Thirty youth sides are traveling to Tampa Bay, Florida for this year’s USL Academy League Finals.

Starting on Thursday, November 17, eight teams will compete in the Playoff Division, while the other 22 will compete in the Showcase Division. Players competing must be born in 2003 or after.

Featuring teams that are affiliated from all three USL competitions – Championship, League One and League Two – the playoff division features group winners from the Academy League season. After three group games for each team, the final is set to be decided on Sunday, November 20.

Several standout youth clubs are set to compete, including Tampa Bay United, North Carolina FC, Louisville City FC and Weston FC. Last year's competition was won by Indy Eleven, which returns to a very tough Group A in the Playoff Division. The other side of the bracket will be tough as well, with North Carolina FC a well-established side facing Queensboro FC, San Antonio and Chattanooga.

Check out the teams competing and some of the players to watch at the Tournament Sportsplex in Tampa Bay.

Playoff Division

Group A: AC Connecticut, Tampa Bay United, New Mexico United, Indy Eleven

Group B: Queensboro FC, North Carolina FC, San Antonio FC, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC

Showcase Division

Group 1: Weston FC, Louisville City FC, Orange County SC, AHFC Royals

Group 2: Cleveland Force SC, Ironbound SC, Wake FC, South Georgia Tormenta FC

Group 3: Charlotte Independence, Southern Soccer Academy, FC Miami City, Park City Red Wolves SC

Group 4: Charlotte Eagles, Rio Grande Valley FC, Chicago City SC, FA Euro New York

Group 5: Houston FC, Lexington SC, Tampa Bay United-2

Group 6: VBR Star, Miami Athletic Club, Peachtree City MOBA

Players to Watch

Marcelo Ojeda, AHFC Royals – A midfielder that can also play right back, Ojeda excelled as a freshman at Jordan High School and competes in the ECNL. 

Aidan Morrison, Charlotte Independence – The central midfielder is talent, technical and can thrive in tight spaces. He's set to play for William & Mary next fall.

Yahir Paez, Chattanooga Red Wolves – Signed to a USL Academy contract this season, Paez made his debut for the League One outfit. He'll be a key player for the Red Wolves as they battle to make it out of Group B.

Jack Roman, Cleveland Force SC – The striker earned All Conference honors and was invited to the ECNL Boys National Training Center this summer in Kentucky. 

Diego Sanchez, Indy Eleven – Another midfielder with pro experience, Sanchez trained with Indy Eleven as an amateur. He'll anchor Indy's squad as they chase a championship.

Travis Smith, Louisville City SC – The Wake Forest signing is decorated for both high school and club. Louisville is in the Showcase Division, where he'll look to showcase that he's ready to make the step up to Division I soccer in 2023.

Alex Waggoner, New Mexico United – A senior that plays for New Mexico Rush, Waggoner is committed to play at Michigan starting next year. A dominant force in high school, he'll get the chance to help United make a push for an academy crown.

Nicolas Rincon, North Carolina FC – The 16-year-old already signed a pro contract earlier this year in August, getting minutes for the League One side. NCFC's push for a trophy is sure to get a boost by Rincon's quality.

Thomas O'Rourke, Queensboro FC – Formerly with the NYCFC Academy, O'Rourke is one of several key players that helped Queensboro make it to the playoff portion of thiis group. He'll need to be in form if Queensboro is able to top the group.

Henrik Sakshaug, San Antonio FC – Committed to Maryland, Sakshaug is another prospect with pro level experience as an amateur. San Antonio has a solid track record within its academy setup, and the team's performance in Tampa is worth tracking.