Orlando City Academy Tryouts 2027: How to Join, Get Scouted & Contact Coaches
Looking for Orlando City Academy tryouts in 2027, wondering how to join the academy, or trying to find Orlando City Academy coach emails?
Orlando City Academy is the official youth development academy of Orlando City SC, competing in MLS NEXT.
Based in Central Florida, the academy develops young soccer players with the goal of preparing them for college soccer, Orlando City B in MLS NEXT Pro, and potentially Orlando City's Major League Soccer first team.
Does Orlando City Academy hold open tryouts?
As of October 29, 2026, we could not verify an officially announced public open tryout for Orlando City's MLS NEXT Academy teams in 2027.
However, the club has previously held regional identification events.
The club also recruits through scouting and its youth development network across Central Florida and beyond.
Looking for Orlando City Academy coaching contacts? Cancha Labs helps players and families search available academy coach emails and club staff information.
Search Orlando City Academy Coaches & Contacts
Does Orlando City Academy Have Open Tryouts in 2027?
As of October 29, 2026, Orlando City has not published a verified public registration opportunity for 2027 MLS NEXT Academy tryouts.
That does not mean the academy is not evaluating or recruiting players.
Orlando City identifies prospects through scouting, regional youth soccer relationships, and player development programs.
The club has also previously organized identification events with youth soccer organizations in Central and North Florida.
Has Orlando City Academy Held Open Tryouts Before?
Yes.
Orlando City previously organized regional identification events for talented youth players from Central and North Florida.
One event brought together approximately 160 players and their coaches at Osceola Heritage Park.
Orlando City's first-team head coach at the time, Oscar Pareja, participated in the evaluation environment alongside academy staff.
These events helped the club identify players who might eventually progress into its academy teams.
However, the historical events are not evidence of an active 2027 open tryout.
Read the Official Orlando City Academy Identification Event Announcement
How to Ask About Orlando City Academy Tryouts
Orlando City publishes a dedicated email for prospective players and tryout questions:
prospectiveplayers@orlandocitysoccer.com
This address appears on the club's official contact page.
Parents or guardians can use it to ask whether there is an appropriate academy player identification process for their child's age group.
View Orlando City's Official Contact Information
Sending an email does not guarantee an invitation, evaluation, or academy roster spot.
How to Get Scouted by Orlando City Academy
Orlando City Academy identifies young players through competitive youth soccer, scouting, and its broader player development network.
If you're trying to join Orlando City Academy:
Play competitive youth soccer. Seek strong coaching and meaningful match experience with an established club.
Perform consistently against strong opponents. Academy scouts evaluate how players make decisions and execute technical skills in real matches.
Prepare recent match footage. Include examples of your positioning, passing, movement, defensive work, and decision-making.
Research your age group. Understand which academy team corresponds to your development stage.
Contact the official prospective-player address. Ask about the club's current player identification process rather than assuming an open tryout exists.
Monitor official announcements. Orlando City may announce future regional identification opportunities.
Continue developing with your current club. A strong training and match environment remains important even if no academy evaluation is immediately available.
No coach, scouting contact, or outside organization can guarantee admission to Orlando City Academy.
Orlando City Academy Age Groups and Coaches
Orlando City operates a youth development structure covering multiple age groups, from pre-formation through older MLS NEXT competition.
The club announced coaching assignments for its 2025–26 MLS NEXT season, but several staffing changes occurred during 2026.
For example, Edward Wilding, who previously coached the academy's U18 team, became Head Coach of Orlando City B in April 2026.
The current official academy staff directory does not identify a head coach for every age group.
The following table distinguishes verified current assignments from previously published roles.
Age GroupCoachVerification StatusU12Mateo GutierrezNamed in 2025–26 announcement; current assignment not reconfirmedU13–U14Vinicius DuranteNamed in 2025–26 announcement; current assignment not reconfirmedU15Jared BieberCurrent official directory confirms U15 Head CoachU16Bitielo Jean JacquesCurrent official directory lists U16 Assistant CoachU18Not publicly confirmedPrevious head coach Edward Wilding moved to Orlando City B
These distinctions matter because older coaching announcements can remain online after staff members change roles.
Who Is the Orlando City Academy U15 Coach?
