"We are thrilled to partner with the Tallahassee Reckoning to bring USL Men’s Soccer to our community,” said Lee Blenman, Director of Sporting Tallahassee Soccer Academy. “This academy team not only elevates the competitive landscape in Tallahassee but also solidifies our dedication to nurturing a complete soccer ecosystem. By providing a clear progression route for young players, we are investing in the future of the sport and empowering the next generation of athletes in our region.”

“Building on the momentum of our USL women’s program, this partnership with Sporting Tallahassee will further enrich soccer opportunities for the entire community,” said Dr. Ashlee Fontes (PhD), founder of the Tallahassee Reckoning. “We are dedicated to fostering a vibrant soccer culture that supports both men’s and women’s pathways, inspiring generations of athletes to pursue their dreams of playing the beautiful game professionally.”

“Since the launch of the Sporting Jax Youth Academy, Sporting Tallahassee has been integral to our success, and their commitment to player development is evident in the promotion of the boys and girls teams to the ECNL Regional League,” stated Mark Warburton, Sporting Director/Head of Soccer for Sporting Jax. “The launch of the USL Men’s Academy team now adds the next step in their player development pathway and is a direct line to our Sporting Jax USL professional teams, opening new avenues for talent development.”

About USL Academy

The purpose of the USL Academy is to create optimal player development environments and provide local youth prospects the best chance of reaching the professional level, all league-approved USL Academy programs will be required to meet a set of minimum standards across a series of categories listed out in this document. By developing these standards, USLHQ aims to pursue the following key goals:

Build Pathways: Establish as many youth to pro player development pathways as possible, linking elite youth organizations with USL Senior Teams in Championship, Super League, League One, League Two & W League. 

Produce Players: Increase the number & quality of locally produced talents for USL Senior Teams, while striving to develop world-class players able to compete at the highest level.

Drive Return on Investment: Provide USL ownership groups an efficient player development model for their Senior Teams, while increasing the likelihood of a return on that investment.

Improve Quality: Improve the standard of long-term player development programs across the United States, positively impacting every aspect of those environments & pathways.