2026-27 USL Academy FL Rising Stars

The USL Academy is an academy league for USL powerhouses, offering a more direct look into professional clubs that have worked to become talent factories. Some high school prospects have already gotten the jump to the U20s, the main age group. Others have gotten opportunities to compete in U13 / U15 groups in Academy Cup tournaments. With the opportunity to represent a local USL club in addition to an academy, here are some recruits in the South Florida and North Florida divisions rocketing on the radar:    St. Petersburg FC USL Academy midfielder who is a tank in transitions. Sparking forward play by using passing lanes as an advantage, this attacking threat can be replicated in different locations. Quick to cover where needed, then making the late runs to be the necessary option outside of the box. Productivity is continued across wide and central attacking zones in the perimeter.     Sumner student athlete that is a secure set of hands between the sticks. Understands the difference between imminent threats compared to smaller worries, perfectly timing the action of leaving the line. Solid lateral quickness, always moving from Point A to Point B in time without any question. Communicator that reads play effectively, recovering loose balls when seen with absolute ease.     An aggressive fullback for Sporting Jax ECNL / USL Academy. With the mobility of the winger, the on ball capabilities help accelerate possession into goalscoring positions. The agility on the move is great, being the first in line whatever the situation may be. Effective at winning the ball, digging in when unexpected, finding an outlet. Excellent control when completing such actions.     Sporting Jax ECNL / USL Academy prospect who is versatile playing in a two-man or three-man midfield. Dictates play through inside zones where teammates can be found, and where rapid combinations can beat markers, offering a path for progression options to break the invisible wall. Smart spatial awareness to play around the press, realizing how markers move to make the best decision available, executing accordingly.     Inter Gainesville KF utility player that performs expected tasks well. In the midfield phase, there is effort in finding the right passing combinations to get forward into chance creating areas. With the right passes played across the center of the park, transitions are jumpstarted at the right times so forwards can get in their spaces to convert chances coming their way.     A go getter forward already in the Rowdies U16s. The hunger is seen in every motion, from the full sprint press, to incredible half touches on the dribble. Doing the simple things to such a high degree. Waiting for play to open before the obvious pass. Takes advantage of speed and composure on the shot to score goals that otherwise would not have been there.

The USL Academy is an academy league for USL powerhouses, offering a more direct look into professional clubs that have worked to become talent factories. Some high school prospects have already gotten the jump to the U20s, the main age group. Others have gotten opportunities to compete in U13 / U15 groups in Academy Cup tournaments. With the opportunity to represent a local USL club in addition to an academy, here are some recruits in the South Florida and North Florida divisions rocketing on the radar: