Bethesda Soccer Club
Bethesda-Olney Update Exclusive
by Deb Warsaw

Eric Matzelevich named to U-17 U.S. Soccer Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida

BETHESDA, MARYLAND (USA) ---------- JANUARY 6, 2014 -------Bethesda-Olney U-16 player, Eric Matzelevich, was named to the 2014 Spring Semester U.S. Soccer Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida.

Eric Matzelevich is a forward on U16 Bethesda-Olney and was one of the players picked by U.S. Soccer MNT Head Coach Richie Williams to attend the program.

"We are excited that U.S. Soccer invited Eric to this program", said Brett Colton Coach U-16 Bethesda-Olney Academy. "This is truly an honor and a recognition for all the hard work and effort. We congratulate all the U-17 residency program players and wish them all success."

The Spring semester starts January 5, 2014 at the IMG Academies and will be the first step of other prestigious regional and world events for this U-17 group.

The U.S. Soccer Residency Program (U.S. Soccer Article)

Started in 1999, the U.S. Soccer Under-17 Residency Program has become a symbol of U.S. Soccer’s dedication to increasing the development opportunities for players and the success of the Youth National Teams.

With the recent successes of the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team, the full-time Residency Program has grown in previous years, at one point reaching a mark of 40 players. U.S. Soccer has been able to maintain a strong group of players enrolled in the program to provide greater opportunities for young players and increase its investment in player development. 

Richie Williams was named the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team head coach in January of 2012, moving into the position just a few months after being appointed the U-18 MNT head coach in October of 2011. As the U-17 MNT head coach, Williams takes on the task of leading the U.S. Soccer U-17 Residency Program, which has been in place since 1999.

The U.S. players live on campus at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., and train in the morning under the guidance of Williams and U-17 MNT assistant coaches. In the afternoon, the players attend classes at St. Stephens Episcopal School. While in the full-time residency program, the U.S. not only trains daily under Williams, but also has access to the IMG Academy’s spacious facilities. The team regularly uses IMG’s state-of-the-art strength-training facilities, as well as some of the nation’s best sports psychologists that work at the Academy. The IMG Academy includes top-of-the-line soccer equipment, three Bermuda grass fields, two swimming pools, newly renovated student housing and dining facilities.

Beginning in 1999, the Residency Program has given players an opportunity to grow and move up the ladder in the world of soccer and become professionals in Major League Soccer, some of the biggest clubs in Europe and even make an impact on the full U.S. Men's National Team.

The program in Bradenton provides players with an environment where they can prosper as individual players and come together as a team ahead of regional and world competition. More than 300 players have been through the Full Time residency program and more than 100 of those players have moved on to Major League Soccer, or the professional leagues in Europe.

- For More See:  -  http://www.ussoccer.com/Teams/Youth/US-Under17-Men/Residency.aspx   -

OTHER MEDIA 
OCTOBER 3, 2013 Bethesda-Olney Academy's Eric Matzelevich Selected to U-117 Men's National Team Residency Training 
http://www.bethesdasoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=200237&mid=228230&newskeyid=HN1&newsid=18437&ctl=newsdetail

NOVEMBER 14, 2013: Ebobisse, Madden and Matzelevich to represent U.S. Soccer at All-Star Match
http://www.bethesdasoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=200237&mid=228230&newskeyid=HN1&newsid=19647&ctl=newsdetail

DECEMBER 16, 2013: Three Bethesda-Olney Players Named to All-Slect Roster at 2013 Academy Winter Showcase 
http://www.bethesdasoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=200237&mid=228230&newskeyid=HN1&newsid=20085&ctl=newsdetail