfire Premier
De Anza Force
Diablo Futbol Club
Juventus Sport Club
Marin FC Alliance
Merced Atlas Soccer Academy
Placer United Soccer Club
Portland Timbers
San Jose Earthquakes
San Juan Soccer Club
San Mateo County Star
Santa Cruz Breakers Academy
Seattle Sounders FC
What are the Player Development & Player Identification Advantages in the US Development Academy?
Player Development Advantages:
- More Training
- 3 mandatory training sessions per week
- Fewer Total Games
- Approximate 30 game season
- No outside participation for full-time Academy players
- 25% Minimum Start Requirement
- More Meaningful Games
- Compete against top youth clubs in the country
- FIFA Rules (i.e. no re-entry on substitutions, January 1 birthday cut-off, players participate on older teams if appropriate)
- Top Instruction
- Players receive integrated oversight from Academy club coaches and U.S. Soccer coaches in their local environment.
- Connection to U.S. Soccer Resources
- Select teams compete against U.S. Youth National Teams
- Regular Game and Training Evaluations by National Team staff
- Referees assigned by U.S. Soccer
- SPARQ Testing and Training
- Gatorade Hydration Testing and Education
- ProZone and Interplay Analysis
Player Identification Advantages
- Direct connection to U.S. Soccer National Team Scouting Network (NTSN)
- National Team coaches evaluated over 80% of all Academy games in the 2010-11 season
- Showcases are premier scouting venues:
- 400-500 college coaches
- 25 Professional Scouts
- National Team Staff observe every game
- Online player profile for all Academy players
- Showcase games footage can be purchased
- Over 250 players from Academy clubs were called into an YNT camp or trip since fall 2007 from 59 different Academy clubs
U-13/14 ACADEMY PUBLIC WEBINAR
U.S. Soccer's Tony Lepore describes the U-13/14 Development Academy program and provides background on the application process during a public webinar hosted on Nov. 6, 2012.
WEBINAR PRESENTATION BY TONY LEPORE
OTHER GENERAL QUESTIONS
What is the Development Academy?
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 every day environment designed to produce the next generation of National Team players. The Academy's programming philosophy is based on increased training, less total games and more competitive games. The Academy also connects National Team coaches directly with the Academy clubs to develop and identify players and coaches for future Youth National Teams. Each Academy team is evaluated by a member of the Men's Scouting Network at least 10 times each year and each Academy club receives two formal evaluations in over 100 categories each year from U.S. Soccer Technical Staff. The Development Academy is also focused on identifying and developing the next generation of elite referees. U.S. Soccer assigns up-and-coming officials to participate in Academy games at the local level and at national events.
How many clubs are in the Development Academy and where are they located?
There are currently 88 clubs that participate at the U-13/14 age group and 79 clubs that participate in the program at the U-15/16 and U-17/18 age levels for 2013-14. Academy clubs are located throughout the country from markets with a history of National Team player production, and for the younger age group are based in key markets that minimize the amount of travel and costs for league play.
What fees are associated with being an Academy club?
There are no team or club fees associated with becoming a U.S. Soccer Development Academy. However, players and coaches must be registered with U.S. Soccer. The registration fees are $8 per player and $25 per coach.
Can Academy clubs participate in non-Academy competitions?
Academy teams are only permitted to participate in Academy competitions (league games, showcases, Academy Playoffs and Finals Week) and non-Academy events approved by the Academy Technical Committee.
Academy teams are not permitted to participate in competitions such as State Cup, Super Y-League and US Club Soccer and high school teams.
PARTICIPATION
How does someone tryout for an Academy club?
Anyone interested in trying out for an Academy club will need to contact the club directly for specific information regarding the tryout process. For club information, use the 'Club Directory'here. Our EBU Bay Oaks tryouts for the Academy U13-U14 team will be set in compliance with the tryout windows for Academy clubs.
What age groups compete in the Development Academy?
The program currently utilizes three (3) mixed age groups for competition: U-13/14, U-15/16 and U-17/18 age groups. Clubs competing in the U-15/16 and U-17/18 age groups must field teams at both age levels. Our EBU Bay Oaks club has only the U13/U14 Academy program for 2014-2015. In the future, , the club can earn the rights to apply for a U15/U16 or U17/U18 academy.
Can Academy clubs have younger players complete in older age groups?
Academy teams are encouraged to place players at their appropriate ability level. For example, the U-17/18 team should include a balanced mixture of 17-year-olds, 16-year-olds and a few exceptional 15-year-olds.
Are there any rules specific to rosters?
Academy clubs are required to maintain a minimum of 36 full-time players on their club player pool. There is no limit on the number of players that can be rostered as long as each player starts a minimum of 25 percent of the club's matches.
Can Academy players participate with non-Academy teams during the season?
Full-time Academy players are only permitted to participate on their Academy team, and National Team duty.
Which teams participate in 10-month programming and do not allow high school participation?
The entire Academy program does not participate in high school programming. For a complete list of clubs and more information on the 10-month season, click click here.
How does participating in the Academy affect players being seen by elite coaches?
Academy competitions provide ideal opportunities for coaches to scout players in their natural environment. Over half of all Academy matches are observed by a member of the National Team scouting network.
