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78 Academy Games and Select Team Matches Highlight Busiest Day of the Showcase Event
December 3 marks the busiest day of action at the 2011 Winter Showcase, with 78 Development Academy games followed by the featured matches between Academy Select Teams at the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood, Fla. This is the first time in the 2011-12 season all 78 Development Academy are gathered together. Over the course of the Showcase, the teams will play 234 games, each team playing three games on alternating match days.
FIRST DAY RESULTS: The 2011 Development Academy Winter Showcase kicked off Friday, Dec. 2 with 38 games. Crossfire Premier U-15/16 earned the biggest win of the day with a 5-0 victory against Richmond Kickers. Solar Chelsea SC U-17/18 also scored five goals in its 5-1 win against Santa Cruz Breakers Academy. ussoccer.com has compiled the Top 5 goals of the day.
ACADEMY SELECT TEAMS SET TO IMPRESS: With the Nike International Friendlies on an off day, the Development Academy Select Teams take over top billing as today’s marquee matchup. Two teams from the U-15/16 age group face off at 5 p.m. ET followed by two teams from the U-17/18 at 7 p.m. Select Team players are chosen by the Development Academy scouting network, technical advisors and youth national team coaches. They will have the unique opportunity to play alongside the top players in their age group in a competitive environment in front of hundreds of college and youth national team coaches. The top performers from the games will be invited to train with the U.S. U-17 MNT.
DRAMATIC U.S. WIN SETS UP EXCITING CONCLUSION TO NIKE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES: The final round of the ninth edition of the Nike International Friendlies will be held Dec. 4 with the featured match pitting group leaders USA facing Brazil at 5 p.m ET, while France meeting Turkey at 2 p.m. The U.S. sits in first place based on goals scored, with Brazil in second and tied with the U.S. on points with four each. France is still in contention to be tournament champion with two points. On the second matchday of the Friendlies, France held Brazil to a 1-1 draw, while the U.S. tallied alast-minute winner from Junior Flores to beat Turkey 2-1 and set up the headline clash with Brazil. U.S. head coach Wilmer Cabrera spoke withussoccer.com about the progress of his group and the importance of the Nike International Friendlies.
Date Match Result/Kickoff (ET) TV
Nov. 30 Brazil vs. Turkey 1-0 —
Nov. 30 USA vs. France 2-2 Fox Soccer
Dec. 2 France vs. Brazil 1-1 —
Dec. 2 USA vs. Turkey 2-1 Fox Soccer
Dec. 4 Turkey vs. France 2 p.m. —
Dec. 4 USA vs. Brazil 5 p.m. Fox Soccer
TECHNICAL ADVISORS ENHANCE YOUTH NATIONAL TEAM DEVELOPMENT: The U.S. Soccer Development Academy Technical Advisors are playing an increasingly significant role in connecting the Development Academy clubs and the Youth National Teams. All nine Technical Advisors will have the opportunity to coach the U-14 Boys National Team in camps and matches, and the U-15 Boys National Team is being coached by U.S. Soccer Director of Scouting Tony Lepore. Since the TA’s are evaluating the player pool on a daily basis in their role with the Development Academy and conducting training centers across the country, they bring a full understanding of the player pool available to the youth national teams. The experience for Technical Advisors is valuable from the standpoint of furthering coaching education and developing future coaches for the National Team programs.
YNT BLOG IN FOCUS: FORMER PROFESSIONALS SCOUTING THE SHOWCASE: At the 2011 Winter Showcase, U.S. Soccer has brought in a group of scouts with a wealth of professional and international experience. There are nine former professionals on scouting duty, including former U.S. Men’s National Team and MLS players and head coaches. U.S. Soccer employs a total of 65 scouts being used throughout the country to help identify and mentor the top youth talent. Visit the Youth National Team blog for daily updates on the Academy.
ussoccer.com HAS YOU COVERED IN FLORIDA: Once again ussoccer.com is your best source for all video highlights and information related to the Winter Showcase and Nike International Friendlies. Studio 90 is on hand all weekend as part of complete coverage available on the 2011 Winter Showcase section of ussoccer.com, the Youth National Teams blog and twitter @ussoccer_ynt. Be sure to check back throughout the event for exclusive photos, features and video from Florida.
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