Biosteel YNT Regional ID Centers Return This Fall to Build Player Pool Nationwide
One-Day Events Resume, Bringing Together Top Male and Female Youth Players in Markets Across the Country
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CHICAGO (Sept. 21, 2021)-- After a successful launch earlier this year, BioSteel YNT Regional Identification Centers are returning to the field this fall to continue building the YNT player pool across the country. From March to June, U.S. Soccer hosted 17 BioSteel ID Centers nationwide, evaluating nearly 1,000 of the country’s top players.
The BioSteel ID Centers serve to expand the YNT player pool, gathering top young male and female players in a competitive environment designed to challenge them against other elite talents and introduce U.S. Soccer principles of play. U.S. Soccer Talent Identification identifies and selects players for the ID Centers. The events are run by Talent ID Directors and Managers, YNT coaches and YNT Network Scouts.
“Our Talent ID Managers, scouts and YNT Coaches are very happy to continue the YNT Regional ID Centers this fall and re-engage with players on the field,” said Mirelle van Rijbroek, Girls’ Director of Talent Identification. “The Regional YNT ID Centers are a key strategy to help us expand our YNT player pools. They’re a great opportunity to bring together each region’s top talents and see them play in a highly competitive session. It’s a challenging and inspiring environment that replicates the YNT environment and conditions and is a valuable chance to introduce YNT principles of play.”
The first set of fall ID Centers were held earlier this month in Dallas, New York and Los Angeles for girls and in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, New York and Austin, Texas for boys. In September, boys’ events are also scheduled in Tampa, Fla. and Northern California. Girls’ events are set for Indianapolis and Northern California.BioSteel is the official hydration drink of U.S. Soccer and is committed to helping the Federation find the next generation of USMNT and USWNT players. BioSteel is supporting the athletes at the ID Centers with hydration products and sideline equipment to maximize their experience, so that they can focus on performance.
“Our Talent ID Managers, YNT Coaches and scouts finished the spring ID Centers feeling very excited about the future after working with so many high potential players, so we’ve been looking forward to scheduling these opportunities again,” said Tony Lepore, Boys’ Director of Talent Identification. “The ID Centers are an important part of our YNT scouting, along with assessing players’ potential in their own club environment, and these events will help us build and expand our player pools for upcoming YNT camps as well as the future success of our senior National Teams.”
The ID Centers follow U.S. Soccer’s strict COVID-19 safety protocols are held with the approval of the Federation’s Chief Medical Officer and COVID-19 task force.
The events take place in centralized, strategically selected markets across the country, bringing together potential YNT players from within driving distance. Each ID Center includes a morning and afternoon session with roughly 30 players each.
Before the players take the field, Talent ID Managers and YNT coaches lead virtual meetings with players, parents and staff to review technical objectives and safety protocols and to help participants prepare for the sessions. BioSteel Regional ID Centers only take place at outdoor training facilities and all sessions are closed to the public, with no spectators allowed.
ABOUT BIOSTEEL
BioSteel is a North American operated sports hydration company that was built on the mandate of providing the safest, healthiest and most effective sports drink on the market. BioSteel's line includes a range of nutritional products including sports drinks, proteins, and everyday essentials. BioSteel products are currently readily available across North America, and globally with select retail partners or direct to consumers online, through www.biosteel.com.