Boys Academy

About the Boys Program

Cleveland Football Academy (CFA) is a European-style football academy committed to redefining the youth soccer experience in the United States. Led by President of Boys Programming, Scott Lindsay, our academy offers a structured and intentional training environment rooted in long-term player development.

Unlike many traditional U.S. clubs, we operate with a core curriculum and meticulously planned training sessions to ensure each player receives consistent, age-appropriate instruction. Our training philosophy emphasizes technical excellence, tactical understanding, and character development.

CFA players train at elite, grass-based outdoor facilities during the warmer months and transition to Lost Nation East, a large, fully equipped indoor space, for high-quality winter training.

We proudly compete in the USYS Elite 64 Regional League, a club-versus-club platform that offers consistent competition, meaningful games, and exposure for our players.

Our staff reflects the global nature of the game—featuring coaches with experience playing and coaching at the highest levels, including the Dutch National Team, Polish Academy Teams, Bundesliga 2, and the Liberian National Team.

At CFA, we are building a culture where players are developed with intention, supported with expertise, and prepared for the next level.

Curriculum Overview

A Pathway from Foundation to Performance

At CFA, we don’t just run training sessions — we deliver a complete player development journey.
Every session is professionally designed in collaboration with Chris Berry, UEFA A Licensed Coach, FA Coach Educator, and Academy Coach at Reading FC.

Our curriculum is built on European academy standards and adapted to each player using performance data and individualized plans.

Age Group	Development Phase	Focus Areas
U8–U10	🟢 Foundation	Fun, creativity, movement, core skills
U11–U14	🔵 Youth Development	Tactical awareness, team play, positional growth
U15–U19	⚫ Performance	Match tempo, physical sharpness, college readiness

The Three Pillars

Technique

Skill mastery through repetition and precision.

Tactics

Smarter play through awareness and decision-making.

Fitness

Physical development aligned with modern demands.

Our Club Attitude Principles

We believe success starts with character. These principles guide how we train, compete, and grow — on and off the field.

Positivity

Bring energy and support others

Hard Work

Consistent effort matters

Intensity

Train at game speed

Discipline

Focused and accountable

Organization

Structure and preparation

Serious Development. Joyful Environment

While our sessions are rooted in discipline, intensity, and measurable progress, we never lose sight of why players fall in love with the game.

We foster a culture where athletes enjoy the process, compete with passion, and stay connected to the joy of the sport — because enjoyment fuels long-term growth.

Boys Programs Accomplishments

Cleveland Football Academy Boys teams consistently shine across regional leagues, state cups, and national showcases:

2005 Boys

23-24 GLA/NPL season CHAMPS
2024 State Cup Semi-finalists
2023 Ohio State Cup Semi-Finalists (lost in PKs)
2021 National Premier League (NPL) Semi Finalists
2021 Great Lakes Futsal Regional Championship Finalists
2021 National Cup XX Qualifiers July '21
2021 Ohio State Cup Champions
2021 Cincinnati Elite Invitational U16 Champions
2020 Internationals Tournament U15 Champions
2019 Fall CASA league 1st place (Premier)
2019 Grand Park Finalist (Top Div.)
2019 Memorial Day Classic Edinboro - Semifinalists top flight
2019 CASA Indoor Classic Tournament Champions (Div. 1)
2018 CASA Season Finale Tournament Finalists (Div. 1)
2018 Grand Park Champions (2nd Div.)
2018 CASA Cleveland Indoor Classic Finalists (shoot-out) (Premier)
2018 Internationals tournament Finalists (Div. 1)
2016 CASA Fall League Undefeated (Div. 2)
2016 CASA Fall League Second Place (Premier)
2016 CASA Spring League Champions (Premier)
2016 Cleveland Indoor Classic Finalists (Premier)
2015 CASA Fall League Champions (Premier)
2015 Erie Holiday Classic Champions (Premier)
2015 Donato’s Classic Champions (Premier)
2015 Bowling Green Soccer Challenge Champions (Premier)

