Since mid-April, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy (DA) is no more. Major League Soccer immediately announced the league recognized the value of youth development and would invite all the DA players to participate in their new youth league. Yet parents, players, and supporters of girls development soccer aren’t buying the MLS offer. And they say the DA program never really floated their boats, anyway.
Fred Lipka, MLS technical director of youth development, said he has worked to make the league statements clear. In youth development, MLS clubs and all non-MLS clubs will have a platform to play next year, he pledged.