In August 2007, Western New York’s top soccer clubs, the Rochester Junior Rhinos, Syracuse Football Club and Buffalo United Soccer Club joined together to form the Empire United Soccer Academy. The unification of these clubs, acknowledge their strong working relationship and shared vision of the development of youth soccer.

Syracuse-bound forward Stefanos Stamoulacatos (17 goals) and forward Tyler Forbes (four) have moved up to the under-17/18s after leading the under-15/16s to the division crown last year. Stamoulacatos scored hat tricks against DC United and the New England Revolution. Keeper Alexander Bono, also up from the under-15/16s, was voted the Academy Goalie of the Year for 2010-2011, said coach Paul Valenti.

The following players have been selected for the US Development Academy teams:

Stefanos Stamoulacatos scored all three of Empire United’s goals in a 3-2 win against the New England Revolution on Sunday, after helping earn a 1-0 win against FC Greater Boston on Saturday.  The striker has now scored 11 goals while seeing time in all 18 of his team’s games this season, contributing to a 9-6-3 record.  Empire United currently sits in first place in the Northeast Division.