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March 5, 2022

Chargers Soccer Club/MLS Next Development Academy

Our Path of Success Continues

The Chargers Soccer Club has a very distinguished 46-year history.  That’s right, 46 years! Did you know:

• We are one of the oldest soccer clubs in Florida
  In 2007, Chargers Soccer Club was one of the original clubs selected to participate in the U.S. Development Academy. 
• We were actually the seventh club to receive this prestigious honor.  
• Fifteen years later, Chargers Soccer Club was named to the top 100 clubs in the United States by Soccerwire.com, receiving the #17 ranking, WOW!  
• In addition, our staff members sit on the current MLS Next committee, influencing the direction of the MLS Next Program.  
• The club has won three national championships

The Chargers Soccer Club communities have consistently produced some of the best U.S. soccer players representing:

• The United States Women’s and Men’s National Teams
• English Premier League
• Bundesliga
• Major League Soccer
• United Soccer League

We are extremely proud of the hundreds of young women and men playing competitively at the university level.  Many of those young men and women received All-American honors.  

We have been blessed over the years to have the most consistent coaching staff in the country:

• Our Director of Coaching, Peter Mannino has been with us for 37 years. 
• Our MLS Next Academy Director, Roberto Lopez, has been with the club for over 15 years.  
• The Director of Goalkeeping, Kevin Clinton, 22 years.   
• Over 30 coaches played as Chargers growing up, and have come back to coach in our communities.  The level of coaching consistency is impressive.  

Call it loyalty, call it commitment, call it what it is, the coaches and staff develop some of the best players in the country, and develop their character as well, as demonstrated by the multiple examples of Charger Alumni who not only succeeded in soccer, but are succeeding in life. Former Chargers have done global TED talks, and have become successful children’s book authors, and ran for council member within our own communities. SERIOUSLY, YES!

Continuing our tradition of driving community success, the Chargers Soccer Club/MLS Next Development Academy is very pleased to announce the next significant investment in our community.  We are increasing our experience, knowledge and community reach throughout the club:

The 2022-2023 Chargers Academy will have our U-12 teams based in both our Lakewood Ranch and Clearwater campuses.  The Lakewood Ranch Academy Team will train at the Lakewood Ranch facility and the Clearwater-based team will train at our Clearwater facilities throughout the season.

Our U13-U19 Teams will train twice a week at our facility at Lakewood Ranch and twice a week at our facilities in Clearwater.  Academy coaches will be present at both campuses.  

Chargers Soccer Club is one of the most prestigious clubs in the United States.  Our

Development Academy is an original.  Come be a part of the next chapter of Chargers history.  LET’S GO!!

#WeAreChargersSC