Academy

The Inter Miami Academy and affiliate B-team have developed a clear path to the first-team at Chase Stadium. Felipe Valencia was Vice City’s first Homegrown Player in their history.

Formerly known as Fort Lauderdale CF, Inter Miami enhanced Inter Miami CF II to provide a pathway to professional careers. The Heron’s B-team also now compete in MLS Next Pro and play at Chase Stadium. They even utilise the facilities at their Florida Blue Training Center.

Inter Miami’s 5 best Academy products including Felipe Valencia and Romeo Beckham

Inter Miami have a deep youth system beyond their affiliate B-team, as well. Vice City boast age-group teams ranging from the Under-12 level all the way to the Under-17s. The Herons’ Academy further prides itself on recruiting and developing the best talents in South Florida.

Felipe Valencia

Valencia made Inter Miami history in December 2020 as Vice City signed the winger as their first Academy product as a Homegrown Player. He put pen to paper on the first-team deal at Chase Stadium at just 15. It also followed him setting two further records earlier in 2020.

The Florida native enjoyed a record-setting year to warrant first-team terms as Inter Miami’s youngest Academy player to represent Fort Lauderdale. He also became the youngest player to score at a USL level for their affiliate team. All from a Herons journey that started in 2019.

Valencia agreed to join the Academy ranks at Inter Miami after first honing his trade in youth football with Kendall SC Academy. While Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas saw awarding the attacker a first-team contract as an example of the pathway that Vice City sought to create.

Edison Azcona

Inter Miami increased their commitment to bringing through the club’s Academy players in January 2021 as the Herons signed Edson Azcona to the first-team as a Homegrown Player. He was also only Vice City’s second Academy graduate after representing Fort Lauderdale.

Azcona’s path to the first-team at Chase Stadium showed the potential that Inter Miami’s rival, Orlando City, had let out the door. The Dominican Republic attacker briefly played with the Lions’ youth system. But Azcona has made his name and further history for the Herons.

Phil Neville made Azcona the first Inter Miami Academy graduate to feature in the first-team in May 2021. He broke into MLS at 17 years and five months as a substitute at Nashville SC. Azcona got his chance after making the 2020 USL League One All-League Second Team.

Noah Allen

Inter Miami signed Noah Allen as a Homegrown Player in March 2022 as the Herons’ fourth Academy product to earn first-team terms. Yet the left-back had already made his first-team bow. Neville gave the USA U20 ace his breakthrough in February 2022 against Chicago Fire.

Allen first entered the Inter Miami Academy ranks in 2019 before stepping up to the B-team in 2020. Neville also saw that he made history against Chicago Fire as Vice City’s first youth product to start an MLS fixture. It followed his superb first season as a professional in 2021.

Allen was the 2021 USL League One Young Player of the Year and led Inter Miami II on 2,430 minutes. He further ranked second among the Herons’ B-team for interceptions with 35 and won 33 of his 44 tackles. The defender even registered his first two assists as a professional.

Gerardo ‘Dado’ Valenzuela

Inter Miami may come to rue the day that Gerardo ‘Dado’ Valenzuela left their Academy to join FC Cincinnati’s in 2020. The attacking midfielder would leave Vice City’s fold to make his name with the Orange and Blue, where he signed as a Homegrown Player in March 2023.

FC Cincinnati sought to give an 18-year-old Valenzuela a first-team contract as a reward for his efforts in their Academy. He shone in MLS Next Pro with one goal and two assists across 16 appearances, of which the Florida native started 14. His MLS debut also followed swiftly.

Valenzuela took to the pitch against Toronto FC under Pat Noonan in June 2023 for his MLS debut. Further minutes followed against New York City, as well, to bring a creative presence.

Romeo Beckham

Inter Miami gave Romeo Beckham a platform to relaunch his career in 2021 having taken an extended break after leaving Arsenal’s academy in 2015. Yet his rise in Vice City’s youth side and with their B-team brought about his return to England in 2023 with Brentford’s B-team.

The Bees initially hired Beckham on loan in the January market before securing a permanent deal that July. Brentford sought to secure his full-time transfer to the Premier League outfit’s reserve side after impressing both on and off the field upon his initial arrival in west London.

Beckham broke away from his family legacy as the son of Inter Miami co-owner and England icon David Beckham. Brentford adored his determination to work hard, despite leaving Inter Miami as a promising playmaker. He led MLS Next Pro in 2022 with 10 assists in 20 matches.