A man passionately gestures during a soccer event, wearing a Bayer Leverkusen shirt.

FC Schalke 04 Sign Patrick Weiser as Head Coach of International Soccer Academy’s American U18 Team

German former professional footballer turned UEFA Pro coach will take over as head coach of the elite Integrated Academy U18/19 team of American youth soccer players training in Germany for 9 months at FC Schalke

NEW YORKJuly 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — International Soccer Academy and FC Schalke 04’s partnership is entering its third season and together they are proud to announce Patrick Weiser as the new Head Coach of the Integrated Academy U18/19s at the famed Bundesliga club.

One of the most iconic soccer club’s in Germany, Schalke has one of the world’s largest fan base and their acclaimed Knappenschmiede academy has development World Cup winners including Manuel Neuer as well as the younger talents of Weston McKennie and Leroy Sane.

“I’m thrilled to be the Head Coach of the Schalke 04 Integrated Academy Team,” said Weiser. “The club’s rich history and dedication to nurturing talent align perfectly with my coaching vision. I am looking forward to working closely with the talented American youth soccer players and shaping them into stronger footballers.”

Weiser enjoyed an extraordinary 25-year professional football career in Germany and France, playing both as a midfielder and defender at Bundesliga’s FC Köln and VfL Wolfsburg as well as in French Ligue 1’s Stade Rennais F.C. After hanging up his pro cleats in 2007, Weiser started coaching at 1. FC Köln Youth Academy, later becoming the Assistant Coach to the First Team.

Weiser, who holds a UEFA Pro License, was also the head coach at English club Wolverhampton Wanderers II in 2012 and coached at Bonner SC. Most recently Weiser was at Bayern Leverkusen as the Bundesliga-U19 Manager.

Schalke 04’s Academy Director Mathias Schober said, “We are pleased to welcome Patrick, a very experienced coach, to the Knappenschmiede. Together with his assistant coaches, he will develop the players of the Integrated Academy Team personally as well as athletically and give them the best possible time at FC Schalke 04.”

“We’re very excited for Patrick Weiser to join us and know his experience, both as a pro coach and player, will be immensely beneficial for our elite youth soccer players,” said Diane Scavuzzo, Cofounder of International Soccer Academy. “We have several players from last year’s Hertha BSC Integrated Academy U17 team who are on this season’s Schalke squad, and they are all very eager to learn from Patrick.”

Weiser, who has guided numerous players successfully from the academy level into the realm of pro players, will be reporting directly to Schober.

“Good coaches develop players, great coaches unlock a player’s potential, inspire them and help them maximize their opportunities,” said Eddie Loewen, Cofounder of International Soccer Academy. “Patrick Weiser is a great coach and we know he will be an amazing asset for our talented players approved for the U18/19 team at Schalke.”

NOTE: For exceptionally talented U18/19 youth soccer players, there are a few remaining open positions. Please visit International Soccer Academy https://internationalsocceracademy.com/fc-schalke-04/ to apply.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Isabela Vernier
International Director
Isabela@InternationalSoccerAcademy.com
+49 174 158 4455

Diane Scavuzzo
CoFounder
Diane@InternationalSoccerAcademy.com
+1 858-531-5300

SOURCE International Soccer Academy

Youth soccer players celebrating during a game, with one player spreading arms wide.

Student Spotlight: Lincoln Wallace, #3 Midfielder

June 13, 2023 – Rand Ramadani/ASUPrepDigital.org

Lincoln Wallace, Adventurous Student Athlete 

ASU Prep Digital student and California native Lincoln Wallace doesn’t come from a soccer-playing family, but when his dad was deployed in the military, his mom got him involved in a soccer camp. He jokes that at the young age of five, “everyone’s good,” but Lincoln really was good and has continued to play competitively since.

Playing as a midfielder, Lincoln is positioned between the defenders and the forwards, being involved in both assists and attacks. “A midfielder has to be diverse,” he explains, and that seems to be Lincoln’s take on life as he broadens his experiences, trying new things and learning important lessons.

Two soccer players competing intensely for the ball during a match.

Student Spotlight: Hugh Eaton, #19 Forward

June 8, 2023 – Rand Ramadani/ASUPrepDigital.org

Hugh Eaton, Taking Power Shots

Hugh Eaton, 17-year-old ASU Prep Digital student athlete, is taking power shots when it comes to his future, getting a jump start on his professional soccer career. Overseas. While still in high school.

