DALE SCHILLY: Academy Director

"The creation of USSDA has changed the face of soccer in the United States by simplifying the choice for elite players, parents, and coaches in the US. The United States Soccer Federation has identified the top clubs in the United States for player development and Metro United is one of the chosen few. The criteria for selection to the Metro United Academy is rigorous and significant commitment is required to play in the Academy; however, for those players who desire an opportunity to play collegiately, professionally or as a member of the full US Men's National team, the USSDA is now the best vehicle to help them achieve their goals. In fact, this past April the Metro United Developmental Academy traveled to Bradenton, Florida for a match against the U-17 Youth National Team and will host the Youth National Team at our complex on June 22.

Metro United has had an incredible experience in the inaugural season of the USSF Development Academy League. The experience has had a positive impact on our players and coaches who want to share some of their feelings:

TYLER MCNABB: Cape Girardeau(MO) Central(2008) - St. Louis University

"...as a center back, the Academy has made me a smarter player. One of the best experiences of playing in the Academy... (is)playing teams from all over the nation, we were able to experience and play against many different styles of play even had a chance to play the US Youth National team this experience has prepared me for what I will experience when I go to SLU this fall."

BOBBY SMITH: Springfield(IL) Sacred Heart(2008) - Bradley University

"The Academy League is better than the system that was in place before... it has helped me to improve my skills technically and tactically compared to when I was playing 5 games a weekend. The Academy was made for players, coaches have more time for players because there are more practices than games, the focus is on improving player's individually. For those looking to move to the next level, there is no better opportunity available in the country than playing in the Academy."

TAD KREAMALMEYER: Collinsville(IL) Christian Academy(2008) - University of Evansville

"The Academy training environment has been wonderful for my game. The competition level at every training session is such that you must do your best. Having played in the Metro United USYS program since the age of 8, I was prepared to make the transition to the Academy league; however, the training environment in the Academy program is hands down the best thing I could have done to prepare me for the transition to the collegiate game. Players receive more opportunities to train because there are more practices than games, combining age groups ensures that the best players play on the same teams, the focus is on developing elite players."

BLAKE SCHNIEDER: Whitfield(MO) College Prep(2008) - University of Evansville

"I like the experience of being on the road with the guys relationships that were built being away from the parents and with my teammates has been great, it has helped every player mature: being responsible for getting enough rest, knowing what to eat and how to prepare yourself to play in the matches. The responsibility placed on the player has increased. As far as a player, it has been a great experience, you have to bring your best every time you step on the training field... you learn how to walk away from every training session and critique yourself, how you measure up against other players, and what areas of your game you need to improve to become a better player."

Developing the Next Generation
U.S. Soccer's Development Academy program is driven by the game and its players, coaches and referees. This game-centric approach allows for long-term development to occur through a deep understanding of what makes players successful around the world. As the sport of soccer grows in the United States, young players in our country need the proper environment to compete against the world's elite. The U.S. Soccer Development Academy program provides the optimum developmental environment for the nation's top youth soccer players, coaches and referees by emphasizing development through quality training and limited, meaningful competition.

Meaningful Training
Academy teams spend a greater amount of time focused on training to improve as individuals and as a team. The teams and players receive direct feedback and evaluations from National Team Staff and ProZone video analysis. To round-out the complete training environment, Academy teams are tested in their physical capabilities using the SPARQ testing methodology and their hydration levels by Gatorade. They also receive a SPARQ training curriculum for soccer-specific athletic training and Nutrition and Hydration recommendations from Gatorade's Sports Science Institute. Each athlete then gains a greater understanding of how they compare physically against their peers and what they need to do to achieve their optimal performance levels.

Competitive Environment
The Academy program features teams from the top youth clubs from around the country. Each Academy team plays approximately 30 regular season games to ensure all games are meaningful. Games are also played according to FIFA's Laws of the Game and officiated by a pool of the nation's top young referees in order to prepare players for the next level of competition. National Team Scouts regularly attend Academy games, so players are evaluated over the course of the season and in their natural positions allowing for better player assessment.

Early Success
As the program enters its second year, it has already dramatically impacted the player development process in the United States. In 2008, more than 100 players from Academy clubs were included in U.S. Youth National Teams and almost 800 graduates from the inaugural Academy class participated in college soccer the following fall. Virtually all college programs use the Academy program as a scouting vehicle and the program has received increased attention from professional scouts representing domestic and international clubs. Visit ussoccer.com to view the top Academy teams in action.

For more information, please contact Dale Schilly at metrofc@aol.com for information.