TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League (USL) announced today that the 2025 USL Fall Pathway Classic will be coming to San Antonio, Texas, for the first USL Academy or Youth event held outside of Florida since 2019. Hosted by San Antonio FC, the event will take place from September 25-28 to coincide with the USL Championship club’s regular season match against Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday, September 27 at 8:30 p.m. ET. 

“We’re thrilled to bring the USL Pathway Classic to the 2022 USL Championship winners for the first time this fall,” said Joel Nash, USL SVP of Youth and Pre-Professional Properties. “This event represents a unique opportunity to showcase the players, coaches, and clubs from across the USL ecosystem in a truly competitive environment. San Antonio’s passion for soccer and its vibrant community make it the perfect backdrop to advertise the strength of the USL’s developmental pathway.” 

As the only unrestricted youth tournament hosted by a US Soccer professional league organization, the bi-annual USL Pathway Classic invites clubs from across the nation to compete, creating a unique platform for young players to showcase their talent. 

 Sanctioned by the US Soccer Federation as a Talent Identification and Olympic Development Program event, the USL Pathway Classic offers clubs the flexibility to include players active in high school seasons on their rosters, ensuring maximum participation and exposure. 

“With our Academy programs expanding across the country, the USL Pathway Classic is an incredible opportunity for players to showcase their talent at a single event,” said Carrie Taylor, USL Technical Director of the Women’s Pathway. “Bringing together top clubs and talent in a competitive environment creates exciting opportunities for players to take the next step in their careers and serve as a launching pad for their professional pathway.” 

The USL Pathway Classic will feature three age groups for boys and girls: U14, U16, and the U20 Academy group. For the U14 and U16 groups, any club affiliated with US Soccer or the USL can participate, ensuring a diverse and competitive field. The U20 Academy groups will showcase USL member clubs against some of the best young talent in the country. Teams in each age group will be placed in competitively appropriate brackets, providing a challenging and rewarding experience for all participants. 

For more information about the 2025 USL Fall Pathway Classic and how your club can participate, visit www.usl-academy.com or www.usl-youth.com.