USL Academy News

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (May 29, 2025) – Today, Fort Lauderdale United FC announced the hiring of Jonathan Palmer as the club’s Youth Technical Director, overseeing the development of our boys’ and girls’ soccer programs. As Youth Technical Director, Palmer will focus on building and developing comprehensive development pathways that support a seamless progression from youth leagues to collegiate and professional careers. Palmer’s appointment marks a significant step in our mission to provide top-tier opportunities for young athletes, solidifying FTL UTD’s position as a leader in player development and a hub for nurturing future soccer stars.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Jonathan Palmer to Fort Lauderdale United FC. His extensive experience and technical expertise are exactly what we need as we continue to move in the right direction,” said Tommy Smith, Founder and Chairman of Fort Lauderdale United FC. “Bringing Palmer on board is a significant step in strengthening our staff and positioning the club for continued success on and off the field.”

Palmer brings a wealth of experience to Fort Lauderdale. As the former Technical Director at Dallas Texans Soccer Club, he was instrumental in raising the club’s national profile through the success of its Boys Academy Program in the ECNL. He oversaw individual player development plans, managed club-wide scheduling, and cultivated a high-performance culture that helped propel the Texans to national recognition. His leadership extended to the New England Revolution’s MLS Development Academy, where he directed team development and critical administrative operations. Palmer supervised player development programs, led assistant coaching staff, and handled key tasks such as budgeting and player allocations. He also played a central role in managing strategic partnerships, including the club’s relationship with Adidas.

“This is an exciting time to be part of Fort Lauderdale United FC, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to help grow and unlock the full potential of the club,” said Jonathan Palmer, Youth Technical Director. “Alongside our Technical and Methodology Advisor Marcelo Neveleff and General Manager Aly Hassan, we’re committed to creating a clear pathway for our athletes, fostering their development to seamlessly transition into our men’s and women’s first teams. Together, we’ll build a future where every player has the tools, knowledge, and support to reach their highest potential, both on and off the field.”

Palmer’s résumé also includes time with the United States Soccer Federation, where he served as a Performance Analyst Coach. In this role, he contributed to national team success by scouting opponents, analyzing performance metrics, and developing detailed reports and game plans used in major international tournaments.

“We’re excited to have Palmer join Fort Lauderdale United FC. His knowledge and passion for the game will be a tremendous asset as we take the next steps in growing our boys’ and girls’ youth programs,” said Marcelo Neveleff, Technical and Methodology Advisor. “This is a great move for the future of the club.”

About Fort Lauderdale United

Founded in 2022, Fort Lauderdale United (FTL UTD) is the premier youth-to-pro sports organization in South Florida and serves as the parent organization of the Fort Lauderdale United Football Club, the Fort Lauderdale United Youth Academy, and Fort Lauderdale United Volleyball. Fort Lauderdale United is owned by South Florida native and local entrepreneur, Tommy Smith. Growing up as a parent in youth soccer culture, Smith knew he wanted Fort Lauderdale United to be a unique club with clear standards that does things the right way – like the best leagues in the world! The Fort Lauderdale United Football Club and Fort Lauderdale United Youth Academy are managed by Chief Executive Officer Sharon Lacey, a UK native and longtime soccer executive at Crystal Palace FC. Fort Lauderdale United Volleyball is managed by Club Director Steve Patella.

About Fort Lauderdale United FC

Relentlessly striving for greatness at every level – from nurturing our youth talent to embodying the enduring values of Fort Lauderdale – our club stands as a beacon of global competition, unifying our community under the banner of soccer. Through our dedication to excellence both on and off the pitch, and our unwavering pursuit of success, we create a pathway from aspiring youth to professional mastery, ensuring that passion meets opportunity. The Fort Lauderdale United Football Club fields two professional soccer teams — the women’s Division One USL Super League Fort Lauderdale United FC and the men’s professional USL League One team (arriving in 2026) – as well as men’s pre-professional and women’s pre-professional teams in USL League Two and the USL W League, respectively. For more information, please visit www.ftlutd.com or follow @FTLUTD on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Twitter.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Fort Lauderdale United FC

