How We’re Different
At United Soccer Academies, we do things differently — on purpose. Our approach has been shaped by over 12 years of hands-on experience running academies, training coaches, and working with hundreds of families. It isn’t based on outdated models or quick wins — it’s been built from the ground up to prioritize long-term development, equal opportunity, and a better experience for the majority of players. From how we group players to how we train our coaches, every part of our program is thoughtfully designed to give all players a place to learn, grow, and love the game.
Grouping Players
We group players based on their stage of development — not by birth year, skill label, or permanent category. We do not use terms like “beginner,” “advanced,” or even age-based labels in training sessions. Instead, groups are formed each session based on how players are progressing and what they need to work on. Movement between groups is fluid and ongoing, guided by our coaches’ continuous evaluation across all three academy locations.
Assigning Coaches
We design our sessions so that all coaches interact with all players. Typically, a session includes four player groups and four coaches. Each coach rotates through the groups, spending approximately 15 minutes leading a specific activity or game. This ensures every player benefits from every coach’s expertise, not just the one assigned to their group. We do not stack coaching talent with only the top players — our best coaches are shared across all ability levels.
Year Round For All Not Just The Best
We offer a high-quality, structured, year-round program for all academy players — not just those selected for travel teams. Our program runs for 10 months, with consistent training, internal competition, and access to experienced coaches for every participant, regardless of their current skill level or competitive status. It's next to impossible for players to improve and reach their potential if they are only playing 3 months a year
Game Formats
We use small-sided game formats to maximize each player's involvement in the game and increase opportunities for decision-making, ball touches, and learning. We aim for no substitutes whenever possible — ensuring all players are actively engaged and playing the entire time. Our game design is based on what’s best for the players’ development, not what’s most convenient for coaches or entertaining for spectators. We start with 2v2 game formats and gradually increase the number of players only as their skills, understanding, and decision-making abilities develop. This ensures players are always in a game environment they can physically manage and mentally comprehend. We are in no rush to reach 11v11.
Internal Competition
We do not do house league where all players do is play on a team with the wrong game format, too large a roster, and coached by a parent volunteer. Instead:
Games are incorporated into each training session. We hold dedicated game nights every few weeks where players play a variety of formats and teams are always changing, offering new challenges and avoiding getting stuck on a losing team. We also host inter-academy tournaments throughout the season, giving players the chance to compete against peers from other locations.Standardized Curriculum
We operate with a standardized, in-house curriculum that is used across all of our locations and followed by every coach. This curriculum was built specifically for our program and is structured to align with our developmental goals, values, and game formats. It includes technical, tactical, physical, and cognitive components — and is implemented through weekly planning, coach collaboration, and hands-on training. Most importantly, our curriculum is actually followed. Coaches are trained to deliver sessions consistently and adapt activities based on player readiness — not personal coaching preferences.
No Tryouts. Selection Over Time
We do not hold open tryouts. Instead, we use an internal selection process rooted in ongoing development and observation. Our approach reflects our belief that every player deserves the chance to grow and improve — not just the top performers. Players enroll at one of our three academy locations. Coaches train and observe players regularly during academy sessions.When it's time to form a team, coaches identify players who are ready for the level of play we plan to enter. Selected players and their families are invited to an informational meeting outlining expectations, commitment level, and requirements. Families indicate their interest in joining the team.
Our Own Coaching Model
We’ve built our own in-house coaching model and methodology, developed specifically for the players we serve and the way we want the game taught. This model reflects years of hands-on experience and is rooted in practical development, not generic theory. Our sessions, progression plans, and coaching strategies are all internally created to align with our curriculum and competition formats.
We don’t outsource our coaching philosophy to a national or provincial body. Instead, we’ve crafted a system that prioritizes real development over checkbox certifications and is designed to work with the resources and player pool we actually have.