The USSDA has as one of their main things being to touch the typical club exerience and grow the highest level of youth players nationally, with this in mind, more age groups are coming into play for the coming season.
Now in their 4th year the Girl's DA has added an U-13 in the Northeast DIv. as fully 4 clubs add new age groups.
The Boy's side also has that magical number of 4 at work as a quartet of new clubs come in for the 14th year and 11 clubs add teams for new age groups.
US Soccer Sporting Director Earnie Stewart informed "As the Development Academy progam enters the 2020-21 season, US Soccer remains committed to providing a top development and performance platform for our elite youth players across the country."
The schedules are expected out in June.
Girl's DA:
Massive growth in the quality of soccer since the 2017 start as coaching standards and more education will be a driving force as they have been instituted. 23 club heads attended the Academy Directors Course, the idea there is to reach the bigger needs and benchmarks in leading an elite Academy. As the 2021 season closes, minimum coaching qualifications for all coaches must be met. The goal of the U-13's is to benefit the younger players. South Shore Select & Long Island SC (local) now have U-17's and Seacoast United & Cleveland Force install U-18/19's for their DA.
Kate Markgraf, USWN GM shared " US Soccer is excited for the upcoming 4th season of the Girl's Development Academy in 2020-'21. The progress made in the program's first three seasons has already made a tremendous impact."
Boy's DA:
Nashville SC with their GM the former Iona Coach Mike Jacobs, also a national figure with USC have become the 25th MLS team to have a fully funded program join at the U-15's. Charlotte MLS will have their DA up and running pre MLS time with age groups to be anounced later in the spring. USL side Phoenix Rising FC another pro team uot of the USL Championship add their no pay-to-play programs at the U-13 & 14 ages. The first team made it to their league title game and establiished the league record as well last season with 20 wins in a row. Sheriffs FC with teams in the U-13 & 14's will also be free to play, they are just south of Oakland in the East Bay.
11 Academies are adding teams for the coming season with San Francisco Glens Evolution, San Francisco Elite and Chula Vista coming in with U-14's to compliment their sole teams in the U-13's last season. U-15's come on line from Austin FC & RSL Arizona, an MLS affiliate now in their 2nd year while Austin FC puts in an U-13 side. Total Futbol Academy & Arlington Soccer Assoc. bring in their first U-16/17's. LAFC & FC Cincinnati grow out for the first U-18/19's as does USL sides Tampa Bay Rowdies & Ballistic United SC.