Toronto FC Academy


Toronto FC Academy, also known as TFC Academy, is the youth academy and development system of Canadian Major League Soccer club Toronto FC.
The academy has divisions from U12 to U19 and includes over 110 young players. The U19, U17 and U15 teams compete in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, while the U16 and U14 play in the Ontario Player Development League. The senior academy team is known as Toronto FC III.

History

The TFC Academy's U-18 squad began playing in the Canadian Soccer League in 2008, with the U-16 squad competing in the CSL Reserve Division as TFC Academy II.
On August 26, 2010 Doneil Henry signed a pro contract with the Toronto FC senior squad becoming the first-ever TFC academy player to sign since the creation of the club in 2007. Three weeks following the Henry signing Toronto's first team signed forward Nicholas Lindsay becoming the second academy signing in history. In late September 2011, former defender Ashtone Morgan became the first graduate of the Toronto FC Academy to be called up to the Canadian men's national team. In 2011 there were close to 50 players enrolled in the TFC Academy.
On January 24, 2011, Stuart Neely the academy director announced that Toronto FC ownership approved a $17.6 million investment in a new training facility and planning was underway for the creation of a third academy team.
After the CSA de-sanctioned the CSL, TFC Academy withdrew from CSL prior to the 2013 season. The senior academy team joined the Ontario Soccer League for the 2013 season, however in 2014 the under-20 squad began competing in League1 Ontario, which is the third level of the Canadian soccer pyramid. The academy also fielded a team in the Premier Development League in the 2015-16 seasons before withdrawing.
On June 27, 2013 Canada announced its 23-man squad for the upcoming 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the squad included Ashtone Morgan and Doneil Henry which was the first time TFC academy graduates had made a senior international tournament roster.
In November 2014, Toronto FC announced the establishment of their own team to play in the minor professional USL Pro, which serves as a reserve team for TFC and a bridge between the Academy. Toronto FC became the sixth MLS club to own a USL Pro team. The team, which was named Toronto FC II, began play in 2015 at the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan, just north of Toronto. The new facilities include a permanent seating area with room for expansion and a new artificial playing surface.
In September 2018, the U20 team left L1O and transformed into a U19 team that competes in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, along with U17 and U15 teams.

BMO Training Ground

In April 2011, Toronto FC unveiled plans to develop a state-of-art facility and soccer program that looked to develop the next generation of Canadian players through coaching, training, technology, equipment and support. Construction began in May 2011 and in June 2012, TFC academy moved to their new BMO Training Ground on 14 acres of land in Downsview Park, located in North York. Built at a cost of $21 million to MLSE, the facility has 4 pitches in total: four full-sized grass pitches and 1 artificial turf pitches. The 36,000 square foot facility also contains first team facilities seven dressing rooms for the Academy teams, gym, physio and rehab facilities, kitchen, cafeteria, media room, classroom and offices for coaching staff.

Current Technical Staff

Head Coaches (U19/U20)

U20 (Toronto FC III) Roster

As of April 30, 2018
No.PositionPlayerNationality

Academy Graduates

Below is a list of footballers who have played at some Toronto FC Academy youth squads:
So far, 16 players from the Academy have gone on to sign with the first team. Academy graduates who are currently playing for Toronto FC's first team:
Academy graduates with Toronto FC II:
Academy graduates or players who have signed for other professional clubs:
TFC Academy joined with Chile giants Colo-Colo. The Toronto FC Academy squad played their first game against opponents outside the Canadian Soccer League on Tuesday June 29, 2010. The Academy tied Colo-Colo 4–4. The U16 team competed Liga MX International tournament on August, 2017. Toronto FC III participated in the Dallas Cup 2018.

TFC Juniors

The Toronto FC Juniors, also known as the TFC Juniors, is part of the youth academy and development system of Toronto FC. It is a curriculum based program, for players aged six to thirteen, specializing in grassroots development with a professional coaching staff. The program holds camps regionally and has held camps in Toronto, Pickering, Vaughan, Stoney Creek in Hamilton, Oakville, and Markham. The Toronto FC Juniors program is one of Toronto FC Academy's main sources for prospects alongside their network of scouts.