The Socceresq Podcast (Episode 21): Youth development, US Soccer at crossroads

Paul Kennedy and Beau Dure join the show.

The US Soccer Federation announced that it is eliminating both the boys and girls soccer development academies. The USSDA was created in 2007 to identify and develop soccer talent from across the country.

While the program has had its benefits, politics, turf wars and finances led the Federation to close the academies. In its place, MLS announced its own expanded development system to help develop young boys, while the ECNL is likely to assume more responsibility on the women’s side.

Where that leaves youth development in this country is up in there air however, as the coronavirus pandemic hovers over everything, including the Federation itself. To talk about where youth development goes from here, Soccer America’s Paul Kennedy and Beau Dure join the podcast to talk about the changes, and what we can expect to see in light of this major decision from US Soccer.