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The Battery were defeated by Indy Eleven 1-0 on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.

It was a slow start to the match as Indy and the Battery were coming off second-round U.S. Open Cup wins this past Wednesday. While both sides struggled to create many first-half scoring chances, the Battery looked the more dangerous side led by forward Kotaro Higashi. Higashi and the Battery were able to play through the middle of Indy’s defensive half, yet the final passes were lacking. Dante Marini would register the Battery’s first shot of the half in the 22nd minute but the shot was blocked, and Indy were able to clear. 

Former Battery forward Dane Kelly looked the most lively player in the first half challenging for crosses and long passes into the box but was contained by defenders Taylor Mueller and Leland Archer. Joe Kuzminsky played his part in stopping Kelly from scoring against his old club being the first to a number of dangerous balls in the Battery penalty area.

Indy Eleven substitute Tyler Pasher would prove to be the difference in what looked to be a defensive stalemate. Pasher entered the match at halftime for Kenny Walker and made an immediate impact playing down the left side. In his first action of the second half, Pasher whipped in a dangerous cross that missed Kelly and rolled harmlessly out for a goal kick. It was a glimpse of things to come as the midfielder would create a golden chance for Indy forward Thomas Enevoldsen later in the half but Enevoldsen’s attempt was up and over the bar.

Pasher would eventually score the game winner for Indy in the 84th minute. Continuing his dangerous runs down the left side, Pasher was able to get around Archer and had a shot high at the near post. Kuzminsky mishandled the shot and the ball deflected up into the back of the Battery goal. Indy would play out the final ten minutes limiting Charleston’s chances and looking for a second goal late on a series of successive corners.

“You know, we are two good teams,” said coach Anhaeuser after the match. “It was like a chess match early on; we didn’t want to show them what we had. We were very patient offensively, but it picked up in the second half. We knew it was going to be a match where one goal won it.”

The Battery look to rebound from the loss at MUSC Health Stadium on May 25th as they take on Atlanta United 2 at 7:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com or by calling (843) 971-GOAL.

Box Score

INDY: Newton, Barrett, Ouimette, Hackshaw, Garcia, Matern (Watson 83’), Gibson, Walker (Pasher, YC 51’, goal 84’), Farias, Enevoldsen (Osmond 90+5’), Kelly (YC 67’)

Substitutes: Farr, Watson, King, Nieto, Pasher, Osmond, Diakhate

CHARLESTON: Kuzminsky, van Schaik, Mueller, Archer, Paterson (Lewis 86’), Candela, Anunga, Piggott (YC 89), Higashi, Marini (Mason 62’), Bosua (Svantesson 68’)

Substitutes: Breno, Mason, Lewis, Daley, Svantesson

The Charleston Battery take on Indy Eleven at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday night at 7:00 PM.

Last Time Out

Indy Eleven played host to USL League One side Lansing Ignite on Wednesday in a 1-0 win. Lansing had a golden chance to open the scoring thirty seconds in but their attempt was blocked and cleared off the line by Indy defender Paddy Barrett. Indy would be reduced to ten men in the 21st minute when goalkeeper Evan Newton was sent off following a hard foul outside the box against Lansing forward Elma Nfor.

Thomas Enevoldsen put Indy up 1-0 in the 57th minute. Tyler Gibson’s lofted pass found its way to Barrett who sent a headed pass across the box towards Enevoldsen who rose above a Lansing defender to open the scoring. Lansing continued to pressure ten-man Indy for the remainder of the match but were unable to find the equalizer.

The Battery struggled early in their second-round Open Cup match against Greenville Triumph SC Wednesday night at Legacy Early College.

It was a promising start from the League One side as they controlled much of the first half play and created a number of chances including their opening goal in the 30th minute. Midfielder Omar Mohamed created a few yards of space in a one on one with Battery defender Kyle Nelson and forced Nelson into conceding a corner. Max Hemmings connected with the Aaron Walker cross and headed home the opening goal of the match.

Ian Svantesson was the hero for the Battery in the second half after coming on for Nicque Daley in the 70th minute. Svantesson leveled things in the 79th minute before scoring the game-winner in stoppage time. With the win, Charleston advances to the third round of the Open Cup where they will take on Nashville SC on May 29th.

