Tuesday, January 7, 2003

 

SECAUCUS, NJ - The MetroStars of Major League Soccer announced today they will field an under-17 team in the Super Y-League for the 2003 season, joining DC United as the second team from the league to participate in the nation's elite youth league.

 

"This under-17 team is a crucial part of our ongoing youth development program, " said MetroStars President/GM Nick Sakiewicz. "We are taking the next step forward towards completing a fully integrated development system."

 

The MetroStars' Super Y-League involvement continues the organization's strong commitment to developing young players, which it also currently does with the reserve squad MetroStars Black that participates in the New Jersey Champions League.

 

"We are excited to welcome the MetroStars to the Super Y-League," said league director Matt Weibe. "I am confident their team will be a success and the organization will expand its participation in the league as others from MLS also begin to develop their own youth programs and join the league. The MetroStars are a first rate organization and we are proud to have them as part of the USL family."

 

The team will utilize the resources of its MetroStars Soccer Academy to chose its Super Y-League players and assemble a coaching staff for the upcoming season.

 

DC United's youth program won the 2001 SYL U-14 Boys Championship and were U-17 Finalists in 2002's SYL Championship tournament.

 

"This is another big step forward in the creation of a vertically integrated development system where the professionals play a key role in forging the stars of the future," said United Soccer Leagues President Francisco Marcos. "With teams from every level of soccer from the professionals to the amateurs in both the United States and Canada creating their own youth programs, North America will continue to see strides made in player development."

 

The Super Y-League is an elite North American youth league designed for the top one percent of elite youth players in the United States and Canada. As a national affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the Super Y-League provides the national league structure to develop players and helps identify elite players for National Team programs through ODP status programs such as the SYL Finals and Regional Select Team weekends.

 

For the MetroStars official release please visit: