Metropolitan Oval: Structure

Structure

Objective:	The Development Academy’s primary focus is player development. Academy players are provided with the best opportunity to achieve their potential as elite soccer players.

Standards:	Academy teams are required to train at least three days per week and rest one day per week during the Academy season. Academy teams will play approx. 30 games per year.

Member Clubs:	77 of the top youth soccer clubs will participate in the program in 2009-10.

Selection:	All current clubs applied for membership. Any club is welcome to apply, but admission is very selective.

Teams:	Academy clubs must field 1 team in each of the 2 Academy mixed-age groups: U-15/16 and U-17/18.

Age Groups:	U-15/16: Players born on or after 1/1/1993 U-17/18: Players born on or after 1/1/1991 Players can always ‘play up’.

Rosters:	Each team must have a minimum roster of 18 players. All players register directly with U.S. Soccer.

Format:	In 2009-10, the Academy league contains 10 geographically based divisions. Each team play home and away matches against the other teams in their division, plus games against non-division opponents from across the country during the 9-month season. The top 32 teams in each age group advance to the Playoffs, where they compete for one of eight spots in the Academy Finals Week at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Cost:	No fees for club to participate in program, aside from $5 per player and $25 per coach registration fee (2009-10 figures). Clubs are responsible for all of their travel and administrative expenses.

To maintain a focus on training, Academy teams do not play in any other leagues, tournaments, State Cup competitions, ODP or All-Star events without written permission from Academy staff. Full-time Academy players can only participate on their designated Academy team, with only 2 exceptions: high school soccer and national team duty.

Please click here for more information on the Structure of the Academy.