Players to be Scouted for Possible Inclusion in the U.S. Youth National Teams

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Sept. 18, 2007) – US Club Soccer’s 2007 id2 program opens Sept. 20-23 in Germantown, Md. with the first of three Regional Training Camps for elite boys born in 1994 and 1995 and girls born in 1993 and 1994. The id2 program continues Sept. 27-30 in St. Louis, Mo. before concluding Oct. 5-8 in Irvine, Calif. US Soccer Youth Development Program staff will be in attendance at each camp to scout invited players for possible inclusion in the U.S. Youth National Team Programs.

“The id2 Regional Training Camps provide an outstanding opportunity for some of this country’s top youth players to showcase their skills in front of National Team scouts,” said id2 Director Gerry McKeown. “As this will be the first time many of the attending players will be evaluated by U.S. Soccer coaches, we will create a light environment where the athletes will be encouraged to go with their instincts and just play.”

Top club and collegiate coaches will conduct the id2 Regional Training Camps. Training sessions and matches will be contested in the mornings and evenings at some of the nation’s finest facilities: the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Md.; the brand new Scott Gallagher Training Center in St. Louis, Mo.; and the Crawford Athletics Complex on the campus of UC-Irvine in Irvine, Calif. In the afternoons, players will receive instruction and engage in Question & Answer sessions with the id2 coaching staff in a classroom setting.

Once players arrive at the id2 Regional Training Camps, US Club Soccer covers all player expenses. Nike, the Official Apparel and Equipment Supplier of id2, will supply id2 athletes and staff with all necessary equipment needs including apparel, balls, bags and a variety of other items.

The id2 Scouting Process
Scouts from across the country identified players for inclusion in the id2 Regional Training Camps as they competed in their own environment with their club teams. id2 scouts from across the country evaluated players at all the 2007 US Club Soccer National Cup VI Regionals and Finals as well as matches and tournaments staged throughout the summer.

Parents do not have to pay fees and travel costs to multiple expensive tryout camps to insure their players are seen by id2 scouts. The id2 selection process is apolitical as players are identified regardless of their affiliation (i.e. US Club Soccer, USYSA, AYSO, non-affiliated, etc.).

In 2007, the id2 selection team focused on increasing the diversity of the player pool. To extend the program’s reach beyond the traditional player make-up, “Urban Champions” served as scouting contacts for under-served communities including the inner city. The 2007 id2 scouting team also sought to identify creative players.

About US Club Soccer
US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive club soccer in the United States. It has been a member of the United States Soccer Federation since July 2001, and has grown to over 2,300 member clubs and league teams in 48 states. In addition to sanctioning tournaments, leagues, and other competitions and conducting a range of programs for its members, it annually conducts the US Club Soccer National Cup, the Champions Cup and several Youth World Series events. US Club Soccer also conducts its own annual player identification and development program, id2. For more information, visit www.usclubsoccer.org.