FC Westchester boys’ program fields premier, U.S. Pre-Academy and U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams lead by a  top coaching staff that includes David McCollum, winner of five state cup championships and a former pro player in Germany; Boris Bandov, a 10-year U.S. National Team starter and member of the famous New York Cosmos; Jim McElderry, Fordham Univ. head men’s coach and a former pro player; Kevin Reiman, an MLS alum who was a college star at Maryland and Michigan State who now coaches at Army; Jorge Porras, an Olympic Games/Colombian National Team performer; Ed Quiroga and James Quiroga, winner of multiple state cup championships; Carlos Casas, a long-time successful youth coach and former Boston College star; Marcos Monteguedo, a state championship-winning high school coach at Iona Prep and former Iona College captain, and others with extensive playing and college and ODP coaching credentials.

After receiving overwhelming support from the Development Academy membership, the Academy is moving to a schedule beginning in the fall of 2012 that runs from September through June (or July based on postseason play). This creates a format that is similar to those followed by the elite soccer playing nations around the world as the Development Academy and U.S. Soccer continue their goal of closing the performance gap with the top soccer nations.

“If we want our players to someday compete against the best in the world, it is critical for their development that they train and play as much as possible and in the right environment,” said U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. “The Development Academy 10-month season is the right formula and provides a good balance between training time and playing competitive matches. This is the model that the best countries around the world use for their programs, and I think it makes perfect sense that we do as well.”

A number of clubs already have switched to the 10-month season and have seen substantial improvement (Western Conference, Texas Division). U.S. Soccer recognizes there might be challenges during the transition process and will work with individual clubs to make this swift transition as easy as possible.

• Quote Sheet: Academy and National Team Coaches 
  Video: Academy Clubs Move to a 10-Month Season

Moving to a 10-month season means players can focus on training together three or four times per week and play meaningful games on the weekend nearly year-round. Fewer games and an extended season will allow for the addition of a substantial number of extra training sessions, which are the primary vehicle for player development.

The 10-month season allows for a greater opportunity to institute a style of play and implement a system according to U.S. Soccer’s Curriculum as well as build team chemistry. It also gives teams increased opportunities for younger kids in their club to “play up” against older players in both training and matches, thereby accelerating their development.

“Going to a 10-month season is an important step in the evolution of elite player development,” said U.S. Soccer Youth Technical Director Claudio Reyna. “The format provides the ideal platform to place an increased emphasis on the value of training on a regular basis, and offers the opportunity to play in quality, competitive games throughout an extended season. This schedule puts our elite players in line with kids in their age group internationally, and places the appropriate physical demands at this stage in their development.

“The addition of a significant number of training sessions per year will enhance the ability of players to develop,” said Reyna. “Along with the support of our membership, this move has been greeted with enthusiasm from leading soccer nations around the world.”

U.S. Soccer created the Development Academy in 2007 to improve the everyday environment for the elite youth player. The Development Academy is a partnership between U.S. Soccer and the top youth clubs around the country to provide the best youth players in the U.S. with an everyday environment designed to produce the next generation of National Team players.

The U16s topped FC Milwaukee 3-0 on the opening day of the showcase event, then followed that win up with a 1-0 victory over the Internationals of Cleveland.  On the final day of the event, the U16s tied CASL of Raleigh 2-2.  In the FC Milwaukee match, Alexis Archilla had two goals, while Aidan Tucker had one.  In the Internationals match, the goal came from Gio Galvano.  And in the tie versus CASL, Archilla was again the goal scorer, netting two on the day.

Meanwhile, the U18s beat FC Milwaukee 3-2, then lost to the Internationals 2-0,but came back on the last day (Tuesday) and topped CASL 1-0.  Against FC Milwaukee, FCW got two goals from Lucas McBride and one from Ivan Martinez.  Martinez also scored the lone winning goal versus CASL.

Entering the winter break, the U16s are now 2-0-2, while the U18s are now 3-1.  Academy play resumes in March.

The U.S. Soccer Development Academy program was in its fourth year of existence and it was the third consecutive year an FC Westchester U16 team has made it to the national playoffs. The club’s U18 teams also made it to the playoffs the first three years of the USSDA program.

For the 2010-11 season, the FC Westchester U16 squad qualified for the playoffs by finishing atop the Academy League;’s Liberty Division, which includes the academy program of the New York Red Bulls.

In its first match, the FCW squad defeated the tournament’s #1 seed Charlotte Soccer Academy 3-0 and followed up that win with a 3-2 victory  over highly-regarded Baltimore Bays before losing in the final match to MLS club RSL.

