The Philadelphia Union Academy will be gaining another local rival beginning this fall at the U12 level of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
Horsham-based Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals are one of 15 clubs joining the USSDA at the U12 level for the 2017-18 season. A total of 17 new clubs have joined the Academy across multiple age divisions as part of the second largest expansion the league has had since its founding in 2007. The U12 and U13 divisions both launched last fall.
“This expansion is a direct reflection of the commitment from existing Academy clubs and the permeating effect of the Academy influence on additional clubs across the country that are adopting the Academy philosophy,” Development Academy Director Jared Micklos said in a news release.