Premier Sports Campus to host 2011 Development Academy Winter Showcase

The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch and U.S. Soccer recently announced the 2011 Development Academy Winter Showcase and Nike International Friendlies will be held in early December at the Premier Sports Campus.

All 78 Academy clubs will travel to Lakewood Ranch for three non-conference games during the Winter Showcase Dec. 2-6. The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team will face Brazil, France and Turkey during the Nike International Friendlies Nov. 30 through Dec. 4.

“This is an amazing opportunity for this region,” said Tim Mulqueen, Lakewood Ranch’s director of sports. “It’s the highest level of youth soccer and we are excited that U.S. Soccer has chosen the Premier Sports Campus to host such a prestigious event.”

International games will be broadcast live by the Fox Soccer channel and organizers said they expect about 15,000 people to attend.

The event will make the ninth Nike International Friendlies, previously called the Nike National Team Friendlies, held in the area since 2003. The U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team has participated in all nine competitions while Brazil will be appearing for the seventh time, Turkey for the third time and France for the first time.