Bethesda Soccer Club joins U.S. Soccer Development Academy for 2013-2014 season

Bethesda, Md. – Bethesda Soccer Club will join the U.S. Soccer Development Academy for the 2013-14 season. The Academy will feature three age divisions, U18/17, U16/15, and U14/13. The Bethesda boys’ teams will compete in the U18/17 & U16/15 Eastern Conference of the Atlantic Division Academy League and the U13 & U15 Eastern Conference of the Atlantic Division Northeast Pre-Academy League.

“We are honored U.S. Soccer has chosen Bethesda Soccer Club as an Academy Club due to our recognized success in player development, team success, Youth National Team representation and college placement,” stated Jonathon Colton, Bethesda SC’s Director of Coaching Boys. “Our coaching staff is looking forward to the new challenge.”

The technical richness of Bethesda’s Senior Boys Program will be supplemented with the Academy’s Player Development Program through training and games against top youth clubs in the country and maintained through a connection to U.S. Soccer resources. Bethesda SC players who currently play in various leagues around the nation and region will now have the Academy League to enhance their soccer development.

The Bethesda Academy model includes a unique partnership between Bethesda SC and OBGC (formerly Olney Soccer Club); together it enables a wider player pool and access to each other’s facilities.

“OBGC Soccer is very excited and looking forward to this joint venture with Bethesda SC,” explained Director of Coaching Boys, Pete Wood, “ Our vision at OBGC soccer has always been to give every player an opportunity to play at every level and also to maximize their potential; this partnership with BSC will now enable this to happen.” “The partnership in conjunction with the USSF academy will only enhance what both clubs have – along with great facilities and access to a larger player pool.”

“The future looks very exciting for OBGC Soccer and Bethesda SC”, stated Wood, “There has always been a strong bond between both clubs, which share the same philosophy on developing players and building their respective soccer programs the right way.”

Approximately four years ago, Bethesda Soccer Club embarked on the implementation of a new club structure to better align the technical and tactical strengths of their coaches with the needs of players at all ages.

“This is a significant achievement for BSC,” stated Greg Dillon, Bethesda Soccer Club President. “I want to recognize the efforts of Jonathon Colton and his coaching staff for working together to establish a cohesive player development curriculum which shows in our teams’ style of play from U8 to U18.”