MASPETH, N.Y. — Metropolitan Oval Academy and Soccer Stars United (SSU) today announced the launch of Met Oval SSU, a new elite youth development platform based in Manhattan and training on Randall’s Island.
Built through the partnership between one of the nation’s most established development academies and one of Manhattan’s fastest-growing soccer communities, Met Oval SSU was created with one belief: elite development should not require leaving the city.
For too long, Manhattan’s top players have had to commute outside the borough to access high-level coaching, professional training environments, and national competition platforms. Met Oval SSU changes that.
The program will provide players with direct access to:
• MLS NEXT Tier 1 — Homegrown Platform
• MLS NEXT Tier 2 — Academy Platform
• National Academy League (NAL)
• Northeast Academy League (NEAL)
• Professional coaching and structured development modeled on Metropolitan Oval’s proven methodology that has placed more players in college and professional clubs than any other in the region. Training sessions will be based on Randall’s Island, one of New York City’s premier athletic environments and home to generations of elite competition and player development.
“Met Oval SSU is about providing Manhattan players access to elite pathways and methodologies,” said Jeffrey Saunders, Sporting Director of Metropolitan Oval. “We’re combining 100 years of Metropolitan Oval acumen and development infrastructure with SSU’s roots in the Manhattan community to create an environment for players who are serious about their development.”
Soccer Stars United has spent years building a strong soccer community throughout Manhattan. Through this partnership, players and families will now have access to an elite academy structure without sacrificing the identity and accessibility of playing in the city.
“This is bigger than a club partnership,” said Toby Tennebaum, President Soccer Stars United. “This is about giving Manhattan based players a real pathway, professional coaching, elite standards, national platforms, and a development environment that reflects the ambition of this city.”
Met Oval SSU will emphasize:
• Access without leaving the borough
• Elite coaching and earned expertise
• A professional training environment
• Long-term player development
• Strong Manhattan identity and community connection
The program will serve players across multiple age groups, with a focus on creating a clear pathway from foundational development to the highest levels of youth soccer, college recruitment, and professional opportunities.
Over the past decade, Metropolitan Oval has helped place hundreds of players into NCAA Division I, II, and III programs while developing more than 75 players who have advanced into MLS and international professional academies and environments.
Met Oval SSU represents a new chapter for youth soccer in Manhattan; one built on access, expertise, and the belief that the city’s best players deserve a pathway of their own.
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