What to Watch For…

Hello, Old Friend(s) – Former Battery defender Neveal Hackshaw will face his former club for the first time since joining Indy prior to the start of the 2019 USL Championship season. Hackshaw made 82 appearances in three seasons with the Battery serving as a key starter for one of the leagues best defenses. Hackshaw has started all eight regular-season matches for Indy playing every minute of the season and scoring two goals, tied for second-most on the team.

Dane Kelly, who played for the Battery from 2011-2015, will look to jumpstart the Indy offense. Kelly made 107 appearances for the Battery and sits 4th all-time in goals scored for the club. Kelly has scored four goals in eight matches for the Eleven leading the team in that category. Kelly played twenty-seven minutes in a substitute appearance with the Richmond Kickers against the Battery in 2018.

Wild Finish – In 2018, the two sides played to one of the most exciting finishes of the season, splitting points in a 3-3 draw. Goals from Indy forward Soony Saad and Battery defender O’Brian Woodbine kept the game level with thirty minutes to play.

A total of four goals were scored in the final ten minutes of the match with each team netting a stoppage-time goal. Ataulla Guerra would put the Battery up 2-1 in the 80th minute before Ayoze Garcia netted a ten-minute brace going into the final minute of stoppage time.

Tah Brian Anunga scored in the 94th minute to tie things at 3-3, slipping a shot into the corner past goalkeeper Fon Williams. Indy had a chance to win it in the 97th minute from a throw-in but the headed shot was over the bar.

Coaches Corner, Mike Anhaeuser

On Indy Eleven; “It’s the players we know. Dane Kelly has pace up top. They have a lot of experience on the front line, they have experience all over the field. We know that we have to go up there and be physically ready. We had a great result on Wednesday in the Open Cup and so did they.  We might have to adjust a few things here or there, but we are playing well, it should be a great match.”

On the recent U.S. Open Cup Result; “Being on the round in the second round, it’s really about just getting it done. We started a little rough, we were on turf, and our passes were getting away from us. After about 20 or 30 minutes we finally started to settle down and did a great job. Kierron really stepped up to the plate and showed how physically strong he is. He was able to dominate the middle of the field.”

Indy Eleven: USL Championship Record, 4-2-2 (Home: 1-0-2)

Team Leaders

Goals: Kelly (4)

Assists: Walker (3)

Chances Created: Ayoze (18)

Saves: Newton (17)

Clean Sheets: Newton (4)   

Charleston Battery: USL Championship Record, 4-1-4 (Away: 1-1-1)

Team Leaders

Goals: Lewis, Svantesson (3)

Assists: Lewis, Woodbine (2)

Chances Created: Lewis (19)

Saves: Kuzminsky (19)

Clean Sheets: Kuzminsky (3)

The Battery defeated Greenville Triumph SC 2-1 Wednesday night in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Legacy Early College. It was the first meeting between the two sides since Greenville joined USL League One prior to the start of the 2019 season.

Greenville Triumph SC looked to extend their Open Cup run against the Battery after beating South Georgia Tormenta FC in the first round on May 8th. It was a promising start from the League One side as they controlled much of the first half play and created a number of chances including their opening goal in the 30th minute. Midfielder Omar Mohamed created a few yards of space in a one on one with Battery defender Kyle Nelson and forced Nelson into conceding a corner. Max Hemmings connected with the Aaron Walker cross and headed home the opening goal of the match.

The Battery ended the first half on a high, creating a few dangerous opportunities through forwards Zeiko Lewis and Nicque Daley. Daley showcased his power and speed down the left side, shrugging off a Greenville defender before slipping past another in the box. Daley looked to pick out a runner in the box with a low pass but instead missed the back post by mere inches to keep the Battery from leveling before half.

Coming out of halftime the Battery were on the backfoot once again struggling to keep Greenville from getting into dangerous areas. Trailing 1-0 with twenty minutes to play, head coach Mike Anhaeuser elected to bring on forward Ian Svantesson for Daley in the 70th minute. It was Svantessons first action back after suffering an ankle injury in the Battery’s 3-1 loss to Bethlehem Steel FC on April 13th.

Svantesson made an immediate impact in attack for the Battery, challenging for loose balls and looking dangerous on crosses and corners. The breakthrough would come in the 79th minute as Svantesson battled for a ball in the box. The Greenville defense struggled to clear the danger and the ball found its way to Svantesson just a few yards out from goal. A quick snap shot was enough to beat Dallas Jaye and level the scoring.

