Villarreal CF Developing Pathway to Pros Through UPSL & North American Affiliates
Spanish La Liga side Villarreal CF is making waves from across the Atlantic by utilizing the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) Premier Division to help identify and develop talent in North America. With four International Academy teams currently competing in the UPSL, Villarreal CF is continuing to build a strong presence in the U.S. soccer landscape, bridging the gap between grassroots and the pro level. The initiative is part of the club’s long-term vision to expand its global footprint and tap into North America’s growing talent pool.
The club currently operates Villarreal CF Virginia, Villarreal North Texas (including Villarreal North Texas Women’s), Villarreal Force Academy in North Carolina, as well as a club in Las Vegas. These teams are long-time clubs embedded in their local communities but have all since aligned with Villarreal CF’s philosophy and player development model. Competing in the UPSL allows each club’s top players to experience a high level of competition in a semi-professional environment while receiving direct support, opportunities and resources from the La Liga club.
“The UPSL is giving our Villarreal Academy players in the US a great platform to play, develop and be seen on,” said Villarreal CF International Business Manager, Brandon Paramo. “The league challenges the players in a competitive environment while opening doors to college, pro and potential international opportunities with our club.”
Villarreal CF’s International Academy system goes beyond simply branding; it’s a deeply integrated development network. Through partnerships with U.S.-based clubs, Villarreal provides coaching education, scouting, and access to international training experiences in Spain. The goal is to professionalize the player development experience from the grassroots level up, and the UPSL has become a key piece of that strategy.
“We currently have Villarreal CF UPSL-affiliated teams in four regions—Texas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Las Vegas,” Paramo continued. “The UPSL is another great stepping stone on the pathway for our players to achieve their full potential. We’re excited to see the league continue to grow and have really enjoy participating in the league with our numerous teams so far.”
With one Canadian player currently on Villarreal’s men’s first team and an American on the women’s first team roster—both of whom grew up in American soccer leagues—the club sees its North American academies and UPSL involvement as a vital component of building the next wave of talent.
For more information on the Villarreal CF International Academy teams competing in the UPSL, please visit https://premier.upsl.com. To learn how to join the UPSL for the upcoming Fall Season, visit www.upslregistration.com/application/team.
About United Premier Soccer League
The UPSL was formed in 2011 and occupies the unofficial fourth tier of US Soccer. Across its Premier, Division 1, Women and Academy divisions there are more than 800 teams competing nationwide. The UPSL is the largest Pro Development League in North America and is a National Affiliate member of the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF). Each UPSL team is individually owned and operated. UPSL teams are eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds through the league’s affiliation with USSF. More information about UPSL can be found at www.upsl.com or by following the league on Facebook (facebook.com/upslsoccer), Instagram (@upslsoccer) and Twitter (@upslsoccer). Contact UPSL: [email protected] / Media: [email protected].