About FC Dallas Academy

DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY IN MADRID

The FC Dallas Academy's recent trip to Madrid was a whirlwind of action. After playing eight games, taking part in three training sessions, attending two Real Madrid first team games, taking tours of two historic Spanish cities and sitting through two international flights in an eight-day time span, the FCD U-18s and U-16s certainly got a taste of what life can be like for a professional athlete. And according to FC Dallas Youth Director of Coaching Chris Hayden, that was the point. "What we're doing is preparing players for a time when they're playing at a higher level, hopefully professional soccer," said Hayden the day before leaving for the trip. "We feel like this opportunity will prepare them for some moment later when they have to step into a big game."

ACADEMY UPDATE The FC Dallas U-16 and U-18 Academy teams have been busy since their return from Spain last Wednesday. In addition to four of the U-18 Academy players being called into the first team reserve game against the US U-20s on Thursday evening, Friday marked the kickoff of the MLS U-17 Cup quadrangular here in Frisco. MLS Academies have had several unique opportunities to compete against each other in preparation for the U-17 final that will take place this July. The team traveled to Las Vegas in February before hosting the second regional event last weekend in Frisco. "This is organic soccer," said Hunt Sports Group Vice President Dan Hunt. "Opportunities to test ourselves against other MLS opponents are critical to gauge our overall development. It also allows our players opportunities to have unique competition during a time of year when they are not engaged in regular league play with the Development Academy."

FCDY COACH OF THE WEEK The FC Dallas Youth coach of the week is Francisco Molina. Molina is a staff coach for the FC Dallas Development Academy and also the head coach for the 97 Boys Premier team. Under Molina's direction this year, the 97 Boys Premier have won the Region III Premier League in the U-14 Division and will be representing the club at the Southern Regionals this June. In addition, the 97 Premier team are the Grand Champions of the U-14 Classic League Division I for 2010-2011, outscoring opponents by a 55-5 margin.

THE NEXT SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE CAMPS ARE COMING

The next round of FC Dallas School of Excellence Soccer Camps are coming this June. Register today! FC Dallas Juniors Player Camp (04's, 03's, 02's) June 20-23rd, 9:00am to 12:00pm daily at Pizza Hut Park ; FCD Junior Player Promotional Code: juniors11 ($50.00 discount); FC Dallas Elite Male Residential Camp (00's, 99's, 98's, 97's, 96's) June 5-9th, Sunday to Thursday all day/overnight program for boys at Pizza Hut Park ; FCD Select Player Promotional Code: elite11 ($100.00 discount) ; FC Dallas Elite Female Residential Camp (00's, 99's, 98's, 97's, 96's) June 12-16th, Sunday to Thursday all day/overnight program for girls at Pizza Hut Park ; FCD Select Player Promotional Code: elite11 ($100.00 discount) ; FC Dallas Advanced Player Camp (01's, 00's, 99's, 98's, 97's) June 20-23rd, 9:00am to 3:30pm daily at Pizza Hut Park ; FCD Select Player Promotional Code: select11 ($75.00 discount)