Svantesson continued to work for a winner with extra time minutes away. He’d take his chance in the first minute of stoppage time latching on to a ball delivered down the right side from the Battery defensive half. Svantesson took a few touches into the box and hit a low powerful shot right at Jaye who couldn’t control, and the ball deflected into the back of the net.

The win sees the Battery through to the third round of the Open Cup where they will take on USL Championship side Nashville SC on May 29th at Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium at 8:30 EST. The match can be streamed live on ESPN+.

Joe Kuzminsky has been named to the USL Team of the Week following the Battery’s 0-0 draw against St. Louis FC Saturday night.

Kuzminsky recorded his third clean sheet of the 2019 USL Championship season making four saves earning the Battery a point and extending the clubs unbeaten run at MUSC Health Stadium to six games.

Kuzminsky’s night was highlighted by an early save, just three minutes into the match, following a St. Louis free kick from twenty yards out. Kuzminsky would preserve the shutout in the 80th minute, denying a late attempt from forward Kyle Greig.

It’s Kuzminsky’s first starting appearance in the USL Team of the Week following his reserve role in Week 8.

The Battery are in action Wednesday night against Greenville Triumph SC in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup. The match can be streamed live on ESPN+

Battery TotW Honors, 2019

Zeiko Lewis (Week 2, reserves)

Leland Archer (Week 5)

Jarad van Schaik (Week 7)

Kuzminsky (Week 8, reserves)

Kuzminsky (Week 10)

The Charleston Battery played to a 0-0 draw against St. Louis FC on Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium. Charleston and St. Louis extended their respective unbeaten streaks at home and on the road in a physical battle between two of the league’s best defenses.

St. Louis opened the stronger team with quality chances in the first ten minutes of the match. Albert Dikwa provided the best chance for St. Louis, a cross to the feet of forward Kyle Greig, but the shot was up and over the crossbar. “Yeah, I think they watched us and caught us off guard in the first couple minutes of the match,” said coach Anhaeuser. “We settled down after that and we played very well defensively for the rest of the match.

Nico Rittmeyer and Zeiko Lewis looked dangerous as the Battery searched for a way to break down the St. Louis backline. Rittmeyer consistently pressured St. Louis down the left sending in crosses towards forward Arthur Bosua, and cutting in on his right foot for a shot. Rittmeyer would be subbed off in the 76th minute after picking up an injury.

Lewis made use of his quick feet and impressive touch to create one of the best chances for the Battery in the 28th minute. Dante Marini loffted a ball into Lewis who extended his leg and brought the ball down off his chest before chipping two St. Louis defenders towards Bosua who missed just wide on a diving header.

Goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky did his fair share in earning a point for the Battery in the hard-fought draw. Kuzminsky was put to the test early in the match following a St. Louis free kick from twenty yards out in the 3rd minute of play. It was a decent free kick that made it over the Battery wall, but it was handled comfortably by Kuzminsky.

Greig would force another save from Kuzminsky in the 80th minute on a powerful shot from outside the eighteen. “It was a pretty even fight for the whole 90 minutes, we had our chances and they had theirs,” said Kuzminsky. “It took us a while to see what they were doing up top and make the proper adjustments. In the end, it’s a point and something to work on for our next match.”

Saturday nights draw is the first of three matches the Battery will play over the next week. The Battery head to Greenville on Wednesday to take on Greenville Triumph SC in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup. “We have to go on the road for the next two matches. We’ve got guys coming off of injuries and we need to be careful how we manage minutes for all of our guys,” said Anhaeuser. “Some of the younger guys are going to need to step up.

The Battery return to USL Championship action next Saturday in Indianapolis as they square off against Indy Eleven. Both matches can be streamed on ESPN+ and join us on May 18th at the Three Lions Pub for the official watch party!

BOXSCORE

CHARLESTON: Kuzminsky, van Schaik, Mueller (YC 90+3), Nelson (YC 63’), Rittmeyer (Paterson 76’), Candela (YC 56’), Anunga, Piggott (YC 51’), Marini (Daley 64’), Bosua, Lewis (Higashi 71’)

Substitutes: Breno, Paterson, Mason, Higashi, Daley, Svantesson

ST. LOUIS: Fenlason, Bahner (YC 24’), Kavita, Fink, Jepson (Dacres 62’), Hilton (Umar 88’, YC 89’), Cicerone (Gee 85’), Dikwa, Abend, Reynolds, Greig

Substitutes: Schulte, Gee, Dacres, Martz, Umar

The Charleston Battery host St. Louis FC Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium at 7:30 PM.

