Huntsville City FC announced on Thursday plans to launch their own academy in September 2025. The academy will start with U-13 and U-14 teams, with the goal of expanding each season all the way through U-19.
“The addition of Huntsville City FC Academy in the fall of 2025 is an exciting moment for MLS NEXT as we continue to expand the player pathway through various strategies across different markets,” said Luis Robles, MLS NEXT Technical Director, in the club's statement. “Huntsville City will be the first MLS NEXT Pro affiliate to launch an MLS NEXT academy independent of its MLS club, which highlights the organization’s strong commitment to player development throughout the region for years to come.”
“We are pleased to launch this new opportunity for youth soccer players in North Alabama,” said Chad Emerson, Managing Director of Business Operations. “The Young Boys in Blue will have a chance to learn from some of the best and brightest soccer minds in the region and represent North Alabama both on and off the pitch.”
The Huntsville City FC Academy will follow three core principles:
- Prioritize the best interests of the youth athlete and their family
- Provide North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley direct access to the highest level of youth competitive soccer
- Actively engage local soccer organizations to develop mutually beneficial collaborative opportunities
The HCFC Academy allows young local players to train with the best in the area, compete against the best in the country, and increase exposure to college scouts, national teams, and professional academies. Additionally, the HCFC Academy will keep talented athletes in North Alabama, reducing the need for extensive travel to other states for high-level soccer opportunities.
In addition to the launch of the Academy, Huntsville City FC announced today the Academy’s coaching staff. Babayele Sodade will serve as Head Academy Coach, Michael Parker will serve as Assistant Academy Coach, and Amar Amin will serve as Academy Coach and Academy Goalkeeper Coach.
Huntsville simultaneously announced their initial coaching staff for the academy. Babayele Sodade will join as the head academy coach after eight seasons as head coach of Huntsville High School. He is currently working through his US Soccer "B" License course, and works full time in finance and accounting. Sodade was drafted by the Seattle Sounders in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.
Michael parker joins as assistant academy coach. He has coached the Bob Jones Patriots boys high school team for five years. One of the founders of AYSO United Alabama Soccer Club, he was named Alabama Club Coach of the Year in 2019.
Amar Amin joins as an academy and goalkeeper coach, after over 20 years of experience coaching at multiple levels. He coached for North Alabama SC since 2008, serving as their Director of Goalkeeping since 2018. He is also an Olympic Development Program coach for Alabama and is the owner/director of the Elite Goalkeeping Academy. Amin is employed full-time by the United States Army.
Academy practices and games will take place at Wicks Family Field, with the season running from September through June. More information, as well as info on how to join, can be found here.
