US Club Soccer, LaLiga North America extend partnership; registration open for summer LaLiga Formation Methodology courses

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Feb. 8, 2022) – US Club Soccer and LaLiga North America have signed a three-year extension of their partnership agreement, further committing resources to the growth of grassroots soccer in the U.S. The two organizations first partnered in 2015 with the launch of Players First, US Club Soccer’s flagship initiative to improve the player, parent, coach and club experience.

• View and register for upcoming LaLiga Formation Methodology courses

The relationship focuses on coaching development – one of the founding pillars of Players First – and has provided more than two dozen coaching education courses and countless digital offerings. The primary vehicle for that is LaLiga Formation Methodology, a four-level series led by LaLiga methodology experts in classroom and field settings. About 1,700 coaches from 400 clubs have participated.

LaLiga Formation Methodology courses outline the philosophy and methods used across LaLiga to train, develop and form some of the world’s top players. The Level 3, Level 2 and Level 1-U.S. courses include theory and practical sessions on and off the field. The Level 1-Spain course includes about a week in Spain working directly with LaLiga academies. NorCal Premier hosted the most recent Level 1-U.S. course last month, and the second-ever Level 1-Spain course will be offered in Madrid next year.

Registration is now open to this summer’s courses:

• Level 3 (introductory), hosted by Great Lakes Alliance, June 10-12 in Cleveland area
  • Registration | Schedule

• Level 2 (advanced), hosted by Ohio Premier, July 29-31 in Columbus area
  • Registration | Schedule

• Level 3 (introductory), hosted by New England Premiership, Aug. 19-21 in Boston area
  • Registration | Schedule

“Aside from driving the growth of LaLiga and its clubs in the most important international market, it has always been a priority for LaLiga North America to drive the growth of football in the U.S. by leveraging the popularity of LaLiga and investing in grassroots development, seeking to complement the success achieved in commercial activities,” said Boris Gartner, LaLiga North America CEO, in a news release. “US Club Soccer has been an important partner in this mission, and with this extension, we will continue to train thousands more coaches in the LaLiga Grassroots methodology across the United States.”

LaLiga’s overarching youth philosophy – LaLiga Grassroots – focuses on the importance of coaching, player development and the use of technology as key elements in the work of the youth academies of LaLiga clubs, which makes for a natural, complementing partnership with US Club Soccer.

“We’re so grateful that LaLiga has invested in youth soccer in the U.S.,” said Mike Cullina, US Club Soccer CEO. “Back in 2015, this partnership was LaLiga’s entrance to our grassroots game, and their approach of teaching methodology has built a foundation for trust and success. LaLiga Formation Methodology has become a popular education platform for coaches of all backgrounds, and we look forward to helping develop more coaches, and in turn, benefit more players.”