US Soccer Terminates Developmental Academy Program
Author: Matt Couch
Publish Date: June 11, 2020
The US Soccer Developmental Academy (DA) was formed in 2007. I completed my college career in 2006, so I never participate in the US Soccer DA Program. As a personal soccer trainer and coach I have heard many things about the US Soccer DA program, both good and bad. The idea of the program seemed to be a logical step forward in developing US youth soccer to compete at the international level. More practice, more competitive games, more commitment. All these concepts seemed sensible to me when trying to move the sport of soccer in a positive direction. However, it was with disappointment that US Soccer announced last week that the DS program would be terminated. This leads to several questions surrounding the structure of youth soccer in the US. THis article will present an overview of the DA Program, it’s pros and cons, and the official press release by US Soccer.
The philosophy of the DA Program was to “develop world-class players,” this was to be done through “high standards” and “world-class training environments,” provided by clubs. The DA program focused on an upward funnel pathway of elite players. As players increase in age, the number of teams and players spots decrease, ensuring only the elite would rise to the top. “Best training and meaningful games aligning with the US Youth calendar.” Teams compete regionally with a focus on 4 practices to 1 game. Coaching standards, High Performance, Talent Identification, and Referees, are the pillars to a successful DA environment. Coaching standards require a DA coach to hold at least a B license. The DA believes the best coaches develop the best players. High Performance focuses on the players tactical and physical development. Late maturing players were allowed to register in a younger age group to ensure their high performance needs were met. Talent identification allowed for team scouts, college coaches and scouts to attend DA games. DA showcases provided players the opportunity to be identified by these scouts. National referee assignors worked to assign the top referees to DA games.
Pros Cons
Depending on who you talk to, you will receive conflicting feedback on the pros and cons of the DA Program. In one interview with the director of coaching for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, laid out the pros and cons of the DA program.
Pro - better talent vs better talent
Pro - balance of training and competition
Con - Conflicting programing with high school soccer and ODP
Pro - Player development at heart
Con - lack of collaboration with other organizations
An online chat room sponsored by socalsoccer.com had numerous contributors share their pros and cons of the DA program.
One contributor posted this response
“Here's a start for a list. Up to you/them to decide if pro or con:”
- 4 mandatory practice days per week
- Less tournaments
- No days with multiple games on the same day
- No high school soccer
- Probably the best pathway to National Team play
- Probably the best pathway to D1 college play
- 10 month season
- Large rosters
- Consistent coaching / highly licensed coaches
- Cost - some are fully or partial funded
- Travel -likely on par with ECNL or high flight 1
Another had this to say,
DA pros:
1. Playing on great fields
2. Having top referees
3. Playing top competition (most important IMO)
4. Playing and training alongside top players
5. US scouts and college scouts present at games and showcases
DA cons:
1. Coaching is hit and miss
2. No HS soccer
3. No guest playing
When it comes to the pros and cons of the DA program, I believe it is open to interpretation and how you define the pro or con. Your could argue both ways for many of the pros and cons listed from these two different sources. So, it is ultimately up to the participant and families participating in DA to determine the pros and cons.
The DA released a statement on April 15th, 2020 explaining the reasoning for the termination of the DA program. As you can image the response from the soccer community was one of anger, sadness, and disappointment, among other emotions. I think the main thing it boils down to is that the DA program was not performing (financially) the way US Soccer expected, therefore they made the decision to terminate the program. Using the Covid-19 pandemic as a scapegoat for the termination. Once again this is all open for discussion on the real reasoning behind the termination of the DA program, but i believe we can all agree this hurts the kids the most. Those players that have been participating in the DA program for multiple years to all of a sudden be told they will no longer be able to participate most likely leaves them confused and sad.
The concepts of the DA program seemed to have positive intent to advance US soccer to a more competitive level in the international soccer arena. The program incorporated a philosophy focusing on elite player development to funnel the most talented players upward and an environment that fostered player tactical and athletic development. However, like all things, the DA program has its pros and cons. Depending on an individual's point of view many of the pros and cons could be argued either way. In the end it is unfortunate the DA program was terminated, leaving hundreds of players confused. So what are the next steps? What is the best model to develop elite youth soccer players? No matter the outcome of the decisions made by US soccer, one thing is always true, no one can terminate the hard work the players have and will continue to put in to make it to the highest level of play, and someday make the people of our country proud of its soccer accomplishments.
Resource
http://www.ussoccerda.com/overview
https://www.socalsoccer.com/threads/da-non-da-pro-and-cons-checklist.4403/
http://www.ussoccerda.com/home.php
