METRO

Academy

Welcome to our Metro (City) Academy Site.

Founded in 2001 as Arsenal FC of Pittsburgh, the Metro (City) site has a tradition of turning development into results, earning over 20 PA West State Championships.

Led by Jonathan Velotta, the Metro site offers training opportunities from age three through adult. The Steel City First Teams, competing in the USL League Two (Men) and USL W League (Women), playing their summer seasons at Founders field.

<strong><br>Club Director; Metro Site Leader<br>Qualifications: </strong>USSF A license. Joined Arsenal FC in 2014. Club Development Officer from 2014-2019, Executive Director from 2019-2023; 15+ years of college coaching at Division 1, 2, and 3; Director of Coaching at Kentucky Fire Juniors &amp; Mockingbird Valley Soccer Club, Youth Director at Javanon Soccer Club<br><br>
<strong>Hometown: </strong>Owensboro, KY<br>
<strong>Supports: </strong>Liverpool FC<br><strong>Primary position: </strong>Midfield<br><br>
<strong>About: </strong>2002 Collegiate All-American.

Jonathan Velotta

Site Director

REGISTER FOR ACADEMY TRYOUTS

Let us be your new soccer home! Choose your site, perform at your tryout, and join Steel City FC.

Our development pathway uses a Phase Model from youth to adult.

Throughout a player's time with our club, they will develop through a carefully tailored curriculum from a variety of coaches. At each age, players will be working closely with a team of coaches who are specialized at training players in their age range.

COST PER PHASE

Overview

  • Mid-August through May (approximately 30 weeks).
  • Locations:
    • No Offseason Sports, Russellton, PA (outdoor).
    • The Neighborhood Academy, East Liberty, PA (indoor).
  • 1x training per week.
  • Friendlies throughout the year.
    • Anticipated regular match schedule on Saturdays or Sundays.

Overview

  • Foundation Phase 1 (FP1)  competing in 5v5 and 7v7 matches in the fall and spring.
  • In the winter they train primarily indoors (futsal/turf).
  • U9 - 1 tournament in spring
  • U10 - 1 tournament in fall, 1 tournament in spring.

Fall (August-October)

  • 2x site training sessions per week.
  • 6-8 matches - Steel City Development League & local friendlies.
  • U10 - 1 fall tournament.

Winter 1 (November-December)

  • 2x site training sessions per week.

Winter 2 (January-February)

  • 1 site training session per week.
  • 5v5 Steel City regional league.

Spring (March-June)

  • 2x site training sessions per week.
  • 6-8 matches - Steel City Development League & local friendlies.
  • U9-U10 - 1 spring tournament.

Learn more on the Foundation Phase, where we Train to Love the Game

Overview

  • Foundation Phase 2 competes in the Steel City Development League 
  • In the winter they train primarily indoors (futsal/turf).
  • Throughout the year they train in regional training sessions with each site across the club.
  • U11 and U12 compete in 1 tournament in the fall and 1 in the spring season.

Fall (August-October)

  • 2x per week site training.
  • 6-8 matches - Steel City Development League & local friendlies.
  • 1 tournament.
  • 1-2 regional training sessions.

Winter 1 (November-December)

  • 2x per week site training.

Winter 2 (January-February)

  • 1x site training per week.
  • 5v5 Steel City regional league.

Spring (March-June)

  • 2x per week site training.
  • 6-8 matches - Steel City Development League & local friendlies.
  • 1 tournament.
  • 1-2 regional training sessions.

Regional Competition

In addition to the site teams, players can be identified into a pool for regional competition. These events are an additional cost.

Learn more on the Foundation Phase, where we Train to Love the Game

Overview

  • Training and competition from mid-August through June.
  • In addition to local site teams, players will compete to earn regional opportunities.
  • All site teams play in the Steel City Development League and compete in 2 additional events (1 fall, 1 spring).
  • Regional teams compete in Club Premier 1 (Boys - previously E64)., MDL (Girls), ECNL-RL (Boys & Girls). Additional fee if selected.
    • Regional teams that compete in State Cup & Presidents Cup will be an additional fee if selected.

Fall (August-October)

  • 2x per week site training.
  • 6-8 matches - Steel City Development League & local friendlies.
  • 4-6x Steel City regional pool training sessions sessions as invited.
    • Regional matches - as determined at summer scheduling. 