To see the complete article from the United States Soccer Federation CLICK HERE.

Hiroki Kobayashi

In the U16 match, the teams battled to a scorless tie through the first half, but then Ceja scored in the 60th minute to put FCW ahead 1-0.  After moving back to a central midfield position, he scored again 10 minutes later to make the score 2-0.  Then in stoppage time, McBride scored on a great header off a long serve from goalkeeper Scott Levene to score the insurance goal.  Levene had the shutout for FCW.

In the U18 match, Kobayashi scored off a set piece on a fine service from Taylor Washington to tie the match 1-1 after Red Bull had gone ahead in the first half 1-0.  Both teams battled in the second half, but the game ended in the tie.  Alex Kapp had an outstanding game in goal for FCW.

To see the listing CLICK HERE.  An article featuring the club will be available in an upcoming special print issue of Soccer America.

Levene, who has attended several youth national team camps, plays for the FCW U16 U.S. Soccer Development Academy team and has made appearances with the U18s as well.

For a full story CLICK HERE.

Each of the players called into camp by U-15 Head Coach Tony Lepore are born in 1997. Twenty-one of Lepore’s players are from Development Academy clubs.

During the camp the U-15 BNT will play two games on Tuesday, March 6, with the team facing Chivas USA at 5:30 p.m. PT and the LA Galaxy at 7 p.m. 

The camp will conclude with two matches between the U.S. U15 and U14 Youth National Teams. On Friday, March 9, the U-14 and U-15 BNTs will meet twice, with one game at 5 p.m. PT and the second at 6:30 p.m.

For the complete article CLICK HERE.

“The MAP has been successfully utilized by our National Teams and will be another exclusive opportunity for the players in the Development Academy to improve their overall development,” said U.S. Development Academy Director of Scouting Tony Lepore. “Along with the physical and technical tools, mental preparation is an essential component for success in soccer. The MAP should help players better understand the mental attributes required of them to maximize performance on and off-field.”

EXACT’s Mental Achievement Program was developed by a team of scientists that have expertise in the monitoring of athlete development. Development Academy clubs join over 60 professional teams such as the Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Red Bull, and more than 100 NCAA soccer teams including University of North Carolina, Wake Forest University, and Indiana University, in using the MAP to aid coaching staff and elevate player performance. “There are many elements within soccer that are mental, such as managing adversity during a corner kick, being confident in goal, showing leadership on the field and interacting with coaches and teammates,” said Executive Director of EXACT Sports Barry Tarter.

Each Academy player will have the ability to annually update his MAP behavioral profile. The program will be utilized by his club coaches to assist in Academy training and preparation.

“Development Academy clubs will get unrestricted access to EXACT’s team of mental experts,” said Tarter. Our priority is to assist each club’s coaching staff in better preparing their team and players for success at the highest level.”

In its latest listings, FCW's Scott Levene and Jack Young are on the list of 2013 graduates, while Fabi Encina is listed amoung the top 2014 recruits.

To see the lists, go to www.collegesoccernews.com

Span played for FC Westchester’s U.S. Soccer Development Academy program, as well as with the FCW ’91s and ’92s.  He also spent time with the U.S. Soccer U17 Residency Program.

According to "Soccer By Ives", "the 6-foot-3 winger with tremendous pace, the 19-year-old Span had seven goals and five assists in his sophomore season at Virginia and was ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect on Fox Soccer’s  most recent Big Board.  Djurgarden’s season in Sweden’s top flight begins on March 31.

To see Soccer America article on his signing CLICK HERE.

To see a video interview regarding his signing CLICK HERE.

U-17 MNT head coach Wilmer Cabrera chose the players based on their performance during the Dec. 5 game. All 12 players from the Select Teams came from Development Academy clubs, each representing a different team. An additional two players were invited from regional training camps, which the Development Academy technical advisors hold throughout the year.

“Players were selected for the mini-camp through the scouting process, which includes evaluation and assessment by U.S. Soccer Staff Coaches, Technical Advisors, Development Academy Scouts and each of our extended networks,” Cabrera said. “Players are monitored and discussed over time and, if they are good enough, either receive an invitation to a mini-camp or a chance to play in a Select Game in front of staff coaches.”

The purpose of the mini-camp, which began on Dec. 6 following the end of the 2011 Development Academy Winter Showcase, was to give club players identified through the scouting network an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Residency program.

“It’s our hope that improving player development is the goal of every club in the country,” Cabrera said. “Opportunities for their players to compete for a spot in Residency should be considered a significant and positive reflection of their efforts.”

