Elite Academy League moves into 2022 with series of Talent ID Centers

After finishing 2021 with a successful National Showcase event in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, the Elite Academy League (EA) is kicking off 2022 with a series of Talent ID Centers across each region.

The first National Talent ID Center of the new year will be held in the Northwest Region on February 26, and will be led by Boise Timbers Thorns coach Gio DeMartini.

“We expect to bring the elite players within the U.S. and the EA together, and through the Talent ID Centers, help EA players find themselves getting identified for future placement,” said Eddie Henderson, EA National Talent ID Director.

For a look at the full list of upcoming EA Talent ID Centers, click here.

In December, the EA capped off its 2021 schedule with its U15-U19 National Showcase event, highlighting talent from across the U.S. in front of college coaches and professional scouts. Competition at the showcase counted toward the league standings, as teams continue to battle for qualification into the EA National Championship in Dallas this June.

“The EA has worked very hard to look across the landscape for the last decade and determine what is important to clubs and players,” said Mark Santistevan, EA National Standards Chair. “These showcases have all elements which include top competition, games that matter, and they are all played in front of scouts at the college and professional level.”

The next event will be an EA Regional Event for U13-U14 teams in Kansas City, followed by the next U15-U19 EA National Event in Tucson, Arizona from April 1-3.

Currently, the EA is also seeking to expand its club membership for the 2022-23 campaign.

“We view the EA as the vehicle to help a club push forward into another category of play and also differentiate themselves in the market with a top national platform that provides the competition and exposure they need,” said Noah Gins, EA National Chair.