Six NWSL clubs enter U.S. Soccer Girls Development Academy

CHICAGO (Via NWSL) – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has announced that six clubs will be among the first 25 admitted to the U.S. Soccer Girls’ Development Academy, including the Boston Breakers, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, Sky Blue FC and Washington Spirit.

“We are very excited to have six clubs as a part of the initial group designated to participate in the Girls Development Academy,” said NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush. “It is important for us to be supportive of our clubs throughout this ongoing process of establishing a setting for the development of world-class female players.”

In addition, the Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, FC Kansas City and Western New York Flash still have the opportunity to apply to be included in the Girl’s Development Academy.

+Read: U.S. Soccer reveals first 25 clubs for Girls’ Development Academy

The program will focus on positively impacting everyday club environments to maximize elite female youth player development. Increasing the training to game ratio, playing fewer but more meaningful games and providing assistance for coaching education and development are just some of the standards and best practices the program will promote.

Since 2007, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy has served as the elite male youth player development model for the country and has significantly improved the everyday environment for players, coaches, referees and clubs. The Girls’ Development Academy will be structured with many of the same principles and will begin play in the fall of 2017.

The following 25 clubs are the first being admitted to the Girls’ Development Academy with more announcements taking place in the near future.

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U.S. Soccer is excited to welcome the following clubs:

• Beach SC (Calif.)
• Boston Breakers (Mass.)
• CASL (N.C.)
• Cincinnati Development Academy (Kings Hammer/CUP) (Ohio)
• Colorado Rush (Colo.)
• Concorde Fire (Ga.)
• Crossfire (Wash.)
• De Anza Force (Calif.)
• FC Dallas (Texas)
• LAFC Slammers (Calif.)
• Lamorinda (Calif.)
• Michigan Hawks (Mich.)
• Mustang (Calif.)
• Tophat NTH (Ga.)
• Orlando Pride (Fla.)
• Penn Fusion SA (Penn.)
• Portland Thorns (Ore.)
• Real Colorado (Colo.)
• San Diego Surf (Calif.)
• Seattle Reign (Wash.)
• Sky Blue – PDA (N.J.)
• So Cal Blues (Calif.)
• Sockers FC (Ill.)
• Solar Chelsea SC (Texas)
• Washington Spirit Academy (Md.)