MIAMI FC KENDALL USSF DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY FACT SHEET TRYOUTS May 19 (U18 - 1990/1991) & May 20 (U16 - 1992/1993) Central Park #6, Plantation - 6:30-9:00 PM May 21 (U18 -1990/1991) & May 22 (U16 - 1992/1993) Weswind Lakes Park, Miami - 6:30-9:30 PM The first round of tryouts will be held from May 19-22. After a first cut, a second round of tryouts will be held from June 16-19. After a second cut, the final tryout will be held from July 21-24 to determine the players that will be offered permanent roster positions and those who will be offered developmental roster spots. WHAT IS THE US SOCCER DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY PROGRAM? The USSF has formalized a nationwide Development Academy for elite youth soccer players that includes 73 of the top clubs in the country. The U18 and U16 teams chosen to participate in the Academy program will only compete in Academy programming, thus increasing the amount of time that can be spent training and improving the quality of matches. Players receive integrated oversight from both youth club coaches and US Soccer coaches, while training in their home environment. In turn, the Academy will provide an improved scouting environment for college, professional and U.S. National Team coaches. ELIGIBLE PLAYERS The U18 team includes players born in 1990-1991, and the U16 team players born in 1992-1993. In addition to the 20-22 players on the permanent roster, each team can roster up to 10 developmental players. Developmental players will train once per week with the Academy teams and are eligible to play up to six Academy games. According to USSF rules, to be on the developmental roster a player must be registered to a Kendall SC team that plays under FYSA or US Club soccer. PLAYING TIME Each permanent roster player must start at least 30% of the games. There is no re-entry after substitutions. OUTSIDE PLAY LIMITATIONS Players on the permanent roster of Academy teams cannot participate in ODP activities and cannot play in any other leagues, tournaments or State Cup competitions with the exception of four possible outside play windows. The outside play windows include the Raleigh Showcase, Disney Showcase, Dallas Cup and Surf Cup. Players are only allowed to compete with their designated Academy club, with only two exceptions: high school soccer and national team duty. SEASON CALENDAR AND GAMES Development Academy teams play a 30-match season that runs September-June, with a break for high school season that lasts from mid-November to mid-February. 14 of the matches will be with opponents of the Southeast Conference, which currently includes four teams from Florida, three from Georgia and one from Alabama. 8 matches will be played against opponents from one other conference, and the remainder of the matches will be played in three of four Showcase events. SHOWCASE EVENTS The Academy season features four Showcases held throughout the country. These events are intended to provide Academy teams access to educational resources, a greater variety of opponents and an ideal scouting environment for colleges and professional teams. All teams will participate in the Spring (Memorial Day) and Summer Showcases (June) and teams will be assigned to either the Fall (Columbus Day) and Winter Showcase (President’s Day) by Academy staff. PRACTICE AND TRAINING COMMITMENT While in-season, Development Academy teams train four times per week: Monday-Thursday. One training session is dedicated to fitness training with the club’s fitness trainers. Goalies train with the club’s goalkeeper trainers on Monday or Tuesday, and have the option to also train on Friday. During the high school season break teams usually have one training session on Saturday or Sunday. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS AND ESTIMATED COSTS All Academy players are required to pay club registration and training fees unless they are eligible for a scholarship. The Academy requires significant travel - 19 away and Showcase games. In order to reduce travel costs, players travel in a group with the coach and team manager. Thanks to a generous contribution from Miami FC and based on our experience during the 2007-2008 season which included three trips to Chicago and one to Los Angeles, on average players should expect to incur $1,200 - $1,400 in travel costs for the year  for season play (transportation and lodging; meals are not included), with players that travel to every away game projected at about $1,600. These cost estimates do not include participation in the allowed outside tournaments indicated above, which may be entered at the option of individual players or Academy teams. During the 2007-2008 season the majority of Academy players participated in the Disney Showcase and some in the Raleigh Showcase.  Click on this link to access more information about the USSF Development Academy program.