The
Select Team Program
Its
Goal
The goal of the USASA National Select Teams Program is to identify
a pool of players from which a US National Amateur Team will be
selected for international games. Additionally, players are selected
for consideration to the Men's and Women's US National (World
Cup), Olympic or other US National Teams. The Select Teams Program
is organized to provide high-level-training and competition to
benefit and enhance the players over the age of 19, and also,
to provide opportunities for players to showcase their talents
in a competitive atmosphere in front of Regional, Divisional and
National Staff Coaches and coaches from the professional teams.
Its Purpose
The purpose of the USASA National Select Teams Program is to serve
as an avenue to develop players for the professional leagues throughout
the United States, and to identify players of the highest caliber
for the various US National Teams. It is believed that continued
player development will lead to increased success for the professional
leagues, the National Teams Program, and the performance of US
players in the international arena.
Its Structure
The structure of the USASA National Select Teams Program begins
at the State Association level, where Men's and Women's teams
are selected from all amateur players who wish to try-out for
their respective State Select Team. The State Association then
sends its Select Team to one of the four USASA Regional Select
Teams Tournaments, which are usually held during late May through
the middle of June. There are four USASA Regions within the United
States and each Region holds its own tournament. During the Regional
Select Teams Tournament, players are reviewed and observed by
Regional, Divisional and National Coaches in an atmosphere where
condition are equitable for everyone. A Regional Select Team is
selected from the participating players by the Regional Coach.
The Regional Select Team is then invited to compete at the US
Soccer Festival.
US Soccer Festival
US Soccer Festival is usually scheduled for the first week in
August and features 6 to 8 teams in each competition (Men & Women).
In addition to the four USASA Regional Select Teams, the United
States Soccer Federation (USSF) sends several of their US National
Youth Teams depending on that years particular need of preparation
for an international competition. Other teams which may participate
from year to year are the Armed Forces Teams in the Men's competition,
the US Women's National Team (World Cup) in the Women's competition
and foreign national teams. In addition to the Regional, Divisional
and National Coaches who will be attendance, coaches from teams
within the various professional leagues are invited to scout for
potential players.
George F. Donnelly Cup
As part of each Regional Select Teams Tournament, Men's and Women's
State Select Teams compete for a Regional Select Teams Championship.
Each regional winner is then invited to participate in the "George
F. Donnelly Cup" competition. This event establishes the National
Championship for State Select Teams and it is often held during
the Martin Luther King Day weekend in January. The last few years it was held
in Florida.