Last Time Out

The Battery split points in a 2-2 draw against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds last Saturday. It was a tale of two halves as the Battery faced a 2-0 deficit going into halftime. Pittsburgh midfielder Kevin Kerr opened the scoring five minutes into the match, splitting two Battery defenders and finishing a Kenardo Forbes pass for his third goal of the season. Forbes doubled Pittsburgh’s lead seven minutes later, chipping Joe Kuzminsky from the left side of the box. Forbes 12th minute goal highlighted a frustrating forty-five minutes for the Battery who saw four yellow cards, three coming in the final minutes of the half.

Nicque Daley, who came on for Romario Piggott in the 64th minute, provided the spark that would lead to the Battery’s second-half comeback. Daley drew a penalty in the 75th minute which Zeiko Lewis converted to cut the lead. Daley scored his first goal for the Battery after a wonderful individual effort to beat three defenders rescuing a point for the Battery in the 81st minute.

St. Louis FC’s last match against Ottawa Fury FC, scheduled for May 4th, was postponed due to flooding. St. Louis were 3-1 winners in their most recent match against Swope Park Rangers on April 27th. Russell Cicerone notched his third goal of the season and is tied for the team lead with Sam Fink. Cicerone scored the second goal for St. Louis following a quick build up between Sean Reynolds and Albert Dikwa. Swope Park would pull one back in in the 65th minute through an Alexsander Andrade goal but St. Louis would secure the win in the 84th through a Kyle Greig headed goal.   

What to Watch For…

Eastern Elite; The Battery and St. Louis FC battle to remain amongst the Eastern Conference elite. St. Louis currently occupy the 3rd sport while Charleston sit 5th. Charleston and St. Louis are enjoying a fine run of form with both sides playing to a 3-1-1 record over their last five matches. Only two points separate Charleston and St. Louis in the table and both sides have a game in hand against conference leaders, New York Red Bulls II.  

Super Subs; Daley’s equalizer on Saturday night is the third goal scored by a Battery substitute this season. Dante Marini has made five substitute appearances this year netting two game-winning goals against Hartford Athletic and Memphis 901 FC. The Battery have earned seven of their fifteen points this season from Daley’s and Marini’s goals.

Unbeaten Streaks; Charleston remains unbeaten at home following their 2-2 draw against Pittsburgh, good for a 3-0-2 record with a plus-5 goal differential. St. Louis have yet to drop points or concede on the road this season, boasting an impressive 2-0-1 record with a plus-3 goal differential.

Coaches Corner

Mike Anhaeuser on St. Louis “They’re solid defensively and they have good players up front. They can score goals and they can defend so they can hit you in two ways. We got caught last week, Pittsburgh came out and surprised us and caught us and this week we have to be prepared.” We know what we have to do and it’s going to be a great game on Saturday.”

On Recent Injuries “Unfortunately, we have a couple of injuries, they’re not bad injuries but we might have to leave a couple of guys out and make a couple of adjustments on the outside. We have a couple of guys that can play multiple positions, so we’ll get through with our adjustments.

Joe Kuzminsky, on St. Louis “It’s going to be a tough game. They’re above us in the conference. They’ve come out and shown that they’re ready to compete in the Eastern Conference. They are going to be a formidable opponent and we have to come out with intensity, come out strong, no slow starts; just be ready for them. We’re at home. We like to attack, we like to score goals, but we don’t want to give them an opportunity to score either.”

Charleston Battery: USL Championship Record, 4-1-3 (Home: 3-0-2)

Team Leaders

Goals: Lewis, Svantesson (3)

Assists: Lewis, Woodbine (2)

Chances Created: Lewis (16)

Saves: Kuzminsky (15)

Clean Sheets: Kuzminsky (2)   

St. Louis FC: USL Championship Record, 5-1-2 (Away: 2-0-1)

Team Leaders

Goals: Cicerone, Fink (3)

Assists: Hilton (2)

Chances Created: Forbes (15)

Saves: Fenlason (17)

Clean Sheets: Fenlason (4)

The Battery split points with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in a 2-2 draw Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium. It was a tale of two halves as the Battery completed a second-half comeback to stay undefeated at home this season.

