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What is the MLS NEXT Youth Development Platform?

The MLS NEXT Youth Development Platform is a partnership between MLS and the top youth clubs around the country to provide the best youth players in the U.S. with an environment designed to produce the next generation of college, professional and National team players. The Platform will consist of elite year-round competition, as well as player identification initiatives, coaching education opportunities, and additional programming to create the premier player development environment.
With a focus on maximizing each player’s potential, the new development platform will not only provide high-level, year-round competition for players, but will provide important programming, education and innovation in the key areas of player development:

• Player Identification
• Coaching
• Environment
• Personal Growth
• Community Outreach

ALBION SC has earned national distinction as an organization with a history of producing quality players.  As a founding member of the MLS NEXT Youth Development Platform, ALBION SC will continue to maintain its high standards on and off the field and be a national leader in player development.

 

ALBION SC MLS NEXT

 

Program Goal

To develop world-class players and coaches in an effort to place them at the college, professional and National team levels.

 

Program Objectives

To provide the best environment for world-class development. We commit to:

• Putting the players first
• Hiring and developing the best coaching staff
• Developing a winning mentality
• Staying on the forefront of innovation
• Playing attractive soccer
• Teaching the game in a holistic way
• Being transparent
• Doing what’s right
• Improving every day
• The future and constant innovation

 

Core Values

 

Program Structure
Youth to College, National Team, Professional Pathway

 

We offer a progressive pathway for players at the U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, U19, and Professional level. Through this structure, we have the ability to fast-track player development and promote youth players. With a commitment to innovation and high-performance, along with optimal structure and resources, we are the model club for player and coach development in the United States.

 

Vertical Integration

The MLS Elite Academy is connected and aligned with the other areas of the club in order to facilitate proper player development. This requires a consistent training curriculum and methodology. Our coaches collaborate and create the ideal training and game playing scenarios for each player in the program.

 

Professional Staff

ALBION SC hires and attracts experienced coaches that have played and coached at the most elite levels. These coaches are all credentialed with a US Soccer A or B license and are experienced with elite level programming and team management. Our staff includes the following positions:

• Technical Director
• Academy Director
• Academy Administrator
• College Placement Director
• Head Coach
• Assistant Coach
• Goalkeeper Coach
• Sports Performance Coach

 

Philosophy

We believe in an age-based developmental philosophy that can be defined as follows:

Train to Learn
U13-U14. At this stage players are primed for the long-term demands of the 11v11 game. During this period, there is heavy emphasis on technical and soccer IQ components of the game. Our teaching is geared towards perfecting our game model and style of play. We strive to develop a winning mentality every day.

Train to Compete
U15. At this stage players are better prepared for the physical and mental demands of the 11v11 game. While we continue to perfect our game model and style of play, we will introduce different tactical elements that give us the competitive advantage over our opponents. We compete every day and exude a winning mentality in everything that we do.

Train to Win
U16-U19. At this stage players are ready to compete and must show the desire to win at all times. We will showcase our players and teams at the highest levels possible.
 

 

Academy Resources and Initiatives

• Financial assistance for players that qualify
• Individual Development Plans for each player
• Access to all home game footage
• Classroom access for team meetings and video analysis
• Position-specific training
• Age-based developmental model
• Comprehensive curriculum and teaching methodology

 

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