75 Talented American and Canadian Youth Soccer Players Compete in the International Academy Cup in Munich
International Soccer Academy is thrilled to unveil the inaugural International Academy Cup, set to take place at the esteemed FC Bayern Campus in Munich
The International Academy Cup will be held from May 8th – 12th 2024, and features a youth soccer U17/18 team from FC Schalke 04, Hertha BSC, Cadiz CF Integrated Team, and the host club, FC Bayern at Säbener Strasse where the FC Bayern’s professional team trains.
As FC Bayern states, “The stars of today and tomorrow hone their skills on these pitches.”
FC Bayern Munich, one of Europe’s most decorated football clubs, boasts a remarkable record with 30 Bundesliga titles and 6 UEFA Champions League trophies, solidifying their status as football giants. Additionally, they have clinched numerous domestic and international cups, epitomizing excellence on both national and continental stages. This landmark event will shine a spotlight on the exceptional talent and development of International Soccer Academy’s players from across the United States, Canada, and Australia.
“This exclusive youth soccer showcase at FC Bayern will be a significant part of our players’ journey at International Soccer Academy,” says Diane Scavuzzo, CoFounder of International Soccer Academy.
A total of over 80 youth soccer players from North America & Australia are currently in International Soccer Academy’s highly acclaimed residential youth soccer teams playing in Europe’s top-tier academies in the Bundesliga and La Liga.
Klaus Augenthalter, Head Coach of the FC Bayern Global Academy, expressed his excitement for the event and says, “Looking back on a successful first half of the season, we have seen remarkable growth in both individual skills and team dynamics.”
The tournament provides a highly competitive opportunity for these talented athletes to showcase their growth over the past nine months.
In addition to the FC Bayern Global Academy – the Bundesliga giants also have the FC Bayern Global Squad. This program was formed to scout and develop young talent from around the world, giving them access to FC Bayern Munich’s renowned coaching and youth development system. It fosters diversity and offers aspiring players, regardless of nationality, the chance to pursue their dreams of becoming professional footballers.
This initiative reflects FC Bayern’s commitment to nurturing global talent and contributing to the growth of football internationally. Unlike the Global Academy, the Global Squad participants still play for their home Clubs and participate in a more seasonal basis.
With Augenthalter’s outstanding leadership and experience as a FIFA World Cup winner as well as leading FC Bayern to win 7 Bundesliga Championships, among many other titles, his U17 team has progressed impressively this season and has competed against several Bundesliga academies. Augenthalter holds a UEFA PRO License and the former team captain of FC Bayern is recognized as one of the top German players of all time with 545 appearances and 52 goals for the club.
Patrick Weiser, Head Coach of the Schalke 04 Integrated Team, and Assistant Coach Rene Lewejohann say, “We are very much looking forward to the trip to Munich. It will be a special moment and a special conclusion for our Schalke 04 team.” Weiser, with a distinguished career playing in Germany’s Bundesliga and France’s Ligue 1 and a UEFA Pro License, also brings invaluable expertise to the tournament, enhancing the quality of competition.
FC Schalke 04, known as the Knappenschmiede has one of the most successful Academies in German history. Their U19 team has won the Bundesliga and the Cup a record 5 times while their U17 team has won the Bundesliga 3 times.
Pablo Sánchez, Head Coach of the Cadiz CF Integrated Team, and his Assistant Coach Francisco Terrero echoed the other coaches, affirming, “We’re working hard day by day with our sights set on the International Academy Cup.” Sánchez’s experience in La Liga, coupled with his UEFA A License, underscores the caliber of coaching and talent represented at the event, promising a very high quality of football.
Even Hertha BSC’s Integrated U17s Head Coach Daniel Felgenhauer and Francis Kioyo, the team’s Performance Coach agree the International Academy Cup is an exciting way to end the season. “We are looking forward to the Cup in Munich and the meeting of all International Soccer Academy’s other teams. It will certainly be a great finale and another great experience for the boys.”
Hertha Berlin has one of the strongest youth academies in the region, regularly winning their division over the likes of RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg who have a strong Pro Team. In fact, as of April 2024, Hertha BSC U19 are sitting comfortably top of the table for the U19 Bundesliga.
The International Academy Cup serves as a testament to the players’ commitment to becoming the best player they can be.
“We are very proud to collaborate with FC Bayern and are constantly scouting to identify the top U17 talent and older for our one-of-a-kind, highly elite teams which training Europe for a full season,” says Eddie Loewen. “It is a privilege to play for FC Bayern and our partner Bundesliga and La Liga clubs.”
“In collaboration with FC Bayern, we are not only fostering talent but also forging lifelong memories and invaluable experiences for these young players on an international stage,” says Scavuzzo.
With nearly 3,000 aspiring youth soccer players applying since its inception in 2020, International Soccer Academy continues to pave the way for talented youth to pursue their dreams of football careers in authentic professional environments embedded in well-known European clubs.
International Soccer Academy has arranged over 120 trials and assisted in securing over 27 soccer contracts.
International Soccer Academy is currently recruiting talented players looking to take their game to the next level with the ambition to go Pro. Interested players should apply to the program(s) of interest. The professional scouts will review a link to game highlights to determine if a player will be approved. Then there is a series of Zoom interviews with the player and his family before a roster spot is offered.
- Cadiz CF Integrated U17 Team for players born in 2009/2008.
- Hertha Berlin Integrated U18 Team for players born in 2008/2007.
- FC Bayern Global Academy for players born in 2008/2007.
- Cadiz CF Integrated U19 Team for players born in 2007/2006.
- Algeciras CF Gap Year Integrated Team for players born in 2005 or older.
Launched in 2020, International Soccer Academy is highly respected for elite residential youth soccer development with their U17, U19, and Gap Year academy teams fully integrated into their La Liga and Bundesliga partner’s professional clubs. This season, a total of more than 80 American players are training at Cádiz CF, Hertha BSC, FC Schalke 04, and FC Bayern.