media@ftlutd.com

~ Rogers Will Provide Leadership, Continuity for Girls Pathway to Pro ~

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (May 19, 2025) – Today, Fort Lauderdale United FC announced that USL Super League Associate Head Coach Alissa “Ali” Rogers will add Girls Academy Technical Director, College Advisor, and Girls Liaison to Florida West FC to her areas of responsibility, effective immediately. Rogers will lead technical development across the Girls Academy, advise players and families throughout the college recruitment process, and strengthen the partnership between Fort Lauderdale United FC and Florida West FC, where she previously spent five years as Director of Player Development and as ECNL Head Coach.

“We are thrilled to have Ali Rogers in these key roles within our Girls Academy. Her experience as a collegiate and professional player, combined with her passion for player development and leadership of our women’s pro team, make her an incredible asset,” said Aly Alberto Hassan, Fort Lauderdale United FC’s General Manager. “She brings a clear vision as well as a deep commitment to raising the bar in youth soccer and empowering the next generation of players.”

“I played both club and collegiate soccer in South Florida, so this region has played a major role in shaping my development – not only as a collegiate and professional player, but now as a pro coach,” said Alissa Rogers, Fort Lauderdale United FC Associate Head Coach. “I take on these new roles with a strong sense of purpose – to give back, to help build a stronger, more intentional youth development system, and to create opportunities for young girls that didn’t exist when I was playing at the youth level.”

Video: Vision for the Future | FTL UTD: A Club Born for Greatness

Rogers is a respected coach with nearly a decade of experience across the collegiate, professional, and youth levels. She joined Fort Lauderdale United FC in 2024 as Associate Head Coach for the club’s USL Super League women’s professional team, a position she will maintain.

“Fort Lauderdale United FC’s Girls Academy and our new partnership with Florida West FC represent a unified commitment to elevating the game in South Florida – and to raising the standard for what’s possible” continued Rogers.

Press Release: Florida West FC and Fort Lauderdale United form Strategic “Coast to Coast Alliance” to expand the pathway to the ECNL in South Florida

Prior to joining Fort Lauderdale United FC, Rogers served as Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Dartmouth College, helping guide the Big Green to one of its most successful seasons in over a decade. She also spent five years at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), where she rose from Director of Operations to Associate Head Coach, helping the program capture multiple Atlantic Sun (ASUN) conference titles and coaching three All-Americans, nearly 40 All-Conference players, and 18 All-Region honorees.

A product of Southwest Florida, Rogers played collegiately at FGCU, where she won five ASUN regular-season titles and four conference tournament championships, and went on to play professionally in Poland’s Ekstraliga. She holds a U.S. Soccer “B” License and is set to begin her “A” License coursework in 2025. Her deep ties to Florida’s soccer community and wide-ranging experience make her a key leader in Fort Lauderdale United FC’s mission to build a strong developmental pipeline and raise the standard for girls’ and women’s soccer in South Florida.

About Fort Lauderdale United

Founded in 2022, Fort Lauderdale United (FTL UTD) is the premier youth-to-pro sports organization in South Florida and serves as the parent organization of the Fort Lauderdale United Football Club, the Fort Lauderdale United Youth Academy, and Fort Lauderdale United Volleyball. Fort Lauderdale United is owned by South Florida native and local entrepreneur, Tommy Smith. Growing up as a parent in youth soccer culture, Smith knew he wanted Fort Lauderdale United to be a unique club with clear standards that does things the right way – like the best leagues in the world! The Fort Lauderdale United Football Club and Fort Lauderdale United Youth Academy are managed by Chief Executive Officer Sharon Lacey, a UK native and longtime soccer executive at Crystal Palace FC. Fort Lauderdale United Volleyball is managed by Club Director Steve Patella.

