CHICAGO (Oct. 11, 2007) – U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy continues its season with 12 matches slated for this weekend. Conference play begins on Saturday morning when the San Diego Surf travel to the Home Depot Center to take on Chivas USA, the U-15/16 squads battling at 8:15 a.m. and the U-17/18s at 10:15 a.m. The Surf is the only U-17/U-18 team in action this weekend who took two wins home from the Fall Showcase.

On Saturday afternoon, Atlantic Conference rivals Richmond Kickers and Bridge FA will meet in both age groups, as will the Virginia Rush and Richmond Strikers. Rounding out conference play on Saturday will be Miami FC Kendall traveling to Boca Raton, Fla. to face Schulz Academy. Miami Kendall is the only club in action to win both games at the U-15/16 level in the Fall Showcase, while their U-17/18 counterparts picked up a win and a tie.

The games pick up again on Sunday when the Atlanta Fire and AFC Lightning will clash in Fayetteville, Ga., with both the U-15/16 and U-17/18 games taking place at 11 a.m. Completing the weekend will be the Concorde Fire taking on Birmingham United as part of Southeast Conference play.

Last weekend saw the debut of the Showcase weekend, which will be an on-going part of the Development Academy. The initial showcase featured 38 teams converging on The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. for two games each against opponents outside their conference. Each team will participate in three of the four Showcase weekends per year.

In a broad move designed to improve the development environment for players throughout the country, the U.S. Soccer Federation has taken the initiative in formalizing the nationwide development academy. Created to provide players with the best possible opportunity to develop, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy is being initiated after a comprehensive review of player development systems in the United States and around the world.



Saturday, Oct. 13
Under-15/16
8:15 a.m. PT     San Diego Surf at Chivas USA                           Home Depot Center – Carson, Calif.
1 p.m. ET           Richmond Kickers at Bridge FA                         First Baptist Field – Charleston, S.C.
2 p.m. ET           Virginia Rush at Richmond Strikers                  Striker Park – Richmond, Va.
6 p.m. ET           Miami FC Kendall at Schulz Academy              Caloosa Park – Boca Raton, Fla.

Under-17/18
10:15 a.m. PT   San Diego Surf at Chivas USA                            Home Depot Center – Carson, Calif.
3 p.m. ET           Richmond Kickers at Bridge FA                          First Baptist Field – Charleston, S.C.
4 p.m. ET           VA Rush at Richmond Strikers                           Striker Park – Richmond, Va.
8 p.m. ET           Miami FC Kendall at Schulz Academy               Caloosa Park – Boca Raton, Fla.


Sunday, Oct. 14
Under-15/16
11 a.m. ET        Atlanta Fire at AFC Lightning                                 McMurry Park – Fayetteville, Ga.
4 p.m. ET          Concorde Fire at Birmingham United                  Rathmell Park – Birmingham, Ala.

Under-17/18
11 a.m. ET       Atlanta Fire at AFC Lightning                                 McMurry Park – Fayetteville, Ga.
4 p.m. ET         Concorde Fire at Birmingham United                 Rathmell Park – Birmingham, Ala.