David Richardson and Chicago-area club Sockers FC were pushing player development long before it became fashionable in American youth soccer circles. From the Top Talent Program which gave players an alternative to high school, to a series of players reaching the professional ranks, Sockers have been a good model in the midst of a lot of mediocrity around the country.

So we were glad to speak with David last month at the U.S. Soccer Summit at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon after U.S. Soccer Technical Director Claudio Reyna unveiled the federation’s new player development curriculum before a gathering of Development Academy and national staff coaches.

This is what he had to say about the initiative, some of the challenges of getting the word out to the grass roots, and some of the latest developments at his own club.

Tomorrow: More response from Portland

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