PLAyer pathway & program overview
Program Overview
United Futbol Academy’s (UFA) mission is to provide soccer players of all ages the appropriate level of play and training in a supportive environment where skills for soccer are developed alongside skills for life. Our goal is to promote the game of soccer by providing a positive learning atmosphere, where players can achieve their full potential in the development of their technical, tactical, physical and mental skills, regardless of skill and ability. Our purpose is to create challenging programs that are attractive to the novice player, challenging to the average player, and demanding to the most advanced player wanting to play at the highest level. We want to develop a multicultural organization with a vast array of staff and players to further enhance the culture of the game in an environment that is professional yet enjoyable. Many leagues have emerged throughout the past few years and through our effort to stay in line with our Mission Statement, we have had to decide on a clear player pathway that will benefit our players the best.
UFA Player Pathway
Elite Clubs National League and Regional League (ECNL and ECNL RL)
MORE INFOThe ECNL is a development, identification, and competition platform for top youth male and female soccer players in the United States. For more than a decade, the ECNL has worked to positively impact the youth soccer landscape and enhance the player experience.Built on a foundation of respect and empowerment of grassroots leadership, the ECNL combines the power of collaboration with forward-thinking strategy to make the day-to-day environment better for everyone involved.
Elite Academy League
The Elite Academy League is composed of member clubs that represent Elite competitive clubs in their market and have shown to be of the standard and will benefit from being part of this platform. By unifying clubs from within the conferences, we have maintained the defining standards of previous elite platforms with a collective approach to making sure the platform sits atop the youth landscape.
OUR MISSION
The Elite Academy League has a mission to provide a National platform with a standards based league giving clubs the ability to provide full developmental model and pathway with top competition and exposure.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to sit atop the youth landscape providing Elite Academy clubs and leaders the opportunity to guide the league and have autonomy to develop the game in the US. This league will serve to provide a seamless elite pathway for clubs and players to excel in the competitive landscape.
National 1 League
MORE INFONational 1 League is the top team-based competition in US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer, elevating teams across the country into a unified national platform integrated with the ECNL.
This new competition is the result of bringing together US Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues and US Youth Soccer’s National League, beginning with the 2026-27 season. The new league ushers in an era of collaboration in youth soccer that benefits players and families across the country.
The National 1 League’s inaugural season will be capped in summer 2027 at the ECNL Conference League Playoffs and Finals, as district qualifiers from this competition and the ECNL Regional League compete for championships.
U12 Pre ECNL
MORE INFOOur Boys and Girls Pre ECNL program at United Futbol Academy is a carefully structured and competitive developmental platform for young soccer players eager to compete at the highest level. Pre-ECNL aims to provide a consistent high-quality soccer experience that prepares each participant for success within the ECNL and ECNL-RL structure as they progress through their respective soccer journey. Specialized coaching, positive team culture, and consistent terminology, equip players with the knowledge and ability needed to thrive in the advanced echelons of competition.
- Player Development: The primary objective of the Pre ECNL program is to nurture and develop the skills and talents of young soccer players. It utilizes a structured curriculum that focuses on the technical, tactical, physical, and psychological aspects of the game.
- Creating a Culture: Building a healthy team environment is an integral part of the program. Coaches and staff work to instill values such as discipline, sportsmanship, and teamwork, fostering a positive and supportive atmosphere for young players to thrive.
- Consistent Terminology: To enhance player development and facilitate smoother transitions to higher levels of play, the Pre ECNL program utilizes consistent terminology and coaching methods. This ensures that players have a common understanding of key soccer concepts and strategies.
- Pathway to ECNL: The program is designed as a clear pathway to the ECNL, one of the top-tier youth soccer leagues in the United States. By the time players reach the U13 age group, they are better equipped to compete in the ECNL and ECNL-RL, having gained valuable experience and skill development through the Pre ECNL program.
Southeastern Club Champions League (SCCL) Academy & Select
MORE INFOAcademy Teams (U9-U12) and Select Teams (U13 through U19) that participate in SCCL are placed in different divisions. The placement is made by a number of criteria. The league works on a promotion and relegation system.
- SCCL teams are placed in Premier Divisions 1-5
- U9-U14 play a Fall and Spring season and compete all over GA and potentially neighboring states.
- U15 and Up only play a Fall season and play high school in the Spring. They also compete all over GA and neighboring states.
U8 Future Academy
MORE INFOThe UFA Future Academy Program is for U7/U8 players who are ready to take on the next level and want to prepare for Academy. Games will be played on Fridays at Fowler Park. Games will be in a 4v4 format; with no goalkeepers, throw-ins or corner kicks. There will be multiple games going on at the same time. Players will not be placed on “teams” in the traditional sense. They will belong to a pool of players and can be placed on teams using a variety of criteria such as current level of play, randomly chosen teams, or mixing boys and girls, to name a few.
Ideally, players should be recommended for the program by their current coach, the Recreational Director or one of UFA’s professional staff. Players should have a minimum of 1 year playing in a recreational program. Parents who feel their players have the above qualities and have not been identified will have the opportunity to have their player assessed for placement but should exhibit the following:
- Ability to focus at training and games
- Self-motivated with a desire to be the best
- Enjoys dribbling the ball and does not just kick the ball away
- ·Good athletic ability including agility, coordination and speed
Recreational Program is our entry level soccer for young people from age 3 through 19.
MORE INFOThere is no skill level requirement at any age, i.e. we will have children of all levels participating on each team in our program. UFA has developed a system that provides both a fun and productive environment for players at all levels. Each team requires a volunteer parent coach, however a professional trainer is provided who works with each age group once a week. Although the focus is predominantly on the enjoyment of playing the game, coaches are encouraged and supported to teach as much about the game as possible in the recreational environment. This will give players confidence, knowledge and help them to excel in the sport.
