FC Copa Academy is a soccer organization founded in 2004, based in Hillsborough, NJ, serving over 1,000 playersborn between 2019 and 2008 from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The club states its mission is to develop players into elite athletes and well-rounded individuals in a positive, structured, challenging atmosphere, with a pathway from youth soccer through collegiate, pre-professional, semi-pro (New Jersey Copa FC), and professional levels. The club states its curriculum focuses on high technical proficiency and a possession-based style that encourages creativity, viewing winning as an outcome of development rather than the primary goal. The academy is ranked under ECNL with 750+ members.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE US
Why families choose this club
College placement record
The club states it has placed over 450 student-athletes into 210 collegiate programs, having reached 465+ collegiate student-athletes developed.
Dedicated academic guidance
FC Copa states it has a full-time Director of Academic Guidance who helps players find the right college fit athletically and academically.
Pathway to pro
The club describes a development pyramid connecting youth academy teams to New Jersey Copa FC's collegiate, USL2, and USL W programs.
Championship pedigree
The site states FC Copa Academy has reached 26 state finals, 19 regional finals, and 7 national finals since its founding.
Modern indoor complex
The club highlights its own indoor complex with a gym, meeting rooms, and a film room for performance analysis for year-round development.
Goalkeeper training
The site notes goalkeepers receive specialized training always led by a dedicated goalkeeper coach.
PROGRAMS
Programs
FC Copa Academy fields boys' and girls' teams from U7 through U19, providing a bridge to collegiate (U20/U23), USL League Two (men's), and USL W (women's) teams via New Jersey Copa FC. The club operates as a year-round development program with entry into the ECNL Regional League for select locations, holding tryouts for Boys U13–U19. The seasonal schedule includes premier leagues, tournaments, and showcases in the fall, year-round indoor training at the club's indoor complex during the winter, and continued league and tournament competition, state/regional/national play in the spring. In the summer months, the club runs summer camps (U7-U15) alongside a high school preseason training program. Training sessions are held at Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ, Performance Sports Center in Hillsborough, NJ, and 1 Clover Hill Road in Flemington, NJ. Tryouts are organized across several programs and locations, including FC Copa ECNL RL (Boys & Girls), FC Copa NJ Central (Piscataway | Metuchen), FC Copa NJ West (Flemington | Hillsborough), and FC Copa NY Brooklyn (Brooklyn NY).
FallCompete in premier leagues, tournaments, and showcases as the season begins
WinterYear-round indoor training at the club's indoor complex
SpringContinued league and tournament competition, state/regional/national play
SummerSummer camps (U7-U15) and high school preseason training program
Primary training locations: Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ, Performance Sports Center in Hillsborough, NJ, 1 Clover Hill Road in Flemington, NJ
TUITION
Cost to play
According to the club, no membership/tuition dollar amounts are listed on public pages, but Summer camp players receive an FC Copa T-Shirt. Financial aid policies published by the club outline an application process for assistance and payment plans to help families cover tuition fees based on need and soccer aptitude.
The club states that every coach is USSF and/or NSCAA licensed, with many staff members holding professional, collegiate, high school, and regional ODP coaching experience.
Executive leadership
The organization was founded by Roberto Aguas, who serves as President, Founder & Executive Director of Coaching, alongside Lori Berman as VP & Director of Education.
Academy directors
Player development is overseen by Boys & Assistant Academy DirectorDavid Atkinson and Girls DirectorMatt Anderson.
Regional directors
Regional programming is guided by Director, BrooklynDavid Foy and NJ West DirectorWilliam Chipoco.
Specialized support staff
Player support includes Goalkeeper CoachPeter Failla, Medical DirectorDr. Vincent Codella, DO, and a full-time staff including academic guidance counselors and performance development professionals.
Roberto Aguas
President, Founder & Executive Director of Coaching
Quoted on the site discussing FC Copa Academy Brooklyn's acceptance into the ECNL Regional League.
Lori Berman
VP & Director of Education
David Atkinson
Boys & Assistant Academy Director
Matt Anderson
Girls Director
David Foy
Director, Brooklyn
Quoted on the site about providing Brooklyn players access to elite soccer close to home.
William Chipoco
NJ West Director
Dr. Vincent Codella, DO
Medical Director
Peter Failla
Goalkeeper Coach
DEVELOPMENT PHILOSOPHY
Development Philosophy
The club states its curriculum focuses on high technical proficiency and a possession-based style that encourages creativity, viewing winning as an outcome of development rather than the primary goal.
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