MIAMI (Wednesday, March 29) – Miami FC is one of the 38 clubs that will field teams in the 2022 USL Academy Cup from Thursday, March 31, through Sunday, April 3. The second edition of the USL Championship Cup will unfold at the Hillsborough County Tournament SportsPlex in Tampa, Fla.
The USL Academy Cup is one of the most competitive youth soccer tournaments in the United States, featuring some of the country’s top youth players from the U-13, U-15 and U-19 age groups. The boys’ age groups are divided into three levels of competition: Elite, Premier and Select. All teams are guaranteed four matches, three group stage fixtures and one final/consolidation game.
Designed to better the identity and accelerate the development of elite youth players, the USL Academy Cup will give Miami FC U-15 head coach Felipe Soto’s squad a chance to compete at the highest level. Our players will get to showcase in front of a slew of scouts who will attend the tournament.
“Academy Cup is a phenomenal tournament,” said Miami FC Academy director of coaching Giuseppe Weller. “This is a place where the United Soccer League and college coaches and scouts observe and recruit developing youth players.”
Miami FC U-15 join USL League 2 Charlotte Eagles and Tampa Bay United’s academies in the U-15 Boys Select Group A. Group B consists of New York Red Bulls II affiliate youth team Brooklyn Italians and USL League 2 members Little Rock Rangers and Park City Red Wolves.
Soto’s team saw success at Weston Cup in February, winning the Weston Cup Bronze (Red) division. The team finished the tournament undefeated, defeating CBF School Boca Raton 2006 by a score of 2-1 to lift the cup. The side hopes to carry on its success to the biggest stage, the 2022 USL Academy Cup.
“Having our U-15s participate – in the USL Academy Cup – this year is an honor and a moment to see the progress they have made,” said Weller. “They will get an opportunity to do something above and beyond for themselves, their families, Dade County and Miami FC.”
The Miami Football Club would like to wish the players, family members and friends safe travels and good luck.
