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SUPPLEMENTAL EXPERIENCES

The supplemental experiences provides players, coaches, admins, scouts, referees, and those involved with USL Academy the opportunity to develop their skills off the pitch throughout the weekend.

Technical Development Workshop

The Technical Development Workshop is designed with a focus on driving dialogue around youth development within USL pro pathways, and how best to bridge the gap between youth and professional soccer. This event starts by discussing the future player development model for USL Academy and how this model assists USL clubs in accomplishing their missions. One high-performing USL Academy program will provide a case study on their full player pathway & developmental model. The event concludes with breakout sessions to discuss relevant trends in youth development and significant shifts in the American youth soccer landscape.

Player Village

The Player Village is a unique experience where players, fans, and families may spend time between games. The Player Village is the location of the tournament headquarters and the USL Academy Cup merchandise store presented by PUMA. It also includes various partner activations and special experiences, such as Soccer Darts and Player Introduction Videos. Attendees have the opportunity to win prizes through Social Media Contests driven from Tournament HQ.

Referee Development Sessions

An often overlooked area of soccer development, these sessions will help referees gain insight on game management and other aspects of one of the sport’s toughest jobs. Referees first meet via a virtual orientation prior to the start of the tournament. Following the conclusion of the final match each day, referees meet in person to review the day’s action and discuss how to improve moving forward. These sessions are led by National Referee Coaches, such as former-FIFA Referees Ted Unkel, Brandon Barry, and Nami Imaizumi. Hosting these sessions at USL Academy events will pay dividends toward improving the quality of refereeing in American soccer, not just for the youth game in the present but for the professional level in the future.

Senior Team Experience

The Senior Team Experience is an unforgettable opportunity for USL Academy Cup participants to experience professional/pre-professional soccer first-hand. Participants can attend a local USL League match where they experience the high-performance level of soccer. Players will be immersed in the local team fan culture that will showcase the community that they can bring back home to their local team.