Cosmos Granted Academy Status For U-12 Age Goup

The New York Cosmos announced Monday that they have been recognized by U.S. Soccer as a development academy for young players born in 2002 and 2003.

This approval allows the club to start developing young players during the 2016 season, including identifying talent in the New York area, advancing players’ skills as well as exposing them to a professional training environment and more competitive games.

“This is a huge step for us” New York Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said. “In 2013 we spoke about our ambition to have our own academy, giving young players a pathway to first team and national soccer. Over the last year we have worked hard to lay the foundations for our academy and this is what we have been working towards."

The announcement comes after a productive six months during which time the club announced its Academy Affiliates Program, partnering with 19 youth soccer clubs in the New York metropolitan area. Shortly after the program’s inception, Savarese led a number of talent identification centers, forming a potential shortlist of academy players.

New York Cosmos Chief Operating Officer Erik Stover said: “We are delighted that we have been given academy status. Youth development is an important part of this club and now we can work towards fine-tuning our infrastructure with young players at the heart.”

Applications for the U-13 and U-14 age groups are still pending with U.S. Soccer and should be announced during the first few months of 2016.

Further announcements regarding open try outs for the U-12 age group will be made in the New Year.