What age groups does Nashville SC Academy field in MLS NEXT?The academy runs U14, U15, U16, and U18 teams. MLS NEXT schedule links for U14, U15, and U16 sit on the academy hub alongside other scheduling references.
About
Nashville SC Academy is the MLS club’s professional youth pathway in Nashville, Tennessee. The academy is fully funded and free to play for invited players, led by Academy Director Darren Powell, with U14, U15, U16, and U18 teams competing in MLS NEXT. Scouting reaches Tennessee and the rest of the country through MLS NEXT, ECNL, U.S. Youth National Team events, and ongoing club visits.
Academy teams and competition
Rosters train and play at the elite youth level inside MLS NEXT. MLS NEXT calendars cover U14 through U16 schedules, and the Nashville SC Academy hub groups other scheduling resources. News, galleries, and updates roll up under the Nashville SC Academy brand.
How players join the academy
Players are identified through the scouting network and invited to trials in Nashville. Families who want the staff to evaluate a player can submit the interest form on the academy hub. Entry is selective and built around identification rather than open league-style registration.
Futures and Shadows (outside the academy roster)
Futures and Shadows is a fall-and-spring training program for players who are not currently on the academy roster. Futures serves U11–U13 players; Shadows serves U14–U19 players. Sessions complement a player’s existing club schedule and give Nashville SC Academy staff regular contact points for development and evaluation. Players enter by identification and recommendation after staff attend games, visit clubs, and work with club leaders. Club directors and coaches can recommend players by email to the academy scouting inbox.
Camps, media, and younger fans
Nashville SC runs youth soccer camps that emphasize skill development, game awareness, and enjoyment in a structured environment; families can browse camp offerings through the Nashville SC camps hub, with future season details added as they are finalized. Academy storytelling also appears on social channels (for example @nsc.academy on Instagram and @NSCAcademy on X) and on YouTube under The Gold Mine series. Younger supporters can explore kids-club programming built around the club mascot inside Nashville SC fan experiences.
Contacts for clubs and families
Academy scouting and director-or-coach introductions flow through academyscouting@nashvillesc.com. Player interest for academy consideration is submitted through the form on the academy hub.
Explore more teams
Compare Nashville SC with other youth soccer options in your area before making a decision. These directory links make it easier to review local clubs, broader Tennessee programs, and nearby team options in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nashville SC Academy pay-to-play?No. Nashville SC Academy is fully funded and free to play for players on the academy roster.
How does a player get considered for the academy roster?Players are identified through Nashville SC’s scouting network and invited to trials in Nashville. Interested families can submit the player interest form on the academy hub. Scouts evaluate talent at MLS NEXT, ECNL, Youth National Team events, and through club visits nationwide.
What are Futures and Shadows?Futures and Shadows is a fall-and-spring training program for players not currently in the academy. Futures is for U11–U13; Shadows is for U14–U19. It complements the player’s existing club training and uses identification and recommendations rather than open registration.
How can a club coach recommend a player for Futures or Shadows?Club directors and coaches email academyscouting@nashvillesc.com to recommend players for Futures (U11–U13) or Shadows (U14–U19).
Where can families learn about Nashville SC youth camps?Youth camp information, including registration when available, is available through the Nashville SC camps hub. Upcoming camp details typically finalize season by season.
Other Clubs in Tennessee
FC Alliance Knoxville Tennessee
FC Alliance Knoxville runs recreational Starters and Foundations, FC Alliance Academy for early grades, and competitive ECNL soccer for boys and girls with tryouts, camps, and a Players First licensed environment.
Knoxville, Tennessee
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Heartland Soccer Club
Heartland Soccer Club runs Nashville Youth Soccer Association (NYSA), a co-ed recreational league for ages 3–18 near Donelson. Spring and fall seasons, no tryouts, games and practices at Heartland Soccer Park on Heartland Drive.
Nashville, Tennessee
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One Knox Youth Soccer Club
One Knox Youth Club in Knoxville, Tennessee, runs U8–U19 boys and girls programming tied to One Knox Collective, with Girls Academy, MLS NEXT, NAL, NPL, and in-house Friday 5s for younger ages. Tryouts use UTK RecSports; registration opens in PlayMetrics.
Knoxville, Tennessee
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Tennessee Soccer Club
Tennessee Soccer Club serves Franklin and Williamson County with Pre-Academy through ECNL, plus NPL and competitive pathways. Register through PlayMetrics; tryouts run May 11–15 (Academy) and May 26–29 (U13–U19).
Franklin, Tennessee
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