TAMPA, Fla. - The United Soccer League announced today a renewal of its partnership with the English Football League (EFL) and League Football Education (LFE), showcasing the opportunity that exists for players from professional English academies to compete in the USL and American soccer ecosystem.

LFE, in partnership with Varsity Nine, The Players Foundation, and U.S. Sports Scholarships, will form a team of over 20 elite youth players from academies across the EFL known as the “LFE All-Stars" that will compete in the Invitational Division at the 2025 USL Academy Finals. 

This is the second consecutive year that the USL Academy will host a collection of elite players from EFL Academies, allowing them to square off with professional and pre-professional clubs from across the USL Academy League as they prepare for professional or collegiate soccer careers.

"We're incredibly excited to partner with LFE, Varsity Nine, The Players Foundation and US Sport Scholarships to bring back another group of players from the English Football League academy ecosystem as part of this year's USL Academy Finals," said Liam O'Connell, USL Technical Director of the Men's Pathway. "Besides elevating the quality of our competition, we can't wait to see how this exposure benefits this group of players, after seeing nearly 50% of last year's roster move on to American collegiate & professional playing opportunities in 2025."

During the 10-day trip, the LFE All-Stars will have the opportunity to train at the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Waters Sportsplex, which has been added to FIFA’s Base Camp brochure for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The club will play four matches against USL Academy League opponents at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.