By Matthew Press ’14, Staff Writer

The United States Soccer Federation recently announced a new rule that prevents soccer players that play on Academy teams from being able to play with their high school soccer teams. This is due to Academy soccer moving to a 10-month season. The controversial new rule was first enacted on the west coast in Oregon, and parts of California and Washington, but is now expanding across the country.

To quote the United States Soccer Federation, “We are competing in a global marketplace. We are not just trying to prepare elite players for college and the pro ranks in the United States; we are trying to prepare players to compete against the best clubs and international teams from around the world.” The recent disappointment of the United States under-23 Olympic qualifying team has fueled speculation that America has to retool its youth program in order to compete against the top national teams not only in CONCACAF, but in the entire world.

I personally agree with this new rule. The United States national team has never been able to compete against the top teams in the world like Spain and England. Therefore, the youth soccer program needs to improve. The United States needs to group these top players from around the country together so they are used to playing in these competitive environments, which prepares these players not only for college and professional play, but also on the international stage.

However, high school players around the country are being torn between playing for their academy team or their high school team. It tests the integrity of the players. Some coaches and parents argue that “taking kids off their high school teams goes against the players’ best interests. It denies the players of their high school experiences with their friends and unfairly puts the players the middle of a tug-of-war between their schools and their club”(Santa Cruz Sentinel).

Our very own Nick Williams plays for Match Fit Academy, which is one of the premier teams and soccer clubs in the state. Due to this recent rule implemented, Nick will not be able to play for the Newark Academy soccer team for his senior season. This loss will have a big impact on the team, which looked for Nick to score goals with his raw speed and his composure in front of the goal in the attacking third.

Williams says,  “I understand the new rule because it does help develop players at the Academy level, which is the highest level of competition in US Soccer, but I really don’t like it because it takes away the emotional aspect of high school soccer with all the fans and the support and school pride.”

Although this is a huge loss, Nick and other Academy players around the country are helping to contribute to the improvement of the United States national team for the future.