Baltimore MD - Crystal Palace FC USA was formed as the North American youth and professional developmental affiliate of Crystal Palace FC of London, England. Crystal Palace Football Club in England competes in the Coca-Cola Championship division of English Football and just recently barely missed out on promotion to the Barclay’s Premier League, the biggest league in the world. Crystal Palace FC USA exists to develop and identify talent in North America that could someday play for the first team in England. Crystal Palace FC USA does this through securing players professional rights to their USL franchise, Crystal Palace Baltimore, developing young soccer players in the greater Baltimore Metro area through clinics, and through the Professional Development Academy, the elite youth arm of Crystal Palace FC USA.
Crystal Palace FC USA has been operating club teams in the U-9, U-10, U-11, U-13 age groups for the past year. Our teams have been competing in MSYSA sanctioned leagues and tournaments, both locally and regionally. In order to greater serve our Mission, and to identify more talented young players and to expand our reach and relationships with all local Recreation Councils and Clubs, Crystal Palace FC USA is announcing the following changes to the Professional Development Academy:
- Players will play State Cup, etc. with their local teams, as Crystal Palace will not enter into those competitions. Crystal Palace is a Professional Development Academy.
- Crystal Palace players are strongly encouraged to try out for and, if selected, participate in the Olympic Development Program (ODP). This should not be seen as a replacement for ODP.
- The Academy will compete in approved competitions such as:
- “Play Days” that will not conflict with local teams or ODP events and will be against the best competition available in the region.
- International Travel starting in 2009 will include matches against professional clubs in London as well as our Crystal Palace Football Club UK counterparts. These other professional clubs may include, Chelsea, Tottenham, Charlton, West Ham, Arsenal, QPR, Fulham, Watford and Millwall.
Mission
Crystal Palace FC USA’s Mission for the Professional Development Academy is three-fold:
1. To identify and develop talented, dedicated youth soccer players and provide them professional soccer instruction based on the 103 years of experience and success of the Crystal Palace FC Youth Academy in England, widely regarded as one of the best Academies in the UK.
2. To provide unparalleled opportunities in the game of soccer within the Crystal Palace FC pyramid, both domestically and abroad through international travel and matches against Premier League youth competition, exposure to college coaches and campuses and the college process, and the opportunity to be seen by head North American and European youth scouts for major European and American professional clubs.
3. To influence the game of soccer in a positive way in the Greater Baltimore Metro area by sharing our passion and knowledge of the game of soccer through 100+ years of experience in the great game. |
Curriculum
U-9 through U-13
July - August Teams Formed. Player pools of 25-28 players per age group
September 1 Training per week (Wed – Fri) plus 2 Play Days
October 1 Training per week (Wed – Fri) plus 2 Play Days
November 1 Training per week (Wed – Fri) plus 2 Play Days
March 1 Training per week (Wed – Fri) plus 2 Play Days
April 1 Training per week (Wed – Fri) plus 2 Play Days
May 1 Training per week (Wed – Fri) plus 2 Play Days
U-14 through U-17
February Teams formed. Player pools of 25-28 players per age group
March Train 1 Day per week (Wed or Fri) plus 2 Play Days
April Train 1-2 Day per week (Wed and/or Fri) plus 2 Play Days
May Train 1-2 Day per week (Wed and/or Fri) plus 2 Play Days
June Train 2 Days per week plus 2 Play Days
July Train 2 Days per week plus 2 Play Days
November Train 2 Days per week – Trip to UK **Yearly Event starting in 2009** |
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“After completing an extensive review and discussion across the country, we feel that it is the right time for U.S. Soccer to lead a change in the sport at the youth level. We need to shift the focus of our young elite players from an ‘overburdened, game emphasis’ model to a ‘meaningful training and competition’ model. This will ultimately lead to more success and will allow players to develop to their full potential."
Sunil Gulati
U.S. Soccer Federation President
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