2006 Boys

23-24 GLA/NPL 05/06 season CHAMPS
2024 05/06 State Cup Semi-finalists
2023 Great Lakes Futsal Regional Championship Finalists
2023 Force All Star Tournament Champions
2022 Ohio State Cup Super Group Champions
2021 Cincinnati Elite Invitational U15 Champions
2020 U15 CASA Fall League Champs
2020 Internationals Tournament U14 Finalists (Div. 1)
2020 CASA Indoor Classic Tournament Champions (Div. 1)
2019 CASA Indoor Classic Tournament Champions (Div. 1)
2018 CASA Season Finale Tournament Champions (Div. 1)
2018 Edinboro Memorial Day Classic Champions (Premier)
2018 Cincinnati Elite invitational Champions
2018 Internationals tournament Finalists (Premier)
2017 CASA Indoor Classic Finalists (Premier)
2016 CASA Season Finale Semifinalists (Div. 1)
2016 CASA Indoor Classic Champions (Premier)
2016 CASA State Cup Semi Finalists (Premier)
2016 Great Lakes Futsal Regional Championship Finalists (Premier)
2015 Donato’s Classic Finalists (Premier)

2007 Boys

2023 U16 Force All Star tournament Champions
2021 Ohio State Cup Finalists
2021 Cincinnati Elite Invitational U14 Champions
2019 Grand Park Cup Tournament Finalists (Premier)
2019 U12 Internationals Tournament Champions (Premier)
2018 CASA Season Finale Tournament Finalists (Div. 1)
2018 CASA Season Finale Tournament Semifinalists (Div. 1)
2018 Edinboro Memorial Day Classic Finalists (Premier)
2018 Cincinnati Elite invitational Finalists
2018 CASA Cleveland Indoor Classic U12 Champions (Div. 1)
2018 CASA Cleveland Indoor Classic U11 Semifinalists (Div. 1)
2018 Internationals tournament Finalists
2017 Grand Park Cup Championship Finalists
2017 Erie Memorial Day Classic Finalists
2016 Club Ohio Fall Classic Champions (Premier II)

2008 Boys

23-24 GLA/NPL season Finalists
2024 State Cup Semi-finalists
2023 GLA NPL Premier Champions
Team established 2021 season

2009 Boys

2023 GLA NPL Finals—Super Group Champions
2023 GLA NPL Undefeated season
2023 Blue Chip Tournament Finalists
2023 U14 Force All Star tournament Champions
2022 Regional Cup XXI Premier Champions
2022 Ohio State Cup Champions
2022 Nike Challenge Cup Finalists
2021 Grand Park Cup Champions
2021 Ohio State Cup U12 Black Semi-finalists
2021 Ohio State Cup U12 Red Finalists
2021 Spring CASA League Premier U13 1st Place
2021 Cincinnati Elite Invitational U12 Red Finalists
2020 U11 Internationals Tournament Finalists (Premier)
2020 U11 CASA Indoor Classic Champions (Premier)
2020 U11 CASA Indoor Classic Champions (Div. 1)
2020 U11 Erie Holiday Classic Champions
2019 U11 CASA Season Finale Finalists (Div. 1) Lost in PKs
2019 Ohio State Cup Champions
2019 Memorial Day Classic at Edinboro Finalists
2019 Internationals Tournament Finalists (Premier)
2019 CASA Indoor Classic Tournament Semi-Finalists (Div. 1)
2019 CASA Indoor Classic Tournament U11 Finalists
2018 Erie Premier Holiday Classic Champions
2018 CASA Season Finale Tournament Semifinalists (Div. 1)
2018 Edinboro Memorial Day Classic Champions (Premier)
2018 Cleveland Indoor Classic Finalists (Premier)
2018 Internationals tournament Champions (Div. 1)
2018 Internationals tournament Finalists (Premier)
2017 Grand Park Cup Undefeated and 1st place
2017 US Club Ohio State Cup Finalists

