Baltimore Bays, D.C. United youth sides set for US Soccer Development Academy finals week

Every group during Academy Playoffs came down to the final day, but all 16 teams across two age groups have been set for the 2010 Development Academy Finals Week that will take place from July 10-17 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

U-15/16 Finals Week Groups

Group 1
Group A Winner - Chicago Fire Academy
Group B Winner - De Anza Force
Group C Winner - D.C. United Academy
Group D Winner - Sockers FC

Group 2
Group E Winner - CASL Chelsea FC Academy
Group F Winner - Internationals
Group G Winner - Baltimore Bays Chelsea
Group H Winner - Cal Odyssey

U-17/18 Finals Week Groups

Group 1
Group A Winner - Derby County Wolves
Group B Winner - Crossfire Premier
Group C Winner - FC Dallas
Group D Winner - CASL Chelsea FC Academy

Group 2
Group E Winner - Real So Cal
Group F Winner - Concorde Fire
Group G Winner - Vardar
Group H Winner - Baltimore Bays Chelsea
 

In Carson, the eight teams in each age group have been split into two groups, with the winners of each group advancing to the championship match. The U-15/16 championship will be played on July 16 and the U-17/18 championship game will be July 17. Second place teams will meet for a third place match, following down into a seventh place match between the two fourth place teams from each group.

In the U-15/16 age group, top-seeded Baltimore Bays Chelsea earned three wins in Greensboro to advance to Finals Week. They will be joined in Group 2 by 2009 runner-up Cal Odyssey, CASL FC Chelsea and Finals Week newcomers, Internationals.

Group 1 includes a pair of Chicago-area teams as both Sockers FC and the Chicago Fire will do battle in the early stage. They will be joined by another member of the Central Conference, Internationals and the lone member of the West Conference, DeAnza Force.

The U-17/18 age groups feature last year’s U-15/16 champion Derby County Wolves, who are looking to repeat in 2010. They will be in Group 1 alongside Crossfire Premier, FC Dallas and CASL Chelsea FC Academy.

Group 2 for the older teams includes Real So Cal, the only representative of Southern California that will be at The Home Depot Center. Concorde Fire, Baltimore Bays Chelsea and Vardar round out the U-17/18 teams.

The Development Academy playoff system was created to add to the number of meaningful games for Academy athletes, further enhancing the player development process. Since its launch in the fall of 2007, the Academy has improved the training environment, provided relevant, high-level matches on a consistent basis, increased the level and efficiency of scouting for the national teams and provided players, coaches and referees with structured programming.