On Friday, the United States Soccer Federation announced that the US Soccer Developmental Academy will be playing a 10-month season starting in September and ending in June. The new schedule applies to the 2012-13 season.
US Youth Soccer technical director Claudio Reyna
"Going to a 10-month season is an important step in the evolution of elite player development. 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. Along with the support of our membership, this move has been greeted with enthusiasm from leading soccer nations around the world."
US National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann
"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. 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."
