About the Union Academy

The Union Academy provides free training and competition opportunities for elite youth players under a “club-neutral” format. The Union have partnered with YSC to create this innovative model, which provides the Philadelphia region’s most talented youth “a path to PPL Park." 

This unique program enables Philadelphia Union and YSC to work in conjunction with local youth clubs to share in the process of developing players. The club-neutral format enables gifted youth players to remain registered and playing with their local club teams while receiving free supplemental training and competition opportunities when “called up” to represent Philadelphia Union.

There are currently three phases of the Union Academy. Step I is the YSC Union Juniors program (ages 8-12), Step II is the Union Juniors Academy (ages 13-14), and Step III is the Union Youth Academy (ages 15-18). 

The most innovative element of the Union/YSC Model is Step III. The Union and YSC have formed a Youth Development Affiliation (YDA) program open to all clubs that meet certain technical criteria (i.e., coaching staff qualifications, curriculum plan design, etc.). Founding Youth Development Affiliate clubs include FC DELCO, PA Classics, PDA, Lehigh Valley United, Penn Fusion and YMS. This unique program provides selected players a direct and authentic link to the professional game, while offering affiliate clubs oversight and guidance from the Union/YSC Technical Staff on player development best practices. 

READ: Youth Development Affiliate FAQ

The fourth and final step of the progression is a spot on either Philadelphia Union’s First or Reserve Teams and/or one of their professional affiliate partners Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-PRO) or Reading United (PDL).

YSC Union Juniors Program

The Union Juniors program consists of two age groups, 8-12 and 13-14. CLICK HERE for more information about the YSC Union Juniors program.

To set up a Union Juniors trial, interested players should have their club Director of Coaching contact YSC Union Juniors in order to set up a trial for the player. YSC Union Juniors will require a conversation with the DOC before accepting anyone for a trial. No parents should contact Joe for a trial. All requests for trials should be directed to YSC Union Juniors Operations Manager Joe Levan by email at jlevan@yscsports.com or by phone at 484-678-1432.

CLICK HERE for the 2011/2012 Union Juniors schedule.

Union Academy Fast Facts

  • Philadelphia Union and YSC have formed a partnership focused on providing elite youth players supplemental training and competition opportunities via the Union Juniors (8-13) and Union Academy (14-18) programs. Our innovative club-neutral, free of cost, youth development model is unlike any other MLS youth academy program because local players remain connected and registered with their respective feeder clubs.
  • Our “club and country” model enables players to play for local club teams and get “called-up” to represent the Philadelphia Union. The word “Union” is a perfect word to describe the model because at heart of this program is the concept of youth clubs, high school teams, YSC and the Philadelphia Union sharing in the responsibility of developing elite talent.
  • Philadelphia Union and YSC staff are among the highest credentialed soccer trainers in the US, including Philadelphia Union coach John Hackworth, Union GK Coach Rob Vartughian, and YSC’s UEFA Pro Licensed Academy Director, Iain Munro, as well as other top level coaches and former professional players.
  • The Union Juniors and Union Academy program is not a club nor will it form teams to compete in local leagues. Supplemental training and competition opportunities versus other MLS youth academies and/or international professional youth academies will be provided for certain ages.
  • Training will be held at YSC (224 Country Line, Wayne, PA) unless otherwise notified by Union Staff.
  • YSC Union Juniors is FREE OF COST.
  • Opportunities for international competition and travel.
  • College Scouting Network. YSC and Philadelphia Union’s extensive connections with college coaches and programs can be leveraged to help find the right collegiate playing environment for our players.
  • More than just soccer focused. YSC / Union is committed to a curriculum that focuses on core values using sports psychology to provide players life skills that will help them both on and off the field of play.
  • Sports Science Education expertise led by PHd in Physiology (providing cutting edge information on nutrition, recovery, fitness, etc. to help our athletes adopt long-term healthy habits).
  • Ability for Academy players to be “called up” to train and/or compete with Philadelphia Union Reserves / First Team.