New Partnership
FC Alliance is thrilled to extend its reach to the Tri-Cities area, introducing FC Alliance North. This expansion brings exciting opportunities, including a partnership with the Bristol Sportsplex Soccer Academy. In the first year, we will offer boys and girls teams in the U7-U12 age groups in Bristol under the Bristol Sportsplex Soccer Academy umbrella and U9-U14 in Johnson City. This is a fantastic chance for young soccer families to join a competitive team and kickstart their soccer journey.
FC Alliance North Director of Operations Chad Stocton will oversee this new venture. He will work with area soccer leader Matt Lavinder, who has spent the last year developing the Bristol Sportsplex Academy. The venture will look to build on the rich history of players who have gone on to high levels of success in college and professional soccer and began their journey in the Tri-Cities area.
Joining FC Alliance North opens doors to a structured pathway to leagues like ECNL and ECNL-RL. The ECNL track record speaks for itself as approximately 90% of ECNL girls players advance to college soccer, with 70% making it to NCAA Division 1. While the boy’s program is newer, early results are promising, with many players progressing to the next level with the support of the league’s recruiting platform.
“This is such a great opportunity for everyone, and I am extremely excited to work with Matt,” Stocton stated. “There are so many players in the Tri-Cities area that can develop into elite players and prospects. With FCA North offering training sites in Johnson City and Bristol and working together with joint training opportunities, the Tri-Cities will return to its tradition-rich soccer. What the Sportsplex has already started in Bristol, we will also continue to develop players in the Johnson City location.”
Lavinder states, “We are excited about the partnership with FC Alliance and what it can bring to our region. They believe in what we’re doing and will base their new Tri-Cities efforts out of the Sportsplex. We believe this partnership will add tremendous value to our Bristol players as FC Alliance is one of the top clubs in the Southeast. As a part of this partnership already, Alliance has been able to leverage their size to provide games for us in the TRI, something no one else has been able to do in the over 20 years I have been involved in youth soccer. I am convinced that their brand will attract the top coaches and players in the area and help us continue growing the culture and community we have been building in Bristol.”
FC Alliance traditionally sends around 40 players to college soccer every year. Although their teams are strong, there is always room for growth. Adding multiple zip codes into their player pool will make FC Alliance teams more robust and competitive nationally.
To register for Tryouts: https://fcallianceplex.leagueapps.com/events/4219122-fc-alliance-north-tryouts
If you have an interest in coaching, Please reach out to Chad Stocton at fcanorthinfo@gmail.com or 865-659-6071.