2010 Boys

2023 Nike Challenge Cup Champions
2022 Nike Challenge Cup Champions
2021 Club Ohio Fall Classic Champions
2021 National Premier League GLA Finalists
2021 Ohio State Cup Semi-finalists
2021 Spring CASA League Premier 1st Place
2020 U11 CASA Fall League Undefeated Champs
2020 U10 Internationals Tournament Champions
2020 U10 CASA Indoor Classic Champions (Premier)
2020 U10 CASA Indoor Classic Finalists (Div. 1)
2019 U10 CASA Season Finale Champions (Premier)
2019 U10 CASA Season Finale Champions (Div. 1)
2019 U10 Grand Park Cup Tournament Champions (Div. 1)
2019 U10 Grand Park Cup Tournament Champions (Premier)
2019 Ohio State Cup Finalists
2019 U9 Internationals Tournament Champions (Premier)
2019 CASA Indoor Classic Tournament Finalists (up U10 Div.)
2019 CASA Indoor Classic Tournament Semi-Finalists (Div. 1)
2018 Grand Park Cup Undefeated and 1st place
2018 Erie Premier Holiday Classic Champions
2018 CASA Season Finale Tournament Champions (Premier)

2011 Boys

23-24 GLA/NPL season Semi-finalists
2023 Ohio State Cup Finalists (lost in PKs)
2022 GLA Super Group League 1st place
2022 CASA Season Finale Champions
2021 Grand Park Cup Finalists
2021 USYF OHIO STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Champions
2021 Ohio State Cup Champions
2021 National Premier League GLA Champions
2021 Spring CASA League Premier 1st Place
2020 U10 CASA Fall League Undefeated Champs
2020 U9 CASA Indoor Classic Champions
2020 U9 Erie Holiday Classic Champions
2019 U9 CASA Season Finale Champions (Premier)

2012 Boys

2023 Nike Challenge Cup Champions
2023 U11 Force All Star tournament Finalists
2021 Ohio State Cup Finalists (lost in PKs)
2020 U9 CASA Fall League Undefeated Champions

2013 Boys

2023 NPL/GLA Finals Finalists (PK shootout)
2023 Nike Challenge Cup (OPFC Black Team) Champions
2023 Nike Challenge Cup (OPFC Red Team) Champions
2023 Cleveland Indoor Classic Finalists (PK shootout)
2022 Ohio State Cup Champions
2022 Nike Challenge Cup Champions

League Platforms

Elite 64 Regional League

CFA’s boys teams compete in the Elite 64 Regional League, part of USYS National League Elite 64 — the highest level of play within US Youth Soccer’s new structure.

This league offers elite regional matchups, high-level college recruiting visibility, and streamlined scheduling to maximize performance and development.

GLA/NPL League

The Great Lakes Alliance (GLA), is a US Club Soccer sanctioned regional league providing highly competition from a wide variety of cities throughout Ohio, Western PA and Western NY. The GLA is one only 20 of the national leagues within the National Premier League (NPL). CFA is proud to have several teams which qualify to play in this league.

Great Lake Futsal League

Over the winter months, in addition to indoor soccer, CFA players get the chance to play futsal with the Great Lake Futsal League to build foot skills and quickness. Great Lakes Futsal is governed by US Youth Futsal, a US Soccer member, which is the largest and fastest-growing futsal organization in the United States, overseeing more than 100 local leagues in 30 states across the country.

Ohio Director League

The EDP Ohio Directors League launched in the Fall of 2023 with founding member clubs Team Challenger FC North, CFA Football Club, Soccer Vision Academy, and Team Challenger FC South. The league is event-based, with clubs coming together at a single venue, providing a controlled environment for all players, coaches and referees. The league provides competition for like-minded, high-level clubs, with minimal travel for the member clubs.

Tournaments & Showcases

BlueChip Juniors Tournament

Ohio Elite Showcase

Umbro Cup

BlueChip College Showcase

PDA Boys College Showcase

Futsal Regional Tournament

Scott Lindsay

President of Boys Programming

A native of Reading, England, Scott has an extensive playing career that spans multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Poland, Romania, New Zealand, China, and the United States. At the youth level, he was invited to join the professional academies of FC Racing Colmar (France) and TS Wisla Krakow (Poland), where he trained under the guidance of former professional players and coaches from renowned clubs like Boca Juniors, Reading FC, Manchester United, New England Revolution, and the Columbus Crew.

