U.S. Soccer Development Academy
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Other club(s) from | Canada |
| Confederation | USSF |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Conferences | 3 |
| Number of teams | 79 |
| Promotion to | None |
| Relegation to | None |
| Current champions | Chicago Fire Academy (U17/18) FC Dallas Development Academy (U15/16) |
| Website | USSDA website |
The United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) is an American soccer league, considered the top tier of youth soccer in the United States. Formed in 2007, the league features youth academies and youth clubs from various organizations, including Major League Soccer, the North American Soccer League and the United Soccer Leagues. It succeeded the Super Y-League as the premier youth soccer league in the U.S.
As of the 2013-14 season, the league features three age divisions, U-13/14, U-15/16 and U-17/18. The league operates on a 10-month winter-based schedule, with the season generally beginning in September and ending in June or July.
History
The U.S. Soccer Development Academy was founded in 2007, after a comprehensive review of elite player development conducted by the USSF, to serve as the top tier for youth soccer in the United States and provide an elite everyday environment for player development. The organization was created as a partnership between U.S. Soccer and top level clubs across the country, emphasizing increased training with more competitive games versus more games in general, with the ultimate goal of producing top level players for the US men's national team.[1]
In addition, the league serves to connect national team coaches at all age levels directly with elite youth players, while also serving as a venue for advanced coaching and referee development.[2]
The league is unique from other professional soccer leagues domestically, as it runs on a winter-based schedule. The season generally begins in September and ends in June or July. There's usually a hiatus in January and February while players have the summer off. Most of the clubs are associated with professional teams, either in North America through MLS, the NASL or USL Pro, or with European clubs. The professional teams cover most, if not all of the fees, while the academies offer a pipeline of talent to the professional club.
The league also welcomed two Canadian teams, the respective academy sides for the professional clubs of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Montreal Impact of MLS. The only MLS club whose youth teams do not participate in the league is Toronto FC.
Champions
| Season | U17/18 | U15/16 |
|---|---|---|
| 2007-2008 | Baltimore Bays Chelsea | Carmel United SC |
| 2008-2009 | Carmel United SC | Derby County Wolves |
| 2009-2010 | Vardar SC Freiburg | Chicago Fire Academy |
| 2010-2011 | Pateadores Academy | Los Angeles Galaxy Academy |
| 2011-2012 | FC Dallas Development Academy | New York Red Bulls Academy |
| 2012-2013 | New York Red Bulls Academy | Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy |
| 2013-2014 | Players Development Academy | Los Angeles Galaxy Academy |
| 2014-2015 | Chicago Fire Academy | FC Dallas Development Academy |
2015-16 Clubs
West Conference
Northwest Division
Southwest Division
Central Conference
Frontier Division
Mid-America Division
East Conference
Southeast Division
Atlantic Division
Northeast Division
References
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| Women's college soccer |
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| Youth soccer |
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| Defunct men's outdoor leagues |
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| Defunct men's indoor leagues |
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