The Premier Youth Soccer Club in Western NY Since 1966

Below is an overview of the history of Empire United Soccer Academy, which has transformed itself since the original days as the Rochester Mavericks, founded in 1966.  Since the founding of the Mavericks (boys) and the Rochester Spirit (girls), the club has transitioned into the Rochester Junior Rhinos (1998) and Empire United Soccer Academy (2008).

Rochester Mavericks (Boys), 1966 - 1998

Rochester Spirit (Girls), - 1998

Rochester Junior Rhinos, 1998 - 2008

Empire United Soccer Academy, 2008 - 2022

RNY FC Youth, 2022 - Present

Rochester Junior Rhinos:

Following the 1998 season, the Rochester Mavericks and Rochester Spirit joined forces to create a co-ed club called the Rochester Junior Rhinos.  As the most successful boys and girls clubs in the Rochester area, and both a force in New York State West, the club chose the name "Junior Rhinos" in response to the successful Rochester Raging Rhinos of the A-League.  While there was no affiliation with the professional club, the merging of these two talented clubs created the most successful youth soccer club in New York West.

Empire United Soccer Academy:

In 2007, the United States Soccer Federation (US Soccer) launched the US Soccer Development Academy for the top 64 clubs in the United States.  After the merger of the Rochester Junior Rhinos, Syracuse FC, and Buffalo United, Empire United Soccer Academy was born.  Selected as one of the original 64 clubs into the Development Academy, Empire United's efforts created the largest and most successful youth soccer club in New York State, and created a template of cooperation and quality used throughout the country.  The boys Development Academy teams began play in 2007-2008, and beginning in the Fall of 2008, all three branches of Empire United (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse) had officially become one club.  Sponsoring the boys as a member of the US Soccer Development Academy, Empire United introduced the Girls State Academy upon its inception in order to create a similar competitive environment to that of the Development Academy.

RNY FC Youth:

In August 2020, the former Empire United Soccer Academy announced a historic strategic alliance with the then Rochester Rhinos of United Soccer League (USL). After nearly two years of planning, Empire United rebranded as RNY FC Youth beginning with the 2022/2023 season.