TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League today announced a partnership with ONYX Elite, a personal performance company founded in 2014 by former U.S. men’s national team defender Oguchi Onyewu. The partnership will see the two organizations work together closely regarding the ONYX Elite Winter Training Program, a high-level offseason camp for current professionals out of contract or those looking to stay in competitive shape. The program also provides the chance for USL coaches and technical staff to scout and identify top free agents.

In recent years, the ONYX Elite Winter Training Program has begun to assist USL Championship and League One players and technical staff members with player recruitment. From the 2019 and 2020 programs, 13 players signed contracts with teams in the Championship and League One, including the Charleston Battery’s AJ Paterson and Forward Madison FC’s Brandon Eaton.

“With the progress and evolution of the modern athlete, studies have shown how important sports science has become,” said Onyewu. “With our extensive knowledge in our field coupled with pre-existing programs geared to promote and identify players in all USL leagues, we feel that this partnership will be a huge benefit for players and coaches moving forward.”

Working with ONYX will give Championship and League One coaches and technical staff a new method for identifying potential players to add to their rosters, in line with the USL’s vision of working with its player identification partners to help its clubs recruit top young talent.

“Through our new partnership with ONYX Elite, we are excited to provide our clubs another avenue to identify players for the professional level” said Liam O’Connell, USL Senior Director of Youth Development. “Player identification and recruitment is an essential component to building a competitive roster, and our league is continually looking for opportunities to assist its clubs in that process. Our goal is to continue to work with individuals like Oguchi Onyewu and organizations like ONYX Elite to provide the right opportunities for players to progress to higher levels, while ultimately helping our clubs build stronger teams year over year.”

“Like ONYX, the USL has been dedicated to promoting and growing this wonderful sport in the United States for years,” said Onyewu. “We are extremely excited and optimistic about the future collaboration and how this will positively impact players.”

To learn more about ONYX Elite, visit onyxelite.com.