Lepore Presents Development Academy At First-Ever Meeting Of CONCACAF Technical Directors
by No Author Listed (Press Release | USSF - May 18)
In late April, Development Academy Technical Advisor and Director of Scouting Tony Lepore represented U.S. Soccer at the first-ever Meeting of CONCACAF Technical Directors in the Cayman Islands. The joint venture between FIFA and CONCACAF brought together technical advisors and directors from the United States, Canada and all of the Caribbean nations to share ideas, goals and challenges. Mexico and the Central American nations held a similar conference in Spanish the week prior. more details | go to article

Soccer Players Forced To Choose Between High Schools And Academies
by Dave Thorpe (Analysis | Carson Daily Breeze - February 22)
High school soccer teams in the South Bay always have shared elite players with club teams. Players often compete in club, then arrive in time for the high school season already in soccer shape, having been taught by top-notch coaches. So high school coaches - many of them also club coaches themselves - benefit from players competing in club soccer. But in recent years, prep coaches have been losing more elite players and are becoming increasingly disgruntled because of local soccer academies snatching the top prep players. more details | go to article

Top College Programs Use Development Academy Players To Continue Building Successful Teams
by No Author Listed (Profile/Interview | USSF - February 19)
With 14 seasons as the head coach of the Cavaliers under his belt, George Gelnovatch has seen his player selection process undergo a major overhaul since the inception of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. more details | go to article

Gulati On Diversity, Development And Dollars
by Paul Gardner (Profile/Interview | Soccer America - February 18)
In the second part of Paul Gardner's discussion with Sunil Gulati, the recently re-elected U.S. Soccer President, Gulati answers questions about key issues facing American soccer as he begins his second four-year term. more details | go to article

MLS Academies Look To Set The Standard
by J.R. Eskilson (Analysis | Goal.com - February 9)
Three years ago, U.S. Soccer began an initiative called the Development Academy. At the forefront of the progressive youth soccer adjustment was the introduction of MLS academies to the scene. more details | go to article

Lower Age Groups In U.S. Youth Soccer Still Need Overhaul
by Jeff Carlisle (Analysis | ESPN - March 26)
Editor's note: This is Part 5 of a five-part series examining the structure and organization of the U.S. Soccer Federation and its youth programs. more details | go to article

More Than 300 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Athletes Headed To College Teams After High School Graduation
by No Author Listed (Article | USSF - March 4)
While U.S. Soccer's Development Academy continues to grow as a platform for player development, it has also experienced unprecedented growth as a platform for college recruitment. More than 300 members of the Academy Class of 2009 have been identified by top college programs at every level and have indicated their intentions to play for a college team. more details | go to article

World Cup Qualifier Provides Unique Educational Experience For Development Academy Coaches
by No Author Listed (Article | USSF - February 21)
On Feb. 11, the U.S. Men’s National Team kicked off the Final Round of FIFA World Cup qualifying with a 2-0 win against Mexico in front of 23,776 supporters at Columbus Crew Stadium. Included in the sold-out crowd were 20 coaches from all four Ohio-based Development Academy clubs, CASA, Columbus Crew, Internationals and Ohio Elite, who were participating in a Development Academy Coaching Symposium. more details | go to article

Pay-To-Play Aspect Still Permeates Youth Soccer
by Jeff Carlisle (Analysis | ESPN - February 19)
Editor's note: This is Part 4 of a five-part series examining the structure and organization of the U.S. Soccer Federation and its youth programs. Coming in Part 5 is a look at the longer-term goals and challenges of the Development Academy. more details | go to article

USSF Models Youth Development On A Mix Of Foreign Concepts
by Jeff Carlisle (Analysis | ESPN - February 5)
This is Part 3 of a five-part series examining the structure and organization of the U.S. Soccer Federation and its youth programs. Coming in Part 4 is a look at the costs associated with the Development Academy. more details | go to article

Development Academy Is Also An Educational Tool For Coaches
by Jeff Carlisle (Analysis | ESPN - February 1)
This is Part 2 of a five-part series examining the structure and organization of the U.S. Soccer Federation and its youth programs. Coming in Part 3 on Thursday is a look at the coaching set-up of the Development Academy. more details | go to article

U.S. Soccer Overhauls Its Youth Programs
by Jeff Carlisle (Analysis | ESPN - January 29)
This is Part 1 of a five-part series examining the structure and organization of the U.S. Soccer Federation and its youth programs. Coming in Part 2 on Sunday is a look at the coaching set-up of the Development Academy. more details | go to article