Jared Bieber is the U15 Head Coach.
His current title is confirmed in Orlando City's official academy staff directory.
Bieber holds UEFA A and Elite Youth A coaching qualifications from the Football Association of Wales.
He has previously worked in youth and professional development environments in the United States and United Kingdom.
Who Is the Orlando City Academy U16 Coach?
Bitielo Jean Jacques is listed in the current academy directory as the U16 Assistant Coach.
He was previously announced as U16 Head Coach for the 2025–26 MLS NEXT season.
Because the club's newer directory lists a different role, players should use the current assistant-coach title rather than assuming he remains head coach.
The current U16 head coach could not be independently confirmed from the published directory.
Who Is the Orlando City Academy U18 Coach?
The club has not clearly identified a current U18 head coach in its latest public academy staff directory.
Edward Wilding previously coached the U18 team but was appointed Orlando City B Head Coach on April 9, 2026.
Players should not use Wilding's former U18 title when researching current academy contacts.
View Orlando City's Official Academy Staff Directory
Orlando City Academy Director and Technical Staff
Orlando City made two significant academy leadership appointments in 2026.
Gary Lewis became Academy Director in September.
Dan Lock became Head of Methodology and Coaching in October.
These appointments are particularly relevant for players and families researching the academy's current development structure.
Academy Leadership and Coaching
NamePositionRicardo MoreiraGeneral Manager & Sporting DirectorGary LewisAcademy DirectorDaniel LockHead of Methodology and CoachingMatthew BrewerPlayer Development and Pre-Formation LeadJared BieberU15 Head CoachBitielo Jean JacquesU16 Assistant CoachRafael SantosAcademy Goalkeeping Coach, Pre-formationGalo PozzoAcademy Pre-formation & IDP Assistant Coach
Who Is Gary Lewis?
Gary Lewis is the Academy Director of Orlando City SC.
The club announced his appointment on September 2, 2026, with Lewis beginning the role on September 21.
Before joining Orlando City, Lewis served as Technical Director of Chicago Fire Academy.
His previous experience includes youth development roles with Liverpool, Everton, Philadelphia Union, Seattle Sounders, and New York Red Bulls II.
Lewis has worked with players who later represented their national teams, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Brenden Aaronson, Paxten Aaronson, and Obed Vargas.
At Orlando City, he oversees the academy's development structure and the pathway toward the professional teams.
Read Gary Lewis' Official Academy Director Appointment
Who Is Dan Lock?
Dan Lock is Orlando City Academy's Head of Methodology and Coaching.
He was appointed on October 7, 2026.
Lock is responsible for strengthening coaching development, training methodology, and alignment across the academy's U12–U18 age groups.
His role also supports the connection between Orlando City Academy, Orlando City B, and the MLS first team.
Before joining Orlando City, Lock worked with Columbus Crew Academy, Charlotte FC, and Seattle Sounders.
He has also worked as a U.S. Soccer coach educator.
Read Dan Lock's Official Appointment
Who Is Matthew Brewer?
Matthew Brewer is the Player Development and Pre-Formation Lead.
He has extensive youth coaching experience and has worked across ECNL, MLS NEXT, and MLS academy environments.
His responsibilities focus on youth player development and the academy's younger age groups.
Orlando City Academy Performance and Operations Staff
The club's official academy directory also lists the following support staff.
Performance, Medical and Analysis
NamePositionGabriel SaninAcademy Head Strength/Conditioning CoachPedro CamposAcademy Strength/Conditioning Coach, Pre-formationZeke ShoreAcademy Strength/Conditioning Coach, Pre-formationJonathan PollettaAcademy Strength/Conditioning Coach, Pre-formationRachel DipeoluHead Academy Athletic TrainerYolimar Toro MoralesAcademy Athletic TrainerTaylor MalinovskyAcademy Athletic Trainer, Pre-formationRachel JohnsonRegistered Dietitian/NutritionistAndres Arcila PereiraAcademy Video Analyst
Academy Operations
NamePositionYusuff OdusholaHead of Academy OperationsBrennan DooleyAcademy Equipment ManagerAndrew BeamAcademy Equipment Manager, Pre-formationBrevin ButlerAcademy Administrator, Pre-formation
The club's broader front-office directory includes additional academy personnel, but some assignments differ between its published directories.
