ELITE DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY JOINS THE WPSL FOR 2021 SEASON

FULLERTON, California – The Women’s Premier Soccer League welcomes Elite Development Academy (EDA) to the league for the upcoming 2021 season.

“We are excited to be joining the WPSL for our inaugural season in 2021”, Chris Hackett, EDA founder and executive director, said. “As one of the premier youth development programs in southern California, this will give our girls an opportunity to continue in their pathway should the girls elect to pursue a career in soccer after their collegiate career is over.”

Hackett founded the club in January of 2016 with one goal in mind – serving the underrepresented segment of players that struggle to gain access to the traditional “Pay-to-Play” model of club soccer. Now entering the club’s five-year mark, EDA is dedicated to the promotion and development of youth soccer in north Orange County.

EDA strives to enhance the culture of soccer by establishing a multicultural organization that creates an environment that is professional, demanding, and enjoyable through a vast array of staff and players. The club’s Soccer Skills-Life Skills philosophy paves the foundation of opportunity that creates a pathway for players to be successful both on-and-off the soccer field.

EDA believes in the importance and benefits that come with maintaining a high level of academic success from its student-athletes and has established a scholarship fund to help players advance to the collegiate level who would not otherwise have that opportunity. 

After finishing first in the SoCal Premier League during the 2019 season and unable to have a season in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the club is eager to make its mark in the WPSL.

“The WPSL will give our women’s soccer team a chance to evolve as athletes and be part of a foundation that gives them the skills they need to adhere to a great experience, commitment, and dedication to pursuing a soccer career,” Michael Orozco, co-owner and director of coaching, said.

Orozco, an Orange County native, has almost two decades of playing experience at the professional level in both the U.S. (Philadelphia Union) and Mexico (San Luis and Puebla) as well as with the U.S. Men’s National Team. Orozco currently plays for Orange County FC, a member of the National Premier Soccer League.

EDA will play their home matches for the 2021 season at Shea Field at Smet Family Stadium. Ticket information will be available on the club’s website.

More information about Elite Development Academy can be found at their website www.socaleda.com as well as their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. For additional information on the WPSL visit wpslsoccer.com.

                                                                                          

The WPSL is in its 23rd season and is the largest women’s soccer league in the world with more than 130 clubs from coast-to-coast in 35 states. WPSL rosters feature elite collegiate, post-collegiate, international, and standout prep student-athletes. Many of the United States’ most accomplished women’s players have played in the WPSL, including household names such as Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe, and Brandi Chastain.