Kimball Union and Seacoast United goalkeeper Kosta Maniatis. (Mike Gridley/New England Soccer Journal)
One of the most controversial points behind the Development Academy is that players can't suit up for their high school team in the fall.
Now, clubs can circumvent this by administering waivers, but they typically aren't handed out like candy. Most clubs prefer to work with the same group of players throughout an entire 10-month season, and introducing newcomers at the midway point can through off a group's calculus.
But this spring, Seacoast United has taken a different approach with its U-19 team. The club from Epping, N.H., now coached by Keith Beaty, has welcomed a large group of prep school players – both for development purposes and in search of a boost up the Northeast Division.
