HUNTSVILLE – Huntsville City Football Club, the first MLS NEXT Pro club to operate in a separate city from its Major League Soccer parent, will host its own club academy — another first for HCFC.
Huntsville City FC announced today its club academy will launch in September with a U13 team and a U14 team as part of MLS NEXT. A new age group will be added each year until a full U13 – U19 program is established, the club said in a news release.
“The addition of Huntsville City FC Academy in the fall is an exciting moment for MLS NEXT as we continue to expand the player pathway through various strategies across different markets,” said MLS NEXT Technical Director Luis Robles. “Huntsville City will be the first MLS NEXT Pro affiliate to launch an MLS NEXT academy independent of its MLS club, which highlights the organization’s strong commitment to player development throughout the region for years to come.”
MLS NEXT is an elite youth soccer league in the United States that develops top players through high-level competitions and professional training standards. It includes MLS Club academies and top independent programs (MLS NEXT Elite Academies), offering a pathway to college, professional soccer, and national teams.
“We are pleased to launch this new opportunity for youth soccer players in North Alabama,” said Chad Emerson, Huntsville City FC managing director of business operations. “The Young Boys in Blue will have a chance to learn from some of the best and brightest soccer minds in the region and represent North Alabama on and off the pitch.”
The Huntsville City FC Academy will follow three core principles:
- Prioritize the best interests of the youth athlete and their family
- Provide North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley direct access to the highest level of youth competitive soccer
- Actively engage local soccer organizations to develop mutually beneficial collaborative opportunities
The HCFC Academy allows young local players to train with the best in the area, compete against the best in the country, and increase exposure to college scouts, national teams, and professional academies.
Additionally, the HCFC Academy will keep talented athletes in North Alabama, reducing the need for extensive travel to other states for high-level soccer opportunities.
Huntsville City FC also announced the academy’s coaching staff, whose names may be familiar to local soccer programs: Babayele Sodade, head coach; Michael Parker, assistant coach; and Amar Amin, coach and goalkeeper coach.
For the past eight years, Sodade has served as the head coach of Huntsville High School, where he has played a key role in the program’s success. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to youth development, focusing on technical skills, tactical awareness, and overall player growth.
“I’m excited to be a part of this project as it brings an elite level of competition to North Alabama, giving our local youth players the opportunity to develop and succeed without having to travel long distances to play at a high level,” Sodade said.
He is enrolled in the U.S. Soccer B License course, further enhancing his coaching education. In addition to coaching, Sodade is the director of finance and accounting at Yorktown Systems Group.
As a player, Sodade was a standout forward at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, before being selected by Seattle Sounders FC in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. During his professional career, he played for Seattle Sounders FC before transitioning into coaching.
Parker is entering his fifth year as head coach of the Bob Jones Patriots boys high school soccer program. During this time, his team qualified for the state playoffs and numerous players participated in college.
Parker is also one of the founders of AYSO United Alabama soccer club. During his time with AYSO United, Parker was named Club Coach of the year in 2019 for the state of Alabama.
Michael Parker, Assistant Academy Coach: “I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of bringing MLS NEXT to North Alabama,” Parker said. “We have some amazing players in this community that will now be able to showcase their talents, at the highest levels, right here at home.”
“I look forward to being a part of their journey.”
Amin has been coaching since 2004 at the youth, high school, amateur and collegiate level. Most recently he was a coach for North Alabama SC since 2008 and the director of goalkeeping at NASC since 2018.
He is also a coach for the Olympic Development Program for Alabama and the USYS South Region and is the Owner and Director of Coaching of Elite Goalkeeping Academy. He holds a United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma and a USSF A-Youth License.
Amin attended Mississippi State University and earned degrees in aerospace engineering. He is employed with the Army on Redstone Arsenal.
“I am thrilled to join HCFC to bring MLS NEXT to our community.” Amin said. “I look forward to contributing to the development of this program from its inception.”
Practices and games will take place at Wicks Family Field. Seasons typically run from September to June, aligning with the academic year. The season includes regular season matches, showcases, and playoffs.
There will be scholarship and sponsorship opportunities to help reduce costs for players and their families looking to join the academy.
For information about the Huntsville City FC Academy, including information on how to join, click here.
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