USL Academy

2024 USL Academy Cup Teams

Boys U19
Boys U15
Boys U13
Girls U19
Girls U15 2nd Place
Girls U13

USL Academy Cup Results

Boys U13: 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay United (MLS Next), 1-1 draw with Richmond Kickers (ECRL), 1-1 draw with Charlotte Independence (ECNL), 5-2 win over Ventura County Fusion (MLS Next) Finished 5th place in the U13 Elite Bracket.

Boys U15: 3-0 win over Wake FC (MLS Next), 3-0 loss to Southern Soccer Academy (MLS Next), 1-0 win against Utah Red Wolves SC, 2-0 win against Boston Bolts (MLS Next) in the 3rd place game in the Premier Bracket.

Boys U19: 4-2 win over Charlotte Independence (ECNL), 2-0 loss to Indy Eleven (MLS Next), 2-1 loss to Miami FC Academy, 4-2 in over Tampa Bay United (MLS Next) to secure 5th place in the Elite Bracket.

Girls U13: 1-0 loss to St. Petersburg FC (NPL), 2-0 win over Chattanooga Red Wolves (ECNL), 9-0 win over Detroit City, 1-0 loss to Southern Soccer Academy (MLS Next). The Girls finished 4th place in the Elite Bracket.

Girls U15: lost 1-0 in the final to One Knoxville SC (USL Academy). 1-0 win over Southern Soccer Academy (MLS Next), 1-0 win over Tampa Bay United (MLS Next), 0-0 draw to Fox Soccer Academy (USL Academy). They did not concede a goal until the final game, the club is extremely proud of the run they had. The girls nearly won the U15 Girls Elite Bracket.

Girls U19: 1-0 win over FC Miami City (USL Academy), 1-0 loss to TLH Reckoning (USL Academy), 1-1 draw with One Knoxville SC (USL Academy), 3-1 loss to East Atlanta FC (USL Academy). They Finished 6th in the U19 Girls Elite Bracket.

Club Statement: We're extremely proud of all our teams who showcased their talent at the prestigious USL Academy Cup. This tournament is one of the biggest events in youth soccer, highlighting not just skill, but also sportsmanship and competitiveness. We competed against many high-level clubs that play in the MLS Next or ECNL leagues, this shows how far our club

2024 USL Academy Preview

55 clubs from across USL’s three tiers of senior level soccer competed in the first League season. The National Academy Cup event hosted 76 teams from across the country who competed in a weekend long tournament.

As the number of teams grow, USL is committed to provide the highest level of competition for players to develop. By requiring minimum standards, the play can be most competitive.

The coaching staff is meticulously fine-tuning strategies, incorporating lessons learned from past seasons, and innovating to stay ahead of the competition. With optimism in the air and a palpable sense of anticipation, the preview of our 2024 season promises a thrilling journey of determination, grit, and triumph.

Player Development Standards

In an effort to create the optimal player development environments and provide youth prospects at our clubs the best chance of reaching the professional level, all full-time USL Academy programs will be required to meet a set of minimum standards across a series of categories. These requirements will include, but not be limited to:

Club Identity
Staffing Plan
Pathway & Developmental Framework
Team Formation & Roster Management
Fitness & Wellness Plans
Facilities & Match Presentation
Technology & Equipment
Funding

Vision

With the launch of USL Academy, presented by Puma, United Soccer League now has an elite youth platform to offer to its clubs in the Championship, League One, and League Two.

As such, these clubs can now develop a more clearly defined path for top youth prospects in their area to reach the professional level and sign directly with their Senior Team while improving local quality and community.

USL Academy Competitions

Clubs that meet the minimum standards for USL Academy membership will have the opportunity to apply to field teams in two different competitions in 2024:

USL Academy League

The USL Academy League establishes a high-level pre-professional training environment year-round, with a direct connection to the local USL senior team. It provides meaningful games to aid in those players’ development & transition to that next level of the game, while allowing all clubs an opportunity to compete amongst each other in regionalized competition

Regular Season: teams will compete across (3) 3-month cycles, aligning with the American professional calendar, to further help allow for young talents to train and even play at the Senior Team level simultaneously
- Spring (March – May)
- Summer (June – Aug.)
- Fall (Sept. – Nov.)
Postseason: Top teams from regular season standings within each regional division will qualify for the USL Academy League Playoffs, an exclusive tournament held in early December to crown each year’s league champion.
Location: all games played within regionalized divisions to limit travel
Age Groups: U15 – U19 Boys (one team per club)

USL Academy Cup

The annual national tournament brings clubs together from across the country to compete for the Cup against unique teams they would not normally play. Academy Cup emphasizes the importance of development both on and off the field with multiple panels & special events throughout the weekend.

Dates: March 14 – March 17, 2024
Location: Tampa, FL
Age Groups:
- U13 Boys/Girls
- U15 Boys/Girls
- U19 Boys/Girls