acAdemy
A Player-Centered Development System
PURPOSEFUL TRAINING. INTELLIGENT PLAYERS. CONFIDENT PEOPLE.
U9 - U18
The Academy program is ASA’s most comprehensive program, supporting players with learning opportunities throughout the year. Teams train three to four times per week, compete in various tournaments during the year and are led by USSF/NSCAA licensed coaches who are selected by ASA’s Technical staff.
From U9–U18, ASA Academy provides a progressive soccer experience built around a shared game model, professional coaching, game-like learning, and meaningful competition. Every player is challenged to think, create, compete, and grow, while building the confidence and habits to succeed on and off the field.
Academy Quick Facts
80 Boys & Girls Teams
1350+ Players
60+ USSF Coaches
Local, Regional & National Successes
Outcomes
The Academy program provides a unique platform to make a significant impact on each participant’s life. Skill development through implementing ASA’s game model on the field is pivotal to ensuring players enjoy their competitive experience. The comprehensive platform provided by Academy soccer is first and foremost a medium to develop the whole person.
Academy program participants are challenged to practice:
- Teamwork: Develop skills working well with others towards a unified goal
- Coachability: Respond to direction and oversight
- Resiliency: Bounce back from disappointment
- Humility: Respect peers and opponents
- Self confidence: Believe in themselves.
Photo by Evan Eile.
Competition
ASA strives to place each Academy team in a competitive environment that provides the right balance of challenge, development, and opportunity for success. Our most advanced boys’ and girls’ teams compete in the MLS NEXT and Girls Academy national league platforms. The majority of Academy teams compete in the regionally recognized National Capital Soccer League (NCSL).
When selecting a league for each team, ASA’s first priority is appropriate competition and a positive overall player experience. This flexible approach allows teams to compete against the most suitable opposition locally, regionally, and nationally. League participation may change from year to year, but our focus on creating the best possible competitive environment for every team remains the same.
Leagues
The Atlantic Premier League (APL) brings together the most competitive U8-U15 boys and girls teams from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, DC and Maryland. Designed for the best clubs in the region — it offers organized match-play on premium fields. Acela is the first division of this league.
Eastern Development Program (EDP) is a regional based league that some high level ASA teams opt to compete in each season. The league is often supplementary to other play and adds eight games to a season for teams interested in extra competition.
The Girls Academy is the leading youth development platform for the best female soccer players in the United States. They are the only national youth soccer platform that represents the collective vision of member clubs and actively engages the voice of the players to take real ownership of the league. They embrace the desire of club members and players to maintain an unrivaled standard of excellence in coaching, competition, and regional and national showcase events throughout the year.
MLS NEXT provides a high level player development experience founded on a collaborative approach to governance and a commitment to innovation. MLS NEXT players have access to the highest level of competition and to training and personal development opportunities. Several middle and high school aged ASA boys teams compete in MLS NEXT against clubs from around the region and country.
National Capital Soccer League (NCSL) is the DC Metro area’s premier promotion-relegation soccer league with multiple divisions of competition within each group. The league is one of the oldest, largest, and most well-known travel soccer leagues in the nation. It currently features 72 member clubs centered in Maryland, DC, Virginia, and West Virginia. The majority of ASA teams compete in NCSL and the promotion-relegation structure helps ensure they are place against appropriate competition.
The National 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.
General Information
Uniforms
Academy uniforms are ordered online—uniforms CAN NOT be ordered from or picked up at the ASA front office. Once your child is accepted and registered for an Academy team you will receive an email with information on how to order their uniform.
The club assigns all uniform numbers. Participants keep the same jerseys and numbers year to year (you have the option of ordering a new jersey if an old one no longer fits).
Each player needs one red jersey, one white jersey, one pair of red shorts and one pair of red socks. All other items in the online store are optional.
Scholarships
Players who qualify for free or reduced lunch are eligible to receive 25% off Academy tuition. Additional assistance is allocated on a sliding scale, based on household income and members of household.
Thank you to D1 Training for providing speed training, agility, and injury prevention support to Academy teams!
Cost of the Academy Program
Academy program costs vary based on age group and team. Payments can be made in a lump sum or spread out over multiple installments. The tuition includes coaching fees, league fees, insurance, club fees, equipment costs, field permits, referees and tournament fees. ASA operates with an all-inclusive approach wherein all costs are covered under the yearly fee. All new players to the Academy are required to purchase a Capelli uniform that typically lasts two years.
Please contact [email protected] with questions regarding financial support.
She Leads
She Leads is to empower Academy girls with tools that reach far beyond the soccer field. Through engaging speakers and interactive workshops, Academy players U13+ will have the opportunity to strengthen leadership skills, gain confidence in their voices, and explore a variety of career paths and skills. This program is designed to highlight the many ways young women can step into leadership roles both on and off the pitch.
In addition to career exploration, She Leads will focus on building practical life skills such as financial literacy, communication, resume creation, and budgeting. She Leads reflects ASA’s commitment to developing the whole player—helping Academy girls grow as leaders, teammates, and community members prepared to make an impact in the game and beyond.
CALENDAR
The Academy program operates on a yearly calendar.
Playing on an Academy team is a year-long commitment. Official tryouts for Academy teams take place in April/May.
July: Optional summer practices (dependent on coach and age group)
August – Early November: Practices + 8 league games + a tournament (some teams may compete in two or three [or more] tournaments and showcase events)
Late November – Early March: Optional winter practices (high school teams have specific schedules)
March – May: Practices + 8 league games + two tournaments (some teams may compete in two or three [or more] tournaments and showcase events)
Academy Opportunities
Children too young for the Academy program (born in 2017 or 2018) who are looking for a competitive training environment with professional coaches are encouraged to check out the Junior Academy program!
ASA offers tryouts on a rolling basis throughout the year for kids who may have missed the original dates. Please email our Academy Staff at [email protected] to learn more about setting up a supplementary tryout.
Sage Training is a proud sponsor of ASA's Academy
Sage Training
SAGE Training is committed to educating its students to develop and excel at the knowledge, skills and the values that will not only encourage them to reach their professional goals but also make them community-minded and caring EMS providers dedicated to providing excellent service to patients.