The Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) is excited to officially announce the clubs selected to participate in the 2026-2027 Directors Academy (DA) season. As one of Michigan’s premier development-focused platforms, the Directors Academy continues to provide meaningful competition and enhanced developmental opportunities for players, coaches, and clubs across the state. Participation in the DA is highly selective, with clubs evaluated on areas such as club structure, coaching education, player development programming, and involvement within MSYSA events and initiatives.
For the upcoming seasonal year, the DA will once again feature programming at the U10, U11, and U12 age groups, helping create high-level developmental environments during critical stages of player growth. Clubs and coaches participating in the DA are held to elevated standards surrounding coaching education and developmental planning, reinforcing the program’s commitment to long-term player success rather than short-term results. The DA places an emphasis on ability-appropriate competition, learning, and growth, with league scores generally not publicly posted in order to reduce pressure and encourage development-focused experiences.
The following clubs have been selected for participation in the 2026-2027 MSYSA Directors Academy season: AC Grand Rapids, BC Fire, Cap City, Detroit City FC, DCFC South Oakland, Eastside FC, Kingdom SC, Lakeshore SC, Legends, Liverpool FC, MDA, Michigan Burn, Michigan Hawks, Michigan Jaguars FC, Michigan Rangers FC, Michigan Stars Elite, Michigan Tigers FC, Michigan Wolves, Midland SC, Midwest United, Midwest United SCOR, Nationals, PASS FC, Plymouth Reign, Portage SC, Royal Oak FC, Saline FC, Southwest Michigan SC, TKO, TBAYS, and Vardar.
Following the announcement, clubs from around the state immediately began celebrating their acceptance into the Directors Accademy across social media, recognizing the hard work of their players, coaches, and families while expressing excitement for another year within the DA platform. Many organizations highlighted the pride they take in continuing to provide strong developmental environments that prioritize learning, growth, and a lifelong passion for the game. As the DA continues to grow, MSYSA looks forward to another exciting season showcasing the future of Michigan soccer.