• download the U-14 team application
The MetroStars announced today the addition of an Under-14 team to their MetroStars Player Development Program (MPDP) for the 2005 season. With the addition of this team to the existing Under-19 and Under-16 teams, the MetroStars take a step closer to their objective of forming a vertically integrated player development system.
"The addition of the Under-14's to the MPDP allows us to identify players at a key age of their development process," said MetroStars Chief Operating Officer Tom Neale. "The MetroStars Under-14 team is another key step in the organization's goal to have a complete vertically integrated player development program. We hope that this team will open the door for some of the most talented players in the tri-state area to compete at the highest level."
In 2003, the MetroStars introduced an Under-17 team, which advanced to the Super Y League National Finals where they finished second. This year the team graduated to the U-19 level, and they did so in impressive fashion, as they advanced to the final of the prestigious Dallas Cup Final (U-19 division) and won the Metro Division of the Super Y League.
The U-19's also gained some very valuable international experience when they traveled to Bermuda to take part in the Bermuda Friendship Cup. In the games, they defeated the Bermuda U-20 National Team 3-1 and 3-0.
Currently, fourteen players from the U-19 team are playing college soccer at the Division I level.
The Under-16 team, which played it's inaugural season this year finished in 2nd place in the Metro Division and advanced to the Super Y League National Finals which were held November 18-23 in Orlando, Florida. The highlight of the year for the U-16's came when the team hosted the Honduran U-17 National Team in June. The young MetroStars defeated the Honduran team 4-0 in that meeting.
"We are looking for young players that have something special and want to take their game to the next level," said MetroStars Manager of Player Development Teams Paul O'Donnell. "This is a highly disciplined and focused developmental program which hopefully will be the catalyst for producing the next Eddie Gaven, Mike Magee or Ricardo Clark."
Tryouts for the Under-14's are scheduled to begin before the end of the month. Players that are born on or after August 1, 1990 are welcome to forward a player resume to podonnell@metrostars.com or call (201) 583-7025. Details for the tryout will be posted at www.metrostars.com.
