As we approach tryouts, I've received many inquiries regarding the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. There have been some claims made regarding a player's involvement and it appears as though there is some misconception about what the USSDA is and how one participates.
There are two teams in each USSDA club - a U17/18 team and a U15/16 team. This means that a team necessarily changes each season and doesn't move up like a typical USYS team where there are only a few changes.
Because this is the first year of the USSDA, some clubs/teams consist of primarily younger players meaning many of those players are eligible to return. Our entire U18 team for instance is eligible for next year, although some players are off to college and we will increase the number of players on the roster to 20 per the rules so we do expect to add quite a few players. It is also an open tryout so each player must tryout for next year. The Crew U15/16 team is very similar in that most of those players are eligible to return next year.
Birth year v. USYS year. The USSDA is based upon birth year, meaning that many of the current U16 players in USYS are eligible to play U16 in the USSDA next year. In almost every case (except National pool/team players), the Federation expects players to play in their respective age group. This year for instance we have 6 players in the U17/18 team that are eligible for the U15/16 year. In the future, those players will be rostered accordingly. Such players may play up during the season, but will be rostered in their age group.
There are two types of players in the USSDA:
USSDA Roster Player - a player who is on the USSDA roster. Each Academy must have a minimum of 20 players on the official roster for 2008-2009, each of which must start at least 30% of the games. A player on the roster may not participate with any team outside of the USSDA for which he is rostered. For instance, he may not guest play in a tournament with another team regardless of whether that team is in the same club or another. These players are not eligible for ODP, State Cup, MRL, BPL, etc...
USSDA Developmental Player - a player who is on a USYS roster, but may participate in the USSDA in up to 6 games with the USSDA team. Each USSDA squad is limited to only 10 Developmental Players. These players are not subject to a minimum start requirement and may come from an affiliate club.
Q: May a player play in one club and participate in the USSDA as a Developmental player within another.
A: Yes. However! It is important to note that because of the minimum roster numbers and starting requirements, the practicality of a Developmental player participating in more than a few game is unlikely. In addition, traveling to the Showcase events would mean leaving a rostered player at home, which would be unlikely except for more than a couple injuries/conflicts.
Q: Can a Louisville-based player play in a USSDA in Cincinnati?
A: Yes. There are no geographical limitations for a player to participate in an Academy and a player is not limited to play in the Academy in their home town. A player from Louisville or Columbus may come to Cincinnati. However! Each Academy is required to train 3 days per week as a group. To participate in our USSDA for instance, the player must be willing to travel to Cincinnati three days/week and train with our staff in Cincinnati. A player on the Crew or Carmel USSDA team is similarly expected to train in Columbus or Indianapolis.(This was clarified in a conference call this spring with the USSDA leadership.)
If a Louisville-based player wants to play with us or a Cincinnati-based player wants to play in Columbus or Indianapolis, the Federation expects those players to travel to the city where the Academy is based all 3 days, every week and train with the USSDA staff for those clubs. It is possible, although discourage by the Federation, for us to train outside of Cincinnati, but the entire Academy must train together regardless of the location.
Q: How expensive is the USSDA?
A: The first year of the USSDA was more expensive than we anticipated. However, we have learned a great deal about travel and expenses and are making plans to significantly reduce those expenses to the families. In addition, the re-alignment plan expected to be released by the Federation in the next couple weeks is aimed at reducing travel. These will be direct savings.
The biggest news is that the OESA board has made the commitment to make the team and uniform fees for the USSDA FREE! Players in the OESA USSDA will only need to cover their travel expenses, which will be no more than a typical USYS team.
Q: Can I play high school or participate in ODP?
A: High School - Yes. The USSDA season for us starts in November. ODP - Per USSDA rules, a player on a USSDA roster may not participate in ODP. Besides the financial and time savings, it is simply not necessary. ODP is a very good player identification tool. I am currently on both the OSYSA and Region II staff and support ODP; however, for the USSDA, players are already seen more than a dozen times by National Staff coaches in training and games. Several players around the country are being called directly into the National teams program through the USSDA making ODP for these kids unnecessary.
Q: How can I make sure I play in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy?
A: The ONLY way to ensure you play in the USSDA is to try out for one of the 75 clubs in the U.S. and make the roster. The math simply doesn't add up any other way. If you do happen to be one of the lucky ones to be one of 10 players on a development roster, the number of exposures to the USSDA will be very limited.
