LAFC Academy Tryouts 2027: How to Join, Get Scouted & Contact Coaches
Looking for LAFC Academy tryouts in 2027, wondering how to get scouted, or trying to find LAFC Academy coach emails?
LAFC Academy is the official youth development academy of Los Angeles Football Club, competing in MLS NEXT.
Based in Los Angeles, California, the academy develops young soccer players with the goal of preparing them for college soccer, LAFC2 in MLS NEXT Pro, and potentially LAFC's Major League Soccer first team.
Does LAFC Academy have open tryouts?
As of October 29, 2026, we could not verify an officially announced public open tryout for LAFC's MLS NEXT Academy teams for 2027.
LAFC primarily identifies youth players through scouting and its Southern California player development network. The club also states that it does not respond to emails about player tryouts.
That means players should understand the difference between being scouted for LAFC Academy and registering for a public youth soccer clinic or affiliated club program.
Looking for LAFC Academy coaching contacts? Cancha Labs helps players and families search available academy coach emails and club staff information.
Search LAFC Academy Coaches & Contacts
Does LAFC Academy Have Open Tryouts in 2027?
As of October 29, 2026, LAFC has not published a verified public registration opportunity for 2027 MLS NEXT Academy tryouts.
The academy recruits talented young players through its scouting and development structure.
Unlike clubs that offer a public application form for every age group, LAFC does not currently publish a general MLS NEXT Academy tryout registration link.
The club's official contact page specifically states that it does not respond to emails about player tryouts or coaching positions.
View LAFC's Official Contact and Tryout Policy
How Can You Try Out for LAFC Academy?
There is no verified public sign-up process for a general LAFC Academy trial.
The most realistic pathway is to perform consistently in competitive youth soccer and become visible to the club's scouting and development network.
Players can improve their chances of being evaluated by competing in strong youth leagues, attending legitimate identification events when available, and developing a clear record of their match performances.
Being noticed does not guarantee an invitation or academy roster spot.
Are LAFC Youth Clinics the Same as Academy Tryouts?
No.
LAFC organizes youth soccer clinics across the Greater Los Angeles area.
These clinics introduce participants to LAFC's coaching methodology and provide opportunities to develop soccer skills.
The club has advertised these clinics at no cost.
However, attending a youth clinic is not the same as trying out for LAFC Academy.
Families should not assume that registering for a clinic guarantees a professional academy evaluation.
Explore Official LAFC Youth Clinics
How to Get Scouted by LAFC Academy
LAFC Academy identifies talented young players who demonstrate the potential to compete in its elite development environment.
If you're interested in joining LAFC Academy:
Play competitive youth soccer. Seek a club that provides strong coaching, meaningful competition, and consistent development.
Perform against strong opposition. Academy scouting depends on how players perform in real matches, not simply how they look in individual drills.
Develop your technical ability. Work on receiving under pressure, passing, decision-making, ball control, and positional understanding.
Prepare recent match footage. Include examples of your performance against competitive opponents.
Research the academy's age groups. Understand which LAFC team corresponds to your development stage.
Monitor official club announcements. If LAFC publishes a legitimate identification event or trial opportunity, follow its instructions.
Understand the professional pathway. LAFC Academy players may progress to LAFC2 or the MLS first team if selected.
No individual coach, scouting contact, or youth program can guarantee academy admission.
LAFC Academy Age Groups and Coaches
LAFC's official academy website lists seven age groups, ranging from U11 through U19.
The club's current staff directory identifies the following coaches:
Age GroupAcademy CoachU12Gustavo GomezU13Artur AghasyanU14Andy BruU15Marius RusU16Abraham JacintoU18Alejandro Guido
The club also lists Michael Jacobson as an Academy Coach without assigning him a specific age group on its staff page.
A U11 team and U19 team appear in the academy structure, but the published staff directory does not clearly identify a separate current coach for each of those age groups.
These assignments are based on the official directory reviewed in October 2026 and may change for future seasons.
Who Is the LAFC Academy U13 Coach?
Artur Aghasyan is listed as the U13 Academy Coach.
He joined LAFC in 2023 after coaching in Southern California.
His previous experience includes leading Cal FC to a UPSL Premier Division championship in 2021 and coaching SC Brave Lions in the NPSL.
Aghasyan also played professionally for clubs including Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA.
Who Is the LAFC Academy U14 Coach?
Andy Bru is listed as the U14 Academy Coach.
He joined LAFC in 2023 after coaching in the ECNL with LA Breakers.
Before that, he spent eight years coaching at Real So Cal Soccer Club.
Who Is the LAFC Academy U15 Coach?
Marius Rus is listed as the U15 Academy Coach.
Rus joined LAFC Academy in 2018 after coaching youth soccer with AC Brea.
His role includes developing young players and contributing to the academy's player identification process.
Who Is the LAFC Academy U16 Coach?
Abraham Jacinto is listed as the U16 Academy Coach.
Jacinto joined LAFC in 2019.
He previously served as Technical Director at Boca Orange County and worked in college soccer development at Fullerton College, Santiago College, and Cal State Fullerton.
