U12 BOYS COMPETE IN FIRST-EVER TOURNAMENT FOR NASHVILLE SC ACADEMY
NASHVILLE – The Nashville Soccer Club Academy made history over Thanksgiving weekend as the Boys U-12 squad competed at the 2019 Generation adidas Cup in Atlanta.
It was a weekend full of firsts for the club, and it provided a solid foundation as the Academy continues to build towards 2020.
Here are three takeaways from the Nashville SC Academy’s historic weekend:
A First For Tennessee
Twelve players from several regional club teams came together to represent the State of Tennessee for the first time ever at the highest level of youth soccer. By doing so, they helped launch a Nashville SC Academy program that will provide the only direct pathway to professional soccer within the state.
“It was a massive step for everyone involved, yet a small one when considering the bigger picture of where we are headed” said Academy Director Jamie Smith. “The boys excelled at representing a Major League Soccer academy and the State of Tennessee. That carries some weight and they understood the importance and stood up to the occasion.”
A First For Nashville SC
The U-12 Boys side was the first team to defend the Nashville SC crest, and the first to win a competitive match. They beat Minnesota United Academy 1-0 on Nov. 30.
“It was a historical and memorable moment for everyone involved: players, coaches and staff, and the boys were able to experience and understand the uniqueness of their accomplishment,” said Smith.
What’s Next?
With the Nashville SC Academy’s first-ever tournament in the books, the attention now turns to 2020 when the Academy will launch its first permanent competitive teams.
“The next few months, we are going to be out on the field identifying and recruiting the most talented players in the region,” said Smith. “Those boys will represent our club and our community moving forward as they develop through our pathway and into the First Team.”
To stay up to date on the latest news and information about the Nashville SC Academy, as well as the latest clinic and tryout dates, visit NashvilleSC.com/Academy and follow @NSCAcademy on Twitter.
