The Girls Academy (GA) is one of the top national youth soccer platforms for girls in the United States, focused on player development, high-level competition, and college exposure.

The league includes two competition levels:

• Girls Academy (GA) - Top Tier
• Girls Academy (GA) ASPIRE - Second Tier

GA ASPIRE was introduced in the 2025-2026 season to expand access to the GA platform and provide more clubs the opportunity to compete within its standards and structure while providing a clear merit-based pathway to GA. During this season, there were over 100 clubs across the nation competing in GA ASPIRE.

The ASPIRE level maintains a strong developmental focus while providing:

• Regional league play
• Access to national GA events
• College scouting visibility
• A structured pathway within the Girls Academy ecosystem ensuring clubs are placed in the most appropriate tier while allowing room for advancement over time. 

DCSC U13-U19 Girls Academy teams will compete in the GA ASPIRE Mid-Atlantic North Division against top clubs in the Maryland–Pennsylvania region, including: 

• Baltimore Armour
• Baltimore Celtic
• Coppermine SC
• Huntington Valley AA
• Keystone FC
• LVU Rush
• Potomac SA
• PPA

DCSC joined GA ASPIRE to place our top girls teams in a high-level regional league within a national platform that best supports both player development and the realities of the youth soccer calendar.

Competing in the Mid-Atlantic North Division allows for strong regional competition while aligning league play with the fall high school season — an important factor in creating a balanced and sustainable environment for our players.

This platform provides:

• High-level regional competition within a nationally recognized structure
• Access to GA showcases and identification opportunities
• A structured, merit-based development environment aligned with top standards in the girls’ game

This move reflects DCSC’s commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for players to develop, compete, and progress within a pathway that supports their long-term growth both on and off the field.

Beginning next season, DC Soccer Club’s top Girls Academy teams U13–U19 will compete in GA ASPIRE.

These teams represent the highest competitive level within DCSC for those age groups.

Academy is the highest level of play at DC Soccer Club for elite players U11–U19.

Academy teams are designed for players who are ready for a more demanding, development-focused environment — including a higher training frequency, stronger competition, and a greater overall commitment.

At DCSC, players can participate in several competitive pathways, including:

• Academy (Elite/Top Level)
• Travel (Competitive)
• Select (Competitive/Developmental)

Beginning at U13, DCSC Girls Academy teams will compete in the Girls Academy (GA) ASPIRE League, while our U11–U12 Girls Pre-Academy teams (top teams in those age groups) will compete in a league designed to support development and prepare players for the Academy pathway at U13.

Our top U11–U12 Pre-Academy teams will compete in NCSL (National Capital Soccer League), a regional league in the DMV consisting of 72 member clubs. NCSL offers multiple competitive divisions, allowing teams to compete at an appropriate and challenging level.

This structure provides a strong developmental environment while keeping league travel manageable and preparing players for the Girls Academy pathway at U13.

League placement for U11–U12 teams is reviewed annually to ensure alignment with team level, scheduling, and long-term development goals.

GA ASPIRE includes both regular season league play and opportunities to compete in regional and national GA events.

DCSC Academy teams will participate in:

• A 10-month season structure (fall through spring)
• League matches (primarily weekends)
• Club-selected tournaments
• GA regional events (final calendar to be confirmed)

GA ASPIRE events are key opportunities for:

• Player development
• Team competition
• College exposure

Players are expected to attend these events as part of the DCSC Academy level team commitment.

Each team is required to attend one (1) mandatory regional event during the season. Events will be organized by age group as follows:  

• U13 & U14 together 
• U15-U19 together 
• Additionally, any team that qualifies for the Summer Finals is required to attend as a second mandatory event  
• For teams that do not qualify for Finals, an optional showcase opportunity will be available at the event

DCSC’s Girls Academy teams (which include U11-U12 Pre-Academy and U13-U19 Academy teams) will follow a high-level training schedule designed to support player development and performance.

Typical training expectations include:

• Fall & Spring: 3 trainings per week
• Winter: 2–3 trainings per week

Training sessions are structured, competitive, and focused on technical, tactical, and physical development, with strong expectations around effort, attitude, and attendance.

The expectations for high school specific age groups will be clearly communicated by coaching staff as it relates to fall training within the high school season. GA ASPIRE league games typically don’t begin until late November to balance the calendar with players competing in a fall high school soccer 

season.

DC Soccer Club is aware of recent announcements of newly formed leagues (applicable to non-academy travel levels) and will continue to monitor and evaluate the best league alignment for our age groups and levels. 

