A year-round competitive team program without the “club politics.” Local games, professional coaching, and a focus on long-term player development over short-term trophies.
Possession, Not Panic. In youth club soccer, it is easy to win games by kicking the ball long to a fast striker. But that doesn’t develop footballers. At FTBL Academy, we play “Brave Football.” This means we build out of the back, we invite pressure, and we solve problems with passing rather than clearing the ball blindly.
We accept that this style is risky. We accept that we might concede a goal occasionally because we tried to play the “right” way. But for a player looking to join a high-level club soccer team, this is the only pathway that matters. We are developing players for their 18-year-old selves, not just for a U10 trophy.
Born: 2021 / 2020
The Phase: Ignition (Me & The Ball)
Expect “Bunch Ball.” This is normal. Do not yell “Pass!”, at this age, they are wired to be selfish. We encourage dribbling because if they can’t dribble now, they won’t be able to pass later.
Born: 2019 / 2018
The Phase: The Golden Age of Skill (1v1 Dominance)
You might think they are “holding the ball too long.” We encourage this. We want them to take risks. We are building the confidence to win 1v1 duels, the rarest skill in the modern game.
Born: 2017 / 2016
The Phase: The Learning Phase (From “Me” to “We”)
Expect hesitation. A player might get tackled because they are thinking about the pass. Praise the thought process, not just the result. We are rewiring them from “dribblers” into “playmakers.”
Born: 2015 / 2014
The Phase: The Insight Phase (The Big Field)
The game gets faster and more physical. The best players aren’t just the fastest runners; they are the fastest thinkers. We evaluate their ability to solve problems before the ball arrives. This is Varsity Prep.
A Professional Schedule for Youth Athletes
Joining a club soccer team is a step up from recreational play. It requires a commitment to consistency. Our Academy teams practice twice a week at our dedicated facility in East Pasadena, with weekend matches played across the local league circuit.
Unlike massive clubs where players are just a number in a system, our “Training Club” model ensures that every minute of practice is overseen by professional directors. We don’t just scrimmage; we train. We expect players to arrive focused, prepared, and ready to work. In exchange, we provide a stable, drama-free environment where development, not politics, comes first.
Three years ago, we started with a group of 6-year-olds and a simple idea: Development Wins.
We didn’t recruit “stars.” We built them. We didn’t chase trophies. We chased technique.
The Result? Those same players, now three years older, are not just competing; they are winning. We have gone undefeated in leagues, brought home medals, and caught up to “Big Club” teams that have been recruiting for years. We proved that when you focus on the process, the result takes care of itself.
Now, we are opening the doors to the next generation.
FTBL Academy is not for everyone. We are a Training Club First. We are looking for players and families who value development over short-term glory.
The Ideal Recruit:
Technically Sound: You are comfortable with the ball at your feet.
Coachable: You listen, absorb, and apply feedback.
Competitor: You want to win, but you respect the game.
The Process: We do not hold “open tryouts.” We invite prospective players to train with our current squad. This allows us to evaluate your ability, and allows you to evaluate our coaching style.
Question 1: How often are tryouts?
We hold formal tryouts twice a year, but FTBL Academy operates on a “rolling identification” model. Players in our Foundation Two and Semi-Private programs are constantly evaluated. If a player demonstrates the technical ability and “Brave Football” mindset required for the squad, they will be invited to train with the team.
Question 2: What leagues do you play in?
Our teams compete in local leagues such as Villa Parke Youth Soccer League and other local league games. We choose competition levels that challenge our players appropriately—we want games to be competitive battles, not 10-0 blowouts.
Question 3: How is playing time handled?
This is the most common question in club soccer. At FTBL Academy, playing time is earned through attendance, effort, and execution of our game model. While we aim to develop every player on the roster, competitive soccer is not “equal time” soccer. Players are taught that their impact on the game—whether for 50 minutes or 15 minutes—must be positive and intense.