via USSoccer

The U.S. Soccer Development Academy has announced it is moving to a 10-month season starting with the 2012-13 season.

After receiving overwhelming support from the Development Academy membership, the Academy is moving to a schedule beginning in the fall of 2012 that runs from September through June (or July based on postseason play). This creates a format that is similar to those followed by the elite soccer playing nations around the world as the Development Academy and U.S. Soccer continue their goal of closing the performance gap with the top soccer nations.

“If we want our players to someday compete against the best in the world, it is critical for their development that they train and play as much as possible and in the right environment,” said U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. “The Development Academy 10-month season is the right formula and provides a good balance between training time and playing competitive matches. This is the model that the best countries around the world use for their programs, and I think it makes perfect sense that we do as well.”

A number of clubs already have switched to the 10-month season and have seen substantial improvement (Western Conference, Texas Division). U.S. Soccer recognizes there might be challenges during the transition process and will work with individual clubs to make this swift transition as easy as possible.

More on the US Development Academy Moving To 10 Month Season In 2012-13 after the Jump……

• Frequently Asked Questions | Quote Sheet: Academy and National Team Coaches
  Video: Academy Clubs Move to a 10-Month Season

Moving to a 10-month season means players can focus on training together three or four times per week and play meaningful games on the weekend nearly year-round. Fewer games and an extended season will allow for the addition of a substantial number of extra training sessions, which are the primary vehicle for player development.

The 10-month season allows for a greater opportunity to institute a style of play and implement a system according to U.S. Soccer’s Curriculum as well as build team chemistry. It also gives teams increased opportunities for younger kids in their club to “play up” against older players in both training and matches, thereby accelerating their development.

“Going to a 10-month season is an important step in the evolution of elite player development,” said U.S. Soccer Youth Technical Director Claudio Reyna. “The format provides the ideal platform to place an increased emphasis on the value of training on a regular basis, and offers the opportunity to play in quality, competitive games throughout an extended season. This schedule puts our elite players in line with kids in their age group internationally, and places the appropriate physical demands at this stage in their development.

“The addition of a significant number of training sessions per year will enhance the ability of players to develop,” said Reyna. “Along with the support of our membership, this move has been greeted with enthusiasm from leading soccer nations around the world.”

U.S. Soccer created the Development Academy in 2007 to improve the everyday environment for the elite youth player. The Development Academy is a partnership between U.S. Soccer and the top youth clubs around the country to provide the best youth players in the U.S. with an everyday environment designed to produce the next generation of National Team players.

MON 0-0 POR

The Montreal Impact and Portland Timbers played out to a scoreless tie from the Home Depot Center.

Check out the highlights after the jump…..

Houston Dynamo’s new home, The BBVA Compass Stadium, is starting to get some of its finishing major touches as the installation of the sod began on Wednesday, February 8, while the seats began installation the Saturday before. When it opens in 2012, the 22,000-seat stadium will be the first soccer-specific stadium in Major League Soccer located in a city’s downtown district.

Get all the info on the new stadium that you could ever imagine at http://www.houstondynamo.com/stadium, and hit the jump, to check out the installation of the sod and seats, and here an interview with Tyler Wellborn the project engineer on the job…..

via FIFA

In most cases, people can do little about their first names. Ultimately, it is a decision taken at such an early stage in life that any choice over the matter is virtually impossible.

They are often passed down through generations or simply selected for their beauty or sound, but in the case of Edson Buddle, the source of his forename is rather different. He was named after one of the greatest and most famous footballers of all time: Pele, or Edson Arantes do Nascimento to be precise.

The 30-year-old striker, whose Jamaica-born dad Winston was also a professional footballer, told FIFA.com: “That’s right, my father was a big fan of Pele. Of course I never really had a say in it, but I think it’s a great honour if your father names you after such a great person.”

With such an iconic namesake to live up to as well as a footballer father, Buddle’s path to becoming a professional player was almost predestined. “My dad only ever wanted me to play football as a kid,” he revealed. “I doubt he would ever have guessed I’d get so far, but he’s very happy about it.”

More on FIFA.com’s Interview w/ Edson Buddle after the Jump…….

Buddle has managed three goals in ten appearances for USA, though interestingly seven years separate his first full cap in 2003 from his second in 2010. “It was disappointing not to be a part of it for so long, but it’s not the end of the world,” he said.

“It gave me a chance to concentrate on myself. I didn’t do enough to play for the national team during that time, but I’ve worked on my game and now I’m involved again, something I’m very happy about.”

Buddle could not have timed his comeback better, making his return to the fold shortly before the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, which was like “living the American dream” according to the goal-getter.

