This year has been one for the record books for IDA at DME Academy. The competitive season began on September 15, 2022 with a 8-1 victory over Ormond Beach SC U19. This outstanding team win would mark the first of many. The team had a 20-1-3 record overall, spanning regular season games and tournaments. The team attended and won two notable tournaments this season – IMG Cup and the Easter Cup International. 

IMG Cup is a prestigious tournament that attracts intense competition and a wealth of college coaches. This year, DME Academy took home the cup, breezing through the competition undefeated. They kicked off with a 2-0 win against BW Gottschee and went on to score 6 more goals in the final two games of the tournament defeating Smithtown Kickers 3-1 and Cedar Stars 3-0. 

The Easter International Cup is a high-level tournament, hosting 200 top youth soccer teams across the country as well as 25 international teams. The IDA at DME Academy squad had an undefeated run in the tournament with high scoring games against Pumas FC Honduras, ANPPS Parkland Soccer, ANISA International Soccer, ASEGL Plantation FC, and a huge 6-1 victory in the championship against Florida Rush OOSA. This was a major cup win for the Academy, boosting our status as one of the top youth programs in the country. 

One IDA at DME academy standout, Adrian Biaggi, committed to continue his soccer career at The University of Dayton – a division I school that competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Adrian came to the United States from Puerto Rico via IDA’s partnership with DME Academy during his senior year with no pre-existing college offers. Through hard work and exposure, Adrian earned 4 division I offers by April 1st of this year before ultimately choosing Dayton. 

In addition to the Academy’s on-field success, DME recently built a 75,000+ sq foot turf field, which will play a key role in enhancing training sessions and quality of games. With state-of-the-art facilities, the Academy will be able to host high-level competitions, offer showcase events, practice on a full-sized field, and have flexible training hours. 

This summer, IDA at DME Academy is hosting a 4-week intensive program that is designed to help serious soccer athletes improve their game. Players will participate in two daily training sessions, beach workouts, S&C sessions, receive a highlight video and professional photos, and have the option to take ESL courses. The camp is open to both boys and girls ages 13-19. 

Ready to ignite the dream? Speak to a representative today about opportunities with IDA at DME Academy!

Our IDA staff was recruiting at the 2019 Youdan Cup in England when they noticed a stand-out player. In a game between GPS National Team and Sheffield United, GPS player Jeremy De Leon took the spotlight. Jeremey, being a former Puerto Rico Surf player, decided to join IDA Valencia in 2020 to complete his high school education with USPA while training full-time.

A few key factors contributed to Jeremy’s success and growth as a player. At the International Development Academy, we strive to provide our players with all the resources, energy, and motivation needed to achieve their goals. However, success does not come without work. Jeremy embodies IDA’s values; he came to IDA with a rather small stature and built up his strength and technicality over time. His dedication to the game and the culture at IDA was met with a rewarding career at the International Development Academy and beyond.

At just 17 years old, Jeremy led the Puerto Rico Under-20 Team in the 2022 CONCACAF Championship Qualifier with two goals against Bermuda. De Leon also competed in Puerto Rico’s 2022 UNCAF U-19 Tournament in Belize, where he netted 2 out of 3 goals in a 3-3 draw. After one year at IDA, he became a regular with the senior Puerto Rican national team as well as catching eyes from Atletico Madrid and Villarreal.

Following a very successful trial with CD Castellon’s youth team, where he scored 11 goals in 10 games, Jeremy De Leon signed his first professional contract with CD Castellon’s first team—members of the third tier of Spanish soccer. The contract will last until 2024.

Jeremy’s professional debut in the Primera Division RFEF was in CD Castellon’s derby game against Villarreal CF B. He would go on to play against FC Barcelona B at the Estadi Johan Cruyff at just 18 years of age. Since joining the Castellon squad, Jeremy has earned match MVP, gained sufficient minutes, and proven his worth at the professional level. Perhaps Jeremy’s most treasured success to date was scoring in front of a sold-out crowd in Castellon’s 4-3 playoff victory against RC Deportivo on June 11, 2023. 

IDA offers ambitious student-athletes aged 15-22 the opportunity to develop their game while following a fulfilling academic curriculum. With four locations throughout the United States and Europe, players are in control of their own pathways to college and/or professional levels. Stay, train, and compete in over 50 matches a year while pursuing the next steps in an athletic and academic career.

Reach out to IDA today to find out how we can help you get started on your professional journey today!

The proof is in our players – Tyler Nyquist, from Bozeman, Montana

The IDA Player Experience integrates directly into the IDA Residential Academy Program where participants train, compete, and experience the day-to-day life of a full-time IDA student-athlete, creating a new standard for international camps.

Last year Tyler Nyquist, a solid midfielder from Montana Surf Soccer Club, decided to challenge himself and flew over to Valencia for the month of June. During that month, Tyler had the opportunity to train on a daily basis with our qualified coaching staff, to face local competition and to experience a totally different level, style of play and culture.

Recently we sat down with Tyler to review his experience of international camps and the reason why he decided to join IDA Valencia full-time.

How did the IDA Player Experience in June help you from a soccer development standpoint?

Overall, I think I improved every aspect of my game. 

I found it very noticeable when I went back in July to the US and competed in college camps and tournaments. I think even though it was just a month long, it helped accelerate my development.   

How would you describe the environment in IDA?

All the training sessions are high intensity, well structured, and lots of fun. I feel like I learn something new every time I step on the field, and the opportunity to improve every day is what I was looking for.

Off the pitch, we are like a big family. 

What were your expectations coming into the IDA Player Experience and how did you mentally/physically prepare leading up to the arrival date?  

I was expecting a faster speed of play, against players with excellent technique. I decided to be ready to keep my game simple, in order to be able to compete at that level

What has been your favorite moment of this experience so far? 

We played in a tournament at the UD Levante Facilities and we took 2nd place. I would say this is my favorite moment because I got to experience Spanish football for the first time – we had some good results and I felt great about my ability to compete at that level

What is the difference between the IDA Player Experience and other camps you have participated in the past?

The intensity of the training and schedule, the real games, the video footage for my highlight film – to name just a few. The whole experience was so different to what we are used to with summer camps and ID camps. Most camps these days are the same thing – show up, do some training, play some practice games with the same players. You can’t really compare the two. If you want the real deal, IDA is your best bet.”

Do you have any advice for players interested in experiencing IDA for the first time?

Not only are your football abilities going to improve, but you will also grow a lot as a person. I recommend the month-long experience because it is the perfect way to properly evaluate if it is the right thing for you.

What was the decisive factor that made you join IDA full-time after joining the Academy for the month of June?

I realized I would get more out of this than I would back home. A 9-month season was much more appealing to me than two 3-month seasons in the USA.

Having access to a pitch 24/7, gym and quality coaching staff, are critical for my development and to reach my goals as a player. Also, being able to meet lots of new people and seeing different cultures influenced the decision.