thE Elite Academy League?
Composed primarily by member clubs in the new MLS NEXT Platform, The Elite Academy League was created to extend best practices and standards to the entirety of a club’s player pool. This unique ability to work together within both platforms empowers clubs to maintain the highest standards in competitive soccer and unites them with a common goal and direction.
By unifying clubs from within the conferences, we have found a way to maintain the defining standards of the former DA and merge them with the new and enhanced standards of the “MLS NEXT.” This integration further presents long-needed flexibility in two key areas; (1) permission for all players to participate in High School Soccer and, (2) revising the substitution rules to encourage clubs to better utilize their player pools, especially when showcasing their players to college coaches.
Vertical Integration
The Elite Academy League is connected and aligned with the other areas of the club in order to facilitate proper player development. This requires a consistent training curriculum and methodology. Our coaches collaborate and create the ideal training and game playing scenarios for each player in the program.
Professional Staff
ALBION SC hires and attracts experienced coaches that have played and coached at the most elite levels. These coaches are all credentialed with a US Soccer A, B, or C license and are experienced with elite level programming and team management. Our staff includes the following positions:
Technical Director
Academy Director
Academy Administrator
College Placement Director
Head Coach
Goalkeeper Coach
Philosophy
We believe in an age-based developmental philosophy that can be defined as follows:
Train to Learn.
U13-U14. At this stage players are primed for the long-term demands of the 11v11 game. During this period, there is heavy emphasis on technical and soccer IQ components of the game. Our teaching is geared towards perfecting our game model and style of play. We strive to develop a winning mentality every day.
Train to Compete.
U15. At this stage players are better prepared for the physical and mental demands of the 11v11 game. While we continue to perfect our game model and style of play, we will introduce different tactical elements that give us the competitive advantage over our opponents. We compete every day and exude a winning mentality in everything that we do.
Train to Win.
U16-U19. At this stage players are ready to compete and must show the desire to win at all times. We will showcase our players and teams at the highest levels possible.
EA Resources and Initiatives
Financial assistance for players that qualify
Position-specific training
Age-based developmental model
Comprehensive curriculum and teaching methodology
The Dedicated Competetive Soccer Player Commitment - Out of State Travel Expenses
League play and regional competition
Participation in tournaments and showcases
Travel within and outside of Georgia on every team
Attend Showcases out of state .
Travel to Nationals if needed
Additional time commitment for training and games