PHOENIX, AZ—February 25th, 2021. RSL-AZ is excited to announce their merger with Arizona FC, the premier Youth Club Soccer in the North West Phoenix area.

The merger with Arizona FC represents an important step in expanding RSL-AZ's footprint in the Western region, reaching families from Surprise, Waddell, El Mirage, Sun City, Goodyear, and more.

With over 300 athletes, Arizona FC currently offers programs for kids ages 4 to 18, including Recreational Soccer, Competitive Soccer, and Futsal. This merger represents a further pathway to development for the West players, including a platform for elite training, competition, and coaching. 

“Arizona FC is a great addition to the RSL-AZ family. We are proud and excited to be able to provide their athletes with an unparalleled opportunity to reach the highest levels in soccer and a direct pathway to professional soccer” Said Brent Erwin, RSL-AZ Executive Director. “I was fortunate to meet a few of their coaches and staff and I am confident we share the same value and approach to youth development in soccer.” Added Brent. 

“Arizona FC has been dedicated to bringing the players of the West Valley the best programs and pathways available for the past several years. A merger with a powerhouse like RSL-AZ makes the pathway to collegiate and professional soccer a reality for many players in the West Valley. These programs, combined with the other resources RSL-AZ has to offer, will allow the new RSL-AZ West Valley to bring abounding opportunities to the Phoenix West Valley. We, as a club, could not be more excited about the future possibilities for our players and staff.” Said Jeff Kelly, Arizona FC President.

To further solidify its west valley presence, RSL-AZ has also partnered with the American Leadership Academy (ALA) who will soon announce their first West Valley school, ALA West Foothills, scheduled to open in August 2021. In the Spring of 2022, RSL-AZ will host youth sports camps in the school’s new state-of-the-art sports facilities providing the best sports and soccer experience in the west valley.

For more information about Arizona FC visit: https://arizonafc.org
For more information about ALA visit: www.alaschools.org

About Arizona FC:
Arizona FC, based in the Phoenix West Valley & San Tan Valley, was established in 2015 in order to bring competitive soccer to underserved areas. Over the years Arizona FC has grown from a small fully volunteer youth soccer club to a club that employs many highly trained and licensed members of its coaching staff and a full-time administration. Arizona FC remains dedicated to developing players at all levels including but not limited to recreational through highly competitive soccer. Arizona FC is sanctioned by the Arizona Soccer Association and has teams that take part in tournament play as well as State Leagues and Open Leagues. Arizona FC’s goal has been and remains to provide players with the best opportunities to develop at high levels as well as to create pathways to move from youth soccer into a college or higher level of play.

About American Leadership Academy 
American Leadership Academy is a K-12 tuition-free district of public charter schools that serve over 11,000 students across the greater Phoenix, AZ area. Since 2009, ALA has combined A-rated academic excellence and character development to provide the best education to as many students as possible in a moral and wholesome environment. Through its mission, ALA prepares students to Learn. Lead. Change the World.

About RSL-AZ
Real Salt Lake AZ is Arizona's premier soccer club based out of Phoenix, Arizona bringing together clubs such as Sereno Soccer Club (Est. in 1978), Legacy Soccer (Est. in 1979), Valparaiso United FC (Est. in 2008), all three major clubs in Yuma, two clubs in Tucson in addition to groups in El Paso, San Diego, and Las Vegas.
RLS AZ  is dedicated to promoting the game of soccer at all levels. RLS AZ is the only club in Arizona that offers every platform: Competitive Teams (APL, ASL, POSOL, & U7-10 Youth Academy), Elite Clubs National League (ECNL),  MLS Next Academy for Boys, and a complete pathway to professional soccer. We take pride in having developed numerous US National Team players, professional players both in the US and Internationally as well as hundreds of men’s and women’s college soccer players.