Toronto FC Academy, also known as TFC Academy, is the
youth academy and development system of Canadian
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer (MLS) is a men's professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport's highest level in the United States. The league comprises 29 teams—26 in the U.S. and 3 in Cana ...
club
Toronto FC
Toronto Football Club (commonly known as Toronto FC or TFC) is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home matches at BM ...
.
The academy has divisions from U14 to U19 and includes over 110 young players. 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
The Canadian Soccer League (CSL; french: Ligue canadienne de soccer — LCS) is a semi-professional league for Canadian soccer clubs primarily located in the province of Ontario, and claims the history of the Canadian National Soccer League ( ...
as TFC Academy II.
On August 26, 2010
Doneil Henry
Doneil Jor-Dee Ashley Henry (born April 20, 1993) is a Canadian professional soccer player who currently plays for Minnesota United of Major League Soccer and the Canada national team.
Club career
Early career
Henry's parents, Beverly and M ...
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
Nicholas Lindsay (born September 3, 1992) is a Canadian soccer player who began his career at the academy level with TFC Academy in the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) in 2009. He successfully made the transition to the professional level in 201 ...
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 (known as Toronto FC III) began competing in
League1 Ontario
League1 Ontario (L1O) is a semi-professional men's soccer league in Ontario, Canada. The league began play in 2014 and is sanctioned by the Canadian Soccer Association and the Ontario Soccer Association as a pro-am league in the Canadian ...
(L1O), which is the third level of the
Canadian soccer pyramid. The academy also fielded a team in the
Premier Development League
USL League Two (USL2), formerly the Premier Development League (PDL), is a semi-professional developmental soccer league sponsored by United Soccer Leagues in the United States and Canada, forming part of the United States soccer league syste ...
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 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the 12th CONCACAF Gold Cup competition and the 22nd CONCACAF regional championship overall in CONCACAF's fifty years of existence. The United States was the host nation.
The competition began on 7 July 2013 at the ...
, the squad included
Ashtone Morgan and
Doneil Henry
Doneil Jor-Dee Ashley Henry (born April 20, 1993) is a Canadian professional soccer player who currently plays for Minnesota United of Major League Soccer and the Canada national team.
Club career
Early career
Henry's parents, Beverly and M ...
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
The USL Championship (USLC) is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011. The USL is sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer) as a Division II league since 2017, ...
, which serves as a
reserve team
In sports, a reserve team is a team composed of players under contract to a club but who do not normally play in matches for the first team. Reserve teams often include back-up players from the first team, young players who need playing time to i ...
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
Toronto FC II is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, who play in MLS Next Pro, a third tier league of the United States soccer league system. It is the reserve team and minor league affiliate of Toronto FC as well as ...
, began play in 2015 at the
Ontario Soccer Centre
The Soccer Centre, also known as the Ontario Soccer Centre, is a Canadian competition, training, education, and exposition soccer facility. It is located in Vaughan, Ontario, 20 km north-west of downtown Toronto.
Details
The centre featur ...
in
Vaughan
Vaughan () (2021 population 323,103) is a city in Ontario, Canada. It is located in the Regional Municipality of York, just north of Toronto. Vaughan was the fastest-growing municipality in Canada between 1996 and 2006 with its population increas ...
, 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 (USSDA), along with U17 and U15 teams.
The U16 and U14 teams will play in the
Ontario Player Development League.
The USSA announced on April 15, 2020 that they were ceasing operations permanently due to financial struggles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, MLS announced that it was creating
MLS Next as a replacement elite youth player development development platform, which Toronto FC would participate in.
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
North York is one of the six administrative districts of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located directly north of York, Old Toronto and East York, between Etobicoke to the west and Scarborough to the east. As of the 2016 Census, it had a p ...
. Built at a cost of $21 million to MLSE, the facility has 4 pitches in total: four full-sized grass pitches (two heated) and 1 artificial turf pitches (1 capable of being bubbled for year-round use). The 36,000 square foot facility also contains first team facilities (dressing room, hot tub, ice bath, rehabilitation pool, physiotherapy room, private dining) seven dressing rooms for the Academy teams, gym, physio and rehab facilities (separate from first team), kitchen, cafeteria, media room, classroom and offices for coaching staff.
Current technical staff
Head coaches (U19)
*
Nick Dasovic (2008–2010)
* Michael Stefano (2014-2015)
* Stuart Neely (2015–2016)
*
Danny Dichio (2016–2020)
* Michael Stefano (2020–2021)
*
Dino Lopez
Dino Lopez (born 13 January 1969 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a Canadian retired soccer player who played in the National Soccer League, Canadian Soccer League, American Professional Soccer League, USISL A-League, National Professional Soccer Leag ...
