Welcome to the Villarreal Force Academy UPSLThe Villarreal Force Academy UPSL is another Developmental Level for players looking to continue past our 19U ages. Our goal as an organization is to offer as much opportunity to our members as possible. The United Premier Soccer League is the next pathway for the VFA.
The Villarreal Force Academy UPSL Q&A:Q.
Will there be open tryouts for the Villarreal Force Academy UPSL team?A. Yes. We will hold an open tryout for the VFA UPSL on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 and Tuesday, Nov 21, 2023 @ 4:30pm - 6:00pm on Field 5 at the Jordan Soccer Complex in Fayetteville, NC (445 Treetop Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28311)
Q. Do the tryouts cost anything?A. No
Q. Is this for male and female players?A. No. At the moment, we are still looking for an option for our female players. It is one of our priorities to make this happen, but for right now, the VFA UPSL is only for male soccer players.
Q. How many players will be accepted into the initial VFA UPSL Player Pool?A. We will be looking to take 30 players into the initial player pool.
Q. If we make the VFA UPSL Player Pool, what is the cost of being on the team?A. Work-ethic, skill and dedication. The VFA UPSL team is a privilege. There is no administrative financial commitment for players named to the pool.
Q. You refer to the selection process as a "Pool"? What does that mean?A. The way the rostering system is set up for UPSL teams is that there is a "pool" of players to choose a match day roster from. Players will compete each week in training to be named by the VFA UPSL Staff to the match rosters.
Q. If I don't make the original pool, is there anyway I can still be given a chance later?A, Only if you currently play for the Villarreal Force Academy 17U-19U. This is the VFA's Developmental platform. If a player that was originally selected is not preforming up to expectation or is not consistent with attendance at training sessions, the club reserves the right to drop a player out of the pool and "call up" another player that we feel deserves the chance.
Q. How many players will be named to the "Match Roster"?A. The UPSL allows 20 players to be named to the match day rosters. But.... The UPSL only allows seven (7) substitutions per match with
NO re-entry. That means, if 20 players are rostered, only 18 can play.
Q. Will the staff make sure there is equal playing time of the 18 players that play in a match?A. No. The staff will coach to the match. The starting 11 will most likely play the first half and into the second half unless a change do to player injury or performance is needed. There is a chance a player travels to a match and only plays 5 minutes, if at all. There is no requirement on the coaching staff.
Q. How far will the team travel? A. The league that we will play in is the UPSL Mid-Atlantic Division 1, which is a regional league that stays, and could travel anywhere in the states of North and South Carolina.
Q. Will transportation and accommodations be provided by VFA UPSL?A. No. Players will be expected to be at games on time regardless of the location. All transportation and accommodations will be the responsibility of the player
Q. Will players be responsible for purchasing new uniforms?A. No. The club will supply the players with all uniform pieces.
Q. If I play for the Villarreal Force Academy on the 17U-19U teams, can I still play for them?A. Yes. Players that compete on our 2007-2005 teams will play for both. The match schedule for those teams will be adjusted around the UPSL schedule. Training sessions for the UPSL pool will be from 4:30pm-6:00pm every Tuesday and Thursday starting in the beginning of December. Players on the Senior Teams will then go to their respective training sessions at the normal times. If a player makes the pool from outside the club, they can train with our 19UB team at their training nights.
For additional questions that players may have, please email Todd Abbey (
[email protected])