Four clubs join U.S. Soccer Boys Development Academy for 2019-20

CHICAGO (Via U.S. Soccer) – As part of its mission to impact everyday environments to develop world-class players, the U.S. Soccer Boys’ Development Academy will expand its membership for the 2019-20 season with the addition of four new clubs and the introduction of new age-group teams at 14 clubs, bringing the Boys’ Academy to 150 total clubs that field 535 teams.

Two MLS clubs, Inter Miami CF and Austin FC, highlight the new additions. Both Academies will be fully-funded, offering cost-free opportunities for elite players. These two Academies will lay a foundation for their clubs’ first teams before they begin play in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Already a member of the Girls’ Academy, SC del Sol will expand its programming to the Boys’ Academy at the U-13 and U-14 levels, while Real Salt Lake – Arizona will join the Academy as an affiliate of Real Salt Lake’s successful Academy in Herriman, Utah.

2019-20 BOYS’ DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY CLUB ADDITIONS

ACADEMY CLUBS ADDING AGE GROUPS FOR 2019-20 SEASON

New clubs and new age-group teams were selected for admission to the Academy following a thorough review process by U.S. Soccer based on a number of factors, including:

• Academy leadership and quality of coaching staff
• Desire to embrace Development Academy philosophy and core values
• Infrastructure and investment of resources
• Player production history, player pool depth and geographic location
• Market analysis

“The opportunity for the current Academy clubs to expand their pathway for players is a result of the daily work of leaders and staff to create optimal environments,” said Jared Micklos, U.S. Soccer Youth National Teams Director. “The addition of a new market in Phoenix, Ariz. and two new cost-free MLS Academies will drive development at the highest level and create more opportunities for top talents.”

In addition to the new clubs, 14 current Academy clubs will add new age-group teams for the 2019-20 season. After fielding teams up to the U-16/17 level last year, Cedar Stars Academy – Bergen, Met Oval, and New York Soccer Club will expand to U-18/19 and offer Academy programming at all age groups. Los Angeles Football Club and Minnesota United FC began their Academies at younger age groups, built them up year-by-year, and will expand to U-16/17 in the coming season. Similarly, LA Galaxy San Diego, San Antonio FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies will field U-16/17 teams in 2019-20. Queen City Mutiny and Total Futbol Academy will add U-15 teams after competing at the U-13 and U-14 levels this season, while Los Angeles Premier Futbol Club and Murrieta Surf will add U-14 teams. Valeo FC and Ventura County Fusion only had teams at the U-12 age group this year but will expand to the U-13 and U-14 levels for the coming season.

BOYS’ DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY BY THE NUMBERS

At the start of the 2019-20 Boys’ Academy season, the following age eligibility dates will be in effect:

• U-18/19: Players born Jan. 1, 2001 or later
• U-16/17: Players born Jan. 1, 2003 or later
• U-15: Players born Jan. 1, 2005 or later
• U-14: Players born Jan. 1, 2006 or later
• U-13: Players born Jan. 1, 2007 or later

The expansion of the Girls’ Academy to 71 clubs that encompass 342 teams was announced last month. The 2019-20 regular season and event schedule will be released by June 1, 2019.