Because of ASU Prep Digital’s flexible and personalized online curriculum, Hugh is able to continue his schooling while also playing forward for Hertha Berlin’s elite Integrated Academy team in Germany. Hugh was recruited for this prestigious opportunity as part of the International Soccer Academy, a program that brings talented North American players to Europe to train on dedicated teams at top Bundesliga and La Liga youth soccer academies.

Goalkeeper making a diving save during a soccer match.

Student Spotlight: Jacob Mudry, #1 Goalkeeper

May 31, 2023 – Rand Ramadani/ASUPrepDigital.org

Jacob Mudry, Goalkeeper, on and off the Field

ASU Prep Digital isn’t exaggerating when they say students can take classes at their own pace from anywhere in the world. Just ask Jacob Mudry, a 16-year-old from Austin, Texas, who completed the school year online from Berlin, Germany.

Because of ASU Prep Digital’s flexible online coursework, Jacob is able to continue his high school education while also training to become the professional soccer player he hopes to be one day. Jacob was scouted while still in middle school to join the International Soccer Academy, a program that recruits talented North American youth soccer players to train with professional European clubs. Jacob just wrapped up an eight-month adventure with Hertha Berlin’s Integrated academy U17 team made up of fellow 16- and 17-year-old North Americans.

Young man in a white sports jersey posing confidently with arms crossed.

Sandhausen Sign Rising American Talent for Upcoming Campaign

May 25, 2023/BuliNews.com/ — Relegated 2. Bundesliga side SV Sandhausen have signed a rising American talent for their upcoming 2023/24 campaign in the third division. 

A product of America’s “International Soccer Academy” (ISA) has made the jump up to the full professional ranks. After having their relegation confirmed last weekend, soon-to-be 3. Bundesliga side SV Sandhausen announced that they had proactively signed an American talent known to be on the radar of many footballing clubs in Germany’s three fully-professional divisions.

Joseph Charles Richardson II, referred to as Joe-Joe Richardson, has netted 20 goals and registered 15 assists for Griefswalder FC in the fourth and fifth German footballing tiers since the summer of 2021. The 21-year-old Seattle native – who has an estimated market worth of €125,000 in the latest transfermarkt listings – now makes the jump to the pros.

“We were able to prevail against well-known second-division clubs in this transfer and sign Joe-Joe, a player who is very willing to learn,” team personnel manager Philipp Klingmann remarked in a statement accompanying the signing, “Although he has only been living in Europe for 18 months, he already speaks fluent German.”

“Joe-Joe is a very interesting player who has great potential for development,” head coach Gerhard Kleppinger added, “He’s already very capable of scoring goals and is a strong runner.”

The attacking midfield, who also has experience deployed on the left flank, expressed eagerness to earn his place in the team and noted that he looked forward to helping the club reach its goal of achieving promotion next year.

Serious young athlete in a soccer jersey at an empty stadium.

SVS Signs Richardson

May 25, 2023/SVS1916.de/ — SV Sandhausen can report the first transfer for the 2023/24 season before the end of the current season: Joe-Joe Richardson, who has been chasing goals for Greifswalder FC, is moving to Hardtwald.

“Joe-Joe is a very interesting player who has great development potential. He’s already very dangerous in goal and has a good run,” said head coach Gerhard Kleppinger in praise of the talent.

The midfielder, who was born in Seattle/Washington, switched to Greifswalder FC in the Regionalliga Nordost via the German International Soccer Academy in 2021. There, Joseph Charles Richardson II, as his real name is, has scored 20 goals and 15 assists in 60 regional and league games since then.

“We were able to prevail against well-known second division clubs in this transfer and sign a player who is very willing to learn in Joe-Joe. Although he has only been living in Europe for 18 months, he already speaks fluent German. I’m sure that he will take the next step in his promising development here in Hardtwald,” explains team manager Philipp Klingmann.

In the current season, the 21-year-old Richardson has made 27 appearances in which he was directly involved in 17 goals. With seven goals and ten assists, he was one of the most dangerous players in Greifswald.