Winter 1 (November-December)

  • 1x per week site training.
  • Steel City Development League & local friendlies.
  • Steel City regional pool training sessions sessions as invited.
    • Regional matches - as determined at summer scheduling. 

Winter 2 (January-February)

  • 1x per week site training.
  • 5v5 Steel City regional league.
  • 2x Steel City regional pool training sessions as invited per month. 

Spring (March-June)

  • 2x per week site training.
  • 6-8 matches - Steel City Development League & local friendlies.
  • 4-6x Steel City regional pool training sessions sessions as invited.
    • Regional matches - as determined at summer scheduling. 

Regional Competition

In addition to the site teams, players can be identified into a pool for regional competition. These training/events are an additional cost.

  • 7-8 play weekends (often 2 games per weekend) throughout the year. 

YDP Plus ($150, open to all Yellow players)

  • Optional program for Yellow team players to sign up for additional training.
    • Minimum of 10 sessions throughout the year.

Learn more on the Youth Development Phase, where we train to understand the game.

Overview

The Performance Phase is the culmination of our players journeys through their site, the phase breaks down into three pools:

    • Academy: competing in National leagues
    • Premier: competing in Regional leagues
    • Classic: competing in Local/regional leagues.
  • U15-U19 players at the Classic level compete in the PA West league in the spring season, plus 2-3 tournaments/showcases throughout the year.
  • Players in the trapped (U15) year between middle and high school will have a modified fall season pending number of players available.
  • Along with their site team, players can earn opportunities to train and compete with the Premier teams throughout the year. 

Fall (September-October)

  • 1x per week training.

Winter 1 (November-December)

  • 2x per week training (outdoors)
    • 1x per week in Performance Center, will coincide with team training
  • 1 event + friendlies.

Winter 2 (January-February)

  • 2x per week training (indoors)
    • 1x per week in Performance Center, will coincide with team training

Spring (March-June)

  • 2x per week training.
  • 6-8 league matches.
  • 2 events.

Regional Opportunities

In addition to the site team training, players can be identified into regional training on a 3rd night.

Classic Plus ($150, open to all Classic players)

  • Optional program for Classic team players to sign up for additional training.
    • Minimum of 10 sessions throughout the year.

Overview

The Performance Phase is the culmination of our players journeys through their site, the phase breaks down into three pools:

    • Academy - National League
    • Premier - Regional League
    • Classic - Local/Regional
  • The teams compete in the Club Premier 1 (Boys), MDL (Girls), ECNL-RL (Boys & Girls), GLC, GLA or PAWest; along with the potential of President/State Cup if fitting.
  • Players compete in pools with designated ID periods.
  • Will compete in 2-3 additional events throughout the year. 
  • Players in the trapped (U15) year between middle and high school will have a modified fall season depending on the number of players available.

Fall (September-October)

  • 1x per week training on Sundays

Winter 1 (November-December)

  • 3x Training per week outdoor training
    • 1x per week in Performance Center, will coincide with team training
  • 1 event or league matches

Winter 2 (January-February)

  • 2-3x training per week
    • 1x per week in Performance Center, will coincide with team training
    • The session load dependent on the match/event schedule during this time of year
  • 1 showcase and/or league matches + friendlies

Spring (March-June)

  • 3x Training per week, primarily outdoor training
    • The session load dependent/managed to account for necessary rest/recovery based on match/event schedule
    • 1 session per week in Performance Center- will coincide with team training March and April
  • Weekend league matches + 1 event.
  • Regular league season concludes in mid-June with pending advancement to regional or national events to follow.

Details of each program are subject to slight changes.

Developmental Programs

Beyond formal team training, we offer external programs open to all players, whether they belong to our club or not. These are perfect for players who seek additional training or who want a taste of what our club can offer.

Program offerings are updated seasonally at all sites.

The Neighborhood Academy (TNA)

Includes turf field, futsal court and weight room.

No Offseason Sports Complex

Soccer 1: Close to road, on right

Soccer 2: Close to fence, on left

Baseball 1: Close to fence, on left

Baseball 2: Close to road, on right

Steel City FC Performance Center

Located at No Offseason and utilized by our U15+ players and small group training for players of all ages.

Also offers hours open to public.