Weston Soccer Star Participates in U.S. Soccer Event

New England Revolution Under-16 player and Weston, Mass. native Declan McCabe participated in the U.S. Soccer Training Center held on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Dana-Farber Field House on the grounds of Gillette Stadium. McCabe was one of seven Revolution youth players invited to the training center, run by U.S. Soccer staff to help identify players with Youth National Team potential.

McCabe participated in the 3:30 p.m. session with 27 other players from around the Northeast. The session began with a technical warm-up before the players were broken into groups of four or six for small-sided games. The day concluded with a full 11 v 11 game during which players were evaluated in their natural positions.

“We're always pleased when we are selected to host a U.S. Soccer Training Center, especially when we have a number of players invited to participate,” said Revolution Director of Youth Development and Under-16 Head Coach Bryan Scales. “At this time of the year, the ability to play in the Dana-Farber Field House is ideal. I thought that the event went well and that the Revs players who were selected made a good account of themselves. We hope that all the players and coaches from the other clubs enjoyed the event.”

U.S. Soccer conducts training centers in conjunction with local clubs and state associations to identify players with Youth National Team potential. Administered by the U.S. Soccer Development Academy regional conference’s technical advisor and members of the U.S. Soccer national staff, these sessions are designed to evaluate top players from the area’s Academy teams before Youth National Team trips and camps.

Outside of regular training, both the U18s and U16s have a break from competition until early March, when the Revs will resume their fourth season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Kicking off a series of road matches, the youth teams will play D.C. United at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Md., on Saturday, March 10.