At this time, DCSC teams for 2026-2027:

• U13–U19 Academy Teams: Girls Academy Aspire
• U11–U12 Pre-Academy Teams: NCSL
• U11–U19 Blue Teams: NCSL and/or Chesapeake Premier League
• U11–U19 Red/White: NCSL
• U8–U10 Teams: NCSL or comparable league aligned on more localized competition

Yes. Players in Girls Academy Aspire are permitted to participate in high school soccer. 

At DCSC, we support families in balancing high school soccer and Academy soccer in a way that prioritizes development, health, and long-term success.

During the early Fall period, while high school soccer is taking place and the Girls Academy game schedule has not yet begun, practice will be held 2x/wk (one day during the week and one day on the weekend). 

Players should expect to participate in at least one tournament during the early Fall period, prior to the start of the Girls Academy game schedule.

While players are expected to attend all team activities throughout the year, including the early Fall period, they should communicate with coaches during the season to help manage training load and if any conflicts arise. 

Coaches of high school age groups will communicate clear expectations.

DCSC Girls Academy teams are formed through an Academy ID Session process. 

The club announces specific ID Session dates open for registration. Players not currently in our travel program who have missed ID Sessions may reach out to edusouza@dcsoccerclub.org to be evaluated at a Girls Academy team training.

Who can attend ID Sessions?

• Current DCSC Academy players
• Invited players from other DCSC travel levels
• Players from outside the club who register

How does selection work?

Players are evaluated based on:

• Technical ability
• Tactical understanding
• Athleticism
• Competitive mindset
• Coachability and attitude
• Long-term development potential

For current players, evaluation is ongoing throughout the year via our internal Player Tracker system.

Players must register for Academy ID Sessions to be considered. 

Selected players will be notified via PlayMetrics/email.

Playing on a DCSC Academy level team that competes in GA ASPIRE is a significant commitment. Participation at this level should be a clear priority in a player’s athletic life.

Key expectations include:

• Consistent, reliable training attendance
• Commitment to league matches and events
• Participation in required tournaments and GA events
• Professionalism, effort, and coachability
• Communication and accountability from players and families

While we understand that unavoidable conflicts or illness may arise, consistent attendance is expected. This level is designed for players committed to maximizing their development.

High School Participation

We encourage players to participate in high school soccer. 

During the early Fall period, while high school soccer is taking place and the Girls Academy game schedule has not yet begun, practice will be held 2x/wk (one day during the week and one day on the weekend). 

Players should expect to participate in at least one tournament during the early Fall period, prior to the start of the Girls Academy game schedule.

While players are expected to attend all team activities throughout the year, including the early Fall period, they should communicate with coaches during the season to help manage training load and if any conflicts arise. 

Coaches of high school age groups will communicate clear expectations.

DCSC utilizes an all-inclusive club fee model to simplify planning for families. Estimated range is $3300-$3500 per annual travel season. Financial aid remains available for families that apply and qualify. Various installment plans are available for all families during registration.

Fees typically include:

• Coaching and training, including goalkeeper training
• League registration and association fees
• Selected tournament and event entry fees
• Fields and facilities
• Referee fees
• Administrative and operational costs
• Insurance
• Player and coach development
• PlayMetrics platform

Individual player costs not associated with club fees: 

Uniforms 

• Will be on a 2-year cycle beginning the 2026-2027 season 
• Approximate uniform costs are between $250-$325 
• Financial Aid also applies to uniforms 

Additional Tournaments

• With approval from our Technical Director, teams may elect to participate in additional tournaments outside the number of tournaments already included in club fees. 
• Payment for this approved additional  tournament registration fee would be paid by the team via individual player payments.

DCSC’s Academy teams in our Travel Program begin with practices the week of August 10, 2026 for the 2026-2027 season. 

For U13-U14 age groups, the GA ASPIRE league game calendar typically begins in September and follows a similar structure:

• Fall: September–November
• Winter: limited play/events
• Spring: March–May/June

For U15-U19 high-school age groups, the GA ASPIRE league game calendar adapts to the region’s fall high school calendar and typically begins in late November. The calendar provides more flexibility for club-to-club scheduling over the winter with all games being played within a general November - May timeline. 

Schedules vary slightly each year.

MLS NEXT Academy Division is best for players who are highly motivated and committed, ready for a demanding training environment, and excited to compete against top-level opponents — while balancing soccer with academics and (if desired) high school participation.