Development Academy Description 

Developing the Next Generation
U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy program is driven by the game and its players, coaches and referees.  This game-centric approach allows for long-term development to occur through a deep understanding of what makes players successful around the world.  As the sport of soccer grows in the United States, young players in our country need the proper environment to compete against the world’s elite.  The U.S. Soccer Development Academy program provides the optimum developmental environment for the nation’s top youth soccer players, coaches and referees by emphasizing development through quality training and limited, meaningful competition.

Meaningful Training
Academy teams spend a greater amount of time focused on training to improve as individuals and as a team. The teams and players receive direct feedback and evaluations from National Team Staff and ProZone video analysis. To round-out the complete training environment, Academy teams are tested in their physical capabilities using the SPARQ testing methodology and their hydration levels by Gatorade.  They also receive a SPARQ training curriculum for soccer-specific athletic training and Nutrition and Hydration recommendations from Gatorade’s Sports Science Institute.  Each athlete then gains a greater understanding of how they compare physically against their peers and what they need to do to achieve their optimal performance levels.  

Competitive Environment
The Academy program features teams from the top youth clubs from around the country. Each Academy team plays approximately 30 regular season games to ensure all games are meaningful. Games are also played according to FIFA’s Laws of the Game and officiated by a pool of the nation’s top young referees in order to prepare players for the next level of competition. National Team Scouts regularly attend Academy games, so players are evaluated over the course of the season and in their natural positions allowing for better player assessment.

Early Success
As the program enters its second year, it has already dramatically impacted the player development process in the United States. In 2008, more than 100 players from Academy clubs were included in U.S. Youth National Teams and almost 800 graduates from the inaugural Academy class participated in college soccer the following fall. Virtually all college programs use the Academy program as a scouting vehicle and the program has received increased attention from professional scouts representing domestic and international clubs. Visit ussoccer.com to view the top Academy teams in action.

Click the links below to visit the Academy Team Home Pages
U15/U16 
U17/U18 

Please click here to learn more about the origins of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy program

If you are interested in trying out for the U15/16 or U17/18 Development Academy teams please contact Erik Bushey, Technical Director, at   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. " style="text-decoration:underline;color:rgb(70, 102, 186)"> This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or 303-986-5200 extension 145.

"What's Next?"

"What is it?"

Bob Bradley Speaks to Academy Members at the 2008 Winter Showcase

"What’s It About”

“Development Academy: The Next Step”

“Interview with MNT Head Coach Bob Bradley at a Development Academy Fall Showcase”

Weston Soccer Club Joins Development Academy For 2009-10 Season
04.30.2009

Five New Clubs Admitted Into U.S. Soccer Development Academy Program For 2009-10 Season
04.07.2009

U.S. Soccer Awards 144 Scholarships To Development Academy Athletes For The 2008-09 Season
03.25.2009

U.S. Soccer overhauls its youth programs
01.29.09

Development Academy is also an educational tool for coaches
02.01.09

USSF models youth development on a mix of foreign concepts
02.05.09

Pay-to-play aspect still permeates youth soccer
02.19.09

Lower age groups in U.S. youth soccer still need overhaul
03.26.09