FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The U.S. Soccer Federation announced today that the New England Revolution's youth development teams, which begin play this fall, will compete in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. The Revolution will field boys' Under-16 and Under-18 teams in 2008 with tryouts for those two teams slated for June and July.
The U.S. Soccer Development Academy includes the top youth programs from around the country, as well as six other MLS clubs' youth development teams.
The Revolution's technical staff, under the direction of Director of Soccer Michael Burns, will oversee all instruction and development of the teams' players. The team's youth development staff - including a director and coaches - will be in place in the coming months.
"Launching the youth development program is a significant milestone for the Revolution," Burns said. "The New England area has long been recognized as one of the strongest in the country for youth soccer. We see the launch of our youth development program as a major factor in the club's future success and as a means to further establish our team in the community."
"By playing in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, our youth players will have the opportunity to play against the nation's top players in their age groups every time they represent the Revolution on the field. This prospect is important in developing players who can eventually impact our senior roster," Burns continued.
Under Major League's Soccer's "Homegrown Protected List," the Revolution will be able to protect up to three players per year who have played with the club's youth teams. Should those protected players sign with MLS, they would not go through the MLS SuperDraft but would be placed directly on the New England Revolution roster. Through the structure of MLS' youth development program, players' amateur status will be preserved and they will not jeopardize their collegiate eligibility by playing for the Revs' youth teams.
More information, including try-out specifics, will be released in the future. For more information about the Revolution, visit www.revolutionsoccer.net.
