The 2005 id2 National Training Camp was held in Jacksonville, Fla. July 24-28, 2005 and conducted by Tim Carter, who returned for his second year as head staff coach. Over 100 boys in U13 and U12 age groups (‘91s and ‘92s, respectively) participated in the camp which was attended by Brian Maisonneuve, U.S. Soccer’s U-17 Men’s Assistant Coach, and Juan Carlos Michia, a U.S. Soccer Men’s National Staff Coach. Six id2 attendees earned invitations to U.S. Soccer’s U-14 National Development Program camp.

2005 id2 National Training Camp Achieves Outstanding Results

Over 100 '91 and '92 boys traveled to Jacksonville, Fla. in late July for the 2005 id2 National Training Camp and they have yet to stop talking about the value of their experience.

"There was a lot of good talent there, the best in the nation," said Kofi Sarkodie, a defender from Ohio FC. "It was just good to be there and play."

As part of US Club Soccer's initiative to revolutionize the way the country's top youth players are identified and developed, the 2005 id2 National Training Camp brought together the country's top talent from July 24-28 to train under the watchful eyes of US Soccer National Team coaches.

US Soccer U17 Assistant Coach Brian Maisonneuve and Men's National Staff Coach Juan Carlos Michia were in attendance evaluating the entire id2 National Training Camp player pool. Six id2 attendees were invited to US Soccer's U14 Boys National Development Program Camp held in Massachusetts in early August: Zachary Foxhaven (Colorado Rush), Kyle Henderson (Marin FC), Perry Kitchen (Chicago Magic), Ethan Meyer (Dallas Texans), Charles Renken (Scott Gallagher SC) and Ross Tomaselli (Cape Fear Breakers).

Renken, who attended the id2 National Training Camp in both 2004 and 2005, credits the camp with helping him reach the US Soccer U14 Boys Camp.

"Charles is using the id2 camp as a stepping stone for what he wants to do," said his mother, Pam Renken. "Out of all the things he's done this summer, he looked forward to the id2 camp the most."

The rest of the id2 player pool will continue to be scouted and evaluated by US Club Soccer staff during the next year. Tim Carter, the id2 National Training Camp Head Staff Coach, was impressed by the makeup of the id2 attendees.

"The talent pool was very good," said Carter. "The program brought in a number of players who are out of the main stream identification process. It was a positive to see many kids representing many cultures within the program."

Invitations to the 2005 id2 National Training Camp were extended regardless of a player's affiliation (i.e. US Club Soccer, USYSA, AYSO, non-affiliated, etc.). Players were identified for the id2 program while they competed in their own training environment with their club teams. Once players arrived at the id2 program, US Club Soccer covered all player expenses.

Each morning the id2 players received positional training, which was followed by a daily all-star match. Participants in the all-star match were selected on the basis of their play during three showcase matches held each evening. All training sessions and games were held at the Patton Park Fields in Jacksonville, Fla.

"This (national) camp is a chance for him to have advanced training," said Tom Garner of his son Eli-Thomas Garner, a forward for Goldstar SC (NC). "It gives him exposure to advanced perspectives. Sometimes it's easy to play for your club because you're receiving the same message and training every day. Few coaches address all the complex needs that a soccer player has.

"Here the players have access to well-rounded, high caliber coaching and are competing with other top players. It's a great opportunity for them."

In the afternoons, speakers discussed intriguing aspects of the game and shared their playing experiences with the players. Among the speakers were id2 staff coaches and former National Team players Desmond Armstrong, Henry Gutierrez and Bruce Murray, as well as Maisonneuve, another former National Team player.

"The program was well organized," said Manny Ashong, father of Ethan & Myles, both 2005 id2 National Training Camp attendees. "They did whatever it takes. They were unbelievable. The transportation was been on time. Everything ran smoothly. I was impressed!"

Nike, the Official Equipment Supplier of US Club Soccer, provided each id2 attendee with a Nike duffel bag full of jerseys, shorts, socks and other training gear to be worn throughout the camp. Balls for training and apparel for the id2 coaching staff were also supplied by Nike.

"Saad loves the different jersey colors and the Dri-Fit fabric," said Yvonne Abdul-Salaam, of her son, a forward for the Internationals (OH). "I'm glad they thought to give the players lightweight gear since they were playing in Florida in the middle of July."

In addition to placing six members of the 2005 National Training Camp into US Soccer's U14 Boys National Development Program Camp, five players who attended the inaugural id2 National Training Camp in 2004 were recently selected to participate in US Soccer's U15 Boys National Training Camp. Chad Barson (Ohio FC), Victor Duru (Cobb FC), Gregory Garza (Dallas Texans), Chris Smith (Nomads) and Parker Walsh (Roanoke Star) were part of the U15 Boys National Team roster that played a series of four matches July 29 - Aug. 2 in New Jersey.