SECAUCUS, NJ - The New York Red Bulls U-18 and U-16 Academy Teams have been invited by U.S. Soccer into the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, bringing the number of admissions to 31 youth clubs across the country.
"We are extremely privileged to be included in what should be considered the premier youth soccer league in this country," said Red Bull New York Technical Director Jeff Agoos. "Our goal is to raise the bar in every facet of club competition and we believe this is an opportunity to continue our high level development of our youth academy program."
"After reviewing the New York Red Bulls' application, we felt they fulfilled the qualifications of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and were a good addition to the program," said U.S. Soccer's U-17 Men's National Team Coach John Hackworth. "We have every expectation that Red Bulls' participation in the Academy will only increase their past success of developing elite youth players."
The Red Bulls join the Chicago Fire and D.C. United as the MLS teams represented in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Each MLS youth club will complement their current youth development infrastructure with an Academy team in the U-18 and U-16 divisions.
The U.S. Soccer Development Academy is made up of two age groups - U-16 and U-18 - with a minimum roster of 22 players that will compete in 30 to 38 matches per season.
The teams will be divided into two conferences comprised of 15 to 20 teams based on geographical proximity. The winner of each conference will play in the Academy Finals at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.
"We have been overwhelmed by the positive response so far. The quality of applications has been outstanding and with the addition of the MLS and USL clubs, we now have the opportunity to integrate them into the Academy environment," said Hackworth.
U.S. Soccer coaches will select qualified applicants on a rolling basis until August 1, 2007. More than 2,000 players will be selected to represent the 31 different clubs.
