While South Georgia Tormenta FC saw success on the field for its professional USL League One team and pre-professional USL W League team in 2022, Tormenta FC Academy also saw significant growth throughout across South Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
Earlier in the year, several Tormenta FC Academy products helped the first-ever Tormenta FC USL W League team conquer its first W League title, while the United States Youth National Team scouts have also placed eyes on several of Tormenta FC’s hidden gems. While The TFC Academy has been busy developing its youth products in women’s and men’s soccer, the first team has been providing an opportunity to train alongside elite athletes and provide a professional atmosphere to talent across the region.
USL Academy Cup; MLS NEXT Fest
The USL Academy continues to remain one of the most prestigious youth tournaments in the nation, and for Tormenta FC Academy, it is the tournament that the club wants to conquer in the coming years.
In 2022, South Georgia’s USL Academy team defeated Louisville City FC for one of the most impressive wins in Academy history.
Since joining MLS NEXT, Tormenta FC has seen three players called up to the MLS NEXT Fest Best Of matches. Earlier this month, Tormenta FC’s Dodge Brooks was selected to participate with the nation’s top U17 stars in the MLS NEXT Fest Best Of U17 Showcase in Indio, California. Shafer Gottlieb and Osmar Martinez have also been selected in previous MLS NEXT Fests to participate in ‘Best Of’ matches in early 2022.
These experiences help players develop and prepare for the next steps of their careers and help players be identified by college coaches and scouts from around the nation. With Tormenta FC Academy’s products being recruited to collegiate programs at a high rate, the Tormenta FC heritage continues to grow around the nation.
U.S. Identification Center Camps
Throughout the years, Tormenta FC’s youth academy players have been selected to represent their nation in identification camps through the United States Youth National Team system. In 2022, the Academy saw players represent Tormenta Nation in Identification Camps in Columbia, South Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia. Osmar Martinez, Eder Chavales, Marcus Jean-Gilles, Issac Bittner, Jack Mace, Cole Morgan and Keegan Kerr have all been selected to participate in the Identification Camps to further scout the elite talents around the local region.
As local Tormenta Academy talent continues to impress in the identification centers, there is no doubt that an Academy product will soon be called up to a United States Youth National Team to represent our country.
Local Soccer Success
Tormenta FC is lucky to have many players fighting for our crest and colors. However, local soccer tournaments are critical to continue positive growth around the region. It is safe to say that South Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina are truly Tormenta Nation.
Earlier this month, Tormenta FC’s Statesboro 04/05 and 07 teams conquered the Open Cup State Competition in each of their respective age categories.
In one of the most competitive competitions in the region, both Statesboro boys’ teams were able to secure silverware in their last tournament of the season. Head Coaches Johnnie Sanchez and Ayo Fajemisin knew bringing the cups back to Statesboro was crucial for the growth of the entire Academy program.
Tormenta FC Academy Fuels W League Team Success
Sydney Martinez, Elice Holcey, Isabella and Helen Gutierrez and Erin and Lauren O’Hearn were a part of the first-ever Tormenta FC USL W League team, and all of them came up through the Tormenta FC Academy system. The W League team’s core helped players unfamiliar with the “Tormenta Way” fit into the team and with the local community. Amy Andrews immediately impacted the community by bringing a glimpse of hope (and goals) and confidence to a young W League team. Despite not being a member of the Tormenta FC Academy, Andrews embellished everything that a Tormenta FC Academy product should be, and we can proudly say she is one of us.
The inspiration these six stars brought to the future generation is unlike any other; every little girl in South Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina now wants to be the next Sydney Martinez or the next Amy Andrews. Now, it is possible. Through the Tormenta FC W League team, local Academy products have an opportunity to develop and prepare themselves for a professional setting.
Committed to raising the level of Soccer locally and across the country, Tormenta FC Academy has programs available from age two to 19. It is the only youth academy in South Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina with a path to the professional ranks. For other Academy news and content, follow Tormenta FC Academy on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
For additional information and scheduling interviews, call (301-237-0539) or email epintor@tormentafc.com.