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U.S. Under-17 Men’s Residency Program Prepares for Fall with 40 US Youth Soccer Athletes
US Youth Soccer a Common Thread Among All Players Invited to Residency
RICHARDSON, Texas (September 2, 2004) – The U.S. Soccer Under-17 Residency Program recently named the 40 players selected to participate in the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida this fall.  The 40 players are among the nation’s most recognized and in addition to their skills, determination and motivation to being the best, also share affiliation with US Youth Soccer. 
 
Of the 40 players, 16 will enter their first semester of residency. With the exception of a few, all have experience through participation in the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP).  Hailing from seven states and fourteen different clubs, the new residents will join familiar faces, second and third semester players, also US Youth Soccer and US Youth Soccer ODP players, to train and prepare for new challenges.
 
“Our organization is very proud to see the potential that these young men bring to United States soccer,” said David Messersmith, president of US Youth Soccer.  “We commend their efforts and those of their coaches who have dedicated time and effort to developing these young men.  Through our National Championship Series and ODP, to name a few, US Youth Soccer continues to provide for the highest level of development and visibility to players across the country and better prepare our National Teams for competition.”
 
The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program was formed in 1977 to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels; and, through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.  Players are selected, in most states, on the basis of open tryouts. Some state associations combine scouting techniques and invitations to certain players with the open tryouts.
US Youth Soccer ODP is the first and original ODP program. US Youth Soccer ODP is the only elite player development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer and Women’s United Soccer Association, as well as a majority of current and past national and youth team members, as alumni.  And, with programs in all 55 State Associations as well as regional and national championships and participation in international tournaments, US Youth Soccer ODP continues to lead the way for elite player development in the United States.
 
“I can assure you that my staff and I utilize the US Youth Soccer ODP to the best of our ability,” said John Ellinger, Head Coach, Under-17 U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team.  “Players develop through the US Youth Soccer ODP process by continually being placed in a more competitive environment.  The experience of testing their individual skills and abilities at higher levels is paramount in their developmental process.  For coaches, evaluating and selecting players for National Team programs, the chance to see them in these types of competitive environments is a key factor.”
 
Started in 1999, the U.S. Soccer full-time residency program has become an important piece of the overall player development picture.  Over the past five years, the Federation has been able to double the number of players enrolled in the program as it continues to increase its investment in player development and provide greater opportunities for young players.
 
The fall semester at IMG begins the second year of a two-year cycle as the U.S. will train for a little over eight months in preparation for CONCACAF qualifying in April of 2005.  The U.S. U-17s are the only nation to qualify for each FIFA Under-17 World Championship, a total of 10, one every two years since 1985. 
 
The 40 U.S. players attend classes at nearby Edison Academy and then return to the IMG campus in the afternoon to train daily under the guidance of U.S. Under-17 head coach John Ellinger, and assistant coaches John Hackworth, Peter Mellor and Keith Fulk.
 
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 college and club teams on the weekends.  “Increasing the size of the full-time residency program from 20 to 40 players since its inception is a crucial step as the program continues to evolve and be more competitive,” said Ellinger.  “We’ve seen over the years how the program has helped produce talented players, some of which have gone on to Major League Soccer and even played for the U.S. in the World Cup.”
 
A few players have used the residency program as a springboard to the U.S. Men’s National Team, including Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Bobby Convey and, just recently, Gaven, who came on in relief in a friendly against Poland. Donovan and Beasley, both members of the first team to take part in the residency program and US Youth Soccer Alums, eventually pushed their way onto the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad, making meaningful contributions as the U.S. advanced to the quarterfinals.
       
“The residency program gives our elite players the opportunity to train in a professional environment and to develop in a way they would not otherwise be able to develop,” said U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bruce Arena.  “I think that increasing the size of the program is extremely important, as it allows us to look at more players over a wider range of ages.”
 
For more information on US Youth Soccer and US Youth Soccer ODP visit USYouthSoccer.org. 
 
For more information on U.S. Soccer’s Under-17 Residency Program visit www.USSoccer.com.  The 1988 have just accepted an invitation to participate in a South American international tournament from Sept. 11-26 in six venues in the southern part of Paraguay.  To see the current roster click here.
 
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About US Youth Soccer - The Game for ALL Kids!® is the largest youth sports organization in the United States,  US Youth Soccer, a member of the US Soccer Federation, registers more than 3.2 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, in 55 member state associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.