Mason Cavalier
Washingtonspirit.com
Boyds, MD., (10/23/20) -The Washington Spirit continued the club’s 2020 Advanced Development Program (ADP) cycle last Wednesday with a training and classroom session at the Maryland Soccerplex.
The session was an exclusive, invite-only session that featured 28 field players and four goalkeepers from 10 different youth clubs between the age groups U17-U19. Invites were issued based on recommendations from local Club Directors, US Soccer Scouts and the Washington Spirit scouting program.
The classroom session was highlighted by presentations from Talent Development & Market Scouting Manager KJ Spisak, Player Analysis & Team Performance Coach Carrie Kveton, High-Performance Director Michael Minthorne, and Washington Spirit Player Averie Collins.
Spisak, Kveton, and Minthorne also ran portions of the on-field training session, as well as Team Tactical Analysis & Player Performance Development Coach Kris Ward.
The sessions provided invaluable insight into the players who attended the ADP, and allowed them to display their skills in front of both Spirit coaches and US Soccer Scouts that were in attendance.
“The collaborative effort of the ADP program and US Soccer Talent ID in the East region has a dual function for the players’ pathway. Some will be identified for YNT programming, others for college, and perhaps later, the pro pathway,” said US Soccer Talent Identification Manager Diane Drake.
“The ADP program allows both the Washington Spirit the opportunity to see the learning ability of players while monitoring them as future potential pros and at the same time allows US soccer to evaluate talents and top talents in a higher-level environment.”
Also in attendance was Spirit Pro Team Head Coach and Director of Football Richie Burke who spoke with players, offering perspective on the path to becoming a professional player, placing emphasis on the professional culture and training routines at the Spirit organization.
“This session was the first this season where local talent in the DMV area was given the opportunity to display their ability to the US Soccer scouts and the Washington Spirit staff,” said Kveton.
“We look forward to continuing to work with these skillful players to help guide them in their individual development in hopes of one day, they will be representing the Spirit badge.”
Spisak said this on the purpose of the sessions: “The ADP was created and designed to assist in the identification of youth players for US Soccer and the Washington Spirit. It is one of many ways we are assisting in the development of players within our market in conjunction with our club partners and US Soccer.”
Spisak continued: “The DMV is a rich history of producing top soccer talent in the country and we want to use our resources and knowledge in continuing that legacy. Last night we were watching a highly talented group of the next wave of pros.”
