Buffalo Pro Soccer announced today the acquisition of the FC Buffalo Youth Academy. This milestone marks a transformative moment for soccer in Western New York, paving the way for young athletes to access a talent development pipeline that will guide them from local youth fields to the highest levels of global soccer—allowing them to develop their skills at home while preparing to compete on the biggest stages.
“This is an incredible opportunity for Buffalo Pro Soccer to build on the foundation that FC Buffalo has carefully developed,” said Peter Marlette Jr., President of Buffalo Pro Soccer. “FC Buffalo has done an outstanding job creating and growing this program. Buffalo has always been a passionate sports town, and this is part of the larger plan to solidify its place as a true hub for the world’s game. I fully expect players from our region to come up through the academy, play their first professional minutes for our pro team, and then move on to bigger global leagues as we’ve seen in several USL cities across the country.”
The transition enables FC Buffalo to focus entirely on its USL League Two and USL W League teams as well as its work in the under-represented community, furthering its commitment to growing high-level competitive soccer in Buffalo.
“Peter’s ideas to transform the current model of youth soccer were shared from our first meetings at the outset of the Buffalo Pro Soccer project, and they resonated with us – we’re happy to see more resources allocated to producing top Buffalo players,” said Nick Mendola, co-owner of FC Buffalo. “With this evolution, the families and youth coaches in our current set-up get more backing, and the next generation of Buffalo’s soccer talent will now have more support, greater opportunities, and a clear ‘path to pro.’ That clarity for and commitment to the families and coaches who took a leap of faith with us matters – our goal has always been to do right by them.”
Buffalo Pro Soccer’s investment in the academy will bring enhanced training, top-tier coaching, financial support, and access to college counseling. The expanded youth academy will ensure that Buffalo’s best young soccer players no longer need to look elsewhere to chase their dreams.
In addition to serving as a pathway to professional soccer careers, the Buffalo Pro Soccer Youth will also help players pursue higher education and extend their soccer careers at top universities. Buffalo Pro Soccer has reached an agreement with two top-tier Buffalo-based education consultants, Liz Attea and Justin Rogers, to help prepare and guide the student-athletes for their futures beyond the game of soccer, ensuring the youth academy’s impact expands beyond the playing fields.
“With soccer’s popularity soaring across the country, Buffalo is stepping up like never before to embrace the sport at all levels, and we are thrilled to be part of that mission,” said Attea. “This program ensures that players have the guidance and resources they need to navigate the college recruitment process, pursue higher education, and unlock future opportunities—whether in soccer or beyond.”
“Buffalo Pro Soccer is building an ecosystem where Western New York’s kids can develop, thrive, and chase their soccer dreams—whether that’s playing professionally, competing in college, or simply growing in the game they love,” added Rogers. “Whether it’s understanding the recruitment process, exploring scholarship opportunities, or finding the right academic and athletic fit, we’ll be here to support these athletes every step of the way.”
Buffalo Pro Soccer plans to expand the youth academy to several more teams in the years to come, while also building an affiliate network of existing youth clubs across Western New York and Southern Ontario. It will work to identify top talent across all age groups, creating a pipeline directly from local youth soccer organizations to professional contracts and college soccer.
USL Championship clubs—which Buffalo Pro Soccer will be competing against starting in 2026—have a long history of developing the nation’s top soccer talent. Last year, 32 athletes who played for USL Championship, League One or League Two teams earned appearances with the U.S. Men’s National team. Additionally, since 2020, 38 USL Championship and League One players have secured opportunities to play for top clubs internationally and domestically, including Major League Soccer franchises, La Liga’s Real Sociedad, Portugal’s Benfica, France’s Stade de Reims, the Netherlands’ Feyenoord, and others.
Parents of athletes currently involved in the FC Buffalo Youth Academy have been informed of the transition and will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the evolution of the program soon.