Richardson is looking forward to his time in Sandhausen: “I want to earn my place on the pitch and celebrate successes with the team. The SVS has played in the 2nd Bundesliga for a long time and knows what it takes to return there,” Richardson said after signing the contract.

Richardson is the first new addition to the 2023/24 squad.

High school soccer players compete intensely during a night match.

Student Spotlight: Lucas Henseler, Center Back, #7

May 17, 2023 – Rand Ramadani/ASUPrepDigital.org

Lucas Henseler, ASU Prep Digital Scholar and Soccer Star

ASU Prep Digital student Lucas Henseler is originally from sunny San Diego, California, and enjoyed the advantages of our rigorous online platform to spend his last school year in Berlin, Germany playing for International Soccer Academy‘s Integrated Academy U17 team at the Bundesliga soccer club Hertha Berlin. International Soccer Academy provides elite youth soccer players from all across North America the opportunity to live, train and play soccer in a professional environment.

With the help of ASU Prep Digital’s flexible curriculum, the 16 year old has successfully balanced academic excellence with a burgeoning soccer career. His goal is to gain the training and attention required to play for a European “football” club and this program prepares top players for professional opportunities.

Lucas, #7, is a Center Back on his Hertha Berlin’s academy team and has been an impact player all year. Lucas and his teammates lived at the Berlin Football Association where they complete their respective online school work, eat and sleep between twice-daily soccer training sessions, plus games.

FC Bayern München logo and signage on a modern glass building.

Bayern to Field U.S. Integrated Academy Team

May 2, 2023 /BuliNews.com/ — A third cooperation agreement between the USA’s International Soccer Academy (ISA) and a top-tier Bundesliga side has been confirmed. The FC Bayern München Campus will now join Schalke’s “Knappenschmiede” and Hertha’s youth academy in fielding a youth team comprised of U.S. talent. 

Some two years after an agreement with FC Schalke 04 created a unique Bundesliga integrated academy team comprised solely of U.S. talent, America’s International Soccer Academy (ISA) has now confirmed its third professional agreement with a Bundesliga club. Schalke has run an integrated U18 academy team comprised solely of U.S. teenagers for two seasons. An initial planned cooperation with Eintracht Frankfurt ended up following former SGE sporting CEO Fredi Bobic to Hertha Berlin. Hertha’s U17 American academy squad is just concluding its first season.

The latest Bundesliga club to announce a cooperative agreement is none other than German giants FC Bayern München. The famous FC Bayern campus is set to welcome a U17 squad next autumn. The club has confirmed this agreement and the ISA is currently accepting applications for youngsters born in the years 2007/08. German footballing legend and current FCB Campus manager Halil Altintop has issued a statement noting that the campus is “happy to welcome players from the U.S to the campus.”

Collage of various news channel logos under 'As Seen On' banner.

International Soccer Academy and FC Bayern Munich News Picked By 391 Media Channels

NEW YORKApril 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — International Soccer Academy, the top soccer academy that empowers American youth soccer talents to play in Europe, is proud to announce a collaboration with the prestigious FC Bayern Munich, one of the world’s most successful sports organizations to identify top youth soccer players in the USA.

“The US soccer landscape has established itself as a huge source of talent,” said Dee Kundra, Managing Director (Americas) at FC Bayern München. “We are committed to nurturing the next generation of players, offering the chance for them to grow in a world class academy like ours. Together with the International Soccer Academy, we look forward to welcoming players.

Sharing the “Mia san Mia” mentality with aspiring American youth soccer players is the goal for these two organizations. “We have already started working closely with FC Bayern Munich to identify talented youth soccer players born in 2007 and 2008 for the elite FC Bayern Global Academy launching this fall,” said Eddie Loewen, cofounder of International Soccer Academy.

Players approved for this high-level development pathway at the Global Academy will train at the new state-of-the-art the FC Bayern Campus youth academy, which is spread out over 12 acres and includes a 2,500-seater youth stadium in Munich.

“We are honored to team up with FC Bayern,” said International Soccer Academy cofounder Diane Scavuzzo. “We are proud of our proven track record of successfully creating Integrated Academies with professional soccer clubs and look forward to helping the Bundesliga Champions launch their Global Academy.”

Interested players can apply virtually – click here to send in highlights for scouts to review.

Youth soccer players competing intensely on the field.

