By Mario Sarmento
SPORTS EDITOR

In just three years of existence, the Schulz Academy has become one of the best in the country.

Winning three straight Super-Y League titles and developing the likes of New York Red Bulls player Josmer Altidore and Under-15 national star Donovan Henry landed Schulz at the No. 19 spot in the latest rankings of Soccer America.

The Schulz Academy consists of only 250 players, but it ranks among top teams like the No. 1 Chicago Magic and No. 2 Dallas Texans, who have between 10-30,000 players and whom  Schulz has beaten in the last three years.

“We’re the only representative of Florida,” Academy Director Josef Schulz said.

The academy also received exposure through a former player, Altidore, who appeared in this week’s ESPN the Magazine in their “Next” section.

Altidore trained with Schulz until he was 15, when he was selected for the Under-17 National Team.

“He’s in a lot of magazines and a lot of public relations because of his age and his immediate impact,” Schulz said.

Henry is the next big time player. The forward has been selected to the Under-15 National Team and will travel to play with them through the end of this month.

“He’s younger, but he’s talented in the same way as Josmer,” Schulz said.

The publicity is also helping the small soccer academy grow into a nationally recognized force.

“For our club it’s very good, it’s the national attention,” Schulz said. “Parents from the Treasure Coast are bringing players because they see we can develop them.”

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