Players in photo - Clockwise from upper left Manuel Chavez, Josh Barrera, Cameron Niccum, Juan Nino, and Jonny Torres.

One of the newest club teams in the USSF Development Academy is building for the future.

It’s doing pretty well in the present too.

Texas Rush AHFC head coach Donald Cameron dotted his U16 roster with 1993 and 1994 birth year players, meaning they will often be playing up against 1992 birth year players in the age group. Cameron said the team is learning quickly.

“It’s our first year in academy. We had a good preseason and we’re using a lot of younger players. It’s a good balance and the boys are pretty excited to be in the league,” he said. “In the early part of the season we played well. We are starting to play in the environment now where you have national referees being assessed. It makes the game flow a little bit better and helps the boys, just as the rules with subs help the boys understand they need to be fit for the full 80 minutes.”

Cameron added that the environment, while geared toward preparing for a professional setup, also helps prepare players for the rigors of college soccer.

“With the travel they have to manage their academic schedule well,” he said. “It prepares them much better for future travel and it teaches them to manage their time better.”

The team is composed largely of players from previous teams at Texas Rush and Albion Hurricanes, but has also drawn others from the Greater Houston area. Cameron said he is happy with how the group has meshed in a short period of time.

Standouts on the team include leading goalscorer Jonny Torres, left winger Manuel Chavez, central midfielders Juan Nino and Josh Barrera plus defender Cameron Niccum.

Enhancing Cameron’s reputation as a solid tactician and developer of talent is the fact that the Scotsman is a devoted fan of Glasgow Rangers.