He also contributed to the LAFC U19 coaching staff that reached the 2021 UPSL Championship game.
Who Is the LAFC Academy U18 Coach?
Alejandro Guido is listed as the U18 Academy Coach.
Guido began coaching the LAFC U18 team in July 2025.
He also serves as an assistant coach with LAFC2, the club's professional MLS NEXT Pro team.
As a player, Guido represented Club Tijuana in Mexico and San Diego Loyal in the USL Championship.
He also represented the United States at several youth international levels.
His responsibilities across LAFC Academy and LAFC2 connect the club's older academy players with its professional development structure.
View Official LAFC Academy Coaching Staff
LAFC Academy Director and Technical Staff
LAFC Academy publishes a detailed staff directory covering academy leadership, player development, coaching, performance, goalkeeping, analysis, and operations.
Academy Leadership
NamePositionToni HernandezAcademy DirectorJake DeCluteDirector of CoachingDanny CaliffPlayer Development CoachCraig Von WiellighPerformance Manager
Who Is Toni Hernandez?
Toni Hernandez is the Academy Director of LAFC.
He joined the club in July 2025 after working as Academy Manager at FC Barcelona's La Masia academy.
He also previously served as Director of Methodology for Valencia CF Academy.
Hernandez oversees the academy's technical and developmental structure, including the pathway toward LAFC's professional teams.
Who Is Jake DeClute?
Jake DeClute is LAFC Academy's Director of Coaching.
He joined the organization in 2022 after working in coaching and player development across youth, college, USL, and MLS environments.
Who Is Danny Califf?
Danny Califf is a Player Development Coach with LAFC Academy.
He is a former United States international defender who played professionally in Major League Soccer and Europe.
His experience includes winning MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup with the LA Galaxy.
LAFC Academy Goalkeeper Coaches
NamePositionAdrian PadillaAcademy Goalkeeper CoachSteven BarreraAcademy Assistant Goalkeeper Coach
LAFC Academy Performance and Analysis Staff
NamePositionVictor GarciaVideo AnalystMichael SolanoAcademy Performance ScientistPedro MorenoAcademy Performance ScientistAlbert TorresHead Academy Athletic TrainerErika ClarkAssistant Academy Athletic Trainer
LAFC Academy Operations Staff
NamePositionMichael TimoneyAcademy Equipment ManagerZach ReyesAcademy Administrator
The official directory does not currently identify a separately titled Academy Lead Scout or Academy Scout.
That does not mean LAFC lacks a scouting operation. It means those specific positions could not be verified from the published academy staff directory.
Explore LAFC Academy's Complete Staff Directory
How to Find LAFC Academy Coach Emails
Cancha Labs provides a searchable directory of soccer coaches, academy staff, and available professional contact information.
To search for LAFC Academy contacts:
Open the Cancha Labs soccer contact search engine.
Search for LAFC Academy.
Review available coaching, academy leadership, and player development staff listings.
Create an account and unlock available contact information with a Premium subscription.
Find LAFC Academy Coach Emails
Not every coach or staff member has a listed email or phone number.
Important: LAFC's official website states that the club does not respond to emails regarding player tryouts. Finding a professional contact does not mean that the person accepts unsolicited recruitment submissions.
How Much Does LAFC Academy Cost?
LAFC Academy is a free youth development program for selected players.
The club established its academy as a fully funded development pathway intended to provide access to elite soccer without traditional pay-to-play academy fees.
This is different from separate youth clubs, private training providers, or other soccer programs that may have their own costs.
Players should confirm the terms of any outside program before paying registration or training fees.
Where Does LAFC Academy Train?
LAFC Academy trains at the Liquid I.V. Performance Center, located on the campus of California State University, Los Angeles.
The facility serves as LAFC's soccer operations headquarters and supports the club's professional and academy environments.
The training center includes natural grass training facilities, locker rooms, medical resources, and spaces for coaching and player development.
The academy's location provides young players with access to a professional soccer environment.
Learn About LAFC's Official Performance Center
Can You Join LAFC Academy Without Playing for an MLS NEXT Club?
Players do not necessarily need to have previously played for another MLS NEXT academy to pursue elite youth development opportunities.
LAFC Academy recruits talented players from youth soccer environments, including the broader Southern California club system.
One example is Jude Terry, who joined LAFC Academy from Legends FC as a 12-year-old in 2021.
He later progressed through LAFC Academy, LAFC2, and eventually signed an MLS Homegrown contract.
His pathway demonstrates that players can enter LAFC's development system from other youth clubs.
However, there is no guaranteed route into the academy from any particular outside club or league.
LAFC Academy vs. LAFC2
LAFC operates multiple levels of player development.
LAFC Academy — MLS NEXT: Youth teams focused on identifying and developing talented young players.
LAFC2 — MLS NEXT Pro: The professional development team where emerging players gain experience in professional competition.
LAFC — MLS: The organization's Major League Soccer first team.
Joining LAFC Academy does not automatically guarantee a professional contract.
However, the academy provides a development pathway for players who may eventually earn opportunities with LAFC2 or the MLS first team.
