Though details about MLS and its new role in Development Academies aren’t finalized, Atlanta United Vice President Carlos Bocanegra on Thursday said that the goal of the club’s academies will not change: play the best, no matter the opponent’s affiliation or location.
“We would take a Notre Dame (football) type of approach and play all top competition in our area,” he said.
The United States Soccer Federation on Wednesday announced that it was ending the Development Academy because of the financial hit related to COVID-19. The Academy's demise had been rumored and reported for more than a week.
What was a surprise came a few hours after the announcement by U.S. Soccer when MLS announced that it was starting a version of the Development Academy.
“We haven’t received much detail or information to pass along to our players and families, other than what was in the release,” he said.
According to the MLS statement, the new platform “will include league season matches and both regional and national tournaments against international teams. It will also expand coaching education and improve the approach to player identification to ensure top players have the opportunity to participate in a high-level development environment.”
The Development Academy is a nationwide youth league for boys and girls of various ages. It is designed to try to develop talent for national teams. The Academy was established in 2007.
In addition to Atlanta United in U-13, U-14, U-15, U16/17 and U-18/19 boys, there are numerous clubs in Georgia -- Concorde Fire, NASA/Tophat, AFC Lightning, Lanier Soccer Association, Southern Soccer Academy and United Futbol Academy -- that participate in different age groups and genders in the Development Academy. Phone messages were left with Concorde and NASA on Thursday.
Atlanta United’s games weren’t limited to playing only other members of the Academy.
Bocanegra stressed Thursday that Atlanta United’s academy teams will continue to cast a wide net when looking for opponents when there are off weekends, breaks in the schedule or mid-week openings for friendlies.
It’s yet to be announced if the MLS version of the DA will prohibit games against non-DA opponents.
“Development is vital for the sport in the country and for our club,” he said. “It’s always been out about facing the top competition.”
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