by Per Gary Moody
The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the first and only men’s league designated by USASA as a Tier 1 national league, is proud to announce that Rochester NY FC Academy has joined the league. The club will begin play in the 2025 season.
“We are thrilled to announce that Rochester NY FC Academy has joined the NPSL as we continue to build out upstate New York and other surrounding areas,” NPSL Managing Director Cindy Spera said. “The club has a robust academy that has a reputation for developing homegrown talent. The NPSL product will add another level to their club, providing older players a platform to continue their career and giving their youth players an aspirational goal.”
The club is led by Executive Director Jim D’Anza, Director of Coaching and Club Operations Jaime Phillips, Boys Academy Director Rory Charcholla, and Girls Academy Director Louis Guilfoil. Andrew Hoyt will lead team operations for the NPSL and WPSL programs. Charcholla, Luca Cuomo, Aidan Miller, Zach Drayer, and Jameson Railey make up the NPSL team’s coaching staff.
“The NPSL’s standards align with our values and development process,” Charcholla said. “Our academy is part of MLS NEXT, the top tier of youth soccer in the United States. We know that the NPSL demands a professional environment, making it the appropriate next step for our men’s team. The NPSL’s gameday standards, talent level, schedule, and appropriate rest ratios between matches all align with our development and playing philosophies.”
Rochester NY FC has transformed itself since the original days as the Rochester Mavericks, which were founded in 1966. Since the founding of the Mavericks (boys) and the Rochester Spirit (girls), the club has transitioned into the Rochester Junior Rhinos (1998), Empire United Soccer Academy (2008), and now Rochester NY FC Youth (2022).
“At RNY, our mission and expectation has always been to connect with our community through soccer,” Charcholla said. “We aim to showcase an entertaining style of play to soccer fans locally and in the NPSL market. The NPSL is the pinnacle of our club’s academy and player development process.”
Their home venue is the RNYFC Athletic Complex, a 60-acre property in West Henrietta, NY, just south of Rochester, NY. This expansive space provides plenty of room for future growth. The facility features a fieldhouse with a 100-yard by 50-yard indoor field, a sports performance area, locker rooms with showers, offices, and conference rooms. Adjacent to the field house is Field 1, a 120-yard by 75-yard turf field equipped with lights, bleachers, and enclosed fencing. Behind the bleachers, a berm runs the length of the field, offering additional standing room for spectators. Convenient parking is available at both the fieldhouse and Field 1.
Fans and supporters can learn more by visiting www.rnyfc-youth.com or following the club on Facebook (@RNYFCAcademy) Instagram (@rnyfcacademymlsnext), and Twitter/X (@rnyfcacademymls).
More information about expansion opportunities in the NPSL can be found at npsl.com/expansion.