Scott’s coaching career began in Eastern Pennsylvania, where he coached Northampton High School, Lafayette College Men's Club Team, ENCO United, Lehigh Valley Magic, and FC Lehigh (US Soccer Development Academy). Upon returning to Ohio, he served as a coach at Copley High School, Head Boys' Coach at Shaker Heights High School, and most recently as the Head Coach of the Kenston High School Girls' Soccer Team. Currently, Scott is the Assistant Coach for the Women’s Soccer Team at Case Western Reserve University.

Scott holds a BA from Lafayette College and an MA from Lehigh University. His diverse playing and coaching experiences have shaped his philosophy of developing players both technically and tactically, with a strong emphasis on fostering a love for the game.

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Raymond Sancho

Director of Recruiting

Coach Ray is a native of Liberia and has been capped by the Liberian National Team. His international professional playing experience has afforded him the opportunity to play in Liberia, India, Thailand and Indonesia. He has played with and been coached by one of the best players to ever play the game: George Weah (PSG and AC Milan player).

Coach Ray has been an integral part of the Shaker Heights Boys’ Soccer Program for over nine seasons. He began as the Junior Varsity B (JVB) coach and, through his dedication and leadership, earned the role of Head Coach, a position he has held for the past two seasons. During his time at Shaker Heights, Ray has built a reputation for developing players, fostering team culture, and competing at a high level.

At Cleveland Football Academy (CFA), Ray plays a pivotal role off the field as well. He serves as the Director of Recruiting, where he is responsible for scouting and identifying top talent across Northeast Ohio. Ray focuses on bringing in players who not only have technical and tactical ability, but also fit the values and culture of CFA’s long-term development model.

With nearly a decade of coaching experience and a deep understanding of the local soccer landscape, Coach Ray continues to help both Shaker Heights and CFA grow stronger by connecting talented athletes with opportunities to thrive.

JEREMIE AFOLARIN

Coach

Coach Jeremie Afolarin began his soccer journey with Sporting Club de Lome at an early age, later playing for Entente II in Lome, Togo, and Essen Academy in Germany. His coaching career includes working with OPFC since 2021 and Shaker Heights High School since 2022.

Jeremie holds an Associate in Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. His professional background includes roles as a Linux System Administrator, IT Help Desk Specialist, and Network Infrastructure expert.

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Samuel Owusu-AGYEMAN

Coach

Coach Samuel Owusu-Agyemang, fondly known as "Chief," has a rich background in soccer, having played at both the high school and college levels in Ghana. His coaching experience spans recreational men’s leagues in Toledo and Cleveland, Ohio.

Chief holds a BSc in Natural Resource Management, an MA in Geography & Urban Planning, and a PhD in Urban Studies & Public Affairs. His professional career includes roles as a Research Associate and Geospatial Data Analyst at the University of Toledo and Cleveland State University.

A passionate supporter of Chelsea Football Club, Chief lives by the quote, "The key to success is to have a clear vision and the determination to achieve it” - Carlo Ancelotti.

KYLE HODGES

Coach

Coach Hodges began his soccer journey at the age of 5, playing through high school on various travel and club teams. He continued to engage in the sport at the university level through intramurals and currently enjoys playing in a men's league.

Coach Hodges started his coaching career in 2019 with a travel team and has been coaching at OPFC for the past year. His passion for soccer is evident in his dedication to playing, coaching, watching, and reading about the sport.

Professionally, Coach Hodges works as a project manager, supporting hospitals and healthcare systems in implementing ERP software. His previous experience includes roles in hospital corporate operations and operations management for an industrial supply company.

A devoted fan of Borussia Dortmund (BVB) and the German national teams, Coach Hodges also supports the USWNT and USMNT. His favorite philosophical concept is "Amor Fati," which means "love of one's fate."