About Fort Lauderdale United FC

Relentlessly striving for greatness at every level – from nurturing our youth talent to embodying the enduring values of Fort Lauderdale – our club stands as a beacon of global competition, unifying our community under the banner of soccer. Through our dedication to excellence both on and off the pitch, and our unwavering pursuit of success, we create a pathway from aspiring youth to professional mastery, ensuring that passion meets opportunity. The Fort Lauderdale United Football Club fields two professional soccer teams — the women’s Division One USL Super League Fort Lauderdale United FC and the men’s professional USL League One team (arriving in 2026) – as well as men’s pre-professional and women’s pre-professional teams in USL League Two and the USL W League, respectively. For more information, please visit www.ftlutd.com or follow @FTLUTD on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Twitter.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Fort Lauderdale United FC

media@ftlutd.com

Fort Myers, FL – May 15^th, 2025 – Florida West FC, based in Fort Myers, is proud to announce an unprecedented partnership with Fort Lauderdale United FC, located in Fort Lauderdale. This unique collaboration, launched under the banner of the “Coast to Coast Alliance,” is set to significantly expand access to the ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) for players across both regions. The alliance is designed to foster a highly competitive soccer environment built on shared resources, alignment of values, and long-term collaboration.

Fort Lauderdale United FC is at the forefront of South Florida’s vibrant soccer scene, competing in the top-flight USL Super League – the highest level of women’s professional soccer in the United States. As South Florida’s pioneering women’s professional team, the club will expand its legacy by introducing a men’s professional team in the USL League One in 2026. Committed to talent development, Fort Lauderdale United FC actively participates in pre-professional leagues such as the USL W League, USL League Two, and USL Academy – offering clear pathways from youth to professional soccer. Based at the state-of-the-art Beyond Bancard Field at NSU, featuring a 7,500-seat stadium and extensive training facilities, the club is dedicated to player development, community engagement, and shaping the future of soccer in South Florida.

“We believe this alliance will have a lasting impact on the soccer communities on the East Coast and the SWFL area. It proves that clubs can, in fact, collaborate with the right intentions by fostering growth through unity” said Robert Peltram, Florida West FC President & CEO. “By joining forces with Fort Lauderdale United FC, we are not only expanding our talent pipeline but also creating a pathway to a professional club ”

“This partnership enhances opportunities at all levels and ages, offering players more access to high-level youth opportunities. This strategic relationship further advances the accessibility to collegiate identification, professional reserve teams, and professional opportunities,” said Tommy Smith, Fort Lauderdale United FC Founder and Chairman. “Together, we are committed to establishing a pathway built on the foundation of our local youth. This initiative transcends common boundaries and limitations, setting a new standard for soccer development.”

Together, Florida West FC and Fort Lauderdale United FC are setting a new standard for competitive youth soccer in Florida. This alliance is focused on creating an environment that prioritizes development over club politics, expands access to deeper talent pools, and lays the groundwork for long-term collaboration. Importantly, both clubs will maintain their distinct identities and brand integrity within their respective markets, while working together to deliver a unified, high-performance experience.

On Monday, April 28, 2025, at 6:00 pm EST, United Soccer League (USL) and Fort Lauderdale United FC (FTL UTD) executives will make a special announcement about the future of our pro and youth soccer programs (see promo video here).

Who: Speakers tonight will include:

• Justin Papadakis, USL Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Chief Real Estate Officer;
• Tommy Smith, Founder & Chairman, Fort Lauderdale United FC;
• Sharon Lacey, CEO, Fort Lauderdale United FC;
• Thiago Oliveira, Head Coach, Fort Lauderdale United FC Academy; and
• Gabriel Marcelo Neveleff, Technical and Methodology Advisor, Fort Lauderdale United FC Academy

What: USL + FTL UTD Youth Soccer Town Hall

When: Monday, April 28, 2025. Doors open 6:00 pm, program will begin promptly at 6:30 pm

Where (in-person): Nova Southeastern University AutoNation Center for the Arts, 3375 SW 75th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314

Where (virtual): Media requesting a virtual link to the Town Hall should email media@ftlutd.com before 5:00 pm EST

About United Soccer League

Founded in 1986, the United Soccer League (USL) is the largest and fastest-growing soccer organization in the United States, impacting more than 200 communities nationwide. The USL is the first and only organization to offer a comprehensive youth-to-professional pathway for both men and women under one ecosystem. This structure includes four men’s leagues: the newly announced, top-tier professional Division I league, the USL Championship (Division II), USL League One (Division III), and USL League Two (pre-professional). The women’s pathway includes the top-tier USL Super League (Division I), which debuted in 2024, and USL W League, the country’s leading pre-professional women’s league. The USL also oversees USL Academy, a progressive talent development platform, and USL Youth, a premier national youth platform.

