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Development Academy names Mid-Atlantic Starting XI

16 Jul, 2008

The Development Academy’s eight Conference Starting XI squads and Coaches of the Year from the Under-17/18 and Under-15/16 age groups were announced Tuesday afternoon during Finals Week at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The recipients of the awards were voted upon by U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy coaches and National Team scouts.


Under-17/18 Mid-Atlantic Starting XI

GK: Bill Hamid – D.C. United
D: Thomas Brandt - Baltimore Bays
D: Connor Lade - NYRB
D: Chris Lebo - Baltimore Bays
M: James Wenger - PA Classics
M: Cesar Blacido - NYRB
M: Neil Vranis - Baltimore Bays
M: Matt Kassell - NYRB
F: Chris Argorsor - Baltimore Bays
F: Kyle Bethel - Match Fit Academy
F: Johnny Exantus - NYRB


Under 15/16 Mid-Atlantic Starting XI

GK: Rafael Diaz – PDA
F: Josimer Sanchez – PDA
D: Nick Yin – DC United
D: Sacir Hot – NYRB
M: Jon Aguirre – PDA
M: Joseph Schmid – FC Delco
M: Paul Torres – DC United
M: Dylan Mencia – NYRB
F: Dylan Renna – PDA
F: Chris Hegni – DC United
F: Kene Eze – Match Fit Academy

Of the 62 teams that participated in the inaugural season of the Development Academy, 42 are represented in the eight Conference Starting XI squads and as many as seven different teams are honored in their respective regions.

Several Starting XI players from across the country not only represent their respective clubs but also various Youth National Teams. Three players – Larry Jackson (IMG), Tommy Meyer (Scott Gallagher) and Brandon Zimmerman (Crossfire Premier) – competed at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup held in South Korea last August, when the U.S. advanced to the Round of 16. DC United’s Bill Hamid has made two international appearances with Thomas Rongen’s Under-20 squad, while Chad Barson (Crew), Ben Speas (Crew) and Jesse Parades (Chivas) have all spent time in the U.S. Under-17 Residency Program.

As the nine-month Development Academy season draws to a close, Finals Week is well underway at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. with 16 conference champions squaring off in group play. The purpose of U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy is to encourage progress and motivate players to reach their potentials in a professional environment. The Academy provides young players opportunities to get scouted by national and college coaches as each Academy game is evaluated by scouts.

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