Pittsburgh got off to a blistering start, scoring their first goal in the fifth minute through a Kevin Kerr goal. Midfielder Kenardo Forbes played a perfectly weighted pass to Kerr who found space between defenders Taylor Mueller and Kyle Nelson at the top of the eighteen-yard box. Kerr would slip his shot pas Kuzminsky despite late pressure from Nelson.

Forbes would find himself involved with Pittsburgh’s second goal just seven minutes later, this time as a goal scorer. Ryan James lofted a pass towards Forbes who controlled the ball beautifully and caught goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky with a brilliant chip.

Frustration began to build for the Battery late in the first half. Obrian Woodbine, Jarad van Schaik, and Romario Piggott were all booked in the final moments before the whistle. “I told them at half time to keep their composure,” said head coach Mike Anhaeuser after the match. “We had a couple of guys getting upset about things they couldn’t control. Keep your composure and we’ll get them in the second half.”

Forward Nicque Daley would provide the spark off the bench that the Battery needed to complete the comeback. Twelve minutes after coming on for Piggott, Daley found himself with an opportunity in a dangerous area and forced a penalty from a Pittsburgh defender. Zeiko Lewis would score the ensuing penalty kick to cut the Pittsburgh lead.

Five minutes after Lewis’ penalty, Daley would finish off a wonderful individual effort to leveling things late. Daley found himself with a bit of space on the right side and one on one with a Pittsburgh defender. Daley beat the first defender and split two others on his way into the box and placed a perfect shot past Kyle Morton at the far post. Daley would go on to win Man of the Match honors after his first goal for the Battery. “Well I’m so excited about getting the goal for the team and the supporters,” said Daley after the match. “I knew I had the pace and quickness to make something happen and when I got into the box, I knew I could pass or shoot. I decided to shoot, and I scored. It’s fantastic.”

The Battery are home for the second straight match on Saturday, May 11th as they take on St. Louis FC at MUSC Health Stadium. Tickets are available for purchase at tickets.https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com or by calling (843) 971-GOAL.

BOXSCORE

CHARLESTON: Kuzminsky, Nelson (Kelly 67’), Mueller, Woodbine (YC 44’), Piggott (YC 45+2’, Daley 64’, goal 81’), Lewis (pen 77’), Candela, Rittmeyer, van Schaik (YC 45’) (Marini 77’), Anunga (YC 14’), Bosua (YC 78’)

Substitutes: Beebe, Breno, Paterson, Kelly, Mason, Marini, Daley

PITTSBURGH: Morton, Adewole, Dover, Kahsai (Uzo 70’), James (assist 7’), Kerr (goal 5’), Forbes (assist 5’, goal 12’), Volesky (Dos Santos 79’), Velarde (Brett 79’), Vancaeyezeele, Greenspan (YC 37’)

The Charleston Battery host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds this Saturday at 7:30 PM at MUSC Health Stadium.

Last Time Out

The Battery took three points last Saturday in a wild finish against Memphis 901 FC. Substitute Dante Marini scored the game-winning goal in the dying seconds of the match.

Defender Kyle Nelson provided the pass that would lead to Marini’s goal. With everyone forward for a final attack, Nelson sent in a low, hard pass that skipped into the box and was mishandled by Memphis goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell. Marini beat Caldwell and a number of Memphis defenders to the ball to make it 1-0 in the 93rd minute.

“It felt great to be in a position to help the team win,” said Nelson after the match. “The pass kind of bobbled on its way through the box and I knew he still had the keeper to beat.”

Arthur Bosua and Zeiko Lewis will look to spearhead Charleston’s attack with provided support from Jarad van Schaik, O’Brian Woodbine, and Dante Marini. Van Schaik notched a brace last time out at MUSC Health Stadium and Woodbine leads the team in assists. The Battery have scored at least two goals in three of their four home matches this season but face a difficult test Saturday night against Pittsburgh.

The late victory in Memphis makes it back to back wins for the Battery who will look to extend their winning streak to three matches tomorrow night at home. 

Pittsburgh saw late drama in their last home match against Nashville SC at Highmark Stadium on April 27th. Nashville goals from Kenneth Tribbett and Bradley Bourgeois put the visitor up 2-0 going into the final ten minutes of the match.