For the latest information, consult the official academy staff page.
Explore Orlando City's Complete Academy Staff Directory
How to Find Orlando City Academy Coach Emails
Cancha Labs provides a searchable directory of soccer coaches, academy staff, and available professional contact information.
To search for Orlando City Academy contacts:
Open the Cancha Labs soccer contact search engine.
Search for Orlando City Academy.
Review available coaching, academy leadership, and player development staff listings.
Create an account and unlock available contact information with a Premium subscription.
Find Orlando City Academy Coach Emails
Not every staff member has a listed email or phone number.
Contact availability varies, and Cancha Labs does not guarantee a response or recruitment opportunity.
Official Orlando City Prospective Player Email
Orlando City publicly lists:
prospectiveplayers@orlandocitysoccer.com
The club directs player-position and tryout questions to this address.
For academy-specific questions, parents or guardians should clearly state the player's birth year, current club, and the reason for the inquiry.
How Much Does Orlando City Academy Cost?
Orlando City Academy is a no-cost youth development program for selected players.
The club's official academy overview specifically describes its development environment as having no costs.
This is different from independent youth soccer clubs, camps, private training providers, or other programs that may have their own registration fees.
Families should verify whether an opportunity is part of the official MLS NEXT Academy or a separate paid youth program before registering.
Read Orlando City's Official Academy Overview
Where Does Orlando City Academy Train?
Orlando City Academy trains at the Orlando Health Training Ground at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida.
The facility supports the club's development pathway, including Orlando City Academy, Orlando City B, and the MLS first team.
This allows academy players to develop within the same broader professional soccer environment.
The training complex includes soccer fields, performance resources, and spaces for player development.
View Orlando City's Official Facilities Information
Can Players From Outside Orlando Join Orlando City Academy?
Orlando City operates an academy homestay program intended to support selected players who need accommodation while pursuing their soccer development.
The program connects academy players with host families who provide a stable home environment.
Host-family responsibilities can include:
Accommodation
Meals and snacks
Transportation to training and matches
A supportive home environment
The existence of a homestay program means that selected players may have options beyond living with their own families in Orlando.
However, academy admission and homestay placement are separate decisions, and neither is guaranteed.
Learn About Orlando City Academy's Homestay Program
Orlando City Academy vs. Orlando City B
Orlando City operates several levels of player development.
Orlando City Academy — MLS NEXT: Youth teams focused on identifying and developing talented young players.
Orlando City B — MLS NEXT Pro: The professional development team where emerging players gain experience against professional opposition.
Orlando City SC — MLS: The organization's Major League Soccer first team.
Joining Orlando City Academy does not automatically guarantee a professional contract.
However, the club has demonstrated a pathway for talented players to progress from its academy to Orlando City B and the MLS first team.
Orlando City Academy Players Who Signed With Orlando City B
In October 2026, Orlando City B announced professional contracts for two academy products.
PlayerPositionProfessional MilestoneLandon OkonskiDefenderSigned a long-term Orlando City B contract in October 2026Matthew BelgodereForwardSigned a long-term Orlando City B contract in October 2026
Landon Okonski made 20 MLS NEXT Pro appearances during the 2026 season, including 16 starts.
He scored his first professional goal against CT United FC in August 2026.
Matthew Belgodere made 25 appearances for Orlando City B in 2026.
He recorded five goals and two assists before signing his long-term professional contract.
Both players progressed through the academy system before earning MLS NEXT Pro contracts.
Read Landon Okonski's Official Signing Announcement
Read Matthew Belgodere's Official Signing Announcement
Orlando City Academy Players Who Reached MLS
Bernardo Rhein provides a recent example of the full academy-to-professional pathway.
Rhein progressed through Orlando City Academy and began playing with Orlando City B in 2024.
He signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract in February 2025.
In April 2026, he made his MLS debut for Orlando City against Charlotte FC.
On July 25, 2026, Orlando City signed Rhein to a first-team Homegrown contract through the 2027–28 MLS season, with additional club options.
The club identified him as its 19th academy product to progress through its full development pathway.
Read Bernardo Rhein's Official Homegrown Signing Announcement
These examples show that Orlando City Academy can provide a route into professional soccer.