With multi-year national and international media rights agreements across various platforms including CBS Sports, ESPN and Peacock, the USL is the most widely accessible soccer league in the country.

About Fort Lauderdale United FC

Relentlessly striving for greatness at every level – from nurturing our youth talent to embodying the enduring values of Fort Lauderdale – our club stands as a beacon of global competition, unifying our community under the banner of soccer. Through our dedication to excellence both on and off the pitch, and our unwavering pursuit of success, we create a pathway from aspiring youth to professional mastery, ensuring that passion meets opportunity. For more information, please visit www.ftlutd.com or follow @FTLUTD on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Twitter.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

United Soccer League

Laura Fontanills, laura.fontanills@uslsoccer.com

Fort Lauderdale United FC

media@ftlutd.com

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale United FC is thrilled to announce the launch of our girls’ pathway to professional soccer, made possible by our inclusion in the USL Academy League. This groundbreaking development, along with the introduction of our newly announced USL W team, completes the direct pathway from youth soccer to our Division 1 professional team in the Super League.

As part of this initiative, we are proud to provide our youth players (U20 and below) the future opportunity to compete in the USL Pathway Classic — the only unrestricted youth tournament hosted by a U.S. Soccer professional league organization. The Pathway Classic invites clubs from across the nation to apply, offering a unique and competitive platform for young athletes to showcase their talent on a national stage.

At Fort Lauderdale United FC, we are dedicated to fostering talent and helping our female players reach their full potential as they pursue their dreams of playing at the highest levels of professional soccer. This new chapter represents a significant milestone for our club, and we look forward to watching our players grow and thrive.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale United FC is proud to introduce our official pathway to the professional level with the addition of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL Boys), ECNL Regional League (ECNL RL), and National Premier League (NPL) programs. The integration of these prestigious, proven, and elite platforms completes the pathway from youth to professional opportunities, aligning with Fort Lauderdale United FC’s announcement of the men’s professional team. This significant step underscores our commitment to nurturing South Florida’s top young talent by providing a comprehensive pathway for them to actualize their dreams of pursuing professional soccer and gain increased exposure for college recruitment opportunities.

The ECNL program will be led by Marcelo Neveleff (Technical and Methodology Advisor) and Thiago Oliveira (Academy Director).

Neveleff’s vast experience and impressive résumé makes him the perfect fit to structure and advance the program. As the current head coach of the Dominican Republic senior national team and Youth National Team director for the Caribbean country, Neveleff’s experience will be invaluable to the curriculum. Neveleff’s knowledge and expertise in the youth and professional environment will be an asset to the organization, and he will be crucial to implement the club’s approach into practice and managing the growth of the academy.

With Oliveira’s proven leadership and successful track record in the ECNL Boys’ Florida Conference, the club has great things ahead. Oliveira also led the Fort Lauderdale United FC USL Academy squad to a National Finals Playoff run in its inaugural season and will look to build on that success in its second year.

The ECNL, ECNL RL and NPL have a plethora of teams across the United States, and the club season runs from September to May. Member clubs maintain six teams across six divisions, with each division based on age, ranging from 13 to 19 years. Notably, member clubs in the state of Florida collectively attribute nine teams at each age division.

By competing in these highly respected leagues, players will have the opportunity to train and develop in a professional environment, gain exposure at the highest levels of youth soccer and take the next step toward their goals.

The journey starts here – Join us and be part of the future of professional soccer in South Florida. For more information and to register, visit ftlutd.com and follow @FTLUTD on Instagram, X and TikTok.