The opening weekend of the Kickers 2010-11 USSF Development Academy Season is just around the corner with the U16 and U18 teams facing Concord Fire and Birmingham United on September 11-12. The Academy players are in the midst of a demanding preseason schedule with over 50 players currently training four times per week in preparation for the toughest and most competitive youth soccer league in America.  In addition to the demanding training sessions, the teams will play several preseason games to fine tune each player's physical, tactical, technical and mental abilities.