TAMPA – The Soccer Institute at Motverde Academy (SIMA) and Tampa Bay United have agreed to a strategic partnership the clubs announced on Friday.
The two organizations will be coordinating to share best practices and then provide competitive opportunities, which will be a new addition for SIMA especially.
SIMA’s program is essentially preparing athletes for college soccer while TBU is a competitive and recreational program that is partnered with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The partnership will allow SIMA more areas to recruit from while United will be able to secure more players for the USL League Two side in the collegiate break over summer.
“Anyone around the game during the last decade in Florida is well versed regarding the quality and standards of Mike Potempa’s SIMA players and the program he has built, “said TBU Sporting Director, Anthony Latronica. “Working closely with SIMA will raise the level of our players, coaches and staff, while providing more opportunities for performance-based development.”
The two organizations are hoping that this will expand their respective reach, and combining strategically and on practices will allow for improved coaching in both organizations. That is something that will be the biggest key to if this deal is successful for anything beyond the clout of an expanded scouting network.
“We are fully committed to developing individual players within a team environment through the structure of our training and matches. Alongside SIMA’s staff and players, we will continue to teach our methodology and principles of play from the grassroots level through our college and professional bound players,” said TBU Boys Technical Director, BJ Johnson.
SIMA’s track record of developing talent, and Tampa Bay United’s higher opportunities for competitive play as part of MLS Next and USL League Two will combine to grow both organizations in the coming years.
Photo: SIMA
Florida Soccer Report 