The Sounders FC Academy will feature a slightly new look next season. In support of the club’s long term vision to produce Homegrown Players comparable with the world’s elite, the Academy is proud to announce the inclusion of a full time U-15 squad in addition to the current U-14, U-16 and U-18 format for the 2015-2016 season. The Sounders Discovery Program will also return to the club’s offerings of player development initiatives.
The full-time U-14 program will continue for the 2015-2016 season. The U-14 squad will play 20 matches competing in the U-15 age group of the Far West Regional League, as well as MLS competition and the coveted U.S. Soccer Showcase events. The Far West Regional League is the premier league competition for US Youth Soccer’s Region IV (West). The team will compete among the region’s best teams with proven track records of US Youth Soccer Championship success in the Northwest Division.
Thanks to the global recognition of Sounders FC, the club is also granted opportunities to participate in international competitions. In May, this year’s U-14s will compete abroad against the Icelandic National Champions, Club Breidablik, in preparation for the prestigious Tournoi International U15 Neuville sur Saône near Lyon, France.
The addition of a U-15 age group is a critical piece of next year’s club offerings. The U-15s will continue with the same programming as the U-14s and will compete in the Northwest Division of the FWRL competing in 20 matches at the U-16 level. The inclusion of a U-15 program will ease the players’ transition into the U-16 Developmental Academy age group.
The U-16 and U-18 teams will continue to compete among the nation’s elite in the Northwest Division of the US Soccer Development Academy League and will participate in premier US Soccer Showcase Events. The U-16 age group will also compete in the prestigious Generation Adidas Cup series. The Academy will continue to scout and trial players eligible for the U-16 and U-18 age groups for the 2015-2016 season. Staff will work with local club and coaches to identify top prospects for the program.
It is an especially exciting time for the U-18 program, in which players have the opportunity to train and compete with S2 and potentially the First Team. Top players in the age group have the ability to earn a spot on a S2 game day roster and compete in the USL PRO league. The current squad will be on display against the U-18 Xolos Academy at 4:30 p.m. prior to the First Team’s match against Club Tijuana at 7:00 p.m. on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field. Tickets are now available.
After a successful inaugural season, the Academy is pleased to announce the return of the Sounders Discovery Program. The program invites the best local players to train once a week in the Academy environment. The staff works in partnership with area clubs and club directors to identify future Academy members. The Sounders Development Program will be for players primarily in the 2002-03 age group.
Seattle Sounders FC Academy will host teams for the following age groups for the 2015/16 season:
- U-14 Academy Team – age group 2001 and younger
- U-15 Academy Team – age group 2000 and younger
- U-16 Academy Team – age group 1999 and younger
- U-18 Academy Team – age group 1997 and younger
The player selection process for the 2000 age group and older will be done with scouting, invitation and trial.
Seattle Sounders FC Academy will host trials for players in the following age groups for the 2015/16 season:
- 2001 – U-14 Academy Team
- 2002 – Sounders Discovery Program
- 2003 – Sounders Discovery Program
Players born in 2001 please register below (please ensure that you provide an accurate email address) and attend trials on the following dates:
May 4, 5 and 7 at 4:30 p.m. (Starfire Field #11)
Register for 2001 tryout
Players born in 2002 and 2003 please register below (please ensure that you provide an accurate email address) and attend trials on the following dates:
June 1 and 2 at 4:30P.M. (Starfire Field #11)
Please note that players born in 2002 and 2003 may be invited to trial with the 2001 age group.
