Orlando City Development Academy to Join Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy This Year

ORLANDO, Fla. (January 9, 2017) - Orlando City SC has partnered with the Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy (S.I.M.A.) to manage and operate its U.S. Soccer Development Academy program. The U-15, U-17 and U-19 boys age groups will move to Montverde Academy's facilities by the end of the month. The girls teams and the boys U-12 through U-14 groups will remain the same and continue to use Sylvan Lake Park facilities in Sanford, Fla.

"This is an entirely new strategy designed to increase and grow the overall investment in our Development Academy, while offering our young players the best development opportunities," CEO Alex Leitao said. "S.I.M.A. is an accomplished program with a consistent track record of producing top young talents and exceptional young adults."

Orlando City Development Academy players will continue to be coached by professional youth coaches. They will also have access to  S.I.M.A.'s on-site residency programs for student-athletes and the opportunity to take advantage of its college preparatory academic programs.

Orlando City First Team assistant coach and Academy technical director Bobby Murphy will oversee the development of Academy prospects in conjunction with Mike Potempa, a former U.S. youth national team player and All-American at Clemson University.

"We are excited about this new partnership with Orlando City SC because of what we feel we can accomplish by bringing our resources and expertise together," added Potempa. "Our residential capabilities will allow us to implement a domestic scouting network to attract the best youth talents throughout the U.S. for a world class education in the classroom and superior training environment with our technical staff on the field. I believe this is the ideal model of youth soccer development necessary to make a major global impact."

The S.I.M.A. program has earned multiple national championships and holds the longest active unbeaten streak in the history of high school soccer in the United States. The S.I.M.A. program has produced 17 student-athletes who have signed professional contracts at 18 years old in Major League Soccer (MLS), the United Soccer League (USL) and various leagues around the world.

"The Academy was founded in 1912 and consistently provides children from around the world with an exceptional college preparatory education We are looking forward to working together with Orlando City to continue preparing athletes on and off the field and to prepare them for life itself," said Dr. Kasey C. Kesselring, Headmaster of the Academy.  

The partnership will also see more investment at the elementary youth levels. Beginning in February 2018, free early childhood soccer development programs for boys and girls in Orlando between the ages of 3 and 12 will be available at the campus of Montverde Academy.

"Through this new partnership, we feel we are creating an environment where our Academy kids can develop into well-rounded young adults and soccer players who could compete at the highest professional levels," added Leitao.

About Montverde Academy:

Montverde Academy is an international, coeducational, independent college preparatory school grades PK3-12, with a boarding program serving grades 7-12, and postgraduate studies. Our mission is to inspire students to become knowledgeable leaders with global vision that instills a passion for learning, and that nurtures character development in a discipline and diverse community. For more information on Montverde Academy, go to Montverde.org and check out our Montverde Academy Facebook page. You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

About Orlando City SC:

After winning three USL Pro regular season championships and two postseason titles over a four-year span, Orlando City SC quickly set the standard for professional soccer clubs both on and off the field and was awarded the 21st Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise on Nov. 19, 2013. The Lions played their first two seasons in MLS at the Orlando Citrus Bowl, where they held the second-highest average attendance in MLS. In 2016, the Club launched Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and Orlando City B in the United Soccer League (USL).

In March 2017, Orlando City SC unveiled its brand new, privately financed downtown stadium. With a capacity of 25,500 fans, Orlando City Stadium creates the most exciting game-day experience for fans in the country.

For more information, visit www.orlandocitysc.com, www.orlando-pride.com or www.orlandocityb.com.