17 Riverhounds Academy Players Invited to U.S. Soccer Training Centers Next Week
Published on September 5, 2013 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
Pittsburgh - Between last week and today, a total of 17 current members of The Riverhounds Academy RDA youth development program were invited to participate in the Girls and Boys U.S. Soccer Training Centers in Medina and Obetz, OH, respectively. The single-day training sessions are set to take place on Monday, September 9 for the girls and Wednesday, September 11 for the boys, and will welcome some of the best players in the region to participate in the elite training program.
U.S. Soccer Training Centers are designed to replicate national team training camps aimed to identify the best players for the U.S. Soccer Youth National Team program. The Training Center Programs are open to the top players from any team, club or organization at no cost to the player and players are selected for participation through a variety of established channels, namely scouting opportunities and on-going communications with local soccer leaders.
As the governing body of soccer in the United States, the U.S. Soccer Federation is responsible for developing teams that represent the United States in all international competitions, such as the Olympics and World Cup. The Training Center Program is an integral part of this process.
Riverhounds youth players invited to attend the September 9th Training Center Program are Elaina Longjohn, Lexi Gray, Faith Mealy, Alaina Kalin, Brooke Ulery, Christina Palla, Sidney Palla, Callie Cunningham, Ciara Terabasso, Jayna Fittipaldo, Marissa Dezorzi, Emily Harrigan, Alexis Kendro, Alyssa Victor, Jordyn Minda, Caroline Swan, and Emily Orr. These girls represent the birth years of 1999 to 2002.
On the boys side, invited players to the Crew Training Center in Obetz, OH include Rex Heuler, Cameron and Christian Eckberg, Jack Shearer, Jonah Moore, Luke Kelly, Pablo Alvarez, Ryan Dougherty, Luke Stephen, Markello Apodiakos, Jacob Miller, Sean Abraham, and Brian McCarthy. These boys represent the birth years of 1999 and 2000, with most of the pack identified through top performances at recent events, including the Pathway to the Pros Academy Challenge at Highmark Stadium in mid-August and the DC United Labor Day Friendlies last weekend.
The Riverhounds considerable presence in the Training Center Program is just one of the many accomplishments the Club has achieved in the national soccer scene. With the number of quality players that go through the elite training program each year, The Riverhounds Academy has proven to be a direct route for players looking to be identified for opportunities at the National Team level. This presence was further strengthened through a recent partnership with Century United, with the unified system now setting sights upon expansion into new markets of Western Pennsylvania.
In 2012, former Riverhounds-trained player, Taylor Schram, was selected to be part of the United States Under-20 Women's National Team. Schram was one of 21 young women from across the country selected to represent the United States in the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup being held in Japan. The team went on to win the 2012 World Cup Championship after defeating defending champions, Germany 1-0. Schram is currently continuing to impress at the collegiate level, as a top striker for Penn State University.
According to Jason Kutney who trained Schram since the time she was 12 years of age, her impact will be felt for years to come.
"Taylor was a raw, talented player who came to me for additional training that would ultimately prepare her for the next level," said Kutney. "She is an inspiration to our Academy players but is also the blueprint for our Academy program - the most committed players who want to reach the highest levels possible, calling upon the resources of the area's professionals."
In April, Riverhounds Development Academy (RDA) Under-15 Lady Hounds players Mikayla Mance and Ciara Terabasso were selected to represent the Club at the Under-15 United States National Team camp in Dallas, Texas which took place May 4-11, 2013. Both girls have committed themselves to the game of soccer both on and off the field, which was recognized by the U.S. Soccer Federation when selected to attend the training camp.
This summer, Mance and Terabasso along with the entire Lady Hounds U-15 Girls Team made national news by claiming the U.S. Club Soccer National Championship title in the tournament's highest Super Group bracket in Aurora, Colorado. The National Title concluded a fantastic season for the Riverhounds first-ever full-time competitive youth team as they ended their year with a record of 18-2-5. In addition to the National Title, the Lady Hounds took titles at the Bethesda Thanksgiving Shootout (MD) in November, Triangle Friendlies (NC) in January, Ultimate Cup (VA) in March, Crossroads of America College Showcase (IN) in April, Atlantic Soccer League Regular Season Champions in May, and Atlantic Soccer League Championships (NC) in June.
Inspired by the successes of the Lady Hounds, the RDA boys have laid claim to a very successful 2013 campaign as well. The Under-12/13 boys recently raised the Cup at their first-ever tournament as a unified group, through the Club's partnership with Century United. The Pre-Academy team defeated Columbus Crew, DC United, and Philadelphia Union at Highmark Stadium to win the inaugural Pathway to the Pros Academy Challenge presented by Gateway Clipper Fleet.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 5, 2013
- 17 Riverhounds Academy Players Invited to U.S. Soccer Training Centers Next Week - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Lions, Eagles Set for USL PRO Championship - USL
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