Elite Academy League Starts This Fall
The Elite Academy League (EA League) expands with addition of the Northeast Conference comprised of Founding Members Clubs from the MLS Elite Youth Platform.
Launched by founding member clubs of the new MLS Elite Youth Platform (former USSF DA clubs), the EA League will serve the player needs of clubs by maintaining the standards and structure consistent with enhanced elite player development. The EA League launched last month and will be sanctioned on the national level by US Youth Soccer (USYS).
The Elite Academy League is a supplemental league to the MLS Elite Youth Platform and is committed to developing top players across the platform. The league is built off the former USSF DA standards and will mirror the new MLS Elite Youth Platform structures thus continuing best in class development with seamless interaction and transition to the MLS Elite Youth Platform.
THE IDEA IS TO MIRROR THE MLS’ PLATFORM STANDARDS AND OFFER A CONSISTENT, PROGRESSIVE PATHWAY FOR PLAYERS TO DEVELOP AND ADVANCE.
The Elite Academy League inside the Northeast Conference is composed of Founding Member clubs from the new MLS Elite Youth Platform and consist of: BW Gottschee Academy, Metoval, TSF Academy, Cedar Stars Academy – Bergen, Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth, FC Westchester, Beachside Soccer Club of CT, New York Soccer Club, and Empire United.
These clubs will be participating with boys teams in the U12-U19 age groups. The U12 age groups inside the Elite Academy League will be the top teams in their respected clubs and will be preparing to move into the MLS EYDP league at U13, while U13-19 teams will be providing enhanced player development and exposure as well as seamless interaction and transition for players into the MLS Elite Youth Platform.
The new EA league allows the member clubs of the MLS Elite Youth Platform to work together to promote the highest standards in competitive soccer and integrate both leagues with this common goal and direction. Unifying clubs from within the conferences helps maintain the defining standards of the former USSDA, along with the new, enhanced standards of MLS Elite Youth Platform.
This integration further presents long-needed flexibility in two key areas:
1. Permission for all players to participate in High School Soccer and,
2. Revising the substitution rules to encourage clubs to better utilize their player pools, especially when showcasing their players to pro scouts and college coaches.
The Elite Academy League will start in Fall 2020.
“We are very excited to announce the expansion of the EA League with the addition of the Northeast conference consisting of MLS Elite Academy Clubs. This national platform is structured to increasing elite player development and opportunities.” Noah Gins, EA League Chair
Read what the directors of the founding clubs say:
“The Elite League will provide an excellent platform for our players to compete against top-level competition and clubs. Our players are excited to get back on the field and looking forward to the opportunities this new platform will provide,” said Paul McGlynn, BW Gottschee.
The Elite Academy League will represent a competitive environment focused on players’ development,” said Filippo Giovagnoli, Metoval. “Metoval is proud to be one of the Clubs Founder Members.”
“TSF Academy is consistently looking to create the best possible environment and provide development opportunities for all our players. The league, and the clubs who are involved in the EA League, will provide us with a great competition platform and a real opportunity for our players to be challenged each week,” said Lee Bakewell, TSF Academy.
“We are very pleased to be part of the Elite Academy League. The league gives CSA a fantastic platform for our teams to compete against strong competition with high standards and values,” said Anthony Nixon, Cedar Stars Academy – Bergen
“Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth is excited to be a part of the Elite Academy League. The league will provide our players with a high level of competition against like-minded clubs which will create the ideal environment to develop and reach their goals through the game of soccer,” said Phil Swenda, Cedar Stars Academy – Monmouth.
“We are really excited to be apart of the Elite Academy League. This league will give every player at our club the opportunity to train and play at a level that will develop them for college or pro pathway,” said Stephen Carson, FC Westchester.
“WE APPLAUD THE COLLABORATION AND EFFORT OF EACH CLUB IN FORMING OUR LEAGUE.”
Paul Melitsanopoulos, Beachside Soccer Club of CT
“Beachside Soccer Club is thrilled to be a founding member of the Elite Academy League. Working with like-minded clubs, with similar core values, philosophies, and methodology, enhances our opportunity for player development amongst all age groups. We look forward to starting our season and providing the best developmental opportunity for our families,” said Paul Melitsanopoulos, Beachside Soccer Club of CT.
“WE ARE SO PLEASED TO BE JOINING THE ELITE ACADEMY LEAGUE WITH CLUBS THAT HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT.”
Christian Gonzalez, New York Soccer Club
“NYSC believes this is a great opportunity for our players to have a pathway to showcase themselves and to compete against the top clubs in the region,” said Christian Gonzalez, New York Soccer Club.
“Empire United is thrilled and honored to be a part of the Elite Academy League, as it fills a void for our players that has long been desired in Upstate New York,” said Jeff Oliver, Empire United.
“BEING ASSOCIATED WITH CLUBS OF THIS CALIBER WILL PROVIDE THE RIGHT PLATFORM AND COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR PLAYERS DURING THEIR DEVELOPMENT.”
Jeff Oliver, Empire United
“Most importantly, working with these “like for like” clubs for the common goals of opportunity and development of our players, presents a one of a kind opportunity for Empire United and our club members,” said Oliver.
For more information, please email info@eliteacademyleague.com