Sounders FC already training youth players

The basic structure of the Seattle Sounders FC player development pyramid is in place and youth talent is already being trained by the fledgling Major League Soccer club.

This information and much more can be heard on the June 19 Seattle Soccer Show audio webcast.
Sounders FC Youth Director Darren Sawatzky talks about the system and what is planned and what is already underway.

In order to meet MLS standards and keep players eligible to eventually be on a Sounders U-23 MLS reserves squad the players must get 100 training hours per year, starting now. So a number of players have already been selected for this training from ODP's (Olympic Development Programs) and local academy clubs.

These players will start to compete under the Seattle MLS youth banner later this year when the logistics of leagues are confirmed. The likely league destination is a regional USSF Academy League.

Here's the Seattle Sounders FC "Pyramid"

Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
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U-23 MLS Reserves
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U-15-16-17-18
(Co-Op with local elite academies)
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WSYSA Co-Op with ODP
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Elite training and Development
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Summer Programs and all-access training