USL Academy player Murilo Lara is seen as a leader in the Tormenta Academy, working each day to further his skills, techniques and game play. Lara began his journey with Tormenta in the 2020 season, playing with the MLS Next team, then later joining the USL Academy roster.
As the Tormenta FC Academy is the only program in the region offering MLS Next and USL Academy programs, Lara knew his skills would increase exponentially under the tutelage of his coaches.
The breadth of experiences and knowledge offered by Tormenta’s coaches is invaluable to him. USL Academy Head Coach Drew DeJohn also acts as the performance coach for the professional USL League One team, which enables him to tie in experiences from professional-level coaching to the realm of pre-professional soccer.
“I think when the USL Academy season comes around, it’s when I am at my peak as a player because we train almost every day and it’s a good, well organized environment.” Lara explained. “My favorite part of Tormenta is the USL Academy but also the MLS Next tournaments I have been able to go to.”
The USL Academy provides a rigorous training schedule for its players, allowing them to get a glimpse into a more professional environment. Between training and games, Lara is on the pitch just over ten hours per week, similar to the training schedule of the USL League One professional men’s team.
During the last USL Academy season came Lara’s strongest achievements, where he scored two braces in the final two matches of the season.
While the opportunities for development and growth are a strong reason Lara committed himself so deeply to Tormenta and the USL Academy, it is the friends he has made in his teammates that reinforces his dedication to the team.
Lara has plans to reach a higher level of play in his soccer career. He will go to college in August to take the next steps in his level of play and knows the training he received in the Tormenta Academy will help him maximize each opportunity in store.
Founded in 2015, Tormenta FC is a professional soccer club based in Statesboro, Georgia. Tormenta FC competes in the professional USL League One and the pre-professional USL W League, under the United Soccer League (USL), and has also established a thriving academy system throughout South Georgia and the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
Follow the club through Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and the Tormenta FC app available on both iOS and Android.
For media inquiries, please contact Caroline Boykin at cboykin@tormentafc.com and 912-667-9422.
