CHICAGO – U.S. Soccer has announced the first 25 clubs that will be a part of the Girls’ Development Academy, an initiative designed to accelerate the development of world-class female players that will begin play in the fall of 2017.

The program “will focus on positively impacting everyday club environments to maximize elite female youth player development,” according to a federation press release. Increasing the training-to-game ratio, playing fewer but more meaningful games and providing assistance for coaching education and development are leading standards and best practices for the Girls DA.

“Launching a Girls’ Development Academy is part of an unprecedented commitment to elevating the women’s game,” said U.S. Soccer Women’s Technical Director April Heinrichs in the release. “The Development Academy program will offer clubs support and education to positively impact the development of players and coaches throughout the country.”

Since 2007, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy has served as the elite male youth player development model for the country for players, coaches, referees and clubs alike. The Girls’ Development Academy will be structured with many of the same principles and will begin play next fall.

“We all know how important it is to create the correct environment and expectations for elite playerdevelopment, something that was highlighted for me during my time as Development Director for our youth women’s national teams,” said U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis.

“The Development Academy is an important step forward to continue the growth of the women’s game inthe United States, and to create the best pathway for players to reach their full potential.”

The following 25 clubs are the first being admitted to the Girls’ Development Academy, with more membership announcements “taking place in the near future,” according to USSF:

Beach SC (Torrance, Calif.)

FC Dallas (Frisco, Texas)

Real Colorado (Highlands Ranch, Co.)

Boston Breakers (Watertown, Mass.)

LAFC-Slammers (Los Angeles, Calif.)

San Diego Surf (San Diego, Calif.)

CASL (Raleigh, N.C.) Lamorinda

(Moraga, Calif.) Seattle Reign (Seattle, Wash.)

Cincinnati Development Academy (Kings Hammer/CUP) (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Michigan Hawks (Livonia, Mich.)

Sky Blue FC-PDA (Bernardsville, N.J.)

Mustang (Danville, Calif.)

So Cal Blues (Rancho Capistrano, Calif.)

Colorado Rush (Littleton, Co.)

Orlando Pride/City SC (Orlando, Fla.)

Sockers FC (Palatine, Ill.)

Concorde Fire (Atlanta, Ga.)

Penn Fusion SA (Westtown, Pa.)

Solar Chelsea SC (Dallas, Texas)

Crossfire (Redmond, Wash.)

Portland Thorns (Portland, Ore.)

Washington Spirit (Boyds, Md.)

De Anza Force (Saratoga, Calif.)

Tophat NTH (Atlanta, Ga.)

These first 25 clubs have a total of 119 staff and coaches that hold a U.S. Soccer A or B Coaching License, and include 91 coaches who are employed on a full-time basis.  To date, these clubs have produced 307 players for U.S. Soccer’s national teams (youth and senior) as well as 84 professional soccer players.

In addition, this group will be providing 276 full scholarships with a total of $1.49 million of scholarship funds being contributed.

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