US Club Soccer hosts top players from 2011 age group at id2 East Regional Training Camp

CHARLESTON, S.C. – US Club Soccer hosted the first of two id2 Regional Training Camps for top boys and girls players born in 2011, Dec. 13-15 in Charleston, S.C.

In total, 81 players participated, representing 59 clubs and 25 states. Athletes were challenged on and off the field, competing during field sessions at the South Carolina Surf Soccer Club’s Shea Family Fields and learning from various presentations in a classroom setting.

While the East Regional Training Camp is the first of a pair of id2 regional events, the current age group cycle has been underway for months. Eleven one-day id2 Selection events were held throughout the country, spanning September to early December, of which top performers from those id2 Selections are selected to id2 Regional Training Camps.

The progression continues past these East Coast- and West Coast-based events, as 18 boys and girls will be selected for the coveted id2 National Selection International Tours based on their performances in the camps. The international trips will take place in April, and more information will be announced in the coming weeks.

During the id2 East Regional Training Camp, players were treated to instruction from a collection of the country’s best club coaches. Curriculum was designed by id2 head coaches Benjamin Ziemer (boys) and Erin Sharpe (girls). Ziemer and Sharpe, both representing NorCal Premier Soccer, were complemented by four assistant coaches apiece.

On the boys side, those coaches were: Darel Russell (Heat SC), Michael Dowling (Florida Elite SA), Lewis Dougherty (South Carolina Surf SC) and Ryan Onwukwe (Sockers FC). And on the girls side, those coaches were: Meg Morris (United Futbol Academy), Kerri Hanks (Gainesville Soccer Alliance), Meotis Erikson (IFA New England) and Kam Stablein (The Keeper Institute). Several U.S. Soccer personnel were on-site throughout the weekend to scout for potential invitations to U.S. youth national team programming.

The id2 Program is a leader in player identification and development, as it provides opportunities for elite athletes to be identified, developed and scouted for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s youth national team programming. The id2 Program is an Olympic Development Program approved by the United States Olympic Committee and the U.S. Soccer Federation. There is no cost for players to participate or be scouted, and all meals, lodging and gear are provided by US Club Soccer and Nike. This approach to eliminating barriers to entry helps ensure the best players are able to participate.