The United Soccer League has long touted its League 2/PDL level as a #Path2Pro. Yesterday, the league announced that it will be extending that path into the youth ranks.

The success of LA Galaxy’s Efrain Alvarez has revitalized attention to youth development in the lower divisions. Fifteen year-old Leo Torres, a product of the SAFC Pro Academy, signed a professional contract with the senior club, making him the youngest ever USL signee. Locally, Phoenix Rising FC has two Academy contract players. Brandon Kenniston and Ilijah Paul, both of whom saw action in pre-season, will spend time with both Phoenix and FC Tucson.

Building on the success of individual club programs, the United Soccer league has announced a league-wide competition, which will be called the USL Academy Cup.

“The new platform will also provide a unique way to bring together the top three tiers of the USL – the Championship, League One, and League Two – allowing academy teams from all three levels to compete against one another and provide local youth with a chance to display their potential.”

Alex Papadakis, USL CEO

The cup competition will feature talent in the U-13 and U-17 levels. The top-level U-17s will compete in two regional qualifiers which will determine seeding and placement culminating in a national tournament in Tampa Bay in May 2020. (U-13s will only compete at the national tournament)

“It will create a pathway for the beat Youth players in Arizona to wear the Rising Jersey at the pro level.

Mick Reavy – Director of Coaching – Phoenix Rising Youth

The 2020 Academy Cup is only a starting point for USL involvement in youth development. The league will also be working with USL Clubs at the Championship, League 1 and League 2 levels to grow and expand from the 42 existing soccer clubs within the USL family.