“It was great,” he said. “Normally I’m just a spectator, but this time I took part. Of course I would have liked to have played more, but I’ll never forget being part of the World Cup squad. It was one of the highlights of my career, without a doubt.”

Klinsmann praise, Brazil quest
With USA set to battle it out with Guatemala, Antigua and Barbuda, and Jamaica for a place at Brazil 2014, another chance to prove himself at the highest level could well be on the horizon: “It’s a challenge. Any of these teams are capable of beating us. Obviously I’m hoping to be involved again.”

Currently responsible for the Stars and Stripes’ fortunes is former Germany striker Jurgen Klinsmann. “He’s great, he was one of my role models,” said Buddle. “I used to have a poster of the Germany team which won the 1990 World Cup on my wall. I can learn a lot from him. I listen a lot more now because I know who he is and what he can do.

“[Bob] Bradley and Klinsmann are fairly similar. As coaches they have the same experience, but Jurgen was a fantastic player. He played at the highest level and knows what he’s talking about. Perhaps that’s the biggest difference.”

Unsurprisingly, Buddle turned to Klinsmann for advice when he was considering a move abroad: “He recommended that I go to Germany when we met in LA. He said it would be a challenge for me, and that’s what life is all about.”

After netting nine goals in 31 appearances in just under a year with German second division outfit FC Ingolstadt, Buddle recently returned to former club Los Angeles Galaxy, where he had previously spent three years between 2007 and 2010: “I’m pleased that the chance arose to return to an MLS club which has been so important to my career.”

Back under Klinsi’s gaze, Buddle is again hoping to establish himself in the national side ahead of Brazil 2014. “It would be nice to play at a World Cup again, but really I’m just happy to be part of the process,” he told FIFA.com. “You have to set yourself different goals in life and make sure you achieve them.”

Buddle has already begun setting himself new targets for the future, earning a coaching license and expressing a keen interest in “passing on some of what I’ve learned to the kids”. Having already overcome the challenges of living up to his famous namesake, making his international comeback and proving himself in a European league, few would bet against the American doing just that.

via theLAGalaxy on youtube:

The LA Galaxy lost 4-1 to the Portland Timbers in their second preseason match of the year. Dan Keat scored LA’s only goal of the game.

*updated*

Check out the highlights after the jump……

^^those were the highlights from the LA Galaxy page on youtube^^

**Here are the official highlights from MLS for Troy…

In episode 5 of the TWO ONE, whitecapsfc.com’s Carl Valentine speaks with ‘Caps co-owner Jeff Mallett

**Gotta say, I’m loving the TWO ONE series and the social push that the ‘Caps are doing this season… hopefully they keep it up all the way through and continue bring the fans a lot of interesting content. Columbus Crew and LA Galaxy really do a good job of reaching out to the fans as well. Shouts out to the media teams around the MLS.

Check out the video after the jump….

via SkySports

Landon Donovan says Everton can compete with any team in the Premier League and is aiming to prove that point once again when Chelsea visit Goodison Park on Saturday.

The Toffees’ form has been unpredictable this year as they beat leaders Manchester City, but were then held by bottom club Wigan on Saturday.

Donovan is now halfway through his short-term loan deal from LA Galaxy, and says the squad feel that they are as good as the sides at the top.

“Since the day I got here there has always been the belief this team can compete with any team in the Premier League,” said the United States international, who is in his second spell with Everton having first come over from Major League Soccer two years ago.

More from Landon on His Time At Everton after the Jump……

“When I was here last time we beat Chelsea, Manchester City and should have drawn at Tottenham – so there is no fear in this club.

“We have a lot of respect for Chelsea, they are one of the best teams in the world, but we feel at Goodison we have a chance and we are going to go for it.

“They’ve come off an interesting result against Manchester United (squandering a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 on Sunday) so it will be an interesting game to see how they respond to that.

“We feel good in how we’re playing, we like how we’re playing right now and our form has been pretty good so it makes for a really good match-up.”

Even in the short time since his arrival in late December, Donovan has seen an improvement in performances which has helped redress some of the difficulties the club faces earlier in the season.

“In the early part, when things don’t go your way, it’s tough. You kind of live and die by the results sometimes,” he told Radio Merseyside.

“In the last couple of weeks we’ve played a lot better and we’ve got some really important results, which has been good for everyone.”

via theLAGalaxy on youtube:

The LA Galaxy held a press conference to welcome back forward Edson Buddle, who recently re-signed with the club. Buddle also participated in his first training session with the team.

Check out the video after the jump….