The De Anza Force Club is proud to announce that one of our coaches has been invited to coach at the United States U-18 men's National Team camp early next year. Jeff Baicher, boys director of coaching for the Force Club is planning to join the National Team staff in January.

"I am excited about Jeff Baicher's involvement in the upcoming U-18 event. We have put together a very competent and experienced staff. I am looking forward to working with Jeff over the next two months, both in our scouting preparation and in the execution of the U18 Men's National team Camp in January."-Bob Jenkins

About the U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team

Head Coach: Bob Jenkins

The U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team was created to aid in the transition for younger players between the Under-17 Men’s National Team and the Under-20 side. The Under-18 age group is for players born in the odd-numbered years, who fall in a gap between the Under-17 and the Under-20 age groups.

At the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in UAE, 10 of the players on the U.S. Under-20 roster had spent time with the Under-18 Men’s National Team program, and those players in the current pool born since January 1, 1989, are eligible for the 2007 FIFA World Youth Championship in Canada.

The U.S. Under-18s have been one of U.S. Soccer’s most successful teams in the past five years, posting a 58-37-30 record and collecting a trophy from a foreign tournament in four out of the past seven years.

“We will continue to put these players in competitive situations as much as possible to help them improve and prepare them for the next level,” said Jenkins. “Continuing player development is still the most important aspect at this level and with the large number of talented players we have in this group, I have no doubt over the next few years they will continue to progress through the National Team programs.”