Crossfire Premier scores spot in AS Roma’s United States soccer academy program
Published 11:26 am Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Tack a goal on the scoresheet for Redmond’s Crossfire Premier soccer club.
AS Roma announced the addition of five elite U.S. youth soccer academies to its world-renowned USA Academy program on Nov. 20. Those clubs — including Crossfire — join the most authentic, collaborative, progressive and holistic youth academy among professional soccer clubs.
Founded in 1927, the legendary AS Roma plays in the world-renowned Italian Serie A soccer league. The club is owned by Boston-based James Pallotta and is the only Italian league team owned and managed by a United States-based group. AS Roma is currently competing in the 2015-16 UEFA Champions League — the annual European club soccer competition and one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world.
For the U.S. academies, a partnership with AS Roma allows for accelerated player development and broadened exposure for their already top-tier youth club. AS Roma provides U.S. academies the same resources and year-round support as it does for its Italian academies.
“We are thrilled to welcome these five elite US clubs to the AS Roma family,” said AS Roma President James Pallotta. “We are extremely proud of our USA Academy program that continues to distinguish itself from what other professional soccer clubs are doing in the U.S. It is a special nationwide partnership network that delivers real value to each of our clubs and we are in constant communication with each club in a collaborative way to find innovative ways to make the program even stronger.”
Crossfire Premier teams compete at the highest possible level of youth soccer in the United States; namely, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy for boys and the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) for girls, and the club operates a holistic, professional development program designed to provide top players in the state and region with the best development opportunities available, including advancement to college and professional levels of play. Of teams in the U.S. Development Academy, Crossfire is the only non-professional club in the Pacific Northwest.
“This new relationship with AS Roma allows our players and coaches to gain opportunities unprecedented in American youth soccer,” said Crossfire Premier Director Bernie James. “AS Roma operates one of the premier academy development programs in the world, and we all already know that their teams compete on a global stage. Through this relationship, our coaches will gain insight into best practices gained through decades of top-level development experience, and that’s information and expertise that will be passed directly on to our players. We have added another level to what’s possible through Crossfire Premier.”
