TAMPA, Fla. — The United Soccer League (USL) announced today a key partnership with the English Football League (EFL) and League Football Education (LFE), furthering its global outreach and creating pathways for top young talent to compete at the highest levels.

As part of the 2024 Turing Scheme, a team of 14 elite youth players from EFL academies will travel to the U.S. to compete against some of the best talent from the USL Academy system at the USL Academy League Finals, taking place Dec. 5-8 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

This marks the first time that EFL players will compete at the USL Academy Finals, where 16 top clubs from across the U.S. will play to determine the best academy talent in the country. The partnership with LFE and EFL provides these young players with a unique opportunity to test their skills in international competition, offering them valuable benchmarking opportunities as they pursue professional careers in soccer.

“Integrating a team of this caliber into our Academy Finals will be a critical opportunity for our top USL prospects to compete against some of the best youth talent from Europe,” said Liam O’Connell, USL Technical Director of the Men’s Pathway. “This is an exciting moment for the league and for these players, who will not only showcase their abilities but gain valuable exposure to U.S. soccer’s high-performance environment.”

The partnership with LFE and EFL provides unprecedented access for players, including visits to facilities like the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ training grounds, university tours, executive Q&A sessions with USL leadership, and invitation games at the Academy Finals. This exposure bridges the gap between U.S. soccer and international development, offering players invaluable experiences to further their careers.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with LFE and EFL as we expand our international presence and foster global competition,” said Oliver Wyss, USL’s Head of Global Football Development & Sporting Director. “This initiative is part of our broader commitment to providing top-level youth players with opportunities to showcase their talents on a global stage and contribute to the growth of soccer in the U.S.”