U.S. Soccer named the final 13 clubs to join its Development Academy, bringing the total number of clubs taking part in the first year of the new program to 64.

More than 150 applications were submitted in less than two months. The program will feature 63 clubs and academies, representing 24 states and the District of Columbia, plus the U.S. U-15/16-U17/18 national team from U.S. Soccer’s Residency Program.

The 64 teams will be divided into eight conferences, each comprised of eight teams based largely on geographic proximity. Each team will play approximately 30 matches during an eight-month season, with the winner of each conference playing in the Academy Finals at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Additional Development Academy program elements such as a Technical Workshop and Best Practices seminars are being finalized.

The Development Academy kicks off in September with a two-day orientation in Chicago. The first matches of the inaugural season will then begin during the first week of October. Teams will compete in three different types of game weekends — individual conference games, travel partner weekends and showcase weekends to provide them with the optimum balance of playing rhythm, economy of travel and exposure to scouts.

In addition to improving the daily environment for players, the Academy will also provide a better development platform for coaches and referees. Each club will receive two invitations to attend the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Best Practices seminars, providing coaches with the opportunity to keep updated on the latest styles and methods of coaching being used at the national level. U.S. Soccer will assign referees to the Academy matches, providing them with more opportunities to develop.

The final 13 clubs joining the Development Academy come from 10 different states:

Albertson Soccer Club (New York)
Baltimore Bays Soccer Club (Maryland)
Bridge Futbol Alliance (South Carolina)
Cleveland Alliance Soccer Academy (Ohio)
Concorde Fire Soccer Club (Georgia)
Crew Soccer Academy (Ohio)
Match Fit Academy FC (New Jersey)
Pateadores Soccer Club (California)
Real So Cal (California)
San Diego Surf (California)
Solar Soccer Club (Texas)
South Central Premier (Connecticut)
South Charlotte Soccer Association (North Carolina)

U.S. Soccer Development Academy (listed by conference)

Northeast Conference
Albertson SC
Blau Weiss Gottschee
FC Greater Boston Bolts
FC Westchester
Met Oval
Oakwood SC
Seacoast United
South Central Premier

Mid-Atlantic Conference
Baltimore Bays Soccer Club
DC United
FC Delco
Match Fit Academy FC
New York Red Bulls
PA Classics
PDA
Potomac Soccer

Atlantic Conference
Bridge FA
CASL
Greensboro Youth SC
North Meck SC
Richmond Kickers SC
Richmond Strikers
South Charlotte SA
VA Rush SC

Southeast Conference
AFC Lightning Soccer Club
Atlanta Fire United SA
Birmingham United SA
Clearwater Chargers SC
Concorde Fire SC
IMG SA
Kendall Soccer Coalition
Schulz Academy

Great Lakes Conference
Carmel United Soccer Club
Cleveland Area SA
Columbus Crew
Empire United SA
Internationals SC
Michigan Wolves
Ohio Elite SA
Vardar

Mid-America Conference
Chicago Fire Soccer PDA
Chicago Magic Soccer Club
FC Milwaukee
Metro United Soccer Club
Scott Gallagher
Sockers FC Chicago
Solar SC
U.S. national team (U-15/16 & U-17)

SoCal Conference
Arsenal SC
Chivas USA
Irvine Strikers
L.A. Galaxy
Nomads SC
Pateadores SC
Real So Cal
San Diego Surf

West Conference
Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rush
Crossfire Premier SC
De Anza Force SC
FC Portland SA
Mustang FC
Real Colorado
Washington Premier FC