McLean Youth Soccer Association

http://www.potomacsoccerwire.com/news/458/20343

The 2011 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase, in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, concluded play last week with a great showing by the McLean teams.  The Showcase is the premier scouting venue for elite U.S. players, attended by more than 250 college coaches, national team coaches and upwards of 25 professional scouts from around the world.

Academy Director, Zach Samol, sums up the event:  "Looking back at our trip to Sarasota, FL for the Development Academy Showcase, I feel that both teams performed well and represented McLean Youth Soccer well. Our talent, level of play, and style of play have all improved and we are progressing nicely. Our guys had a very tough schedule with games against Real So Cal, Cal Odyssey, and Seattle Sounders."

The McLean Academy is represented by two teams.  The U-17/18 group came away with three draws all with the final score being 1-1. The team defended well and showed great resilience.  They were able to score goals at key moments and keep their opponents at bay.   All the players contributed to these great efforts but a few key players were clearly on the top of their game: Lam was tremendous in our back four; Boehme, Amorosino and Galdo were the engines of our midfield; and Oakley, Shiomi and Teston each contributed a goal. Both keepers, Fish and Belanger, had strong performances.

The U-15/16 group came away with three one goal losses, but the scores did not reflect their level of play and hard work.  The team played very well at times.  The trip ended with an epic game against the Seattle Sounders where McLean lead twice, but in the end just couldn't hold on against the very physical and talented Sounders group. The team effort was present in each game but goals by McCreary (a laser from 35 yards which took everyone by surprise) and  Ledder (catching the keeper a little off his line, he curled the ball over him into the upper 90 with his right foot) were worthy of making top goals of the day at the showcase!

In addition to the showcase games, there are two Select games featuring players from the 96 and 97 age groups in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.  McLean's U-15/16 goalkeeper, Arie Ammann, was selected for this event.  Samol added, " Congrats to Arie for his selection in the the Academy Select 96 game. It's great to see him developing into one of the top keepers in the country for his age right in front of our eyes!"

The Academy teams resume their season on February 4 hosting the South Carolina United Battery at Spring Hill Recreation Center.  For more information about the program, please email academy@mcleansoccer.org.

The McLean U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/18 team was featured in a recent article.  Read more

McLean Academy goalkeeper, Arie Ammann, has been selected to play goalkeeper on a Select team at the 2011 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase in Florida. 

“Arie has a progressed an awful lot in the 13 months he has been with McLean Academy.  As a 15 year old, he earned the tremendous opportunity to play in front of nearly every national scout, and many, many college coaches. His development is a tribute to his own work rate and professionalism, the environment created by our staff and players, and the efforts of the entire Northern Virginia soccer community,” said Mike Madigan, McLean Academy U15/U16 Coach.

Arie added, “"Playing with the top players in the country was a great experience. I really enjoyed playing in that atmosphere in front of all those college coaches and scouts. It was great having my Dad and McLean teammates there to support me. I hope I get the chance to do it again."

The McLean Academy is the only program in northern Virginia to provide local elite athletes the opportunity to compete with the top players in nation, as well as a platform for other opportunities as evidenced by the recent honor for Arie. 

Junior Flores, a member of the McLean U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-15/16 squad, while playing with the U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team, earned accolades for his recent play in the Nike Friendlies. 

www.socceramerica.com/article/44877/young-wizard-flores-leads-usa-to-special-win.html

www.ussoccer.com/News/U-17-MNT/2011/12/U17-MNT-Defeats-Brazil-to-Win-Nike-International-Friendlies.aspx

Wednesday Feb. 2, 2011 marked the beginning of The National Letter of Intent signing period for high school seniors.

Seven members of the 2011 graduating class of the McLean, U.S. Soccer Development Academy committed to colleges on this day.

Congratulations to all!

