U.S. Soccer Academy Trip- North Meck SC

Donning their new North Meck SC US Soccer Academy “HendricksCars.com” red tops players’ boarded US Airways flight number 705 for their desert destination.

During the plane ride players worked on homework, jammed to their iPods, chatted with coaches and watched footage from their various high school seasons.

For U-16 Jordan Chillson, he says he was a little uneasy first flight experience, “I was a little nervous and got a bit queasy. I just wondered how that big of a plane is supposed to get airborne! When we hit that first patch of turbulence, I looked over to (fellow U-16) John Pouliot, who told to me to relax and that it’s normal.”

Following the four and a half hour flight to Phoenix the North Meck SC US Soccer Academy players piled into vans and headed straight to a pasta dinner.

After plenty of carbohydrates, calories and fluids for the demanding weekend ahead, NMSC players paraded into the Courtyard Marriot at around 11 pm mountain time. And just like that, the North Meck SC US Soccer Academy teams were ready for their first day at the 2010 Development Academy Winter Showcase.

Just short trip from the hotel the Reach 11 Sports Complex appears as an oasis in the Martian like landscape that is Phoenix Arizona. The sprawling 73 acre soccer complex is broken into two phases and houses 18 lighted, international soccer fields.

The top players from North Meck SC were both anxious and nervous to take the pitch in front of a crowd littered with collegiate scouts from around the nation. Both teams were well aware of the fact that their performances this weekend could help determine where they will compete in the coming years at the next level. But after the opening whistle blew, those thoughts were as far away as Richard Barry Park as the players focused on the challenge in front of them- the Chicago Sockers.


The U-16’s played to a 0-0 draw while the U-18’s lost the earlier contest 1-0. Day one was deemed a success as there were numerous signs of progress from last year and plenty of positives to take away from the field.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle for our players is the fact that they have had only a handful of opportunities to train together due to the postseason success at their respective High School programs.

Day one was also highlighted by what was considered to be the largest non-playing attraction for the participants of the 2010 Development Academy Winter Showcase; the U-17 National team matchup between USA and Brazil.


This year marks the first time that the six-game round-robin event will be played as a tournament with the champion taking home some hardware. It is also one of the last events for the U-17MNT before the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in February.

Fans of the beautiful game gathered in the thousands at the “stadium field” to watch the highly anticipated matchup that was broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel. The level of play was superb but the competition, which was considered to be of the “friendly” format, was anything but- There was plenty of color on display during the match coming from both the beautiful desert sunset as well as what was shown by the referee’s hand. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.

NMSC players wrapped up their first full day in Arizona with team meetings, a large meal and an early curfew in preparation for the morning matches tomorrow. On day two our NMSC US Soccer Academy teams will square off against Met Oval Academy from New York.

Go North Meck SC!