While the East Regional Training Camp is the first of a pair of id2 regional events, the current age group cycle has been underway for months. Eleven one-day id2 Selection events were held throughout the country, spanning September to early December, of which top performers from those id2 Selections are selected to id2 Regional Training Camps. The progression continues past these East Coast- and West Coast-based events, as 18 boys and girls will be selected for the coveted id2 National Selection International Tours based on their performances in the camps. The international trips will take place in April, and more information will be announced in the coming weeks.

During the id2 East Regional Training Camp, players were treated to instruction from a collection of the country’s best club coaches. Curriculum was designed by id2 head coaches Benjamin Ziemer (boys) and Erin Sharpe (girls). Ziemer and Sharpe, both representing NorCal Premier Soccer, were complemented by four assistant coaches apiece. On the boys side, those coaches were: Darel Russell (Heat FC), Michael Dowling (Florida Elite SA), Lewis Dougherty (South Carolina Surf SC) and Ryan Onwukwe (Sockers FC). And on the girls side, those coaches were: Meg Morris (United Futbol Academy), Kerri Hanks (Gainesville Soccer Alliance), Meotis Erikson (IFA New England) and Kam Stablein (The Keeper Institute). Several U.S. Soccer personnel were on-site throughout the weekend to scout for potential invitations to U.S. youth national team programming.

The id2 Program is a leader in player identification and development, as it provides opportunities for elite athletes to be identified, developed and scouted for inclusion in U.S. Soccer’s youth national team programming. The id2 Program is an Olympic Development Program approved by the United States Olympic Committee and the U.S. Soccer Federation. There is no cost for players to participate or be scouted, and all meals, lodging and gear are provided by US Club Soccer and Nike. This approach to eliminating barriers to entry helps ensure the best players are able to participate.

id2 Programming:

Scouting / invitation process

The id2 Program is invitation-only. The scouting process relies on a network of scouts throughout the country who evaluate players during competitions and in their local markets. US Club Soccer also receives recommendations from Directors of Coaching for player leads.

id2 Selection events

id2 Selection events are one-day programs that include scouted, tactical training sessions and an 11v11 match. Regional leagues – like National Premier Leagues member leagues – throughout the country co-host these events with US Club Soccer to facilitate a more comfortable scouting and developmental experience for players. Top performers are then invited to participate in id2 Training Camps. Typically, 30 boys and 30 girls participate in id2 Selection events.

id2 Regional Training Camps

id2 Training Camps are three-day regional identification and development camps, in which players – 36 boys and 36 girls – participate in a multi-faceted experience of training sessions and games, as well as off-the-field presentations and discussions. There will be two id2 Regional Training Camps in the current cycle targeting 2011-born players. id2 staff lead the camps alongside a collection of top club coaches from around the country. Camps include carefully curated itineraries, balancing on-field training and scrimmages, classroom presentations, nutrition and recovery. Players receive evaluations from their camp coaches to help continue their developmental journeys in their club environments back home. id2 staff share player ratings and feedback with U.S. Soccer youth national team staff for potential invitations to future youth national team programming. Watch a “day in the life” of an id2 participant from a past training camp here.

id2 National Selection teams

The final programming element of each id2 cycle is the selection of id2 National Selection boys and girls teams. Selected players travel internationally to train with each other and compete against some of the world’s best academy teams. Numerous professional players are former id2 National Selection team members, including: Christian Pulisic, Lindsey Horan, Tim Weah, Trinity Rodman and Tyler Adams. In addition to meals, lodging and gear being provided by US Club Soccer and Nike, travel for all players is also covered. The id2 all-time Best XI lists are available at usclubsoccer.org/id2.