Founded in 2015 by CEO Mark Hall, the COPA Soccer Training Center offers a unique training environment over more than 10,000 square metres, boasting high-tech training systems and experienced coaches. The facility thus offers the perfect conditions for the best possible technical, cognitive and athletic development of all players – from seasoned professionals to youngsters hoping to one day make it into the MLS (Major League Soccer).
While Hall has been working on putting the infrastructure to do that in place in recent years, he has also been working on a much bigger goal in the background. he wants to be a pioneer of an objective, data-driven revolution when it comes to the discovery and development of talented young players. The American entrepreneur is looking to create a standardised score for the objective evaluation of footballers, and to establish this as a prerequisite for admission to associations, professional clubs and universities.
In the future, TSG Hoffenheim will support COPA’s CEO Hall in making his dream a reality with the vast know-how of the expert team led by TSG’s managing director, Dr. Jan Mayer. The experts from the Kraichgau will contribute with their physiological, psychological and cognitive assessments. “Over the past few years, we have consistently developed to become the leading innovator in German football,” said Jan Mayer, and the TSG executive is delighted that work abroad is continuing to bear fruit. “The great thing about this merger is that in COPA STC, we have another international partner in the field of innovation.”
Mark Hall added: “I have visited several leading European academies and although there are many excellent organisations, I was impressed by the extraordinary competence of TSG and their science-based approach. Their discipline and methodology go hand in hand with a certain moral integrity, based on the desire to produce better people for our common future. This player-centric approach is implemented in a modest and sustainable way and acts as an excellent example that our own organisation can emulate.”
Mayer visited the Center in California in person a few years ago. “It is really exciting for us as TSG Hoffenheim to participate in the development of such an innovative company and to be a part of the associated scientific projects.” Jan Mayer himself will act as a member of the scientific advisory board as part of the development work. In addition to the actual results, he hopes that the cooperation with the American company from the host country of the 2026 World Cup will help “further promote the development of the TSG Hoffenheim brand internationally”. Since the 2020/2021 season, TSG have been in partnership in the USA with FC Cincinnati, from the state of Ohio, who are the current holders of the Supporters’ Shield in Major League Soccer.