U.S. Soccer’s Under-17 Residency Program will kick off its fall semester this Monday, August 22nd as all 40 players will arrive at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.  Those 40 players include 12 who participated in the Super Y-League in 2005.

 

One player in particular credits his impending trip to Bradenton on his play in the Super Y-League.  Ellis McLoughlin of Seattle, Washington plays for the Washington Crossfire.  He was invited to a Super Y-League Olympic Development Program (ODP) camp and from there was invited to play for a Super Y-League ODP Select team. That select team was invited to play the U.S. U15 Boys National Team back in March.

 

McLoughlin scored three goals in that game, and impressed the National Team coaches enough to earn a spot in the Residency Program.  “It was really fun,” said McLoughlin.  “It was my first game with [the Super Y-League Select Team].  I scored three goals and they said I did well.”

 

McLoughlin’s father, Jim, wasn’t able to travel to Florida to see the game but knows that that experience is the reason Ellis will be living in Bradenton full-time starting Monday.  “I wasn’t there but they were impressed by his play in that game,” said the elder McLoughlin.

 

Playing in the Super Y-League was the next step in Ellis’ playing career, a career that started at age five, though he didn’t get serious about the sport until he was nine.  “It’s been a tremendous experience,” said Jim.  “The level of competition has been great, especially with the regional flavor, playing teams from Oregon and Canada.  It isn’t your typical league play.  The competition is very good.”

 

Ellis’ competition is about to get a notch higher as he gets ready to leave Washington state for the Sunshine State, and the rigors of attending classes while preparing for a soccer career.  His biggest concern?  “I’m really excited but nervous at the same time about being home sick.”  He’ll know at least one of his new teammates, Daniel Wenzel, another Washington state standout and also a member of the Washington Crossfire.

 

Super Y-League Director Matt Weibe is not surprised by Ellis’ story.  “The Super Y-League ODP program and events have been very committed over the past few years in developing a better system to identify players for the US National Team Programs,” commented Weibe.  “The basis of this ODP system is to identify players within the natural playing environment in their clubs competing in the Super Y-League.  The system is now proving its value to the U.S. Soccer community.”

 

Residency Program roster – SYL alum
Josmer Altidore (F) – Schulz Academy
Mykell Bates (D) – Cavitt Academy
Kyle Davies (D) – Ballistic United
Jeremy Hall (D) – HC United
Eric Lichaj (D) – Chicago Magic
David MacVane (D/M) – Black Watch SC
Perica Marosevic (F) – Chicago Sockers
Ellis McLoughlin (F) – Washington Crossfire
Ofori Sarkodie (D) – Chicago Magic
Joseph Sorrentino (F/M) – Jersey Shore Boca
Michael Stephens (D/M) – Chicago Sockers
Daniel Wenzel (D/M) – Washington Crossfire

 

SUPER Y-LEAGUE
The future of soccer lives in the Super Y-League, a professionalized system that is the first step for developing youth soccer players in North America. Affiliated with US Soccer and partnered with US Club Soccer, the league is designed for talented youth players destined for professional or international careers. Through Olympic Development (ODP) status programs and events such as the North American Finals and National ODP Camps, the nation's top players are selected for US National Team Programs. The league is made up of a series of regional leagues within the framework of a North American league containing the top clubs and players from the United States and Canada.