The second of two Fall 2011 id2 Program Training Camps drew to a close as a total of 113 elite boys born in 1998-99 and girls born in 1997-98 representing 23 states were on-hand for four days of high-level training and off-field sessions, Nov. 10-13, at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas
The age groups for the camp were selected in order to more closely align with U.S. Soccer’s scouting priorities. The id2 Program Training Camps are part of US Club Soccer’s id2 National Player Identification and Development Program and provide an opportunity for the country’s top youth players to be identified and developed for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s National Team programs.
“I think the camp was exceptional in terms of ability and skill level,” said Gerry McKeown, US Club Soccer’s id2 Boys’ Program Director. “As far as the trip to Spain, our selection process is pretty difficult because of the amount of high-quality players that we saw both here and in New Jersey. Now we’ll put our heads together and select the team of 18 players who we feel can best represent US Club Soccer in Spain.”
For the third straight year, a team of the best 18 boys from this fall’s id2 Program Training Camps will be selected to take an international trip, where they will have the opportunity to train, attend professional matches and compete against youth teams from well-known professional clubs. This year’s trip is scheduled for Feb. 17-27, 2012, to Spain.
Led by McKeown and id2 Girls’ Program Director Rory Dames, 12 top coaches from across the country worked closely with the players to teach the technical, tactical and psychological requirements for success and development at a national level.
Every id2 Program Training Camp is attended and scouted by U.S. Soccer staff members, as the Texas id2 Program Training Camp included Paul Ellis and Technical Advisor Anthony Latronica.
“As we often see, the girls improved each day as they become more familiar with their surroundings and more comfortable with the other players,” Dames said. “From top to bottom, the player pool at both of the fall id2 Program Training Camps was very impressive.”
On Friday, FC Dallas defender Zach Loyd was on-hand to speak to the players about his experiences and take part in a question-and-answer session. Also on Friday, Candice Walls from the Baylor University Athletic Performance Department spoke to the players about the importance of proper nutrition and recovery techniques, taking the boys through a cool down following the morning session.
Final Fall 2011 id2 Video Recap
Saturday morning brought the Nike Elite Training 2.0 staff to Pizza Hut Park to administer GPS testing for the girls and skills tests for the boys. The boys took their turn with the GPS testing during the evening sessions, wearing the devices during their scrimmages.
Aided by their time at US Club Soccer’s id2 Regional Training Camps, numerous attendees of past camps have advanced into U.S. Soccer’s National Team programs.
For detailed coverage from throughout the id2 Program Training Camp in Texas, be sure to visit the US Club Soccer Facebook page. There you will find links to videos and photos from the event.
The 2011-12 id2 Program will feature boys born in 1998-99 and girls born in 1993-98. The program will include four id2 Program Training Camps, the National Selection International Tour and the ECNL/id2 Program National Training Camp for girls.
Targeted Birth Years:
Boys born in 1998 and 1999
Girls born in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998
id2 Program Training Camps for 1998-99 boys:
Oct. 13-16, 2011, at the PDA Soccer Complex in Zarephath, N.J.
Nov. 10-13, 2011, at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas
Spring Camp #1 (dates and location TBA)
Spring Camp #2 (dates and location TBA)
id2 Program Training Camps for 1997-98 girls:
Oct. 13-16, 2011, at the PDA Soccer Complex in Zarephath, N.J.
Nov. 10-13, 2011, at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas
Spring Camp #1 (dates and location TBA)
Spring Camp #2 (dates and location TBA)
id2 National Selection International Tour for 1998-99 boys:
Feb. 17-27, 2012 | Spain
id2 Program / ECNL National Training Camp for 1993-96 girls:
Dates and location TBA
ECNL/id2 International Tour for girls (age groups TBA):
Dates and location TBA
Established in 2004, US Club Soccer’s id2 National Identification and Development Program provides an opportunity for the country's elite youth soccer players to be identified and developed, while also being scouted for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s National Team programs.
A comprehensive national scouting and recommendation program is used to form a player pool from which top players are invited to attend an id2 Program Training Camp.
There is no cost to the player to be scouted or recommended for the id2 Program. Additionally, the id2 Program is open to all players regardless of U.S. Soccer affiliation, or lack thereof.
US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive club soccer in the United States. A member of the United States Soccer Federation since July 2001, US Club Soccer has grown to include member clubs and leagues in all 50 states. In addition to sanctioning and administering tournaments, leagues and other competitions as well as offering a range of programs for its members, US Club Soccer annually conducts the National Cup. US Club Soccer also directs its own player identification and development program – id2.
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