Blog Layout

USL Academy players continue development, make impact in college season

August 7, 2024

TAMPA, Fla. – The 2023 season a record number of USL Academy players are college-bound after a summer of competition across the USL Academy league.

While the dream to play professional soccer is the goal for many young soccer players, the pathway to college scholarships and competitive year-round play has provided USL Academy players with another route to a professional future. Over 300 players from the girls’ and boys’ divisions will compete for NCAA Division I programs, with 300 more represented at college programs within other divisions. 


Clubs like New Mexico United have been a leader in this space, investing time into supporting player development and offering First Team minutes for players as USL Academy signings. Players like Alex Waggoner have already begun to make a name for themselves in the college ranks, with Waggoner currently leading the University of Michigan with two goals in five appearances as a freshman. Another USL Academy alum also began his career with the Wolverines this fall, with Rio Grande Valley FC product Duilio Herrera having notched his first collegiate assist against Loyola Marymount University. 


For the first time, the USL Academy league expanded with a pilot season for the girls’ divisions that has seen female athletes successfully transition to the college game this year. AC Connecticut’s Caroline Dickson made her way to the University of Massachusetts where she has appeared in every game so far as a freshman with the Minutewomen. Pittsburgh Riverhounds Academy product Piper Coffield scored her first collegiate goal against Louisville and has contributed valuable minutes on the pitch as a freshman for the University of Indiana Hoosiers. Likewise, former North Carolina Courage duo Phoebe Goldthwaite and Kiera Clemens are in the middle of their freshman seasons where they will be fighting to make an impact on a competitive Duke University roster.


Developing players to compete in college is a key part of the USL Academy pathway. All USL Academy League clubs must meet a minimum set of standards designed to create optimal long-term player development environments directly connected to USL first teams. As part of those standards, players within these programs must have access to resources that can help them in their academic endeavors, whether the player is in high school or in college.


The long-term goal is to provide local youth products with the resources and platform to play professionally, whether signing directly with their club from the Academy, or competing collegiately to further their development on and off the field. 


Many of these players will continue to compete in Academy competitions in 2023 and 2024, including the Academy League and the annual Academy Cup, which will take place next year. In the meantime, the USL Academy will be supporting and highlighting the success of Academy players on college rosters. 


Collegiate and professional scouts can register for the Academy League Finals at the SportsPlex of Tampa Bay this December

Jake Castro, DOC
By Tom Tianich December 18, 2024
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (December 2, 2024) – Hollywood FC is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jake Castro as the Club’s new Director of Coaching. Castro brings a wealth of experience in player development and program growth within Florida’s soccer community. During his tenure at Florida International University (NCAA Division I), Castro was instrumental in the program’s transformation, contributing to a rise from the bottom 8% to the top 27% nationally. This remarkable growth, the largest of any NCAA Division I program over four years, included securing the C-USA Regular Season and Tournament Championships and the development of seven All-Conference players. It marked the most successful season in the program’s history. At Miami FC, Castro held multiple roles, including being a USL Academy Coach, Foundation Phase Director, Lead Academy Goalkeeping Coach, and Assistant First Team Goalkeeper Coach. His leadership helped develop multiple academy players who were promoted to the first team, earning professional
By Tom Tianich October 9, 2024
Pay to Play Model and Parent Sportsmanship Expectations
September 30, 2024
Coaching Education - Parent Education
By Tom Tianich September 23, 2024
Setting the Stage for Success: A Note on Division Placement
By Tom Tianich September 15, 2024
9 Things Coaches Want Parents to Understand Being a Head Coach is HARD Work. I have talked to MANY coaches over my long career. Here are 9 Things Coaches Want Parents to Understand. We CARE about your Child - Even if your child doesn't get much varsity playing time, we care about them. Nothing is ever personal. We love your child. Everyone has a Role. They are all different. But they are all important. Help us celebrate their role. TIME - There are only two people who understand the time commitment of a coach. The Coach and their Spouse. We are always "on," constantly thinking about our team. We sacrifice our Family time to be with your child. We don't need a pat on the back. Just respect this fact. We LOVE this job - But it is a hard job. Please don't steal our Joy. Our Passion. Our Commitment. We are losing too many coaches. Help Support us. Coaches want to WIN more than you do - We are very competitive. We put our heart and soul into this job. We are not perfect. Either are you. No one is. Strategy or X's and O's matter much less than you think. We are at practice every day. Trust what we see and do. Everything is EARNED - You get what you earn. Don't blame the coach. Encourage your child to be committed. It is your child's job to get in the weight room, shoot in the driveway, go to the gym or field, etc. Encourage them to do this. You get what you earn. Trust the PROCESS - Team Sports are the ultimate lab setting for life. There will be bumps in the road. It is guaranteed. It is part of the process. Accept this fact. Trust the Process. The life lessons learned will last a lifetime. Winning is HARD - Other teams want to win too. Other teams put time in too. Other teams compete too. The season is a grind, and the process is more important than the prize. Learning how to win ...and how to lose...is an important part of this process. Your child GETS it - Your child understands. They are at every practice. They know their strengths. They know their weaknesses. They know their role. Don't feed their youthful insecurities by questioning the coach. This will hurt their experience and the team. Finally, and Most Importantly, this is your child's experience, not yours - This is important. Let them enjoy the experience with your support. Don't judge them. Don't be critical. Just be there. Tell them you LOVE watching them play. Be a fan of the TEAM.
By Tom Tianich September 12, 2024
By Dave Barry
By Tom Tianich September 12, 2024
Few important notifications - PLEASE READ!
Referees
By Tom Tianich August 14, 2024
Want to become a referee? - NOW IS THE TIME!
By Tom Tianich August 14, 2024
3 Recreational Programs Available Recreational Programs start August 19th - REGISTER NOW !
Pathway
By Tom Tianich May 15, 2024
Hollywood FC joins UPSL Summer League with their USL Academy Team
More Posts
Share by: