The FC Cincinnati Academy has announced the dates for the 2023/24 Discovery Program season.
The Discovery Program is the start of FC Cincinnati Academy’s elite player development pathway that both identifies local youth talent and provides MLS-level education and training to local coaches and players.
“The Discovery Program debuted in the fall of 2019 and is used as major recruiting tool enabling us to connect with our network of youth clubs in and around Cincinnati in an effort to identify the top young talent,” said Larry Sunderland, FC Cincinnati’s Director of Player Development.
During the fall season, the free-to-play developmental programming will be offered to high performing players in the 2010 thru 2012 age groups. Players will be invited to participate in the five-week program while staying registered with their respective club team and continue to represent their club in practices and games. Players born in 2013 will have the opportunity to participate in the Spring 2024 season.
As the FC Cincinnati Academy continues to grow, the Discovery Program has seen the number of players invited more than double. “Connecting this program to our other programs such as the Affiliate Program, Club Partner Program and our FCC Foundation, establishes a real environment of collaboration as we attempt to identify and develop future players for FC Cincinnati.” said Adrian Parrish, U13 Academy Head Coach.
The Discovery Program is an instrumental piece for the FC Cincinnati Academy player identification process in which potential future Academy players are identified and monitored. Over half of the Pre-Academy (U13 & U14) rosters are comprised of players that participated in the program.
The Discovery Program helps the FC Cincinnati Academy foster relationships with local clubs, enhance player development in the region and help players understand the quality, skill and attributes needed to earn a place at an MLS academy. In addition, the program is used as a coaching education tool for local youth coaches to become involved and engrained within the system.
To recommend a player for the 2023 Discovery Program, click here