Ahn, Charlie:  VCU

Best, Randy:  Radford

Burdin, Joshua:  Louisburg

Crandall, Zach:  Longwood

Enriques-Hesles, Rafi:  Bucknell

Hoover, Zach:  Virginia Tech

Johnson, Colby:  Greensboro College

Lipsey, Jonathan:  Washington University in St. Louis

Owusu, Isaac:  VCU

Reitzel, Kevin:  Virginia Tech

Tatum, Jordan:  Maryland

Valencia, Nico:  Radford

Please click here to learn more about the origins of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy program.

Although the D.C. winter weather has provided many challenges, the McLean U.S. Soccer Development Academy program continues to train three days a week since resuming in early January.  And the training looks to be paying off.  The teams have traveled south over the past two weekends, and returning with a 4-1-1 record.

U-15/16 Team Notes:  Three solid performances have marked a great start to 2011 Academy League play. The 16s went 2-1 over two road trips that included excellent venues: the University of South Carolina Soccer Stadium and the Virginia Beach Sportsplex Stadium. Even in the lone loss, we were unlucky not to come away with a better result. In addition to quality team play, the games have included strong individual performances that have been noticed by US Soccer's Scouting Network. The remainder of the 2011 season will be exciting as we are in a strong position to contend for an Atlantic Division playoff spot.

U-17/18 Team Notes:  The recent trips to South Carolina, Atlanta and VA Beach have afforded the Academy teams fantastic opportunities to play in truly top notch facilities against reputable teams.  Playing in the Univ. Of South Carolina Soccer Stadium, in front of a national staff coach in their first game in 7 weeks, the 18's were able to notch a 1-0 victory over a very tough South Carolina United side.  It would begin a run of 3 straight shut outs for the u18's en route to another 1-0 win over Atlanta Fire United and a 0-0 at VA Rush.  The strong play of our goalkeeper Jordan Tatum resulted in positive reviews by the National Staff that was on hand for the games.  The 18's are looking to continue their strong run next weekend as they face CASL and NC Fusion. 

Twice a year the US Soccer Development Academy holds showcase events that brings together in one place the top soccer talent in the country.  This year the Winter Showcase was held in Phoenix, Arizona on December 3^rd through 7^th.  In addition to the US Development Academy teams the tournament includes the US National residential teams from Bradenton, Florida as well as select international teams participating in the Nike International Friendlies.  The environment not only provides a very high level of competition but it is also the event for college, MLS and international scouts and coaches to identify future players for their respective teams.  . Over the last several years, the vast majority of Division 1 college recruits as well as national team participants are selected from this pool of players.  Win or lose, this event provides a unique opportunity for our players and coaches to further develop and enhance their opportunities to play at the next level.

This year, there were 242 games played including nearly 3,000 players and all 78 Academy clubs with both their 16 and U18 teams. There were more than 350 coaches representing the national teams, professional clubs and colleges in attendance and all three U.S. Soccer full-time referees were on hand to work closely with up-and-coming Academy referees.

 While the results for our U16s were less than desired, the 2010 Winter Development Academy Showcase provided unparalleled competition and outstanding exposure for the boys.  We played very competitive matches with three clubs ranked in Soccer America's top twenty-four in the country (Andromeda, Arsenal, and De Anza Force).  The team’s confidence grew throughout the tournament as they recognized they could play with the best in the country and left determined to continue to improve.  It is clear that our players will benefit from this great experience long after the results are forgotten.  

For our U18s, the Showcase had its ups and downs but plainly confirmed the tremendous growth that has occurred in the last 15 months since the program started.  Each match was a very competitive showing as our players demonstrated skills and tactics equal to the top players in the country.  Our play will provide a great stepping stone for the rest of the season and a bright future for each and every one of our players. Players and coaches alike recognized how far we have come and how close we are to competing and winning at a national level on a consistent basis.

The 2011-2012 McLean U.S. Soccer Development Academy schedule is available here.

To view the latest Academy information, including schedules, standings, player rosters and contact information please visit the U-15/16 and U-17/18 Academy Team Pages.