At its core, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy is focused on elevating young talents from prospects into complete players who are prepared to make an impact at the next level, wherever that may be.
To reach that point, the 10-month season places a premium on technique, tactics and soccer IQ. But there are also broader takeaways that transcend the sport, and one certainly applies to this year’s Boston Bolts U-17 team.
Primarily comprised of 2004s who were part of a Bolts U-15 side that finished third in the Northeast Division last year, they haven’t encountered quite the same smooth sailing at the 2019-20 season’s midway point. Now U-17s, positive results often proved elusive in league and Winter Cup action.