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Diane Scavuzzo
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Elite Academy (EA) League Expands With New Youth Soccer Clubs for 2021-22 Season
In 2021, the old landscape of youth soccer no longer applies. Today, the youth soccer landscape is more divided than ever with a confusing myriad of leagues and options. While the fragmentation of America’s youth soccer game does not allow a clear path for a national or regional champion, it does offer great options for clubs, coaches and players to find the perfect league that meets their needs.
One of the great options for serious competition for youth soccer players striving to play at the highest level is the Elite Academy (EA) League which is now national, and has top youth soccer clubs across America participating.
YOUTH SOCCER NEWS: In recent months, the Elite Academy (EA) League announced the addition of more than 60 youth soccer clubs participating for the upcoming 2021-2022 season. Now, the EA has reached all across the country and is proud to be a national youth soccer league. The EA’s successful continued expansion is based on meeting the needs of America’s youth soccer clubs by providing a competitive platform in which teams can face serious competition and players can showcase their development.
Launched in 2020 with two divisions and just 30 youth soccer clubs, the EA’s reach offers players the chance to test their skills on a local, regional and national level.
Is this the perfect solution?
While the EA is obviously successfully providing a platform for true competition, is another league needed in the youth soccer market? Today’s youth soccer world is often critical of its many youth soccer leagues which are member-based and closed off to any club not accepted into the league, citing that this structure does not allow for a natural pathway for player progression or a clear local, regional or national champion.
“The entire youth soccer landscape could compete — and allow for true champions to emerge — if this was a perfect world, and then we could truly see who is who and what is what,” said Noah Gins, EA National Chair. “But this is not a perfect world and players, coaches and clubs have real needs today which deserve to be met.”
“We see a tremendous need to support youth soccer markets and elite youth soccer clubs that deserve to be part of a national platform. The EA provides clubs the ability to compete on a national level which bolsters a club’s standing though top level games, college showcases, and increased visibility for their older players’ marketability for college,” said Gins. “At the end of the day, competition creates innovation. The EA was launched to serve top clubs and their teams’ needs for serious and well-matched competition.”
Related Article: Elite Academy League (EA) Announces National Expansion for 2021-2022; New National Elite Academy League For Boys Starts This Fall; New Boys Elite Academy (EA) League Launches
Read What The Participating Youth Soccer Clubs Say:
“It is a privilege for our elite club, Albion SC Las Vegas, to participate in this elite platform,” said Wayne Attard, Albion SC Las Vegas Director of Coaching. “Being able to provide our players the chance to showcase their talents and challenge themselves against the best competition will develop them into both better soccer players and people.”
“FC 1974 is excited to be accepted into the Elite Academy League to enhance our boys programming,” said Michael Zovistoski, FC 1974 Libertyville Executive Director. “This platform will provide a structure that will continue to elevate our teams through competition and foster player development.”
“I’m thrilled for our players,” said Chad Brown, Washington East SC Technical Director. “To be accepted into the Elite Academy League is a testament to their hard work and dedication. With so much happening in youth soccer it’s hard to keep up. With the growth of the sport and where you align yourself, to help your club grow has a lasting impact. I’m happy to be associated with a leadership group that is looking to raise the standards in the game on and off the field. This national level league will allow our players unique opportunities to continue to develop at the highest level.”
“San Jose Surf is excited to be part of the NorCal division of the Elite Academy (EA) League,” said Steve Lum, San Jose Surf President. “We feel this will be the best national platform for our players because of the elite competition, high standards and focus around player development, along with the regional and national events planned for college recruitment. We look forward to the opportunities the comprehensive programming the EAL will present all of our players.”
“Mt. Rainier FC is excited to join the Elite Academy League,” said Marc Russell, Mt. Rainier FC Director of Coaching Boys & College Coordinator. “The Elite Academy (EA) will aid our player development pathway, as well as provide opportunities to showcase our players regionally and nationally. We look forward to working with the EA and likeminded clubs.”
