Sounders FC Youth Academy Teams to Join U.S. Soccer Development

The Sounders FC will hold four open tryout sessions for the club's youth academy.

RENTON, Wash. - The Seattle Sounders FC announced today its Youth Academy teams will begin play in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) this summer.

Washington Premier Football Club’s (WPFC) membership in the USSDA is being transferred to the Sounders FC for the 2010-11 Academy season. WPFC will operate the current WPFC Academy teams until the end of the 2009-10 Academy season in July. Sounders FC Youth Academy will operate two boys teams, the U15/16 and U17/18 age groups.

“Our current working relationship with WPFC has been great,” said Darren Sawatzky, Sounders FC Director of Youth Development. “We currently run the South Regional Training Center (RTC) at the Washington Premier complex.  The president, directors, and coaching staff have been tremendous with a shared goal to further develop soccer players in Washington State.”

Current WPFC Academy players will be invited into the Sounders FC Youth Academy tryout process. Open tryouts begin on March 10.

“WPFC strives to help its players compete at the highest levels of youth soccer, and our relationship with the Sounders FC is a natural extension of that practice,” said Charlie Dent, WPFC President. “We appreciate the substantial investment of Sounders FC in youth soccer in our community, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”

For more information on tryouts for the Sounders FC Youth Academy click here

About U.S. Soccer Development Academy

The U.S. Soccer Development Academy is a partnership between U.S. Soccer and the top youth clubs around the country to provide the best youth players in the U.S. with an every day environment designed to produce the next generation of National Team players.

For questions or further information, please contact Darren Sawatzky, Sounders FC Director of Youth Development at (206) 267-7425 or darrens@soundersfc.com.