The Academy Select Games took place at the Premier Sports Campus on Dec. 3 during an off day from the Nike International Friendlies. The Red and Blue U-15/16 teams took to the field at 5 p.m., the Red Team emerging victorious with a scoreline of 2-1.

Caleb Duvernay, Jorge Miranda, Rolando Munoz, Brian Pacheco and Sam Tweeton played for Red, with Pacheco opening scoring on a 19th minute penalty conversion. The Blue Team contributed seven players to the camp: Bryce Cregan, Carlos Fabian Encina, Zach Jackson, Marius Heislicz, Aaron Meyer, Michael Seaton and Alan Winn. Jackson tallied a second-half point to pull one back for Blue, while Winn played with a broken right arm.

All 78 players who were named to the four Select Teams - including two Under-17/18 teams - were chosen by the Development Academy scouting network, technical advisors and Youth National Team coaches, many of whom were also in attendance to watch the games.

The Winter Showcase was the first time in the 2011-12 season that all 78 Development Academy clubs met at the same time. Each club played three games over the course of the showcase, and the Select Games and Nike International Friendlies, which the U.S. won for the first time, took place during that time.

Selected Players for Mini-Camp:
GOALKEEPERS (1): Marius Heislicz (Georgia United; Cumming, Ga.)
DEFENDERS (4): Bryce Cregan (PA Classics; Dallastown, Pa.), Carlos Encina (FC Westchester; White Plains, N.Y.), Jorge Miranda (Pateadores; Van Nuys, Calif.), Sam Tweeton (Real Colorado; Fort Collins, Colo.)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Caleb Duvernay (CASL Chelsea FC; Cary, N.C.), Zach Jackson (Texans SC Houston; Cypress, Texas), Aaron Meyer (FC Dallas; Carrollton, Texas), Rolando Munoz (LA Galaxy; Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), Alan Winn (Solar Chelsea; Garland, Texas)
FORWARDS (4): Brian Pacheco (Pateadores; Anaheim, Calif.), Michael Seaton (D.C. United; Hyattsville, Md.), Lawerence Taiwo (NC Alliance; Raleigh, N.C.), Rolando Velazquez (Westside Metros; Junction City, Ore.)

Both players are on the FC Westchester U16 U.S. Soccer Development Academy team.  Encina, a midfielder/defender, will be playing in the '96 Select game at 5 p.m. Saturday, while Levene, a goalkeeper, will be playing in the '95 Select game at 7 p.m. Saturday.

In the U18 match, FC Westchester got on the board in the fourth minute of the match when David Alemany slammed a great cross that banged into the goal off a Potomac defender.  The FCW squad then got an insurance goal in the 54th minute when striker Lucas McBride slid in a nice pass from Jack Young.

Alex Kapp posted the shutout in goal for the U18s.

In the U16 match, FCW dominated possession and had a great chance to win the game in the final minute, but one shot hit the post and a rebound was cleared off the line by a Potomac defender.

Keeper Scott Levene posted the clean sheet for FC Westchester.

Kobayashi, a Harvard freshman, played for the FC Westchester U.S. Soccer Development program and the State Cup-winning FCW '93s.

A UNH freshman, McNamara played for the FCW U.S. Soccer Development Academy program and also for the State Cup-winning FCW ’93s.

McNamara had four goals on the season. To see the complete UNH vs. Dartmouth article, CLICK HERE

Kobayashi played for the FCW U.S. Soccer Development Academy program and the State-Cup winning FCW '93s.

Span, a University of Virginia sophomore, played for the FC Westchester  U.S. Soccer Development Academy program and for the FCW ’92s and State Cup-winning ’91s.

For the full mock draft article

CLICK HERE

Markowitz, a Fordham senior, played for the FCW State Cup-winning '91s.

Fordham, currently in 1st place in the Atlantic 10, is coached by FCW U16 U.S. Soccer Development Academy coach Jim McElderry.

Penfold, a Monmouth freshman, played for the FCW U16 and U18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams as well as the State Cup-winning FCW ’93 team.

His goal, the second of the year, came in the 52nd minute.  He put four shots on goal during the Northeast Conference contest to help move Monmouth’s record to 10-4 on the season.

To see post-game interview with Penfold CLICK HERE.

McNamara, a UNH freshman, played for FC Westchester's U.S. Soccer Development Academy program.

The first of two fall 2011 id2 Program Training Camps to be held this fall came to a close as a total of 115 elite boys born in 1998-99 and girls born in 1997-98 representing 17 states were on-hand for four days of high-level training and off-field sessions from October 13-16.

