FC Málaga City New York to compete in USL Academy League

TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League (USL) announced FC Málaga City New York as the latest club to join the USL Academy League.

The club’s Academy team will compete in the Northeast Division of the USL Academy League beginning in 2021, completing a development system at the club that also includes a recently-announced senior team in USL League Two.

“The addition of FC Málaga City to the USL Academy League is fantastic for the league, the club, and players from the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York,” said USL Sr. Director of Youth Development Liam O’Connell. “The club is quickly building a pathway from the local grassroots level through its USL Academy program to its senior team in USL League Two, and I’m excited to see how that pathway will boost the ability of the top local talents to develop and reach the sport’s highest levels.”

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Though the team is based in the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York, it is affiliated with the FC Málaga City Academy of Spain. Each year, FC Málaga City New York pays to send its entire academy to Spain to train and compete for three months, and its coaches come from the parent club with UEFA certifications. The youth club is a non-pay-to-play program, providing equal opportunities for players from all financial backgrounds.

“Aligning with the USL Academy League is ideal, given our goal of providing even the most entry level players with clear pathways to collegiate and pre-professional soccer,” said FC Málaga City New York’s Club & Academy Director Colin McComb. “This move helps us break down barriers for soccer athletes to gain unmatched competitive experience.”

The USL Academy platform’s collaborative approach to youth development will allow the club’s best players to move between its League Two and Academy teams, providing each player with the competition level that best suits their individual needs at any given time.