LAFC Academy Players Who Signed With LAFC2
LAFC2 has signed players directly from the club's academy.
In 2026, LAFC2 announced the signings of two academy forwards:
PlayerPrevious Academy ExperienceNathan MardarescoLAFC Academy U18Felix GomezLAFC Academy U16
Mardaresco was 18 years old at the time of the announcement.
Gomez was 15 and had been with LAFC Academy since age 12.
Their signings demonstrate that talented academy players can receive professional opportunities before completing the traditional college soccer pathway.
Read the Official LAFC2 Academy Player Signing Announcement
LAFC Academy Players Who Reached the MLS First Team
Jude Terry provides a documented example of the academy-to-professional pathway.
Terry joined LAFC Academy from Legends FC in 2021 at age 12.
He made his professional debut for LAFC2 in 2024.
After appearing in 11 MLS NEXT Pro matches, Terry signed an MLS Homegrown contract effective January 1, 2025.
In 2026, he made his LAFC first-team debut and scored his first MLS goal against the Portland Timbers.
He was also named to MLS's 2026 22 Under 22 rankings.
His progression shows how a player can develop through the academy, gain professional experience with LAFC2, and eventually earn first-team opportunities.
Read Jude Terry's Official Homegrown Signing Announcement
How to Contact LAFC Academy About Recruitment
LAFC does not publish a general open academy tryout application on its official academy pages.
Its official contact page also states that the club does not respond to emails regarding player tryouts.
For that reason, players and families should not treat an unsolicited email as the club's official recruitment process.
A more practical approach is to prepare a professional player profile and ensure that the player's current club can share accurate information if contacted by an authorized scout.
A useful player profile includes:
Player's name and birth year
Current club and league
Primary and secondary positions
Recent competitive match footage
Relevant playing achievements
Parent or guardian contact information
If an authorized LAFC representative requests information, a parent or guardian can provide the relevant materials through the channel specified by the club.
Players should avoid anyone promising a guaranteed LAFC Academy roster spot in exchange for payment.
LAFC Academy Tryouts: Frequently Asked Questions
Does LAFC Academy have open tryouts in 2027?
As of October 29, 2026, we could not verify an officially announced public LAFC Academy tryout for 2027.
How do I join LAFC Academy?
Players are identified through the club's youth development and scouting structure. Consistent performances in competitive youth soccer can help players become visible to academy evaluators.
Can I email LAFC Academy for a tryout?
LAFC's official contact page states that the club does not respond to emails about player tryouts.
What age groups does LAFC Academy have?
LAFC states that its academy includes seven age groups from U11 through U19. Its published teams page lists rosters for U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, and U19.
Who is the LAFC Academy Director?
Toni Hernandez is the Academy Director. He joined LAFC in July 2025 after working with FC Barcelona's La Masia academy.
Who is the LAFC Academy U13 coach?
Artur Aghasyan is listed as U13 Academy Coach.
Who is the LAFC Academy U14 coach?
Andy Bru is listed as U14 Academy Coach.
Who is the LAFC Academy U15 coach?
Marius Rus is listed as U15 Academy Coach.
Who is the LAFC Academy U16 coach?
Abraham Jacinto is listed as U16 Academy Coach.
Who is the LAFC Academy U18 coach?
Alejandro Guido is listed as U18 Academy Coach. He also serves as an assistant coach with LAFC2.
Who are the LAFC Academy goalkeeper coaches?
Adrian Padilla is the Academy Goalkeeper Coach, and Steven Barrera is the Academy Assistant Goalkeeper Coach.
How can I find LAFC Academy coach emails?
Search LAFC Academy on Cancha Labs to review available professional contact information. LAFC does not guarantee responses to unsolicited recruitment messages.
Is LAFC Academy free?
Yes. LAFC Academy was established as a free youth development program for selected players.
Where is LAFC Academy located?
LAFC Academy trains at the Liquid I.V. Performance Center on the Cal State LA campus in Los Angeles, California.
Can LAFC Academy players become professionals?
Yes. Players such as Jude Terry, Nathan Mardaresco, and Felix Gomez have progressed from LAFC Academy into the club's professional development pathway.
Is LAFC Academy the same as LAFC2?
No. LAFC Academy is the youth development system competing in MLS NEXT. LAFC2 is the professional development team competing in MLS NEXT Pro.
Find LAFC Academy Coaches and Club Contacts
Whether you're researching LAFC Academy tryouts, U15 or U16 coaches, academy scouting, or MLS NEXT recruitment, understanding the club's youth development structure is an important first step.
LAFC Academy provides a pathway from competitive youth soccer toward LAFC2 and potentially the MLS first team.
The club does not currently advertise general public academy tryouts, so players should rely on official announcements and legitimate scouting opportunities.
Explore Official LAFC Academy Information
Cancha Labs also helps players and families research academy coaches and available contact information.
Browse LAFC Academy Coach Emails & Contacts
Last reviewed: October 29, 2026. Age-group assignments, recruitment procedures, and tryout availability can change. Cancha Labs is an independent contact research service and is not affiliated with LAFC, LAFC Academy, or MLS NEXT.