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 NPSL (Men) and UWS (Women), play 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 2024-25 TRYOUTS

Our Academy tryouts are here for all boys and girls teams! 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 game 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).
  • 1 tournament.

Fall (August-October)

  • 2x site training sessions per week.
  • U8-U10s participate in 5v5 and 7v7 games.

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.
  • U8-U10s participate in 5v5 and 7v7 games.
  • 1 spring tournament.

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

Overview

  • Foundation Phase 2 competes in PA West leagues in the fall and spring season.
  • In the winter they train primarily indoors (futsal/turf).
  • Throughout the year they train in regional training session 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 games in PA West League.
  • 1 tournament.

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 site training per week.
  • 6-8 games in PA West League.
  • 1 tournament.

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 ORL, PA West, or GLA and compete in 2 additional events (1 fall, 1 spring).
  • Regional teams compete in E64, MDL (girls), or ECNL-RL (boys). 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 league games.
  • 4-6x Steel City regional pool training sessions as invited.
    • 2x in-house regional game day option for non-E64/ECNL-RL players. 

Winter 1 (November-December)

  • 2x per week site training.
  • 2x regional game days.

Winter 2 (January-February)

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

Spring (March-June)

  • 2x per week site training.
  • 6-8 league games.
  • 4-6x Steel City Regional Pool training sessions as invited.
    • 2x in-house regional game day option for non-E64/ECNL-RL players

Regional Competition

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

  • 7-8 play weekends (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.
  • Players have the opportunity to compete both at the site level (Blue or Yellow teams), as well as regionally.

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 games.
  • 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 an 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 E64, MDL (Girls), ECNL-RL (Boys), 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. 

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 + friendlies.

Winter 2 (January-February)

  • 2-3x training per week
    • 1x per week in Performance Center, will coincide with team training
  • 1 showcase and/or league games + friendlies.

Spring (March-June)

  • 3x Training per week outdoor training
  • Weekend league games, + 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.