GIRONA, Spain — August 25, 2026 — Girona FC and International Soccer Academy (ISA) have launched the new Girona FC C team, bringing together selected players from the United States and Canada with Spanish and Catalan players for the 2026/27 season.
The new team expands Girona FC’s international development initiatives while creating a pathway for North American players to experience the European game from within a Spanish club environment.
Rather than training as a separate international group, the North American players join Spanish and Catalan players to form one Girona FC C squad. The team trains five days a week following Girona FC’s football methodology and competes in the fourth tier of regional men’s football in Catalonia under the Federació Catalana de Futbol (FCF).
“These players are not simply coming to Europe to train; they are becoming part of a European team,” said Diane Scavuzzo, Co-Founder of International Soccer Academy. “They are training and competing alongside Spanish and Catalan teammates and playing meaningful league matches within the Catalan football system. We are incredibly proud to see the vision behind our collaboration with Girona FC become a reality.”
A Development Culture with a Proven Track Record
Player development has long been an important part of Girona FC’s sporting identity, with the Club creating opportunities for talented young players to develop and progress.
That influence can be seen at the highest level of the international game. Four members of Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup-winning squad — Eric García, Álex Baena, Pau Cubarsí and Pedro Porro — spent time within the Girona FC football environment during their careers and development.
Their individual paths through Girona were different, but collectively they reflect a philosophy centered on recognizing potential and creating opportunities for progression.
That philosophy is central to Girona FC C, where players are challenged to understand, adapt to and develop within the demands of European football.
Led by UEFA Pro and UEFA A Licensed Coaches
Girona FC C is led by an experienced coaching staff with some of the highest coaching qualifications in European football.
Joel Vila — Head Coach
Vila holds a UEFA Pro License, UEFA’s highest coaching qualification, as well as a degree in Sports Science.
Jose Sanchez — Assistant Coach and Strength & Conditioning Coach
Sanchez holds a UEFA A License and combines his coaching responsibilities with the physical preparation and conditioning of the squad.
Roger Garcia — Goalkeeper Coach
Garcia holds a UEFA A License and leads the team’s specialized goalkeeper development.
Training follows Girona FC’s philosophy of developing technically accomplished, tactically intelligent, physically prepared and mentally resilient players, supported by individual feedback, weekly tactical video analysis, strength and conditioning, recovery and mobility work, and competitive match play.
Players will also attend Girona FC First Team home matches throughout the season, further immersing them in the Club’s football culture.
Different Football Backgrounds. One Team.
With players from both sides of the Atlantic coming together as one team, Girona FC C will test its development through meaningful competition — first within the Catalan league and then against international opposition.
The team’s experience will also extend beyond Spain’sn the Federació Catalana de Futbol. On October 14, Girona FC C is scheduled to travel to Belgium to face Lommel SK, bringing together two City Football Group clubs and giving the squad an opportunity to compete against a different European opponent.
The players are also scheduled to travel to England for a training experience at Manchester City, adding another City Football Group environment to their inaugural season.
The Inaugural Girona FC C Squad
The inaugural squad brings together players from different countries and football backgrounds to compete as Girona FC C throughout the 2026/27 season.
North American Players
Zachary Bluestone — Georgia, USA
Owen Hubbard — Missouri, USA
Jackson Ocampo — Minnesota, USA
Cole Quattro — New York, USA
Austin Matsipura — California, USA
Amani Aurelien — Louisiana, USA
Landon Zielinski — Florida, USA
Connecting North American Talent with European Football
International Soccer Academy identifies and evaluates players throughout North America for long-term development opportunities with professional European clubs. The collaboration with Girona FC focuses on players at the important 18+ stage of development, when consistent high-level training and meaningful competition can play a significant role in continued progression.
“What makes this collaboration special is that it works within Girona FC’s existing football culture and development philosophy,” said Jan Twete, VP Global Partnerships, International Soccer Academy. “Its strength is its authenticity. Girona FC C isn’t an international team operating alongside the Club; it is a team built within Girona FC’s football environment. That distinction creates a much more meaningful development experience for the players and allows us to create an international pathway that remains authentically connected to the Club.”
Different football backgrounds. One team. A shared ambition to develop.