Christian Volesky cut the lead in the 88th minute, a diving header off a Jordan Dover cross, beating Nashville goalkeeper Connor Sparrow at the near post.

Pittsburgh would pressure Nashville late and force an unlucky own goal from Nashville defender Kosuke Kimura. Kevin Kerr provided the cross to Ryan James at the back post, his first touch deflected off of Kimura into the Nashville goal.

Midfielder Kevin Kerr will orchestrate the Pittsburgh attack with forward Neco Brett. Brett scored 15 goals for the club last season and has been held without a goal in Pittsburgh’s last two matches. Brett and Kerr were on the scoresheet against Hartford Athletic on April 13th and both have two goals to their name this season.

A Defensive Battle

Charleston and Pittsburgh were two of the best defensive teams in the Championship last season. The Battery have allowed three goals in four home matches this season with one shutout against Charlotte Independence earlier this year.

Pittsburgh are looking to improve on their defensive form after allowing six goals through their first three matches of the season. The Riverhounds have improved on their early-season struggles, shutting out defending USL Champions Louisville City, in a 1-0 win on April 6th and holding St. Louis FC scoreless on April 20th.

“They’re probably one of the best defensive teams in the league,” said Coach Anhaeuser after Friday’s practice. “We may only get four or five chances and have to make one of them count. We’ve got to get balls into those wide positions where we can attack them.”

Charleston Battery: USL Championship Record, 4-1-2 (Home: 3-0-1)

Team Leaders

Goals: Svantesson (3)

Assists: Woodbine (2)

Chances Created: Lewis (14)

Saves: Kuzminsky (15)

Clean Sheets: Kuzminsky (2)   

Pittsburgh Riverhounds: USL Championship Record, 2-1-4 (Away: 1-1-2)

Team Leaders

Goals: Brett, Kerr (2)

Assists: Forbes, James (2)

Chances Created: Forbes (13)

Saves: Lundgaard (6)

Clean Sheets: Lundgaard (2)

TAMPA (May 2, 2019) – The United Soccer League is proud to announce the 33 USL clubs that will compete in the USL Academy Cup, a new event beginning this year featuring the country’s elite youth players from the U-13 and U-17 age groups. This announcement comes off the back of the unveiling of the league’s vision for an Academy system and begins with the Academy Cup serving as a forerunner to the first-ever USL Academy League, built to provide a clear youth-to-pro path in each USL community.

“This year’s cup competition is the first big step toward building a league model for all of our academies,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “You can see from both the number and quality of teams participating that there’s a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for what we’re looking to accomplish. We see this as an integral part of our organization, and the foundation of this league for years to come.”

The cup competition will see academy teams from all three levels of the USL represented, with clubs from the Championship, League One, and League Two all competing against one another. These events will be designed to better identify and accelerate the development of elite youth players with the potential to reach the professional ranks.

“Charleston Battery Soccer Club’s philosophy of being totally focused on long-term individual player development is fully supported by the new USL Academy structure,” said Youth Technical Director Derek Broadley. “The two events for the 2019/20 season will give our elite players a taste of what is to come from a professionalized academy system, while giving them the opportunity to compete in games where players share the same desire to get to the professional level. It is great to see the professional teams of the USL picking up the reigns of elite player development that mirrors the majority of the established football nations around the world!”

The makeup of the competition will include 22 teams representing the USL Championship, with three League One clubs and eight League Two clubs rounding out a growing footprint that already reaches 21 states across the country.

“The USL Academy Cup is a testament to the great work being done by leaders in youth development across the country and shows a strong belief in supporting environments that will push our top youth players to grow and evolve,” said Liam O’Connell, USL Sr. Director of Youth Development. “We are incredibly proud to launch this competition this year and to see our clubs continue to take on an even bigger role in driving the growth of our game for many years to come.”

As a part of USL’s growth, the Academy Cup will lead into the Academy League, a player-focused, club-driven league designed to serve as the gold standard of youth development. Aligning with the USL’s vision, clubs will participate at the highest level of competition in their respective age ranges with a goal to improve club and coaching development as well as provide the optimal environment for player growth.

For information on conference alignment, competition structure, and the latest on the USL Academy initiatives, visit USL-Academy.com.