Every Graduate Has Earned a College Scholarship or Signed a Professional Contract
Barça Residency Academy is the ideal place for student-athletes to develop on the field, in the classroom, and as young adults among some of the most elite youth soccer players around the world.
“I was about 13 years old when I joined the Barça Residency Academy and they saw potential in me. But more so on my part, it was about learning and being as active as I could, understanding that the Barça system is one of the best in the world… The coaching staff was also always wanting to give back to the players and letting us know that they were there to help. I truly enjoyed my experience there and the Barça Residency Academy was always a great support system.”
Brooklyn Raines – Houston Dynamo FC
(Barça Residency Academy USA 2018-22)
Barça Residency Academy coaches are nationally and internationally recognized from the collegiate, professional, and international levels of competition.
Our commitment and dedication to the highest level of youth development, training, and coaching is supported and enhanced by the 135 Grande Sports World on-site employees that focus on elevating the student athlete’s physical, mental, nutritional, academic, and personal development.
Barça Residency Academy is a proud founding member of MLS Next, the premier youth player development league in North America. Created by Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT brings together the top youth academies across the continent, offering players elite competition, world-class training, and personal growth and development opportunities both on and off the field.
Barça Residency Academy competes in two MLS NEXT leagues. MLS NEXT Homegrown, the top tier, featuring the highest level of youth competition in North America and MLS NEXT Academy, a newly formed second tier that expands opportunities while maintaining the same professional training environment.
Placing every Barça Residency Academy player under the same MLS NEXT competition system, ensuring a clear developmental pathway within the country’s most competitive youth soccer platform.
Barça Residency Academy players also compete in three seasonal leagues: the UPSL, USL Academy, and the Arizona Premier League. The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) is an American professional development league that provides older Barça Residency Academy teams a platform to compete against professional talent. The USL Academy is an elite youth platform that provides top-level competition, exposure, and a pathway to USL professional teams.
Grande Sports World – Home of Barça Residency Academy – has a history of hosting the highest quality teams and athletes who compete at the highest level of youth soccer both domestically and internationally.
Here are just a few of their accomplishments:
Signed a professional contract or were offered a college scholarship
Players have signed with prestigious clubs like FC Barcelona, FC Shalke, Manchester United, Liverpool & ACF Fiorentina
Players have gone on to compete at over 40 universities including, Stanford, North Carolina, Wake Forest, & UCLA
Players have competed for their country’s national team or have participated in national team camps
Players have represented their country’s national team at the Concacaf Gold Cup
Alumni competed for the U.S. Men’s National Team in the 2017, 2023 and 2025 U-20 World Cup
An alumni competed in the 2018 World Cup and started in every match for his home country
Three-time NCAA National Champion (Stanford) Corey Baird was named the 2018 MLS Rookie of the Year
Three-year Barca Residency Academy graduate Diego Luna was named the 2024 MLS Young Player of the Year
Barça Residency Academy has established itself as a powerhouse in the MLS NEXT Southwest Division, claiming eight division titles since 2021. In 2024, the Academy was one of just three clubs nationwide to have all four age groups qualify for the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs. In 2025, all four teams went a step further—each winning their respective Southwest Division title and securing an automatic berth to the playoffs.
Barça Residency Academy fosters an environment and mentality that emphasizes fulfilling an individual’s full potential.
Arizona State University Preparatory Academy’s innovative teaching system provides a personalized and flexible educational experience for every student-athlete.
Since 2018, ASU Preparatory Academy – Casa Grande students have earned over $29 million in college scholarships.
**Arizona State University has been recognized as the most innovative university for eleven consecutive years by USA News and World Report.
ASU has placed first every year since the “Most Innovative Schools” category was created by U.S. News & World Report magazine and has ranked ahead of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University every year.
Cambridge International curriculum aligns with international standard of excellence and provides a rigorous, student-centered, and innovative program of study.
ASU Prep teachers utilize personalized online courses in tandem with face-to-face instruction for an individualized pace. Additional tutorial support and advancement to college credit courses are available for students with demonstrated readiness.
ASU Prep teachers are supremely qualified and educated, with 73% currently holding or pursuing a graduate degree. Students have access to the teachers during and outside of school hours for personalized one-on-one attention.
Students at ASU Prep use technology to address problems and challenges and work collaboratively to identify solutions to social issues that affect their communities. They explore college majors and career disciplines through personalized academic apprenticeships with ASU faculty and community organizations.