The St. James Football Club
The St. James Football Club is the DMV's premier boys club and has created the preeminent destination for boys football in the region. TSJFC has created a holistic training and competitive environment like no other in the region. Our world class staff, facilities and developmental structure provides elite boys players a professional academy environment which will allow players to reach their full potential.
We are proud to accept membership into MLS Next for the 2025-2026 season as new members of the MLS Next 2 Program.
Under the leadership of MLS Next Academy Director: Nenad Babic, we are confident that the future is bright for our Boys Academy program.
2025-2026 Season: TSJFC MLS Next Academy will hold player ID sessions/centers throughout the year for the 2025-2026 soccer year. These events are open to ALL players regardless of club affiliation.
All trials and ID sessions/centers are free of charge. If you are interested in having your son(s) attend an Academy evaluation session or ID Center, please fill out the form via the link below and look at the schedule on this page. If you can't make one of the ID Center sessions, please contact us to come out on another date.
Birth Years for Player Evaluations: 2007/ 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Player ID Session Schedule:
- Open Tryouts (Subject to Change):
- Sunday, March 23rd @ Hal & Berni Hanson Park Field #1 (Turf Stadium)
- 2013 & 2012 (U13 & U14): 10:00-11:30am (check-in starting at 9:30am)
- 2011 & 2010 (U15 & U16): 11:30-1:00pm (check-in starting at 11:00am)
- 2009 (U17): 1:00-2:30pm (check-in starting at 12:30pm)
- 2008/07 (U19): 2:30-4:00pm (check-in starting at 2:00pm)
- Tuesday, March 25th @ The St. James Fieldhouse
- 2013's & 2012's: 5:30-6:45pm (check-in starting at 5:00)
- 2011's & 2010's: 6:45-8:00pm (check-in starting at 6:15)
- 2009's, 2008's/ 2007's: 8:00-9:30pm (check-in starting at 7:45)
- Sunday, March 23rd @ Hal & Berni Hanson Park Field #1 (Turf Stadium)
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- Sunday, March 30th @ Episcopal High School
- 2013's: 11:00-12:30pm (check-in starting at 10:30)
- 2012's: 12:30-2:00pm (check-in starting at 12:00)
- 2011's: 2:00-3:30pm (check-in starting at 1:30)
- Sunday, March 30th @ Episcopal High School
- The St. James: 6805 Industrial Rd. Springfield Va
- Hanson Park: 22831 Hanson Park Dr. Aldie Va (Turf Stadium Field)
- Episcopal HS: 1200 N Quaker Ln. Alexandria Va (families MUST park at: 4250 West Braddock Road. Alexandria. Session will be on Coxe Turf Field)
Missed Tryouts? Contact the following coaches to set up an evaluation:
- Nenad Babic- MLS Next Academy Director: nenad.babic@thestjames.com
2025-2026 COACHING SLATE
2008/2007 Head Coach: Rolland Appiah
2009 Head Coach: Nenad Babic
2010 Head Coach: Amine El-Hachimi
2011 Head Coach: Amine El-Hachimi
2012 Head Coach: Adam Baumgardner
2013 Head Coach: Adam Baumgardner
Goalkeeper Coach: Coming Soon
Performance Coach: Coming Soon
academy faqs
There are many benefits of playing in the MLS Next. These benefits include:
Consistent, high level training environment
Professional, highly licensed coaches
More meaningful games
Schedule designed to improve periodization and help reduce the risk of injury
College exposure at first class events, matches, and training
Matches attended by US Soccer Scouts and Coaches
Holistic training approach that includes athletic development as well as mental training
GPS monitoring for all players to improve player monitoring and injury prevention
All games videotaped and analyzed for players
Proven track record of developing players and sending them off to college and beyond
Character and leadership development activities to help further develop the players for their futures
Our coaching and Technical Staff are well versed in supporting players into the collegiate game. With over 60 years of coaching experience and a track record of placing our players in the top colleges and universities throughout the United States, the TSJFC staff can support all aspects of the recruitment process.
TSJFC utilizes SportsRecruits system which streamlines the college recruitment experience and makes players very accessible to college coaches
College coaches regularly attending training and league matches to watch TSJFC play.
College coaches will be given access to video of MLS Next matches to evaluate players (through our video capabilities).
TSJFC teams attend other Girls Academy approved college showcase events to further increase exposure.
