Following a thorough application and review process, U.S. Soccer has approved and selected the Real Salt Lake-Arizona Academy to join the federation's Development Academy for the 2010-11 season.

On hand during the recently-completed Spring Showcase in Sarasota, Fla., RSL-Arizona will become the 78th team in the program when it begins play this fall. The RSL-Arizona Academy was founded in 2007 as a summer development program for Arizona's elite Under 17 players. RSL has two additional non-Development Academy programs in Utah and Florida.

"The ability to direct and control the development of the young players who come through our new RSL-Arizona Academy is critical to our future success," said Real Salt Lake General Manager Garth Lagerwey, now in his third full season with the club. "The progression of the Academy system in the United States helps us identify and develop the talent that can succeed at domestic and international levels for club and country. Every day during this summer's World Cup, we will see players perform who were developed through youth academies globally. We are excited that our club will now institute a similar structure as part of the U.S. Soccer framework for American players. This will make RSL a better club immediately and in the future."

Former U.S. Men's National Team and Major League Soccer veteran Greg Vanney is at the helm of the Arizona program, and has been involved in the Development Academy during the 2009-10 season as a talent scout for the youth national team programs. Vanney and the Academy staff, under the guidance of Real Salt Lake Head Coach Jason Kreis and his senior technical staff, will be responsible for identifying and developing players and the execution of the overall Real Salt Lake Academy plan. Vanney will work closely with RSL assistant coach Miles Joseph to unify the Academy program and the RSL first team.