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Roger Lindsay

Coach

Coach Roger Lindsay began playing football at the age of 4, a passion that continued throughout his school years and university in England. His extensive coaching experience includes working with teams ranging from age 5 through university, covering various levels from community to regional.

Roger holds a BSc in Economics from the University of Southampton, UK, and an MSc from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, USA. Before retiring, he held several senior executive positions with Fortune 500 companies, living and working in the UK, USA, China, Canada, France, Poland, and Romania.

A dedicated supporter of Southampton FC (The Saints), Roger's favorite quote is, "Quitters never win and winners never quit!"

Dennis Weyn

Director of Youth Academy, Coach

Dennis Weyn has been Ohio Premier’s director of coaching since its inception in 1988. He was a member of the U16-18 Dutch National Team and played professionally in the Netherlands. As the Hathaway Brown varsity girls head soccer coach, Dennis led the Blazers to five Final Four appearances, one State Runner up finish, and three State of Ohio Championships. He was awarded the 2004 National Federation of High Schools State Coach of the Year and the Plain Dealer Coach of the Year. Weyn is the former director of Cleveland Force soccer camps and former assistant coach at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.

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Quinn Flaspohler

Coach

Coach Quinn brings a strong background as both a player and leader at the collegiate, club, and high school levels. He earned his undergraduate degree from DePauw University, where he played soccer for three years and was named to the All-NCAC Third Team as a senior. Over his career with the Tigers, Quinn appeared in 51 games, making 46 starts, scoring six goals, and adding nine assists.

Quinn’s soccer journey began at Talawanda High School, where he was a four-year varsity player and captain his senior year. At the club level, he competed with Cincinnati United Premier (CUP), one of the region’s top youth programs.

Most recently, Quinn completed his MBA at Case Western Reserve University, where he also continued his playing career. Alongside his new role with CFA, he serves as an Assistant Coach at Shaker Heights High School, further building his coaching experience and leadership on the sidelines.

Lily Regele

Head of Goalkeeping

Coach Lily has been immersed in the game for over 12 years, developing both as a player and as a specialized goalkeeper. A standout at Orange High School, she was a four-year varsity letter winner and team captain, leading by example on and off the field.

Lily’s club background includes years of competitive soccer alongside extensive goalkeeper training with Kronis and Excel Soccer Skills. She has had the opportunity to learn from and train under several highly regarded goalkeeper coaches, including Coach Anton Trovinos, Coach Brent Konieczynski, and Coach Conor Robinson.

A recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Lily continued her playing career on the first team of UMass Club Soccer. In 2025, she and her teammates earned a berth at NIRSA Regionals in Long Island and advanced to the NIRSA National Finals in Texas, competing against some of the top programs in the country.

On the coaching side, Lily has already built an impressive résumé. For the past five years, she has coached with Excel Soccer Skills, leading specialized goalkeeper training and working with high school programs across Greater Cleveland.

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Elite Facilities Built for Development

Cleveland Football Academy trains year-round across some of Northeast Ohio’s top-rated soccer facilities. From elite natural grass fields to full-sized indoor complexes, our environments are intentionally chosen to support high-quality technical and tactical training—no matter the season.

Three full-sized 11v11 natural grass fields
Considered among the best in the Midwest
Previously hosted training for the U.S. Women’s National Team
Ideal for advanced technical and tactical sessions

Laurel School

Premier Natural Grass Training Complex

Consistent surface for year-round outdoor play
Supports fast-paced training and small-sided games
Great for team-based tactics and match simulation

Beaumont School

High-Performance Turf Field

Full-field indoor 11v11 space in Willoughby, OH
Climate-controlled environment
Ensures continuity of training in colder months
Used for winter programming, futsal prep, and tactical focus

Lost Nation Sports Park

Indoor Winter Training Complex

Contact & Registration

Ready to take the next step?
Reach out to admin@clevleandfa.com for registration details, tryout inquiries, or questions about the CFA Boys Program.