(2021–present)
Year-by-year (U19/U20)
The Senior Academy side, commonly known as Toronto FC III, has played at the semi-professional (Division III) level. The team currently is a U19 team, after having previously been a U20 team
Academy graduates
The following players have joined the
Toronto FC
Toronto Football Club (commonly known as Toronto FC or TFC) is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home matches at BM ...
first team on
homegrown player contracts after having previously been a Toronto FC Academy player (players in bold are currently part of the team) (as of September 13, 2022):
*
Ayo Akinola (2000)
*
Themi Antonoglou
Themi Antonoglou (born June 2, 2001) is a Canadian soccer player who plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.
Early life
Antonoglou began his youth career with West Toronto SC, where he was scouted by Toronto FC Academy coach Danny Dichi ...
(2001)
*
Manny Aparicio (1995)
*
Molham Babouli (1993)
*
Sergio Camargo (1994)
*
Jay Chapman (1994)
*
Oscar Cordon (1993)
*
Aidan Daniels (1998)
*
Julian Dunn
Julian Fletcher Dunn-Johnson (born July 11, 2000) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a centre-back for HamKam in the Eliteserien.
Club career
Toronto FC II
On June 29, 2017, Dunn joined USL club Toronto FC II on loan. He ...
(2000)
*
Raheem Edwards (1995)
*
Liam Fraser (1998)
*
Jordan Hamilton (1996)
*
Doneil Henry
Doneil Jor-Dee Ashley Henry (born April 20, 1993) is a Canadian professional soccer player who currently plays for Minnesota United of Major League Soccer and the Canada national team.
Club career
Early career
Henry's parents, Beverly and M ...
(1993)
*
Deandre Kerr
Deandre Kerr (born November 29, 2002) is a Canadian soccer player who plays as a forward for Toronto FC.
Early life
Kerr began playing youth soccer with Ajax SC at age seven. Afterwards, he played for Pickering FC's United FA OPDL team. He th ...
(2002)
*
Nicholas Lindsay
Nicholas Lindsay (born September 3, 1992) is a Canadian soccer player who began his career at the academy level with TFC Academy in the Canadian Soccer League (CSL) in 2009. He successfully made the transition to the professional level in 201 ...
(1992)
*
Keith Makubuya
Keith Makubuya (born January 26, 1993) is a Canadian soccer player who played in Major League Soccer and the Canadian Soccer League.
Career
Youth
Makubuya began his youth career with St. Catharines Concord SC. He continued his youth career with ...
(1993)
*
Chris Mannella (1994)
*
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (2004)
*
Hugo Mbongue (2004)
*
Ashtone Morgan (1991)
*
Jayden Nelson (2002)
*
Noble Okello (2000)
*
Luca Petrasso
Luca Allan Petrasso (born June 16, 2000) is a Canadian soccer player who plays as a left-back for Italian club Triestina, on loan from Orlando City SC.
Career
Early career
Petrasso joined the Toronto FC Academy in 2013, when he was 12. Pet ...
(2000)
*
Jordan Perruzza
Jordan Loreto Perruzza (born January 16, 2001) is a Canadian soccer player.
Early life
Perruzza began playing youth soccer with Woodbridge Strikers and Vaughan SC. In December 2012, he joined the Toronto FC Academy. In 2014, he moved to Ital ...
(2002)
*
Ralph Priso (2002)
*
Quillan Roberts (1994)
*
Rocco Romeo (2000)
*
Amadou Sanyang
Amadou Sanyang (born 1 August 1991) is a Gambian footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder.
Career Professional
Sanyang began his professional career with Real de Banjul of the Gambian Championnat National D1. Sanyang's time with R ...
(1991)
*
Jacob Shaffelburg (1999)
*
Luke Singh
Luke Adam Singh (born 12 September 2000) is a professional football player who plays as a defender for Atlético Ottawa on loan from Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. Born in Canada, he represents the Trinidad and Tobago national team.
Ea ...
(2000)
*
Matt Stinson
Matthew Garrett "Matt" Stinson (born September 9, 1992) is a former Canadian soccer player who last played for amateur club Vaughan Azzurri SC in League1 Ontario. Stinson is currently an assistant coach for his alma mater, the York Lions.
Care ...
(1992)
*
Kosi Thompson (2003)
The following players have appeared for the
Toronto FC
Toronto Football Club (commonly known as Toronto FC or TFC) is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home matches at BM ...
first team on short-term loan contracts for MLS or Canadian Championship matches (players in bold are currently
Toronto FC II
Toronto FC II is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, who play in MLS Next Pro, a third tier league of the United States soccer league system. It is the reserve team and minor league affiliate of Toronto FC as well as ...
players), after having been a Toronto FC Academy player, but did not sign a full-time contract (as of May 7, 2022):
*
Kobe Franklin
Kobe Lloyd Franklin (born May 10, 2003) is a Canadian soccer player who plays as a defender for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.