International Soccer Academy and FC Bayern Munich Work Together To Identify Top Youth Soccer Players in the USA

NEW YORKApril 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — International Soccer Academy, the top soccer academy that empowers American youth soccer talents to play in Europe, is proud to announce a collaboration with the prestigious FC Bayern Munich, one of the world’s most successful sports organizations to identify top youth soccer players in the USA.

“The US soccer landscape has established itself as a huge source of talent,” said Dee Kundra, Managing Director (Americas) at FC Bayern München. “We are committed to nurturing the next generation of players, offering the chance for them to grow in a world class academy like ours. Together with the International Soccer Academy, we look forward to welcoming players.

Sharing the “Mia san Mia” mentality with aspiring American youth soccer players is the goal for these two organizations. “We have already started working closely with FC Bayern Munich to identify talented youth soccer players born in 2007 and 2008 for the elite FC Bayern Global Academy launching this fall,” said Eddie Loewen, cofounder of International Soccer Academy.

Players approved for this high-level development pathway at the Global Academy will train at the new state-of-the-art the FC Bayern Campus youth academy, which is spread out over 12 acres and includes a 2,500-seater youth stadium in Munich.

“We are honored to team up with FC Bayern,” said International Soccer Academy cofounder Diane Scavuzzo. “We are proud of our proven track record of successfully creating Integrated Academies with professional soccer clubs and look forward to helping the Bundesliga Champions launch their Global Academy.”

Interested players can apply virtually – click here to send in highlights for scouts to review.

FC Bayern Munich is one of the most globally respected clubs in soccer and has won over 80 trophies, including winning the Champions League 6 times and 32 Bundesliga titles. FC Bayern Munich’s youth academy has produced some of the biggest names in football, including Thomas MullerDavid Alaba and 20-year-old Jamal Musiala.

“We look forward to welcoming a group of talented young players from the United States at our FC Bayern Campus this fall,” said Halil Altintop, Director of Sport of FCB Campus. “Our goal is to offer the best training conditions possible, and contribute to their development over the course of the next eight months.”

“I am committed to developing outstanding opportunities for young footballers in North America,” said Loewen. “We share a commitment to excellence and a passion for developing the next generation of football talent with FC Bayern Munich. We are proud to be working with one of the most successful European clubs internationally.”

International Soccer Academy and FC Bayern’s collaboration is a significant milestone and represents a major step forward in the development of young football talent all across the US, Canada, and Mexico.

About International Soccer Academy

International Soccer Academy was established in the United States in 2020 to provide a groundbreaking pathway for talented North American players. By 2021, International Soccer Academy expanded to the prestigious Academy of Schalke 04, the Knappenschmiede followed by a second Integrated Academy team at the Bundesliga Club, Hertha Berlin, and a third team at Sportwerk in Germany. Following a unique methodology in each of the centers, International Soccer Academy gives North American players the opportunity to play and train in Europe with a view to developing their skills and showcasing their talent to generate professional opportunities.

For more information, please visit the International Soccer Academy or email Diane Scavuzzo.

About FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich is one of the world’s most successful sports organizations on and off the field. Since the club’s foundation in 1900, FC Bayern has won 31 national championships, 20 domestic cups as well as six UEFA Champions League titles, making it the most successful German team in history.  FC Bayern is also renowned globally for its financial success, youth development and supporter culture. The club’s unique ownership structure sees more than 295,000 club members own a majority share, more than any other sports organization in the world. FC Bayern is one of the strongest brands in global sports with over 900 million people interested in the club.

For editorial requests, please contact: mediaamericas@fcbayern.Com

SOURCE International Soccer Academy

Contact

Get Connected.

We welcome you to contact us for more information
on any of our International Soccer Academy pro-level residential programs.

Apply Now

Our scouts require a highlight video and coach recommendations. All approved players will have Zoom meetings with the program’s coaching staff.

Let’s Talk About Your Future

We are focused on developing confident and successful players. What are your goals? Driven to get a pro contract in the USA or abroad? Want to play DI collegiate soccer? Reach out to us to discuss your future — and how we can help you reach your potential.

Youth Soccer Players

Elite youth soccer players training in Europe to develop their skills deserve great training and real opportunities. That is what we deliver.

CALL: 1-816-543-1775

Contact