The age groups for the camp were selected in order to more closely align with scouting priorities for the U.S. Soccer U-14 National Teams. The id2 Program Training Camps are part of US Club Soccer’s id2 National Player Identification and Development Program and provide an opportunity for the country’s top youth players to be identified and developed for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s National Team programs.

Every id2 Program Training Camp is attended and scouted by U.S. Soccer staff members, as the New Jersey id2 Program Training Camp included Women’s Development Director Jill Ellis and Technical Advisor Chris Brewer. In addition, long-time U.S. Women’s National Team standout Lindsay Tarpley was on hand to work with the players and share with them her thoughts as to what it takes to succeed at a national team level.

"The overall level of play at the camp was very strong and we were able to see many players who would be a good fit for the upcoming id2 National Selection International Tour to Spain," said Gerry McKeown, US Club Soccer's id2 Boys' Program Director. "We were very happy with the progress that the players made throughout the camp as the guys were able to learn new things and improve over the four days. Having Chris Brewer talk to the players about the mentality required to reach the national team was also an eye-opening discussion for the boys that will hopefully be remembered after they go home."

McNamara, a UNH freshman, played for the club's U.S. Soccer Development Academy and prior to that the club's '93 State Cup-winning '93 team.

Postgame after FC Westchester Posted a 0-0 Tie Vs. Chivas of Guadalajara's U18 Team

According to TopDrawerSoccer.com:  What was arguably the biggest game of the weekend across the country, FC Westchester went into New York and blanked second-placed Cosmos Academy East 1-0 on a 70th minute goal from Lucas McBride. The fifth consecutive win earns FCW a little breathing room at the top of the division with three games to play.

It is the second time this month that this FCW team has received Team of the Week honors.

Levene has been a key member of the squad currently in first place in the Liberty Division with a 5-1-0 record. He posted a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory against Albertson on Saturday, making several key saves to earn Player of the Week Honors. He has played in 17 of FC Westchester’s 22 games this season, making 11 starts.

Stauber plays for the FC Westchester U18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy team.

Joining Stauber at the camp, according to the United States Soccer Federation, were two players from the professional ranks, with Victor Pineda representing the Chicago Fire and Jon Kempin representing Sporting Kansas City. Both players signed Home Grown player contracts with their respective clubs after spending time in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. A third Academy alumnus, Walker Zimmerman, currently plays at Furman University, while 20 other players are current Academy players representing 17 different clubs.

U.S. U-18 MNT Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Jeff Gal (Sockers FC; Bartlett, Ill.), Jon Kempin (Sporting Kansas City; Leawood, Kans.)
DEFENDERS (8): Jonathan Campbell (NC Fusion; Greensboro, N.C.), Matt Jeffery (PDA; Freehold, N.J.), Mitchell Lurie (Concorde Fire; Alpharetta, Ga.), Timothy Parker (Albertson SC; Hicksville, N.Y.), Grant Silvester (CDA; Sacramento, Calif.), Scott Thomsen (New York Red Bulls Academy; Brick, N.J.), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders Academy; Seattle, Wash.), Walker Zimmerman (Furman University; Lawrenceville, Ga.)
MIDFIELDERS (10): Stefano Bonomo (De Anza Force; Hillsborough, Calif.), Seth Casiple (CDA; Sacramento, Calif.), Daniel Cuevas Granados (CDA; Sacramento, Calif.), Miguel Lopez, Jr. (Classics Elite; Alton, Texas), Victor Pineda (Chicago Fire; Bollingbrook, Ill.), Marcus Salandy-Defour (D.C. United Academy; Kensington, Md.), Christopher Somerville (Baltimore Bays Chelsea; West Chester, Pa.), Gabe Stauber (FC Westchester; Waccabuc, N.Y.), Will Trapp (Crew Soccer Academy; Gahanna, Ohio), Cooper Vandermaas-Peeler (CASL Chelsea SC; Cary, N.C.)
FORWARDS (4): Villyan Bijev (Cal Odyssey; Fresno, Calif.), Isaac Kannah (Minnesota Thunder Academy; Plymouth Minn.), Luis Rendon (FC Richmond Magic; Chesterfield, Va.), Khiry Shelton (Lonestar SC; Leander, Texas)

For more information, CLICK HERE.

The NASL is the Division II men’s outdoor professional soccer league in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The NASL member teams are: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, FC Edmonton, FC Tampa Bay, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, NSC Minnesota Stars, Montreal Impact (joining MLS in 2012), Puerto Rico Islanders, and the San Antonio Scorpions FC (beginning play in 2012).

