Philadelphia Union is excited to announce its first Development Academy affiliation, an ambitious partnership with local youth club Continental Football Club (Continental FC Delco). The agreement between Continental FC and Philadelphia Union governs the clubsâ technical engagement, with a focus on scouting, methodology, operations, and player transitions.
Continental FC, founded in 2013 as a merger between FC Delco and Spirit United Soccer Club, is the only club in Greater Philadelphia, other than Philadelphia Union Academy, to feature full participation in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. A premier club in the region, Continental FC has maintained a special relationship with Union Academy where players seamlessly transition between the two clubs, and Continental FC players attend Philadelphia Unionâs partner independent school, YSC Academy.
The affiliation will focus on, but not be exclusive to, the following components of technical integration:
- Both clubs will share scouting resources, information, and best practices, as well as co-sponsor player identification clinics and other programming.
- Coaching education programming, open communication channels, and shared resources and methodology will increase the quality of player and coach development.
- Philadelphia Union and Continental FC will work closely with each other to manage the transition of players between the clubs. Continental FC will afford more players in the region access to the Unionâs âPathway to the Pros."
âPartnership with a club of Continental FC Delcoâs renown in the region is a major boon for Philadelphia Unionâs youth development program,â said Tommy Wilson, Philadelphia Unionâs Academy Director. âContinental FC Delco has a proven track record in developing professional players, and it is crucial for us to invest in partnerships that will work with us to produce a greater quality and quantity of Homegrown players from Philadelphia. In working closely with their General Manager Rob Elliott and Technical Director Jamie Smith we are confident that Continental FC will be an integral extension of Philadelphia Unionâs Pathway to the Pros,â added Wilson.
âThis landmark agreement aligns with CFC Delcoâs philosophy of evolving soccer. Through the technical collaboration and shared best practices with the Philadelphia Union, we will be able to create better environments for our players to develop and provide a pathway for players to aspire to. We look forward to working closely with Tommy Wilson and his staff to promote soccer in the region and nationally,â said Robert Elliott, General Manager of Continental FC Delco.
