Academy Update from the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Staff – Friday, January 8, 2010

MIDYEAR EVALUATIONS:
For teams half way through their Academy schedule, written follow-up to midyear evaluations will be distributed by your Technical Advisor.  Clubs that are now starting their Academy season will receive their mid-year evaluations in early April.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND REMINDERS:
All registrations for weekend Academy games need to be completed by 12 p.m. CT every Wednesday to avoid a late fee.  This includes both adding a new player to a roster and moving a developmental player to full time status.

ACADEMY IN THE NEWS:
The U-15, U-18 and U-20 Youth National Team (YNT) programs all conducted camps at the end of 2009, featuring a number of Academy players.  See rosters, recaps and information for each camp at each of the links below:
U-15 Boys National Team Camp Held in Bradenton from December 12-19, 2009
Head Coach Mike Matkovich Calls in 36 Players for Week-Long Camp
U-20 MNT Meet for Camp from December 16-23

Overall, 69 Academy players were called-in to the three camps, including 20 participants from Academy Select games at the Winter Showcase.

U.S. SOCCER COACHING EDUCATION:
In an effort to continue to provide unique coaching opportunties to its members, U.S. Soccer’s CoachesNet is offering educational trips to both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Madrid, Spain in 2010.  For more information on availability and attendance, please visit: http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Coachesnet/2009/10/US-Soccer-CoachesNet-Announces-Two-Educational-Trips-For-2010.aspx

The top for time loss injuries in soccer are ligament injuries (ankle and knee) and muscle trains (hamstring and groin).  The injury that leads to the most concern, especially amongst middle and high school aged athletes is an injury to the knee.  Learn more about prevention of this injury by reading an article written U.S. Soccer Sports Medicine Committee Member and FIFA Medical Assistant, Donald T. Kirkendall, recently published in May 2009. 

2010 WORLD CUP TICKET INFORMATION:
All U.S. citizens or residents wishing to apply for tickets from the U.S. supporter allotment can submit pre-application data to U.S. Soccer until 12 p.m. ET on Jan. 11, 2010. For more information on the ticketing process, please visit: http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2009/12/US-Supporter-Allottment-Open-to-General-Public.aspx.

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