Loudoun Soccer announces partnership with SYA

LEESBURG, VA (Via Loudoun Soccer) – Loudoun Soccer and Southwestern Youth Association Soccer (SYA) have solidified a relationship to focus on player identification and development. The primary goal of the relationship is to provide a defined pathway for SYA elite players to be identified as appropriate for Loudoun Soccer’s U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

Loudoun Soccer recently announced its acceptance into U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy for the Fall 2016-Spring 2017 year in the U12 (2004 and 2005), U13 (2003) and U14 (2002) age groups. The U.S. Soccer Development Academy, a nationwide program for boys run directly by the U.S. Soccer Federation, launched in 2007 with the intent of providing specialized training and competitive play experience for the top tier of youth players in this country. The program offers education, resources, and support for member organizations, while emphasizing improved training and player development with competitive matches against other Development Academy teams over a 10-month calendar.

+Read: D.C. United announces “Development Academy Partnership” with Loudoun, Arlington

Loudoun Soccer also recently announced a strategic partnership with DC United, solidifying the player development pathway for players qualified and interested in playing for an MLS team. Upon graduation from Loudoun Soccer’s U14 Development Academy program, qualified players will transition to DC United’s Development Academy.

SYA and Loudoun Soccer have long had the framework for working together in place due to their cooperation in forming and building the Club Champions League which focuses on superior competition, player development, and a governing board comprised of Club Technical Directors. The new relationship will now enable the two Clubs to work together to host Development Academy player id events, and potentially occasional practices, on SYA fields.

“We are immensely pleased and excited to further extend our relationship with Loudoun Soccer,” said Paul Ellis, SYA Technical Director. “This opportunity will allow our elite players to play close to home at younger ages, while providing them with enhanced training opportunities as a part of a US Development Academy program. We look forward to hosting player ID events on our fields and recommending players who show talent.”

Darryl Gee, Technical Director for Loudoun Soccer, added “We are pleased to continue our longstanding relationship with SYA. We have enjoyed working with them in CCL and look forward to working with them further to add to our player development pathway.”