Texas Rush joins U.S. Soccer Girls’ Development Academy

HOUSTON, Texas – Texas Rush Soccer Club is pleased to announce that it has been accepted into the newly formed U.S. Soccer Girls’ Development Academy. U.S. Soccer has announced 22 additional clubs that will be a part of the Girls’ Development Academy, bringing the total number of clubs to 74. The program is designed to accelerate the development of world-class female players and will begin play in the fall of 2017.

Club applications were evaluated and accepted by U.S. Soccer’s technical staff based on the following criteria:


Leadership of the club and quality of the coaching staff

Desire to embrace and promote the core values of the program

U.S. Soccer license levels of coaching staff Infrastructure of the club and the resources currently being invested in development (facilities, scholarships, staff to player ratio, etc.)

History of player production for Youth National Teams, the senior Women’s National Team and professional leagues

Market and depth of the player pool, geographic location and travel implications and proximity to other elite clubs

The program will feature three combined age groups: U-14/15, U-16/17 and U-18/19. Clubs will be expected to train a minimum of four times a week. The use of combined age groups will require clubs to form teams with a balanced roster of players from two distinct birth years.

Texas Rush has participated in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy since 2008. The invitation extended to our club demonstrates the years of success working with U.S. Soccer at the national level. Beginning in the fall of 2017, Texas Rush will be the only youth soccer club in Houston to participate in both the boys’ and girls’ Development Academy.

Nick O’Shea, Director of Girls Player Development, on the Girls’ DA announcement: “ It is very rewarding to know that U.S. Soccer recognizes the quality work the players and staff are doing here at Texas Rush. It is important for the development of our female players that we continue to offer all levels of competition – this league will be a new platform for our elite players. Having worked with many of the U.S. Soccer staff in the past, I know our players will have an excellent experience. It is a great time to be a young female soccer player in the Houston area and in particular at Texas Rush.”

Click HERE to read the full announcement from U.S. Soccer.