Cosmos Coaches and Team at recent tournament

Youth Soccer News: COSMOS ACADEMY WEST CLOSES

Announcement surprises youth soccer in Southern California. Cosmos Academy West = Great teams with great coaches as leaders. This championship club is closing weeks before the season starts.  

UPDATED: August 11m 2011 with Announcement from Chivas USA

Chivas USA announced today the merge between the Red-and-White organization and the Cosmos Academy West. In light of the recent merge, Chivas USA would like to extend a warm welcome to the staff, players and families of Cosmos Academy West. 

Chivas USA recognizes that Cosmos Academy West has been one of the premier youth academies in Southern California and is excited with this recent announcement.  As a result of this merge, Chivas USA will be expanding the scope of its academy program to include under 9 through under 18 academy teams.  Chivas USA, true to the philosophies of Chivas Guadalajara in Mexico, is committed to player development as an integral component to success of the club on and off the field. 

Here is the statement from The New York Cosmos: 

"The New York Cosmos have announced its decision to cease operations of Cosmos Academy West. It is important for us to continually restructure and reconsider our strategy as we get closer and more focused on our long-term goals and objectives.

Unfortunately, in the direction we are headed, Cosmos Academy West will not be able to function or exist given the parameters that a professional soccer team in New York City must follow. It is our goal to play in Major League Soccer in New York City. Therefore, we have decided that the closure of the academy this year will allow the area's players, coaches and parents to make decisions that will affect their futures in the most proper manner. 

We have coordinated a transition with Chivas USA of Los Angeles in order to ensure that both our coaches and staff will have an opportunity to continue working within the academy system in Southern California, and most importantly, giving our players the chance to join and play for a team that currently has a direct affiliation with Major League Soccer.

We have nothing but respect for all the management, coaches, parents and players in the Los Angeles area who have made Cosmos Academy West a tremendous success over the past year.  

In addition to being nationally ranked and recognized by the USSDA, we have been able to provide over 210 academy players with the opportunity to continue their growth and the development of their skills for the sport - completely free of charge. In addition, two of its star players had the opportunity to come play in NYC on our New York Cosmos U-23 Premier Development League team this summer and represent this club by traveling to England to play Manchester United in the Paul Scholes testimonial match at Old Trafford. 

While the opportunity to operate Cosmos Academy for another year exists, we felt this decision, although extremely difficult, would be the fairest for all parties involved.

We thank all the wonderful people who were part of Cosmos Academy West and wish them much success and luck in the future."

Tons of questions exist from will the teams stay together with their current coaches to how will this affect existing schedules and rosters.  More news on this closure tomorrow.  Chivas USA offers a strong development academy and is an excellent option.

Related Articles: Inside Cosmos Academy West