Seattle Sounders FC

About the Club

The Seattle Sounders FC Academy is dedicated to developing top youth soccer talent. It aims to accelerate individual player development by exposing them to a global standard of soccer, including opportunities for call-ups to youth national teams. The Academy is a foundational part of the club's long-term vision, striving to produce Homegrown Players who can compete with the world's elite. They seek to develop intelligent and adaptable players. The pathway to a professional contract is clearly defined, starting with the Discovery Program for players as young as U-8, often in partnership with local Washington clubs. Full-time U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams begin at the U-15 age group. The Academy's recruitment department utilizes video, data, social media, and references from sources like US Soccer staff, college coaches, and rival club coaches to identify potential players. They also prioritize existing relationships with a player's current club. The Academy is a member of MLS Next. Tacoma Defiance, the lower-division team, is seen as the final step in the Academy's development pathway, providing young players with opportunities to succeed. The Spokane Sounders were the first affiliate club of the Seattle Sounders Youth Academy, establishing a partnership in 2015. This affiliation program has been successful in producing youth national team call-ups and providing coaching education.