However, only a portion of academy players will ultimately earn professional contracts.
How to Email Orlando City Academy About Recruitment
Orlando City publishes a prospective-player contact email.
Parents or guardians can use it to ask about the current academy player identification process.
Official contact: prospectiveplayers@orlandocitysoccer.com
Subject: Orlando City Academy Player Inquiry — [Birth Year] — [Position]
Hello Orlando City Academy Staff,
My name is [Parent/Guardian Name], and I'm reaching out regarding my son, [Player Name].
He was born in [Birth Year] and currently plays for [Club and League] as a [Position].
We're interested in learning more about Orlando City Academy's player identification process.
His playing background includes [Brief Relevant Experience], and we've included recent match footage below.
Video: [Link]
Would you be able to share whether there is an official evaluation or scouting process appropriate for his age group?
Thank you for your time.
[Parent/Guardian Name]
Keep the message concise and include a working video link.
Parents or guardians should handle initial inquiries involving minors and avoid sending unnecessary personal information.
Orlando City Academy Tryouts: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Orlando City Academy have open tryouts in 2027?
As of October 29, 2026, we could not verify an officially announced public Orlando City Academy tryout for 2027. The club has previously organized regional identification events.
How do I join Orlando City Academy?
Players may be identified through competitive youth soccer, regional scouting, and club-organized evaluations. The academy determines which players receive invitations.
What is the Orlando City Academy tryout email?
Orlando City publishes prospectiveplayers@orlandocitysoccer.com for player-position and tryout inquiries.
Is Orlando City Academy free?
Yes. Orlando City's official academy overview describes its development program as having no costs for selected players.
Who is the Orlando City Academy Director?
Gary Lewis is the Academy Director. He joined the club in September 2026.
Who is Orlando City's Head of Academy Methodology?
Dan Lock is the Head of Methodology and Coaching. He was appointed in October 2026.
Who is the Orlando City Academy U15 coach?
Jared Bieber is listed as the U15 Head Coach.
Who is the Orlando City Academy U16 coach?
Bitielo Jean Jacques is listed as the U16 Assistant Coach in the current directory. The club has not clearly identified the current U16 head coach on that page.
Who is the Orlando City Academy U18 coach?
The current U18 head coach could not be confirmed from the latest official directory. Former U18 Head Coach Edward Wilding became Orlando City B Head Coach in April 2026.
Does Orlando City Academy have a U12 team?
Yes. Orlando City introduced a fully funded U12 academy age group in 2022 as part of its expanded youth development structure.
Where does Orlando City Academy train?
Orlando City Academy trains at the Orlando Health Training Ground at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida.
Can players outside Florida join Orlando City Academy?
Selected players may have access to the academy's homestay program, which helps provide accommodation and support while they pursue soccer development.
How can I find Orlando City Academy coach emails?
Search Orlando City Academy on Cancha Labs to review available professional staff contact information.
Is Orlando City Academy the same as Orlando City B?
No. Orlando City Academy is the youth development system competing in MLS NEXT. Orlando City B is the professional development team competing in MLS NEXT Pro.
Can Orlando City Academy players become professionals?
Yes. Recent examples include Landon Okonski, Matthew Belgodere, and Bernardo Rhein, who progressed from the academy into professional opportunities.
Can I attend a paid soccer camp to guarantee an academy spot?
No. Participation in a camp, private training program, or other paid activity does not guarantee selection for Orlando City Academy.
Find Orlando City Academy Coaches and Club Contacts
Whether you're researching Orlando City Academy tryouts, U15 or U16 coaches, academy scouting, or MLS NEXT recruitment, understanding the club's player development pathway is an important first step.
Orlando City has previously organized regional player identification events and provides an official email for prospective-player inquiries.
The club also operates a fully funded academy with a documented pathway to Orlando City B and the MLS first team.
View Official Orlando City Academy Information
Official player inquiry email: prospectiveplayers@orlandocitysoccer.com
Cancha Labs also helps players and families research academy coaches and available professional contact information.
Browse Orlando City Academy Coach Emails & Contacts
You can also explore the Florida Soccer Tryouts Guide.
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 Orlando City SC, Orlando City Academy, Orlando City B, or MLS NEXT.