United Soccer League (USL) is a professional league association that provides a complete player pathway for both Women and Men. USL Super League (Women's) and USL Championship (Men's) are one step below the MLS and NWSL professional leagues.
As the USL continues to invest in the growth of women's and men's soccer throughout the country, we are proud to be the first and only Illinois organization to be awarded the newly formed USL Academy platform for players throughout the Chicagoland area.
This Spring we will be providing an opportunity for all players throughout our region to showcase their talent within our Academy program in preparation for the 2023-24 season.
Our newly formed Academy teams began in 2022 on the boys side from U12-U19, and so we are beginning the recruitment for all ages U9-U19 for both Girls and Boys this spring.
Our highly experienced and licensed staff will be looking for committed and passionate players looking to elevate the level of their play and create more opportunities within high school, college, professional, and even USNT.
Our robust training program has proven a success this past year with our boys teams training 4 times per week with an National Premier League (NPL) mid week game, training on the weekend with an option for players to play YSSL.
At this time, because the USLA is new, there is only a U19 league which kicks off this summer. As an organization, we firmly believe the NPL and USL Super Y League (SYL) provide the appropriate level without the travel and financial commitment to challenge our players while also creating college recruitment through their national events.
Within the NPL (July), SYL (December), and USLA (March) there are 3 National events per year that our teams which are heavily attended by collegiate, professional, and national team scouts.
Through our Pre Professional USL Women's and Men's teams, our college coach network has grown as we have attained players from some of the top universities nationwide such as, UIC, NIU, U of I, Loyola, De Paul, Northwestern, Michigan, Notre Dame, Michigan, Portland, UNC, Iowa, Purdue, Xavier to mention a few.
In the 2023-24 season CITY will be looking to invest in International travel (Spring Break/Summer) versus national travel to develop a higher level of experience for our players and coaches. These trips will all be dependent on the level of each team and age group.
CITY Academy players will have the opportunity to work with one of the most experienced and qualified coaching staff in the region led by UEFA A and B Licensed coaches supported by USSF A, B, and C licensed staff.