Downs joins the NASL after serving as Executive Director of the USA Bid Committee, the organization created by the U.S. Soccer Federation to participate in the bidding process to host the FIFA World Cup™ in 2018 and 2022. Prior to that, he spent more than 30 years in the broadcast industry as an executive with both ABC Sports and Univision Communications. During his broadcast career, Downs was instrumental in the successful negotiations to secure the U.S. television rights to every World Cup from USA '94, through Brazil '14.

"I'm excited to hit the ground running with the NASL as we work to elevate second division soccer in North America and play an active role in taking soccer to the next level in the region," said Downs. "We plan to work closely with the fans, players, administrators, other leagues and everyone else involved in this beautiful game to build up the NASL at a league and local market level."

Under Downs' leadership, the USA Bid Committee achieved several milestones while increasing awareness and interest in the sport domestically. "From the outset our mission was to help raise the profile of the sport here while meeting or exceeding FIFA's stringent technical demands and I am confident that we succeeded in doing so," Downs stated. Prior to serving as the Executive Director of the USA Bid Committee, Downs was President of Univision Sports. In that role, Downs played an integral part in acquiring the television rights and supervising the production of sports programming for all three networks in the Univision family.

Downs has been involved with soccer in America for several decades, as a college player, a licensed youth coach, and as the parent of two soccer-playing children. He also currently serves on the board of the USSF Development Academy club FC Westchester.

"The stars continue to align for the new NASL. The combination of David's experience in sports television including soccer, his recent experience leading the US World Cup bid and his passion for and understanding of soccer globally and domestically uniquely position him to lead the NASL," said Aaron Davidson, NASL CEO and member of the NASL Board of Directors and Executive Committee. "David has been directly involved in the growth of soccer in this country and thus appreciates the critical role that the NASL will play in the continued growth of the sport."

The Inaugural NASL season kicks off on April 9th with all eight teams in action. The top six teams at the end of the regular season will advance to the playoffs, with the top two finishers receiving a first round playoff bye. Tickets are available for all eight NASL teams by visiting NASL.com on the web.

U-17 National Team Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera and his staff will have a total of 28 players at the camp. Those selected are:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Alex Kapp (FC Westchester, Amawalk, N.Y.); Fernando Pina (Houston Dynamo; Houston, Texas)

DEFENDERS (8): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas Jrs; Plano, Texas), Julio Alarcon (Texas Fire SC; El Paso, Texas), Brody Hickey (Dallas Texans; Plano, Texas), Riggs Lennon (Sereno SC; Paradise Valley, Ariz.), Alessandro Mion (Miami FC Kendall; Miami, Fla.), Nathan Smith (Cal Odyssey; Clovis, Calif.), Andrew Souders (Columbus Crew Academy; Amherst Ohio), Danny Zaid (Camp Elite Guatemala; Guatemala City)

MIDFIELDERS (11): Aldo Alvarez (SCYSO; Ontario, Calif.), Joe Amon (South Carolina United FC; Summerville, S.C.), Matt Dunn (FC Koln, Dallas, Texas), Alejandro Guido (Aztecs Premier; Chula Vista, Calif.), Jared Hegardt (Notts Forest FC; San Diego, Calif.), Ryan Masch (DeAnza Force; San Jose, Calif.), Nico Melo (Florida Rush; Kissimmee, Fla.), Cole Nagy (Real Salt Lake-Arizona; Scottsdale, Ariz.), Steven Oliveri (Kicks SC; Hobe Sound, Fla.), Marc Pelosi (De Anza Force; Sunnyvale, Calif.),Tarik Salkicic (Strictly Soccer; Pinellas Park, Fla.),

FORWARDS (7): Diego Fagundez (New England Revolution; Leominster, Mass.), Kellen Gulley (MS Chicago Fire Juniors; Clinton, Miss.), Andrew Oliver (Westside United; Indianapolis, Ind.), Francisco Ramirez (Aztecs FC Premier; San Diego, Calif.), Esteban Rodriguez (LAFC Chelsea; Palmdale, Calif.), Mario Rodriguez (Central Aztecs; North Hollywood, Calif.), Nick Semintendi (Real Salt Lake-Arizona; Phoenix, Ariz.)
 

Started in 1999, the U.S. Soccer Residency Program has become a symbol of U.S. Soccer’s dedication to producing development opportunities for players and the success of the Youth National Teams. With the successes of the U.S. Under-17 MNT during the first few years, the number of players invited into the full-time Residency Program was doubled from 20 to 40, adding 10 additional players in both fall semesters of 2002 and 2003. U.S. Soccer has been able to increase the number of players enrolled in the program to provide greater opportunities for young players and increase its investment in player development. With 40 players in Residency, the program is able to field two full teams that train together during the week, and get the chance to compete against club, college and international teams on the weekends.