This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (August 2016) |
Founded | 2007 |
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Folded | 2020 |
Replaced by | MLS Next and Girls Academy |
Country | United States |
Other club(s) from | Canada |
Confederation | CONCACAF |
Conferences | 3 |
Number of teams | 200 (including girls academy) |
Last champions | New York City FC (U18/19) Seattle Sounders FC (U16/17) |
Website | www |
The U.S. Soccer Development Academy (DA) was an American soccer league. Formed in 2007, the league featured youth academies and youth clubs from various organizations, including Major League Soccer and the United Soccer League. The DA's mission was to provide education, resources, and support to impact everyday club environments in order to develop world-class players.
As of the 2016–17 season, the Academy had 149 total clubs, in five age groups: U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15/16, and U-17/18. The Academy was in the process of expanding their programming to include a Girls' Development Academy that consisted of 74 clubs and began in the fall of 2017.
On March 15, 2020, U.S. Soccer made the determination to end the operation of the Development Academy due to the financial situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]