Following the solid performance of the USA national team at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Nigeria, the US Development Academy has been praised for its success of helping develop quality young players.

Seven players on the World Cup roster, including two regular starters, were members of the Academy program.

Keith Cardona, Spencer Richey, Jared Watts, Nick Palodichuk, John Agudelo, Victor Chavez and Dominick Sarle all participated in the Academy Program from 2007-09 before moving to the U-17 Residency Program.

Watts and Palodichuk in particular were shining lights, starting all four matches with Watts taking the captain's armband for the entirety of their presence in the tournament and Palodichuk netting an important equalizer against Italy in the round of 16 clash the US eventually lost.