Bethesda Internationals

21 Jun. '07. The USSF recently announced on 4 Jun. the creation of the new Development Academy for U16 and U18 age groups. It is a bold jumpstart move which America's soccer braintrust believe is paramount for better development of our youth soccer players to their fullest potential in a meaningful training and competition model, and providing an improved scouting environment for college, professional and US National Team coaches. The Academy will start with 80 elite clubs/teams from across the country and will be divided into a number of regions yet to be determined. It will play home/away games against other Development Academy teams similar to Regional Premier legaue play, and will play a National Championship at Home Depot Center. The Development Academy clubs/teams will be modelled after the Men's National U17 Residency program currently with 40 players in Bradenton, FL, and will provide opportunity for thousands of elite players to play/develop in a similar environment, thus raising the entire level across the country. As of 15 June, the first 11 clubs/teams which have been accepted into the Development Academy thus far are: - Atlanta Fire United Soccer Association (Georgia) - B/W Gottschee (New York) - CASL – Capitol Area Soccer League (North Carolina) - De Anza Force Soccer Club (Northern California) - FC DELCO (Pennsylvania) - FC Greater Boston Bolts (Massachusetts) - Michigan Wolves (Michigan) - Nomads Soccer Club (Southern California) - Players Development Academy (New Jersey) - Seacoast United (New Hampshire) - FC Westchester (New York) And, today, Potomac SA President, Arnold Tarzy, announced that Potomac SA, along with DC United, have just been Accepted into the Development Academy as the two clubs in the greater Washington/Baltimore area. Tryouts for the new U16 and U18 Development Academy teams will be announced shortly. Club teams not sending players to tryout in the Development Acadey teams may still continue to participate in the traditional leage/tournament play. For further information: www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_884743.html