Discovery Program FAQs

What birth years are eligible for the Discovery Program?:

For Spring 2026, the Discovery Program is for boys born in 2014 and 2015 that FC Cincinnati Academy Staff has identified.

Are there open tryouts for players to participate in the Discovery Program?:

There are no open tryouts for players to be selected to participate in the Discovery Program.

What if my player is older and wants to be scouted by FCC Academy?:

To be considered for an academy trial (U13 thru U18) please send a letter of recommendation and recent game footage to academy@fccincinnati.com. If the scouting staff feels your player meets the standards of a potential FCC Academy player, correspondence between the player’s club and family will begin to arrange a trial opportunity.

How are players invited to participate in the program?:

FC Cincinnati Academy staff will scout local club games and work with local soccer club Technical Directors on player recommendations. Once a player is scouted or recommended, the player will receive an invitation to participate in the program if FC Cincinnati staff feel that the player is of the level.

Can I participate if my club will not send a recommendation?:

If a club's Technical Director does not send in a player recommendation, players may send game footage and recommendations from other club coaches. After reviewing any video, if the player observed meets key qualities for an FCC Academy/Discovery Program invite, FC Cincinnati Staff will attempt to contact the club Technical Director.

If no response is received from the player’s club within 7 days, FC Cincinnati may invite the player in directly.

Clubs reserve the right to withhold player contact information; however, if FC Cincinnati believes the player is capable of, and deserves the opportunity to be in the Discovery Program, we will contact the player and include the player’s current club representative on all correspondence.

FC Cincinnati believes it is in the best interests of all youth clubs to work together to provide developmental opportunities for players in our region.

What are the benefits of participating in the Discovery Program?:

The Discovery Program offers advanced training, designed to help players maximize their potential.

Using a comprehensive and diverse curriculum the coaching staff will use training sessions to help players learn aspects of their game which they need to develop to become better players. The program is also used as an early player identification tool for future Pre-Academy Teams.

How do I know if my child has been invited to participate in the program?:

Invitations are usually sent to deserving players within seven days of receiving the player’s contact information. All invitations are sent at least 10 days before the first session of the program. If a player is scouted or a recommendation comes after the start of the first session, the player will still receive an invitation to join for the remaining sessions.

Are there any fees associated with the program?:

The program is free of charge for those invited. Players are responsible for travelling to and from the training sessions or games if they are on the schedule.

Do players have to attend all training sessions?:

It is preferred that players attend all of the Discovery Training Sessions to help the staff get the best evaluation of a player. If a player has a conflict with a club training session or game, we expect the club session to take priority.

Will participating players get the opportunity to participate in MLS NEXT games or events?:

All players will remain registered with their club teams and will continue to train/play matches with their club. Any high-performing players within the program may receive an invite to play or train with the FC Cincinnati Pre-Academy teams. FC Cincinnati Academy Staff will contact the players’ club before inviting the player to participate in Pre-Academy games/training.

Friendly games may be added to the schedule for selected Discovery Program players to participate in.

Can players be released from the Discovery Program training sessions if they don’t meet the standards?:

At any time, FC Cincinnati Academy staff may remove or invite a player into the program.

Will players receive an evaluation?:

Any U12 player not asked to join the U13 Academy following the final sessions in the Spring will receive an evaluation from the Discovery Program Coaching Staff. This will also be shared with the players’ club Technical Director.

Who conducts the training sessions?:

Sessions are conducted by the Pre Academy Head Coach and Regional Discovery Program Staff. Coaches from local organizations are invited to assist and observe the training. FC Cincinnati Academy will also have medical staff during all sessions.

Will there be specific goalkeeper training?:

Goalkeeper training will be provided during some of the sessions; however, we also encourage the keepers to interact with the field players in the younger age groups. It is recommended that high-performing goalkeepers attend the Goalkeeper Clinics provided by FC Cincinnati's Goalkeeper staff.

Are parents permitted to watch the training sessions?:

Parents are not permitted to attend the training sessions; however, a virtual parents' meeting will be held during the session to educate them about the programs.