What is this residency program all about?
In my last post I talked about the kids joining college teams from the U-17 US residency program and I realize that some of you may not have heard of it before. The program was started in 1999 by US Soccer to help develop American soccer players for the National Team. 40 players live on campus at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The kids go to school and play soccer. The best of the best around the country are given this chance.
Around the world clubs run youth academys where young soccer players train with professional coaches and play competitive games year round. In the US the youth coaching ranks are filled with little trained soccer moms and dads coaching kids who are told playing is more important than winning. US Soccer realized that they needed better coaching and training for the top talent to help this country move forward in the sport.
The residency program has had great success. The first class, 1999, has names everyone familiar with US Soccer will recognize: Nelson Akwari*, DaMarcus Beasley*, Kyle Beckerman*, Danny Bolin, Filippo Chillemi, Jordan Cila*, Bobby Convey*, D.J. Countess*, Steve Cronin*, Kenny Cutler*, Landon Donovan*, Adolfo Gregorio*, Bryan Jackson*, Kellen Kalso*, Greg Martin*, Oguchi Onyewu*, Raul Rivera, Matt Roberts, Seth Trembly* and Alexander Yi*. The (*) indicates player was a member of a FIFA U-17 World Championship roster. Players in bold are currently playing in MLS. Then there is DaMarcus Beasley who is a starting member of the best team in Holland and the only American to play in the semi-finals of the European Champions League. Bobby Convey who is helping Reading destroy the competition in the Coca-Cola League Championships where the winner automatically joins the Premier League next season. No one in England doubts Reading will win. Oguchi Onyewu has become a dominant defender in Belgium and will most likely be part of the 2006 World Cup team. So out of this first group of 20, 11 players are still making a living in professional soccer. D.J. Countess has been playing in MLS but was recently cut.
As you look down the alumni list of this exclusive program you see many of the top national team players and most of the "future stars" we've already heard of; Beasley, Donovan, Convey, Eddie Johnson, Chad Marshall, Heath Pearce, Santino Quaranta, Eddie Gaven, Mike Magee, Justin Mapp, Freddy Adu, Jonathan Spector, Michael Bradley and Daniel Szetela...just to name a few. Who else is on that list we haven't heard of yet? Many are still in college or have gone abroad to battle through a top club's youth system. It will be exciting to see who else pops up off that list.
The results are clear, the US residency program is helping to develop the top American soccer talent. Our World Cup hopes rest at the feet of Donovan and Beasley, two graduates. The fact the rosters doubled in 2002 and 2003, from 20 to 40, further shows people believe in it and want to see it grow. Maybe a second residency program can be developed to further expand the player pool. Maybe MLS clubs will take the reigns from US Soccer and the cream of the crop will come up through professional clubs. That is one of the biggest issues on MLS' plate right now.
Around the world clubs run youth academys where young soccer players train with professional coaches and play competitive games year round. In the US the youth coaching ranks are filled with little trained soccer moms and dads coaching kids who are told playing is more important than winning. US Soccer realized that they needed better coaching and training for the top talent to help this country move forward in the sport.
The residency program has had great success. The first class, 1999, has names everyone familiar with US Soccer will recognize: Nelson Akwari*, DaMarcus Beasley*, Kyle Beckerman*, Danny Bolin, Filippo Chillemi, Jordan Cila*, Bobby Convey*, D.J. Countess*, Steve Cronin*, Kenny Cutler*, Landon Donovan*, Adolfo Gregorio*, Bryan Jackson*, Kellen Kalso*, Greg Martin*, Oguchi Onyewu*, Raul Rivera, Matt Roberts, Seth Trembly* and Alexander Yi*. The (*) indicates player was a member of a FIFA U-17 World Championship roster. Players in bold are currently playing in MLS. Then there is DaMarcus Beasley who is a starting member of the best team in Holland and the only American to play in the semi-finals of the European Champions League. Bobby Convey who is helping Reading destroy the competition in the Coca-Cola League Championships where the winner automatically joins the Premier League next season. No one in England doubts Reading will win. Oguchi Onyewu has become a dominant defender in Belgium and will most likely be part of the 2006 World Cup team. So out of this first group of 20, 11 players are still making a living in professional soccer. D.J. Countess has been playing in MLS but was recently cut.
As you look down the alumni list of this exclusive program you see many of the top national team players and most of the "future stars" we've already heard of; Beasley, Donovan, Convey, Eddie Johnson, Chad Marshall, Heath Pearce, Santino Quaranta, Eddie Gaven, Mike Magee, Justin Mapp, Freddy Adu, Jonathan Spector, Michael Bradley and Daniel Szetela...just to name a few. Who else is on that list we haven't heard of yet? Many are still in college or have gone abroad to battle through a top club's youth system. It will be exciting to see who else pops up off that list.
The results are clear, the US residency program is helping to develop the top American soccer talent. Our World Cup hopes rest at the feet of Donovan and Beasley, two graduates. The fact the rosters doubled in 2002 and 2003, from 20 to 40, further shows people believe in it and want to see it grow. Maybe a second residency program can be developed to further expand the player pool. Maybe MLS clubs will take the reigns from US Soccer and the cream of the crop will come up through professional clubs. That is one of the biggest issues on MLS' plate right now.
posted by Bonji at
9:21 AM
1 Comments:
It is important to do your research so you know which programs offer these options, as it can be expensive to apply to residency programs that will not offer you either of these visa options.SO,a list of residency programs can help you to find.
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Unknown, at 5:01 AM
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