Early life
Born in Toronto, Franklin began playing soccer at age four with Beach Community Soccer. Shortly aft ...
(2003)
*
Malik Johnson
Malik Anthony Johnson (born April 13, 1998) is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for USL Championship club Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
Career Club Toronto FC II
Johnson joined TFC Academy in 2013 from Brampton East SC. Johnson made ...
(1998)
*
Allando Matheson (1992)
*
Steffen Yeates
Steffen Yeates (born January 4, 2000) is a soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Canadian Premier League side Pacific FC. Born in Canada, he represents Trinidad and Tobago at international level.
Early life
Yeates began his youth care ...
(2000)
The following players signed homegrown player contracts with other teams in Major League Soccer, having had their rights traded by Toronto FC after previously being a Toronto FC Academy player (as of May 7, 2022):
*
Josh Janniere (1992)
International matches
TFC Academy joined with Chile giants
Colo-Colo
Club Social y Deportivo Colo-Colo () is a Chilean professional football club based in Macul, Santiago. Founded in 1925 by David Arellano they play in the Chilean Primera División, from which they have never been relegated. The team has pla ...
. 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
Club Social y Deportivo Colo-Colo () is a Chilean professional football club based in Macul, Santiago. Founded in 1925 by David Arellano they play in the Chilean Primera División, from which they have never been relegated. The team has pla ...
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 Pickering may refer to:
Places Antarctica
* Pickering Nunataks, Alexander Island
Australia
* Pickering, South Australia, the original name (1872–1940) of the town of Wool Bay
* Pickering Brook, Western Australia, Australia
Canada
* Pic ...
, 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.
Regional partners
In 2015, Toronto FC formed a partnership with the
Ontario Soccer Association
The Ontario Soccer Association, founded in 1901, is one of the oldest and largest sport organizations in Canada. The OSA currently has more than 500,000 registered participants and provides development opportunities for players, coaches, refere ...
, with the OSA recognizing TFC as the top of the pyramid in Ontario with respect to the player pathway for elite men's soccer. Following this, TFC began to form regional partnerships with various youth clubs.
TFC Academy has made regional partnerships with local youth clubs in other Ontario cities re-branding under the TFC name -
Windsor TFC
Windsor TFC is a Canadian soccer team based in Windsor, Ontario, that was founded in 2004. They have competed in the Canadian Professional Soccer League (CPSL) and Canadian Soccer League (CSL). Throughout their tenure in the CPSL/CSL, Windsor ...
, London TFC, and Ottawa TFC. Windsor TFC was the re-branded name from Windsor Stars SC, whose senior team plays in
League1 Ontario
League1 Ontario (L1O) is a semi-professional men's soccer league in Ontario, Canada. The league began play in 2014 and is sanctioned by the Canadian Soccer Association and the Ontario Soccer Association as a pro-am league in the Canadian ...
.; London TFC was re-branded from
FC London
FC London is a Canadian semi-professional association football, soccer club based in London, Ontario, London, Ontario. The club was founded in 2008 and plays in the League1 Ontario men's and League1 Ontario (women), women's divisions. The team pl ...
, whose senior team retained their name in L1O; Ottawa TFC was formed from a merger of Cumberland United SC and Capital United SC.
In 2021, the club announced three new regional partners: Kitchener TFC, Hamilton TFC, and DeRo TFC.
Kitchener TFC rebranded from Kitchener SC, Hamilton TFC rebranded from Mount Hamilton Youth SC (Mount Hamilton is also part of the
Hamilton United group that competes in League1 Ontario and DeRo TFC rebranded from
DeRo United Futbol Academy
DeRo TFC (formerly DeRo United Futbol Academy) is Canadian soccer academy founded in 2012 by former Canadian professional soccer player Dwayne De Rosario based in the Scarborough district of Toronto, Ontario. They previously fielded a Canadian ...
.
See also
*
Toronto FC II
Toronto FC II is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, who play in MLS Next Pro, a third tier league of the United States soccer league system. It is the reserve team and minor league affiliate of Toronto FC as well as ...
References
External links
*
{{Canadian Soccer League
Canadian reserve soccer teams
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
Academy
An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of secondary or tertiary higher learning (and generally also research or honorary membership). The name traces back to Plato's school of philosop ...
Association football clubs established in 2008
2008 establishments in Ontario
Soccer clubs in Toronto
League1 Ontario teams