New York Red Bulls Training Programs
Level 2: Red Bulls Academy
Level 2, the Red Bulls Academy, is an elite development program that is an integral part of the Red Bulls Player Development System. Many young players aspire to play for the Red Bulls Academy, as this is where they can develop into professional or college team prospects. Players in the Academy train and play in a professional environment against some of the top local, domestic and international clubs. The Academy is cost-free for participants who earn a spot on one of the teams.
Academy players are selected from the Regional Development Schools and by the Red Bulls scouting network. In 2008, the Red Bulls Academy Teams enjoyed tremendous success. The U-20s qualified for the Super-20 North American Championship. Several players from this squad were called into their respective U-20 national teams including Yannick Salmon (Jamaica), Anthony Vasquez (Puerto Rico), Walter Hines (Costa Rica) and Matt Kassel (USA). The U-18s finished in second place in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the United States Development Academy (USDA) and two players from the U-18s were selected to the inaugural USDA Starting 11: Kassel and Cesar Blacido.
The U-16 Red Bulls finished in third place in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the USDA. The U-15s won the New Jersey State Cup and advanced to the semifinals of the Region 1 Championship. John Agudelo of the U-15s was selected to the U.S. U-17 Residency Program in Florida. Finally, in Aug. 2008, a team comprised of Red Bulls U-15-U17 players defeated Italian U-17 Champions, Inter-Milan, 3-1.
