With tryouts just around the corner there have been a number of questions regarding the process, teams, leagues and the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. This document should help clarify many of the questions that players and parents have regarding the various teams, leagues, and options for participating on one of our Potomac Soccer Association teams.

The U.S. Soccer Development Academy offers competition at the highest levels available in the United States, and is the only premier, elite youth league that U.S. Soccer supports.   The best clubs from across the U.S. compete in the league that starts in early November and concludes in June/July.   Players train 3 times a week, with matches on weekends on exceptional fields.  The PSA Academy programs mission is to assist our players in their complete development, and to provide a platform for, and prepare them for, competition at the next level (college/professional).     Teams also participate in Development Academy Showcases where teams will play against other opponents from across the country.   These events are typically attended by more than 300 college coaches.   Potomac Soccer Association will field both a U-16 and U-18 team this next year.   U.S Soccer staff scout every Development Academy match and utilize the league and Showcases for player selections to our youth National Team player pools.   Players who compete for U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams may not participate in ODP or any USYS State Cup competitions.   For the Academy teams, the players are spread over 2 calendar years (Jan-Dec). For more information please visit

or http://www.ussoccer.com/Teams/Development-Academy/Academy.aspx

PSA will field U-14 and U-15 U.S. Club Regional Travel Teams.   These teams will compete regionally against teams in the U.S. Development Academy who field teams in these age groups.   This league is ONLY open to clubs who have been granted U.S. Development Academy status.   These teams will train 3 times per week on good surfaces from Nov. through June, with the option of also attending competitive tournaments throughout the year as well.   For the fall, these teams will train 1-2 times per week to maintain continuity with the program, as well as provide a means to prepare the team for the upcoming season.   These teams will also participate in 2-3 U.S. Club Festivals, where our teams will have the opportunity to compete against other teams in the Northeast Pre-Academy league.    This league serves to prepare players for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy program.   For more information on this league please visit:

PSA will provide players with the opportunity to participate on USYSA sanctioned teams who compete in the NCSL, USYS Region I and Colonial Leagues.   These teams will include the Potomac Rovers (U-14), Potomac Rapids (U-15), Potomac Cougars (U-16), Potomac 94 (U-17), and the Potomac Cougars (U-18).   For players who do not make the Development Academy teams, participating on our competitive travel teams is a great option, as we attempt to assist the player in playing “up” where he will be challenged and more prepared for the U.S. Development Academy.    A number of players on our current travel teams have chosen this route to help them develop as players.   To date, 3 of our teams advanced to the State Cup semi-finals this year.   These teams are train 2-3 times per week, and are designed to prepare players for the Academy as well as college.    For more information on our competitive travel teams please visit:

 

Listed below are the NCSL, US Club, and U.S. Soccer Development Academy options for boys born between 1997 and 1994.    It is important to understand the age groups that the teams require for participation prior to tryouts.

U.S Development Academy U-18 Team                  Birth years 1992, 1993 and younger

U.S Development Academy U-16 Team                  Birth years 1994, 1995 and younger

U.S Club U-15 Team                                               Birth years 1995 and younger

U.S. Club U-14 Team                                              Birth years 1996 and younger

                Potomac Rovers (U-14)                                       Players born between 8/1/96 -7/31/97

                Potomac Rapids  (U-15)                                       Players born between 8/1/95-7/31/96

                Potomac Cougars (U-16)                                     Players born between 8/1/94-7/31/95

                Potomac Warriors (U-16)                                     Players born between 8/1/94-7/31/95

                Potomac 94 (U-17)                                              Players born between 8/1/93-7/31/94

                Potomac Cougars (U-18)                                     Players born between 8/1/92-7/31/93