“We are excited to compete against top-level clubs with high standards within a national platform,” said Joel Chalkley, Indy Premier SC Boys Director of Coaching. “The EA League will enhance our programming as well as showcase our players’ abilities against the best opposition.”
“Force Silicon Valley is looking forward to being part of a platform that promotes excellent club structure, professional coaches and competitive players who want to showcase themselves on the national stage,” said Gerson Perez, Force SV Club Director. “The EA will provide our players a vehicle to collegiate programs and national recognition.”
“Adding a regional level platform to the RSL AZ South region is very exciting, especially one that’s only second to none in the country behind our MLS Next program,” said Andy Bonchonsky, RSL Arizona South Director of Coaching. “The Elite Academy League will provide our players with an incredible opportunity to play against the best teams in the region and showcase their talent at a national level with increased college exposure. With the program operating directly out of the RSL-AZ South region, our players have the benefit of training locally full-time while competing regionally and nationally. We are proud to be part of the Elite Academy League!”
“We are very excited to be adding a regional level Elite Academy platform alongside our MLS Next platform,” said David Shaffer, RSL Arizona North EA Director. “The EA affords top-level, skilled, dedicated Arizona players an opportunity to compete with the best of the best Southwest players traveling in a National arena. In addition, we are excited to be participating in National showcases facing the top teams in the nations. The program will operate directly out of the RSL-AZ North region giving our players the benefit of training locally full time while competing regionally and nationally.”
“Galaxy SC is excited to be joining the EA,” said Brett Strang, Galaxy Soccer Club Executive Director. “The EA will allow the players in our club to compete against some of the top players and clubs in youth soccer. The professional environment created by the EA will be a huge benefit to our players, coaches, and families. Can’t wait to kick it all off in 2021/2022.”
“It is with great excitement that Colorado Rush is joining the Elite Academy League for the 2021-2022 season,” said Elliot Prost, Boys Academy Director, Colorado Rush. “We are confident this new national platform will support our club mission to develop elite players on and off the field and in the most holistic way possible. The league standards, its methods of operations and overall structure align perfectly with the Rush philosophy and we cannot wait to get started.”
“UAFC is thrilled to accept an invitation to join the Elite Academy League,” said Michael Chesler, Technical Director, Utah Arsenal FC. “Our club has been working tirelessly for an opportunity like this for our players and staff. The EAL is going to be an extraordinary platform for our players to develop, compete, showcase, and prepare for their next level. We are looking forward to continuing down the path we have been going and utilizing the EAL to amplify our value for our Elite players.”
“FC Boulder is extremely excited to begin this journey with the Elite Academy League,” said Dave Carver, FC Boulder Technical Director. “This platform will give us a consistent pathway that provides a high level of competition to players in and around our community. Working within the EA and alongside some other top clubs in the region will raise the standards within our club, enhance player development and open up more opportunities.”
“Oregon Premier Football Club is excited to be a part of the Elite Academy League,” said Alex Hockborn, Oregon Premier FC Academy Director. “As a club that strives to create the most holistic soccer platform for our athletes, we are always looking to find ways to grow and provide a more competitive, development and performance-focused environment. The EA ticks all of the boxes for OPFC by bringing together quality clubs on a weekly basis to ensure our players are challenged and provided the opportunity to compete against regional and national level opponents every season. We are looking forward to being a part of the EA as it continues to grow across the country.”
“Boise Timbers (Boys) are beyond excited to be a part of the foundation phase in regard to the Elite Academy League objectives,” said Eric Simmonsen, Director of Coaching and Player Development, Boise Timbers Thorns SC. “Being considered as the only Idaho member club to represent elite competitive programming in our market is proof to the roots of our organization, proving to the standard of a consistent national level platform. By unifying clubs from within the conferences, the Elite Academy League will start the framework and maintain the defining standards of previous elite platforms with a collective approach to making sure the program sits atop the youth landscape.”
TAG: EA League Expands across AMERICA to become a National Youth Soccer League
The post SERVING THE NEEDS OF THE GAME: ELITE ACADEMY (EA) LEAGUE EXPANDS NATIONALLY appeared first on SoccerToday.
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