Alex Bramall and Rafael Diaz have already combined for 17,000 frequent flyer miles this spring.  Diaz went to Northern Ireland to compete in the 2007 Ballymena Tournament with the Men’s U17 National Team in April, and Bramall went to Argentina on an international training camp with the Boy’s U15 National Team.  And while these two trips provided them with experience playing top competition outside the United States, no trip held as much promise to fulfill a dream as the extra 5,400 miles each accumulated traveling to Irvine, CA, for the U.S.F.C. International Youth Soccer Showcase with fellow Player Development Academy (PDA) teammate Alex Beverin.

“There has never been anything like this before in the history of US youth soccer for super elite players to showcase themselves in front of top European coaches and technical directors,” says U.S.F.C. Technical Director, Don Ebert.  “The players coming out of PDA are of the highest caliber and we know they can excel in any environment, domestically or internationally.”

Alex Bramall (MF) is a freshman at Newburgh Free Academy, in Newburgh, NY.  Along with playing on the 2007 Boy’s U15 National team, in 2006 he was selected to the 2006 National ODP team.  Commenting on the showcase, Bramall said that, “Being one of the youngest [payers here], I get to see how good I’m going to be when I’m their age, and try and catch up with them.”  After listening to the European representatives Bramall said that, “[European] kids aren’t that much better than us, until we go to college, and they go to a professional environment, and then the talent divide widens.”

Rafael Diaz (GK), who before playing on the U17 Men’s National Team was a member of the 2006 Region 1 ODP squad, said that, “We [US youth players] all have the talent; we just have to improve everyday.”  “[Especially] when we get older, because that’s what separates US players from European players.”

Also a member of the 2006 Region 1 ODP team, Matt Beverin (MF), a Jr. at Glen Rock High School in North New Jersey, was named to both the 2006 WGHT (North Jersey radio station) All-Area and 3rd Team All-Bergen County teams.  Helping his team to a 16-3 season record, Beverin felt that the showcase was, a “great experience.”  He noticed that the, “coaches look for excellent technique.  They [European teams] need guys with good feet.”

Helping select these players was PDA Boys Technical Director Gerry McKeown.  McKeown, who played collegiately at N.C. State and professionally in the ASL, MISL and USL, is also an assistant coach with the U15 Boys National Team.  While at N.C. State he earned All-ACC honors and led the team to a Top 20 National Ranking, ACC championship, and NCAA runner-up.  Professionally he has played for the Carolina Lightnin', the Carolina Gold and the St. Louis Steamers, as well as U.S. Open Cup champs FC Kristi.  Recently, McKeown was named the id2 Program Director where he will direct and manage the scouting team, player nominations, and player selections.

PDA was recently selected as one of the first Academy Programs accepted by the US Soccer Development Academy Program.  This recognition alludes to their success as a club across all age levels.  Since their creation in 1998, as part of USYS, they have been National Champions twice, National Finalists six times, and have won nine Region 1 Premier titles, 19 Regional Championships and 56 state championships.  Additionally, in 2005/2006, they had a National and three Regional US Club championships.

Located in Zarepheth, New Jersey, PDA has 22 teams and a world-class soccer facility with ten fully manicured and irrigated fields for games and training (four of which are lighted), a full-size outdoor Field-Turf field, offices, and a study hall.  The PDA program focuses on the development of the individual as a student athlete and as a citizen, while promoting teamwork and sportsmanship 

PDA is a member of the U.S.F.C. Discovery Club Network; a network of elite club soccer programs throughout the nation that embody the talent and passion needed to create European caliber football players.