Crystal Palace has been teaching opponents lessons on the field all season.

Now, it will have a chance to do the same for local youth players.

Former Johns Hopkins coach Matt Smith and Georgetown coach Keith Tabatznik have been named as the leaders of Palace’s youth development academy.

Smith, named the academy’s director, and Tabatznik, the director of curriculum and scouting, will build the organization’s player development arm. The academy’s purpose is to provide a training supplement to skilled players and help improve club teams throughout the area.

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The academy will provide unique opportunities to youth to travel internationally and get extra exposure to college coaches and pro scouts.

“One of the main reasons I left Georgetown was to get more involved in the development of youth soccer,” Tabatznik said in a statement. “I go back many, many years with Matt so I know that will make it more enjoyable.”

Soccer in the city: Palace will play its Aug. 3 match at the Poly Complex at Poly-Western High School at 1400 E. Cold Spring Lane. The match against the Bermuda Hogges was originally scheduled to be played at UMBC Stadium, where Palace plays its home games. But the team elected to move it as part of the Baltimore International Festival’s 4th Annual Mayor’s Cup Soccer Tournament. Players will be available for autographs on Wednesday at noon at Port Discovery Children’s Museum as part of a kickoff for the event.

“Considering that we’re part of a multi-national business located in Baltimore, with British roots and with players from 10 countries, it’s a natural fit for us to be part of this wonderful celebration of the city’s global diversity,” Pete Medd, Palace USA’s president and co-manager, said.

dcarey@baltimoreexaminer.com