Open Identification 
U-15/16 and U-17/18 Boys Development Academy Teams for next season

Open Identification Camps for next season’s inaugural year for the Chargers U.S. Soccer U-13/14b Development Academy team as well as next season’s U-15/16b Academy team (birth years 1997 & 1998) with Head Coach Garth Pollonais (pictured on right) and U-17/18b Academy team (birth years 1995 & 1996) with Head Coach Roberto Lopez (pictured on left) have occurred.  Click here for the coaching staff biographies.  

The identification of potential players will be an ongoing process that will continue to occur throughout the season.  Players interested in being considered for one of the three Chargers U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams for next season should:  (1) confidentially pre-register using the appropriate link below and (2) submit a bio of your soccer talents to Peter Mannino (chargersdoc@msn.com).

There will be 2 Open Identification Camps held in May (please pre-register using the links below before attending):

• May 8th at Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch
  • 6:00pm for U15/16 Boys (players born in 97/98)
  • 7:30pm for U17/18 Boys (players born in 95/96)
    
    
• May 22nd at Countryside Sportsplex
  • 6:30-8:00pm for U15/16 Boys (players born in 97/98)
  • 7:30-9:00pm for U17/18 Boys (players born in 95/96)

NOTE:  Current Chargers player do not need to pre-register - the coaches have been provided your information.  If you have not already expressed your interest in being considered, please contact Peter Mannino (chargersdoc@msn.com or 727-224-4681).

Click here to pre-register for next season’s U-13/14 Academy Team (birth years 1999 & 2000).

Click here to pre-register for next season’s U-15/16 Academy Team (birth years 1997 & 1998).  

Click here to pre-register for next season’s U-17/18 Academy Team (birth years 1995 & 1996).

Any questions, please feel free to contact Peter Mannino, Co-Director of Chargers Soccer & Director of Coaching (chargersdoc@msn.com or 727-224-4681)

The Chargers Soccer Club U.S. Soccer Development Academy is committed to play at the highest level and requires a full commitment from players that have the qualities of State, Regional and National level ability.

U.S. Soccer announces the expansion of the U.S. Soccer Developement Academy program to include the U-13/14 age group starting in the Fall of 2013.  Starting with the 2013-14 season, Chargers SC will have three Academy teams:  U-13/14 plus the existing U-15/16 and U-17/18 teams.  

Chargers SC Name USSDA U-13/14 Boys Head Coach -
Tim Mulqueen 

It gives us great pleasure to announce, Tim Mulqueen, having a rich and full soccer background on the collegiate, professional & national levels, has been chosen as the Head Coach for the Chargers’ new U-13/14 Development Academy team for the 2013-14 season.  Click here for Coach Mulqueen’s complete resume.

In preparation for the formation of the Chargers’ U-13/14 Academy team, several Open Player Identification Camps have been held.  

The identification of potential players will be an ongoing process that will continue to occur throughout the season.  Players interested in being considered for next season’s Chargers U-13/14 Development Acadmey team should:  (1) confidentially pre-register using the appropriate link below and (2) submit a bio of your soccer talents to Peter Mannino (chargersdoc@msn.com).

Click here to pre-register for next season’s U-13/14 Academy Team (birth years 1999 & 2000).

Any questions, please feel free to contact Peter Mannino, Co-Director of Chargers Soccer & Director of Coaching (chargersdoc@msn.com or 727-224-4681)

U.S. Soccer Development Academy to Launch
Under-13/14 Program in Fall of 2013

Younger Age Group Expands Academy Philosophy of More Training, Less Overall Games and More Meaningful Matches to Additional Players Across the United States

Younger Age Group Expands Academy Philosophy of More Training, 
Less Overall Games and More Meaningful Matches to Additional Players Across the United States 

CHICAGO (Aug. 30, 2012) – The U.S. Soccer Development Academy, in its continual effort to progress and enhance player development, has announced the launch of an Under-13/14 division starting in the Fall of 2013.

2/16/13-2/17/13 - While most Chargers SC competitive teams were playing in tournaments in sunny, but cool Florida over this President’s Day Weekend, the USSF Development Academy teams traveled to Charlotte, NC for their league games and found themselves playing in snowy whiteout conditions. 

The Academy U18 team won their game on Saturday 2-1.  The Academy U16 team’s and the ’98 Pre-Academy’s games were cancelled due to poor weather conditions.  All three teams were scheduled to play North Meck on Sunday, but all three games were cancelled as well.  

Click Continue below to check out the photos.  

(Tony Lepore Q&A, Part 1)

The American youth soccer landscape changed dramatically when U.S. Soccer created the Development Academy in 2007.  In Part 1 of our interview with Tony Lepore we asked the Development Academy Director of Scouting to explain how he believes it has improved the youth soccer experience for the USA's elite players.

SOCCER AMERICA: Do you think the Development Academy is on pace to make the positive impact on the U.S. game hoped for when it was launched in 2007? 

TONY LEPORE: In general, we feel like we’re making great strides. We’ve always seen this as a long-term process so we want to be critical of ourselves throughout the process. So we still feel like we have a long way to go. But looking back at the major tenants of the philosophy when started the Academy is a really good way to measure progress.

SA: Such as ... 

TONY LEPORE: We wanted more training and fewer games. And we’ve really flipped that schedule. In terms of hours, we’ve tripled training in five years. 

A pair of U.S. Soccer Development Academy products are set to head abroad for post-season training.

MacMath, who was a part of the Under-17 Residency Program, will head to English Premier League club Everton, where U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard has been a mainstay for several years. MacMath also featured as part of the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team in 2010, helping the squad earn the 2010 Northern Ireland Milk Cup title.

Hernandez, a 19-year-old midfielder/forward who prepped with Players DevelopmentAcademy and signed a contract with the Union on March 5, will travel to Spain to train with Real Sociedad. Currently in 17th place in La Liga, Real Sociedad features Mexico National Team forward Carlos Vela.

Former U.S. Soccer Development Academy goalkeeper Zac MacMath is enjoying a successful stretch in recent weeks with Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union.

The team’s second-year goalkeeper, who was part of the U.S. U-17 Residency Program at IMG Soccer Academy and also played club ball with Academy member Clearwater Chargers, is in the midst of a 242-minute shutout streak as his side travels to Chivas USA this Saturday at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

MacMath was thrust into the Union starting role during the latter half of his 2011 MLSrookie season, and he exudes confidence in the defensive third. Goalkeeping has been MacMath’s path to prominence within his budding soccer career, but at one point he also used to play center back during his time with Clearwater.