ydp_faqs
Cultivating Talent
Cultivating Talent

MNUFC’s Academy program starts at the U15 level, but talent identification starts far sooner. That’s where our Pre-Academy program comes in. This program is for players between the U11 and U14 age groups, enabling our club to identify and cultivate talent as players get closer and closer to Academy soccer.

The program itself incorporates a series of Discovery ID periods, where any player within the designated age group is welcome to attend. These periods are broken into three sessions across three weeks, giving our licensed Academy staff and some part-time coaches the chance to see each age group play three times. Then, 30-35 players are selected from each group to join the Pre-Academy.

Pre-Academy groups essentially give coaches a longer period of time to get to know players, with the eventual aim of identifying which players they’d like to invite to join the Academy at the U15 level. Through a series of training sessions, they get to see how each player performs, interacts, and competes. Players are able to and encouraged to continue playing for their local clubs while participating in our Pre-Academy.

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MNUFC Academy FAQs
MNUFC Academy FAQs

How do players join the MNUFC Academy?

  • Players can join the Academy through a few different avenues, all of which involve targeted selection by MNUFC staff:
    • Pre-Academy participation can lead to Academy selection (link to Pre-Academy page)
    • Player stands out in an Academy tryout (link to tryout page)
    • Player is identified by one of our talent scouts

Once I’m in the Academy, do I have to try out for new age groups in the following years?

  • Roster spots in the Academy are season-long commitments. Players are reevaluated every six months to discuss their current and future status as members of the Academy.

How long does the Academy season run? What’s the playoff format like?

  • The MLS NEXT season runs from August to July, with preseason starting in early August and the playoffs running through late July. Teams can qualify for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs through either League standings or Flex standings, making regular season performance a crucial part of extending the season and fighting for trophies.

If I join the MNUFC Academy, can I still play with my local club / school?

  • Up through our Pre-Academy teams, players are encouraged to continue playing with their local clubs. Once they join the ranks of one of our MLS NEXT teams, we require that they be fully committed to the MNUFC Academy, meaning they can no longer play for their local club/school.

How does the Academy interact with other local clubs?

  • Our Academy is increasingly integrated with the local soccer landscape, in part thanks to our Alliance Program. This program was started to create an intentional community of soccer leaders, bringing together local clubs, schools, and organizations to push the game forward. Through this program, as well as through many personal relationships, our club is proud to work with and within the vibrant soccer culture of the Upper Midwest.

How do Academy players manage school while in the program?

  • As one option available to Academy players, MNUFC works closely with Spring Lake Park schools to provide flexible, in-person and remote learning opportunities that allow Academy players to receive a high-quality education among the demands of a high-level soccer schedule. Link out to [Academy Education page\]

Do I have to be a local to join the Academy?

  • While the club does place a higher priority on developing players from within our region, with the introduction of our Homestay Program, our Academy is able to accept players from all over the world.

What does it cost to play for the Academy program? 

  • It is 100% free to play for the Academy. Travel expenses are covered by the club. The only things players’ families are responsible for is rides to and from practice, home games, and the airport.

What does the pathway to the first team look like?

  • In theory, the pathway is straightforward: players advance through the three levels of the Academy program, before moving to MNUFC2, and eventually to the first team. In reality, player development is rarely that linear, but several Academy players have made it all the way to the first team, including Devin Padelford, Darius Randell, and Fred Emmings. With the introduction of MNUFC2 in 2022, our youth players now have a stepping stone between youth and professional soccer, with many of our U18 players earning significant minutes with the second team.
Latest MNUFC News
Latest MNUFC News