Jacksonville Armada U23 and Jacksonville FC Academy are two of the most ambitious soccer programs in the United States. Competing at the elite levels of NPSL and MLS Next, both organizations share one mission: to
develop young players capable of reaching the professional game.

Under the guidance of Head Coach Matthew Iles—who brings FAW/UEFA A Licenses (in progress) and a Master’s in Kinesiology & Exercise Science—the clubs are setting new benchmarks in performance development. But preparing athletes for the top level requires more than talent; it demands objective data, smart planning, and the right tools.

The Need for Smarter Training

Like many top academies, Jacksonville faced a challenge: how to bridge the gap between youth soccer and the demands of the professional game. The coaching staff needed:

• Reliable data to manage training loads.

• Benchmarks to measure academy players against professional standards.

• Tools to tailor individual development and reduce injury risk.

• Seamless integration of monitoring into their weekly training cycles.

  The solution came in the form of STATSports Apex GPS technology.

A Game-Changing Solution

By equipping every player from U14 to U23 with Apex GPS units, Jacksonville Armada and Jacksonville FC gained instant access to world-class data. Coaches can now monitor:

• Total Distance

• High-Speed Running (≥19.8 km/h / ≥12.3 mph)

• Sprint Distance (>25.2 km/h / >15.7 mph)

• Accelerations & Decelerations

• Change of Direction (COD) Load

  This data is delivered both live and post-session, providing the performance staff with the clarity they need to shape smarter training.

How STATSports Transformed Jacksonville’s Training

Embedding Periodization into the Cycle
Every training week is carefully designed with GPS insights:

• 1-Game Week: high-intensity speed work on MD-4, tactical focus on MD-3, sharp technical sessions on MD-2, and light activation on MD-1.

• 2-Game Week: adjusted sessions and recovery plans to manage congestion while avoiding overload.

Daily & Weekly Reporting
Dashboards and reports track individual progress, ensuring players hit performance targets without exceeding limits. Weekly summaries help coaches balance volume with intensity for progressive overload.

Individual Development Pathways
Each player receives personalized reports, comparing their metrics to team averages and professional benchmarks. This allows strength & conditioning staff to tailor gym programs and oversee safe, structured return-to-play protocols.

Mobile Dashboards for Player Buy-In
Through the STATSports app, players see their own data instantly—driving accountability, engagement, and self-awareness in their development journey.

Results That Speak for Themselves

Since adopting STATSports, Jacksonville Armada and Jacksonville FC have seen measurable benefits:

• Smarter Load Management: Training intensity now mirrors positional demands.

• Reduced Injury Risk: Objective monitoring flags early signs of fatigue.

• Performance Gains: Players have shown year-on-year increases in high-speed running and sprint distance.

• Clearer Pathway to Pro Soccer: Academy players are consistently benchmarked against professional match standards.
  

  Forging Ahead with STATSports

For Jacksonville Armada and Jacksonville FC, STATSports has become more than just technology—it’s a cornerstone of their player development model. By transforming training into an individualized, data-driven process, both clubs are not only preparing their athletes for today’s challenges but also laying the foundation for tomorrow’s professionals.

The partnership proves one thing: with the right tools, even the future of American soccer can be tracked, measured, and built—step by step, sprint by sprint.