U.S. Soccer has announced that five new clubs will join the U.S. Soccer Development Academy for the 2009-10 season.  

Debuting next season will be California Development Academy (Sacramento, Calif.), Houston Dynamo (Houston, Texas), Kansas City Wizards Juniors (Kansas City, Mo.), McLean Youth Soccer (McLean, Va.) and NJSA 04 (Holmdel, N.J.), bringing the academy club total to 79.

The five Academy clubs were selected from a pool of 250 applicants after an extensive review process. Clubs were selected based on their potential to generate future national team players as determined by geographic location, history of player production, coaching staff and administrative capabilities. Information was gathered through the national team scouting network, including more than 50 site evaluations.
 
Kansas City and Houston become the ninth and tenth MLS clubs to participate in the Academy program, joining the Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, D. C. United, Los Angeles Galaxy, New England Revolution and New York Red Bulls.

In northern California, Placer United and San Juan Soccer Club (previous picture), two top clubs in the Sacramento area, joined forces to form California Development Academy, with Placer United Director of Coaching Nathan Williams taking the helm of the U15/16 squad and San Juan SC Director of Coaching Billy Wiskel leading the U17/18 Academy team. The two coaches will serve as Co-Directors of Coaching for California Development Academy.

Launched in the fall of 2007, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy is currently in the second year of its mission to enhance high-level soccer training across the country.