Boys Academy

The Hartford Athletic Youth Boys Academy is committed to developing top local talent across New England and the Tri-State area. The Youth Academy provides an inspiring pathway toward collegiate and professional soccer. With 18 teams from U9 through U19, we nurture our players at every stage of their journey.

Academy players train in a supportive, high-level environment at premier facilities like the Connecticut Children’s Day Hill Dome in Windsor and Trinity Health Stadium in downtown Hartford. Our players build lasting connections with their coaches, mentors, and teammates, growing together as part of the Hartford Athletic family. Along the way, they gain valuable insight from our first-team staff and players who are invested in their development.

We’re proud to compete in the USL Academy League, UPSL, NECSL, and Elite Development Program. Our Boys Academy is more than just a place to play; it’s a community where young athletes are challenged, supported, and shaped into disciplined, confident players and leaders on and off the field.

Have questions about our academy? Please send an email to academy@hartfordathletic.com!

Voyagers Academy (ages 13 and up) are exclusively supported and serviced by Trinity Health.

Discovery Academy (ages 12 and under) are exclusively supported and serviced by Connecticut Children’s staff.

Ali Taleb signed with Hartford Athletic’s academy in March of 2023. He captained the U19 team with 11 goals and five assists through nine games. He now plays for American International College, winning NE10 Men’s Soccer Rookie of the Year.

DiCarlo joined Athletic’s academy in February of 2023. He was an All-State goalie in the state of Connecticut his senior year of high school and now competes for the University of Dayton soccer team.

Dren signed with the academy twice between 2022 and 2023. Dobruna appeared in multiple matches for Hartford. In his eight competitions, the 17-year-old tallied an assist.

Signing with Hartford in 2021, Pliszka signed again in 2022 and competed with the club through 2023. He is currently a sophomore, playing collegiately for Boston College.

Shaul joined Hartford Athletic’s academy in January of 2024 at 18 years old. He competed for MLS Next side Portland Timbers 2 in 2022 and was an MLS Next All-Star starter. He made six appearances for Hartford Athletic in the 2024 season (the most of any player on an Academy contract in club history) before leaving to play at Notre Dame in the fall.

Signing with Athletic in early 2022, O’Brien made an appearance for the club in the U.S. Open Cup. He finished his freshman college season at Providence College, tallying three goals and seven assists. He was named Big East Freshman of the Week in September of 2023.

Rouse signed with the club before the 2022 season at just 16 years old. He has committed to compete collegiately at Grand Canyon University.

Hot was one of the earliest academy signings for Hartford, inking his contract in 2021. Now a sophomore at Duke University, he is a consistent starter and was named All-Freshman Third Team by College Soccer News. He was also ranked No. 2 on TopDrawerSoccer’s Postseason Freshman Top-100.

Ponce-Ocampo joined the academy in 2022 at just 17 years of age. He just finished his freshman college season at Georgetown University.