2007 id2 Program Details & Philosophy

McKeown Named id2 Director

US Club Soccer believes that the ODP is a worthwhile program, which has played an important role in the development of some of our best soccer talent. However, ODP should not be the only avenue for player identification. Program participation numbers and budgets dictate that key players with potential may be overlooked, some cannot afford the expense or time involved. Other non-competitive issues are sometimes factored into the selection process as well. US Club Soccer, therefore, is revolutionizing the way the country’s top youth players are identified and developed with the id2 program. The program takes a fresh approach to identifying and developing the nation’s best players. Unlike ODP, parents do not have to assume the expense of multiple costly tryout camps (that also remove players from their club programs for significant periods of time) to ensure their players are seen by id2 scouts. id2 identifies players in their own environment as they compete with their club teams. With our scouts spread out across the country observing players as they compete with their club teams throughout the year, the selection process is apolitical. Players are identified regardless of their affiliation (i.e. US Club Soccer, USYSA, AYSO, non-affiliated, etc.). 2007 Program to Encourage Diversity & Player Expression MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (May 14, 2007) - Nike and US Club Soccer announced today the hiring of Gerry McKeown as id2 Director. McKeown will direct and manage the scouting team, player nominations and player selections for the 2007 id2 program. "Gerry McKeown is one of the most respected coaches in the United States and has a proven track record of success in identifying and developing players," said Nike's Director of U.S. Soccer Sports Marketing Joe Elsmore. "Gerry is an excellent addition to US Club Soccer and the id2 program" "Gerry brings a wealth of coaching experience, particularly at the elite youth level, to this position," said US Club Soccer Executive Director Bill Sage. "He is well-versed in building player development programs and possesses vast knowledge of current club programs and club coaches, who we rely on for player recommendations. With his qualifications, Gerry will elevate id2 and further help the program achieve its goal of identifying the country's top young boys and girls' talent." McKeown has spent the past 23 years coaching at both the collegiate and club level. He began his coaching career in 1984 after playing collegiately at N.C. State, followed by stints in the American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League and United Soccer League. Currently, the Summit, N.J. resident works as the Boys DOC at PDA and as an assistant coach with the U-15 Boys' National Team. "I am excited about having the opportunity to direct the 2007 id2 program," said McKeown. "Last year's event was a huge success and judging from the id2 participants involved in our National Team programs the process is really working." 2007 id2 Program Details & Philosophy The 2007 id2 program will culminate with three regional training camps, which will be held in late September and early October. The camps' exact dates and locations will be announced shortly. Boys born in 1994 and 1995 and girls born in 1993 and 1994 will be identified to participate in the id2 Regional Training Camps. US Soccer Youth Development Program staff will be on site at each of the id2 Regional Training Camps to scout players for possible inclusion in the National Team Programs. In 2007, the id2 selection team will focus on increasing the diversity of the player pool. To extend the program's reach beyond the traditional player make-up, "Urban Champions" will serve as scouting contacts for under-served communities including the inner city. The 2007 id2 scouting team will also seek to identify players who express creativity on the field. "By applying these criteria to the 2007 id2 program, we hope to inject the National Team programs with players who are unpredictable and capable of breaking down defenses based on one-v-one skills or sheer guile," said McKeown. The id2 Scouting Process The id2 scouting team has already begun identifying players for inclusion in the 2007 id2 Regional Training Camps as they compete in their own environment with their club teams. id2 scouts from across the country will evaluate players at all eight 2007 US Club Soccer National Cup VI Regionals, which kick off Memorial Day weekend and continue through the Fourth of July weekend, as well as matches and tournaments staged throughout the summer. Parents do not have to pay fees and travel costs to multiple expensive tryout camps to insure their players are seen by id2 scouts. The id2 selection process is apolitical as players are identified regardless of their affiliation (i.e. US Club Soccer, USYSA, AYSO, non-affiliated, etc.). The id2 Regional Training Camps Once players arrive at the four-day id2 Regional Training Camps, US Club Soccer covers all player expenses. Nike, the Official Equipment Supplier of US Club Soccer, provides players with training uniforms, balls, bags and other equipment. Top club, collegiate and national team staff coaches will conduct the id2 Regional Training Camps, which consist of training sessions, matches and question and answer sessions. Further announcements about staffing will be made in the coming months. About US Club Soccer US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive club soccer in the United States. It has been a member of the United States Soccer Federation since July 2001, and has grown to over 2,300 member clubs and league teams in 48 states. In addition to sanctioning tournaments, leagues, and other competitions and conducting a range of programs for its members, it annually conducts the US Club Soccer National Cup, the Champions Cup and several Youth World Series events. US Club Soccer also conducts its own annual player identification and development program, id2. For more information, visit www.usclubsoccer.org.