Nashville United Soccer Academy is for the player and family looking to take their development to the next level. NUSA provides a structured environment with increased training, higher levels of competition, and a stronger commitment to the game. Our core values focus on development, effort, and character, helping players grow both as athletes and as people.

Yes. All returning and new NUSA players are required to attend tryouts in order to be evaluated & considered for placement for the 2026-27 season.

Players should bring cleats, shin guards, a soccer ball, and water. A positive attitude and willingness to compete are also encouraged!

Beginning with the 2026-27 season, youth soccer age groups will transition to a new structure.

US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and American Youth Soccer Organization have collectively approved a move from the calendar-year model (January 1 – December 31) to a seasonal-year model (August 1 – July 31).

This change is designed to better align players with their school-grade peers, improving both development and overall player experience.

What this means for your player:

• Players will now be grouped based on the school year (August 1 – July 31) rather than birth year.

• Many players will move into age groups that better match their classmates and social environment.

Programs affected by this change include:

• NUSA Lower Academy & Satellite programs

• Tennessee State League (TSL)

• Southeastern Clubs Champions League (SCCL)

• Girls Academy (GA)

The following program will NOT be affected:

• NUSA MLS Next teams will continue to follow the calendar-year model, as required by league standards

We recommend reviewing the updated age group chart below to determine the correct placement for your player. For additional details, please click here.

Lower Academy includes players in the u9-u12 age groups, while Upper Academy includes players in the u13-u19 age groups. These groupings are based on age and the format of the game, Lower Academy players compete in 7v7 and 9v9, while Upper Academy players compete in the full 11v11 format.

While the structure is based on age, the focus of training and development evolves as players progress. At the Lower Academy level, the emphasis is on building strong technical foundations, creativity, confidence on the ball, and a love for the game. As players move into the Upper Academy, the focus expands to include more advanced tactical understanding, decision-making, physical development, and preparation for higher levels of play.

Yes. Nashville United Soccer Academy offers girls’ teams across multiple age groups, from Lower Academy (u9-u12) through Upper Academy (u13-u19). Our program is built to support player development at every stage, with a focus on technical growth, tactical understanding, and confidence in a competitive environment.

At the highest level, NUSA competes in the top tier of the Girls Academy League. This tier represents the highest level of competition within the Girls Academy and includes clubs that are committed to elite player development, national competition, and college exposure.

The Girls Academy also includes a second tier known as the Aspire division, which serves as a developmental and entry-level pathway within the platform. NUSA does not participate in the Aspire division, as we are focused on providing players with the highest level of competition and development opportunities available within the league.

Yes. Nashville United Soccer Academy offers boys’ teams across multiple age groups, from Lower Academy (u9-u12) through Upper Academy (u13-u19). Our program is built to support player development at every stage, with a focus on technical growth, tactical understanding, and a strong competitive environment.

At the highest level, NUSA competes in MLS Next within the Homegrown Division, which represents the top tier of the platform. This division is made up of clubs that provide an elite training and competition environment, offering players the highest level of exposure and development opportunities within MLS Next.

MLS Next also includes a second tier known as the Academy division, which serves as a developmental pathway within the platform. NUSA does not participate in the Academy division, as we are committed to providing players with the highest level of competition and development available within MLS Next.

No, tryouts are not separated by program.

All players attend tryouts based on their age group. When tryout details are released, you should register for and attend the sessions assigned to your player’s correct age group.

During those sessions, our coaching staff will evaluate players and determine the most appropriate placement within the club. This may include pathways such as MLS Next, Girls Academy (GA), or other academy teams.

Our goal is to place each player in the best developmental environment, so there is no need to attend separate tryouts for different programs. Players are identified and selected through the same evaluation process.

Nashville United Soccer Academy provides a clear player pathway with multiple levels of competition designed to meet players where they are and help them continue to grow.

At the highest level, NUSA competes in MLS Next for boys and the Girls Academy League for girls, both of which represent top-tier, national platforms. These leagues provide elite competition against some of the best clubs in the country, including professional club academies, along with opportunities for national exposure and long-term development.

In addition to these top-tier platforms, NUSA competes within strong regional and state-based leagues that provide meaningful competition and development opportunities for all players:

• Our teams participate in the Tennessee State League, which is organized into multiple divisions to ensure appropriate levels of competition based on team performance and development.
• At the Lower Academy level, our top u12 teams compete in the Southeastern Club Champions League (SCCL), which provides a higher level of competition against top clubs across the region.
• Lower Academy teams also prioritize local friendlies, inter-club scrimmages, and fun local and regional tournaments to create a positive, development-focused environment while building a strong foundation in the game.

This structure allows NUSA to offer a wide range of competitive environments, from strong developmental opportunities to elite national platforms, ensuring that every player is challenged appropriately while continuing to develop.

No – players must attend tryouts based on their assigned age group.

All players are evaluated within their age group to ensure a fair and consistent assessment process.

However, in certain instances, NUSA’s coaching staff and directors may make placement decisions based on what we believe provides the best developmental environment for each player. In select cases, a player may be placed in an older age group (“play up”) if it clearly supports their long-term growth, confidence, and overall pathway.

Please note:

• Playing up is the exception, not the rule.

• Decisions are made through internal evaluation by NUSA coaching staff and directors.

• Players and families are not able to request or choose to play up.

Our priority is always to place players in the environment where they will develop, be challenged appropriately, and succeed long-term.

If your player is unable to attend tryouts, whether it is one session or the entirety of tryouts, please indicate the dates they will be unavailable in the Tryout Conflicts question when registering for tryouts. If something changes after you have registered please contact us as soon as possible.

We strongly recommend that players attend all scheduled tryout sessions to allow our staff to build the most accurate and complete evaluation. However, attending every session is not mandatory.

For returning NUSA players, our coaching staff and directors will review each situation individually and communicate next steps based on prior evaluations and the player’s history within the club. Please be sure to inform your current coach if you are unable to attend tryouts.

For new players, we will do our best to provide an alternative evaluation opportunity when possible, such as attending a different session or being evaluated on a separate date. However, please note that some teams may reach full capacity at the conclusion of tryouts, and additional evaluations may not be available.