SVSA joins the MLS Elite Youth Development Platform!

Silicon Valley Soccer Academy and Palo Alto Soccer Club are excited to announce that SVSA has accepted an invitation to be a founding member of the MLS Elite Youth Development Platform!

After the demise of the US Soccer Development Academy (DA), Major League Soccer began forming the next generation of player development by inviting 65 elite academy clubs to join the 30 MLS youth academies in a competitive platform that spans the United States and Canada. This platform includes 8,000 players and consists of full year competition as well as player identification initiatives, coach education opportunities, and additional programming that supports players’ personal growth and contribution to the community.

As a Founding Member of this new platform, SVSA joins a group of clubs that have been leaders in the development of players for college, MLS and the national teams. Combined, this founding group has produced more than 90 percent of the U.S. Youth National Team players in the last year, making the new platform the top destination for the best young players in North America.

Locally, SVSA will compete locally with 7 other clubs in Northern California, 12 clubs in Southern California, and 4 clubs in the Mountain states. The club has also joined the technical working group that defines strategic objectives, competitive and development standards, and league and showcase guidelines.

Academy Director, Gerson Perez: “Silicon Valley Soccer Academy is excited to extend its collaboration with Major League Soccer and to help develop the premier competitive platform in North America. We are committed to providing a pathway for our players to compete professionally, nationally and internationally, on youth national teams, and in college programs. We are excited to be Founding Members of the MLS Elite Youth Development Platform and to play a role in advancing world class soccer in the United States.”

Technical Director, Savio Carrijo: “We are proud to be part of the MLS Elite Youth Development Platform. We belive that EYDP will provide our players with an excellent pathway to the collegiate and professional soccer levels. We look forward to having our boys competing at this prestigious platform.”

Executive Director, Rodrigo Baptista: “Palo Alto Soccer Club is committed to providing the best opportunities to the players in our community on and off the field. We believe that MLS Elite Youth Development Platform provides an incredible opportunity for our players to pursue their professional and college dreams. We believe that a holistic approach that incorporates player and coach development, as well as personal development and community engagement, will benefit everyone that touches the game in our community.”