Divisional alignment and schedule announced for 2025 USL Academy League season

TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Academy has announced its divisional alignment and schedule for the 2025 USL Academy League season, which will culminate with the top programs from the regular season competing at the USL Academy Finals event in December.

(VIEW FULL 2025 USL ACADEMY LEAGUE SCHEDULE)

Established in 2021, the USL Academy League provides clubs in all five of the USL’s professional (USL Championship, USL League One, USL Super League) and pre-professional divisions (USL League Two, USL W League) with an elite development and competition platform to develop local players for their senior team. The 2024 season saw continued expansion of the USL Academy Girls divisions, further strengthening the connection between player development and the pre-professional USL W League and professional ranks of the USL Super League.

Overall, there will be more than 100 unique men’s and women’s clubs participating in the USL Academy League during the 2025 season. On the men’s side, over a third of full-time divisions grew year-over-year, while nearly half of the existing full-time men’s divisions expanded their games program. Meanwhile, the women’s platform continues to evolve following the successful launch of the USL Super League, with all women’s divisions now operating as full-time divisions and increasing their games program to provide even more female players with a pathway to professional opportunities.

“Since the inception of the USL Academy, we have seen significant growth in both participation and player development opportunities,” said Lucas Ohlman, USL Academy Operations Director. “This year, with our continued divisional growth and the expansion of game programs, we’re creating an even more robust environment for clubs to focus on developing their players into future senior team members.”

One of the latest success stories of the USL Academy men’s pathway is Richmond Kickers’ Griffin Garnett, who signed a professional contract with the club last season. He became the third Kickers player to turn professional after previously playing under a USL Academy contract, following in the footsteps of fellow teenagers Landon Johnson and Beckett Howell, who signed professional contracts in 2023.

The 2025 USL Academy League Finals event in December will feature 16 teams, including the USL Spring Pathway Classic U-20 Elite Division winners for the first time. This year’s tournament will also see the re-introduction of the Men’s Showcase bracket, as well as, for the first time, a Women’s Playoff bracket, ensuring a competitive and comprehensive championship event that highlights the best young talent from across the league.

For a list of all the USL Academy clubs competing in the 2025 league season, please see below:

2025 USL Academy Men’s Divisions (*new addition)

Metro (7): Brooklyn Italians, Brooklyn FC, Ironbound SC, Manhattan SC, Staten Island Athletic*, Westchester Flames, Westchester SC*

Mid Atlantic (7): FC Copa Academy, FC Motown STA, Lancaster FC, Morris Elite SC, Ocean City Nor’Easters, Philadelphia Lone Star FC, Reading United AC*

South Atlantic (6): North Carolina FC, Richmond Kickers, Salem City FC, Tobacco Road FC, VA United FC, Wake FC

Southeast Coast (6): Asheville City SC, Charlotte Eagles, Charlotte Independence, Greenville Triumph SC, South Carolina United Bantams, South Georgia Tormenta FC

Florida (10): Brave SC, FC Miami City, Fort Lauderdale United FC, Inter Gainesville KF*, Kings Hammer FC – Sun City, Miami AC, Miami FC, Nona FC, Sporting JAX, St. Petersburg FC

Great Forest (6): Cleveland Force SC, Indy Eleven, Kings Hammer FC – Cincinnati, Lexington SC, Louisville City FC, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Mountain (7): ALBION SC Colorado, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Colorado Storm*, Flatirons Rush SC, Real Colorado, Utah Red Wolves SC, Utah United Academy

Northeast (5): AC Connecticut, Boston Bolts, Hartford Athletic, NEFC, Western Mass Pioneers

South Atlantic (6): North Carolina FC, Richmond Kickers, Salem City FC, Tobacco Road FC, VA United FC, Wake FC

Lonestar (5): AHFC Royals, Hill Country Lobos*, Houston FC, Lonestar SC, San Antonio FC

Southwest (6): AMSG, Capo FC, City SC, Orange County SC, Ventura County Fusion, West Coast FC

Cactus (6): Barca Residency Academy, El Paso Locomotive FC, FC Tucson, New Mexico United, Phoenix Rising FC, UDA Soccer Academy*

South Central (5): Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, East Atlanta FC, Southern Soccer Academy Swarm, Tri-Cities United, Two Knox SC

Chesapeake (6): Charlottesville Blues FC*, Christos FC*, Grove United, Northern Virginia FC, Virginia Beach City FC*, West Virginia Soccer*

Midwest (8): Chicago City Dutch Lions FC, Detroit City FC, FC Buffalo, Midwest United, Peoria City*, RKC Third Coast, Sueno FC*, Toledo Villa FC

Additional Trialists: AV ALTA FC*, Montgomery United FC*, Real Central NJ, Stars FC*

2025 USL Academy Women’s Divisions (*new addition)

South Atlantic (5): Fox Soccer Academy, NC Courage, NC Fusion, VA United FC, Wake FC

Southeast Coast (4): Carolina Ascent, Charlotte Eagles, Greenville Liberty SC*, South Carolina United Bantams

Florida (5): FC Miami City, Fort Lauderdale United FC, Kings Hammer FC – Sun City, Miami AC, Sporting JAX

South Central (4): Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, East Atlanta FC, South Georgia Tormenta FC, Southern Soccer Academy Swarm

Northeast (6): AC Connecticut, FC Copa Academy, Lancaster Inferno*, Manhattan SC, Ocean City Nor’Easters, Real Central NJ

Midwest (5): Chicago City Dutch Lions FC, Cleveland Force SC, Pittsburgh Riveters II, Toledo Villa FC, RKC Third Coast*