OUR JOURNEY
Eagle Creek is Born
João Castro founds Eagle Creek Soccer Academy in Lake Nona, Orlando. First location: Community Field. First students: 38 brave families.
Growing Through Adversity
Despite the pandemic, Eagle Creek keeps training — outdoors, safely. Community grows stronger. Families choose Eagle Creek for consistency and commitment.
Expanding to New Locations
ECE and Bomberos added. The Eagle Creek model proves it works across multiple fields and age groups. Student count reaches 100.
First Competitive Season
Eagle Creek enters FEYSL (Florida Youth Soccer League) and the Disney Cup. Competing against the best academies in the state — and holding our own.
The Eagle Method™ is Formalized
João codifies 20 years of coaching experience into The Eagle Method™ — a 4-pillar, 4-phase training system. The methodology that sets us apart is now official.
Going International
Eagle Creek establishes its first international presence in Ireland. The model travels. The methodology works across cultures.
Building the Platform
130 → 220+ students. Eagle Creek builds its own proprietary technology platform — parent app, GPS tracking, report cards. No more third-party tools.
The Next Chapter
8 locations. 220+ active athletes. Franchise model launching. The Eagle Creek story is just getting started.
JOÃO CASTRO
Founder & Soccer Director
The Founder's Story
FROM THE PITCH IN PORTUGAL
TO THE FIELDS OF ORLANDO.
João Castro played professional soccer across Europe — in Portugal and France — before redirecting his life toward something even more meaningful: building the next generation of players and leaders.
With 20 years of coaching experience, first in Brazil and then in the United States, João arrived in Orlando with a clear vision: create an academy that would not just teach soccer, but would shape character. No shortcuts. No generic curriculum. A methodology built from scratch.
In 2019, with 38 families and one field in Lake Nona, Eagle Creek Soccer Academy opened its doors. By 2026, it had grown to 220+ students, 21 coaches, 8 locations — and a proprietary training system that no other academy in Orlando can replicate.
"I didn't come to Orlando to build another soccer school. I came to build something that would matter to these kids for the rest of their lives."
— João Castro, Founder
What We Stand For
OUR MISSION
Since 2019, our mission is simple: bring joy, build values, and develop active young people through the beautiful game. Soccer is our language — character is our product.
Teamwork
No individual is bigger than the team. We win and we grow together.
Humility
The best players are the first ones on the field and the last to leave. Always hungry to improve.
Respect
For teammates, opponents, coaches, and the game itself. Respect is non-negotiable.
Discipline
Show up. Put in the work. Every session. Every day. Discipline is the bridge between goals and achievement.