United Soccer Leagues (USL) recently announced the Super Y-League First and Second 11 Club rankings for the 2008 regular season, recognizing the league's top clubs on a competitive and administrative basis. The New York Red Bull Academy ranked third in the Boys Division.
"I am proud of the recognition from Super Y League, and thank the club's players and coaches for their hard work," stated Red Bull New York Director of Youth Programs Bob Montgomery. "This achievement demonstrates that we are progressing towards reaching our goal of the New York Red Bulls becoming the elite youth development program in the USA."
The rankings are based primarily upon the on-field results. Winning percentage accounts for 70 percent of the score while minimum standards and operations complete the other 30 percent. The Super Y-League combined three basic yet essential league criteria to calculate the SYL's top clubs, as well as the top individual boys and girls programs for the 2008 SYL regular season. The standings will be recalculated again after the SYL North American Finals.
"As a club, we are honored to receive this recognition," stated Red Bull New York Sporting Director Jeff Agoos. "Bob Montgomery and his staff have worked very hard to achieve this distinction. The next step in our progress as an elite academy will be to produce players for our first team."
The Red Bulls accumulated a score of 81.9, trailing only Chicago Magic (87.2) and Mountain WFC (83.8) and edging out Toronto Lynx Jrs. (81.7) and Kalamazoo Kingdom (81.5). No other boys program eclipsed the 80 point barrier.
The ranking of third is a significant improvement for New York Red Bull Academy programs, as the program received a final ranking of 17 in 2007, accumulating 71 points, an increase of 10.9 points and the second biggest jump up the standing among in the Boys Division. In January of 2008, the Red Bulls announced that its Academy programs would be free of charge for all participants who are selected into the program.
This season, the Red Bull U15s claimed their division championship, the U20s tied for first in their division, and the U14s placed second in their division. The U16 and U18 Red Bulls do not participate in Super Y League play, as both teams compete in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
