Could your child earn a fully funded pathway to elite soccer, private education, and professional development? Here’s everything families need to know about San Diego FC’s groundbreaking Right to Dream Academy.

Unlike traditional youth soccer in the United States, where families often spend thousands of dollars each year on club fees, travel, tournaments, and private training, San Diego FC’s Right to Dream Academy was built on a different philosophy: talent—not financial resources—should determine opportunity.

The academy combines elite soccer training, academic education, and personal development into one fully funded program designed to identify and develop the region’s most promising young players.

Whether your child currently plays recreational soccer, competitive club soccer, or is simply dreaming of playing at the highest level, this guide explains how the academy works, who it’s for, and what parents should know before pursuing this unique opportunity.

What Is the Right to Dream Academy?

Right to Dream began in Ghana in 1999 with a simple mission: provide talented young athletes with access to world-class soccer training and education regardless of their financial circumstances.

Since then, the organization has expanded into an international network that includes academies and professional clubs in Ghana, Denmark, Egypt, and the United States. San Diego FC became the newest member of this global network when the MLS expansion club adopted the Right to Dream model as the foundation of its youth development system.

Unlike many traditional academies, the program emphasizes not only soccer development but also academics, leadership, character, and preparing students for success beyond the game.

How Is It Different From Traditional Club Soccer?

Most competitive youth soccer in the United States follows a “pay-to-play” model.

Families commonly pay for:

Club registration fees
Uniforms
League fees
Tournament entry fees
Travel expenses
Hotels
Private training

For many talented players, these costs can become a significant barrier.

The Right to Dream Academy is designed to remove those financial obstacles.

Rather than asking families to pay, San Diego FC invests directly in selected student-athletes so they can focus on developing both on and off the field.

What Does “Fully Funded” Mean?

One of the most common questions parents ask is:

“Is it really free?”

For accepted student-athletes, the answer is yes.

The academy provides:

Elite soccer coaching
Private education
Residential housing (when applicable)
Meals
Sports science support
Strength and conditioning
Academic support
Leadership development

Families are not charged tuition for the academy program. San Diego FC describes the academy as a fully funded residential soccer and educational pathway designed to remove financial barriers for talented players.

Who Can Apply?

San Diego FC recruits players from its MLS homegrown territory, which includes both San Diego County and the Tijuana region.

Recruitment focuses on specific birth years announced by the club during each cycle. Current recruitment information and eligibility are published on the academy’s official recruitment page.

As the academy grows, opportunities are expected to expand.

Upcoming Tryouts

San Diego FC periodically hosts free open tryouts to identify talented players for future academy classes.

Previous open tryouts have been held at:

Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
Estadio Romero Manzo in Tijuana

Players are typically required to register in advance and bring:

Soccer cleats
Shin guards
Shorts
Socks
Goalkeeper gloves (if applicable)
Water

Training bibs are generally provided by the club.

Important: Tryout dates, age groups, and locations change from year to year. Always check the official San Diego FC Academy recruitment page for the latest information before registering.

What Do Academy Scouts Look For?

While technical ability is important, scouts evaluate much more than goals and assists.

Players are often assessed on:

Ball control
First touch
Passing quality
Decision-making
Soccer IQ
Speed and athleticism
Coachability
Work ethic
Competitive mentality
Character

The academy looks for players with long-term potential rather than simply those who are the biggest or fastest today.

What Makes the Academy Unique?

Several features distinguish the Right to Dream Academy from most youth soccer pathways:

Elite Player Development

Players train in a professional environment using modern coaching methods and sports science.

Academic Excellence

Student-athletes receive a private education while continuing their soccer development.

Residential Experience

Many players live on campus, creating an immersive environment focused on learning, training, and personal growth.

Leadership Development

The academy places strong emphasis on character, leadership, and preparing students for life beyond soccer.

Global Opportunities

As part of the international Right to Dream network, players may benefit from relationships with professional clubs and academies around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Right to Dream Academy really free?

Yes. Accepted student-athletes do not pay tuition for the academy program.

Does my child have to live on campus?

Some academy participants live in the residential program, while others may commute depending on age and circumstances.

Do players still attend school?

Yes. Academic education is an important part of the academy experience.

Who can try out?

Eligibility changes each year based on the academy’s recruiting needs and announced birth years. Always check the official recruitment page for current requirements.

Are girls eligible?

San Diego FC has announced plans to expand the Right to Dream pathway for girls, making it one of the first fully funded professional player development pathways for female players in North America.

Is it difficult to get accepted?

Yes.

The academy is highly selective and recruits a limited number of players each year.

Final Thoughts

The San Diego FC Right to Dream Academy represents one of the most significant changes in youth soccer in the United States. By removing financial barriers and combining elite coaching with education and personal development, it offers a different vision for how talented young athletes can pursue their dreams.

While acceptance is highly competitive, every family can benefit from understanding what the academy values: technical ability, coachability, character, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Whether your child ultimately joins the Right to Dream Academy or follows another pathway, those qualities will serve them well throughout their soccer journey.

Related Resources

Continue exploring youth soccer in San Diego County:

Official San Diego FC Resources

For current eligibility requirements, academy updates, and future tryout announcements, please visit the official San Diego FC Academy website.

Official Academy Pages