What do you think?
Rate this book
The Academy #5
Academy V: Cup of Nations
Leo goes for glory with his junior national team!
Leo K. Doyle has become a star in the Youth Premier League and one of the brightest young players in the world. But he faces his toughest challenge yet when he joins his junior national team and tries to lead an underdog squad to victory in the greatest tournament of all for his age the U15 Cup of Nations.
Unlike the Lewisham Knights, Leo’s national team doesn’t have a roster full of Premier League talent. Plus, the team has terrible chemistry and very little time to improve.
The stakes have never been higher. The United States is the host nation, and the pressure is on to make a good showing. Will Leo and his teammates flame out in the group stage and disappoint their country? Or can Leo become a true leader and bring his team together?
Leo K. Doyle has become a star in the Youth Premier League and one of the brightest young players in the world. But he faces his toughest challenge yet when he joins his junior national team and tries to lead an underdog squad to victory in the greatest tournament of all for his age the U15 Cup of Nations.
Unlike the Lewisham Knights, Leo’s national team doesn’t have a roster full of Premier League talent. Plus, the team has terrible chemistry and very little time to improve.
The stakes have never been higher. The United States is the host nation, and the pressure is on to make a good showing. Will Leo and his teammates flame out in the group stage and disappoint their country? Or can Leo become a true leader and bring his team together?
297 pages, Library Binding
Published March 3, 2026
About the author
T.Z. Layton
9 books146 followersT.Z. Layton is the award-winning author of the bestselling Academy series, which has been translated into multiple languages and optioned for film. The author is also a soccer dad, youth coach, referee, former collegiate player, and lifelong fan of the beautiful game.
To stay up to date on the Academy series and other stories by T.Z. Layton, it’s best to visit his website (tzlaytonbooks.com) and join his newsletter.
To stay up to date on the Academy series and other stories by T.Z. Layton, it’s best to visit his website (tzlaytonbooks.com) and join his newsletter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 6, 2025
This book is awesome! 👏 I’ve read all The Academy books, and let me tell you they are awesome! 🤩 If you like soccer and suspense this book is just for you! And if you have read all of The Academy books, don’t fret! T. Z. Layton is coming out with a new book called The Academy 6: RISE OF THE SCORPIONS! Can’t wait til the next book comes out! Please read this book. It’s the best! Leo K. Doyle (in this book) has to be a leader, but is he going to be the leader that his coach and teammates need?
May 28, 2026
if i could rate this book ♾️ stars 🌟 then i would! This is my favorite series ever and i can’t wait for the next book to come out and i am sad that this book is over and i love this book series so muchhhhhh ⚽️🫶
March 10, 2026
In this book Leo gets the opportunity to go to the cup of nations. But when he makes it to Atlanta, he sees his team does not work as a team. But as the team moves closer to the end of the season, they become better as a team. But Leo is worried that they will not make it to the finals because he is not becoming a leader like his coach wants him to be. He has to find his voice to help keep the team going. Will the team work well and have good team chemistry or will they lose and Leo does not become a leader.
P.S. I did not like this book as much as the 3rd one but the ending was good. I wish that they went to more places than just three. It was predictable. D.
P.S. I did not like this book as much as the 3rd one but the ending was good. I wish that they went to more places than just three. It was predictable. D.
July 31, 2026
It took us a little longer to listen to this one because of vacation breaks, but not because we didn't love it! This series shines and each installment does an incredible job of bringing in characters from previous books, mixing them with new ones, setting up new scenarios while calling back to old ones, and somehow describing soccer game after soccer game in new and exciting ways.
Our family is NOT a soccer family but we are completely hooked by these stories and it was actually really educational surrounding the World Cup for us to have read these books, because they've really expanded our soccer knowledge and understanding.
There's so much growth in this series, and I especially love that those examples—of dealing with bullies, expectations, physical difficulties, emotional pain, relationship complications, and friendship dynamics—beautifully unfold on the page (or in our case, via audiobook).
I read a lot of sports stories as a kid and I know it is really common for our heroes, our team, to be victorious, but there are a few times when I wish these books didn't have quite as many victories. But that's the parent (and lifelong athlete) side talking. The intended audience, who I've been listening alongside, loves how these unfold.
Can't wait to start the next book because we are all caught up!
Our family is NOT a soccer family but we are completely hooked by these stories and it was actually really educational surrounding the World Cup for us to have read these books, because they've really expanded our soccer knowledge and understanding.
There's so much growth in this series, and I especially love that those examples—of dealing with bullies, expectations, physical difficulties, emotional pain, relationship complications, and friendship dynamics—beautifully unfold on the page (or in our case, via audiobook).
I read a lot of sports stories as a kid and I know it is really common for our heroes, our team, to be victorious, but there are a few times when I wish these books didn't have quite as many victories. But that's the parent (and lifelong athlete) side talking. The intended audience, who I've been listening alongside, loves how these unfold.
Can't wait to start the next book because we are all caught up!
December 25, 2025
Wow Leo and his friend in Middleton are having a great summer when he gets a call from Samantha offering Leo a opportunity to try out to play for the USA junior national team in the Cup of nations (like the World Cup but for the developmental teams. The USA team is ranked last and only are in it because the USA is the host nation. Will this be the case or will the team rise to the challenge?
Now by this point you should know I love this series. I like the real obstacles Leo and his friends need to get past and might even need to trust or talk to another player to get through. These kids have had to grow up much faster as they are often in different countries, and spend a lot of their time without their parents or coaches. Leo is lucky to have friends back home that are great and just a text away for him as well as his dad and Messi. This is a great series and is a fun read for everyone, old and young but especially anyone who likes soccer (football).
Review copy provided by Edelweiss
Now by this point you should know I love this series. I like the real obstacles Leo and his friends need to get past and might even need to trust or talk to another player to get through. These kids have had to grow up much faster as they are often in different countries, and spend a lot of their time without their parents or coaches. Leo is lucky to have friends back home that are great and just a text away for him as well as his dad and Messi. This is a great series and is a fun read for everyone, old and young but especially anyone who likes soccer (football).
Review copy provided by Edelweiss
January 11, 2026
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Leo is home from the UK for the summer, and spends some time at home, but is then off to Atlanta. The Cup of Champions, for players his age, is being held in the US, and since his country is hosting, the pressure is on. This doesn't mean there isn't time to hang out with friends (Samantha surprises him with Robbie being at the US Soccer National Youth Training Facility, and Tig is there as well, playing with the U23S) but it does mean he has to step up to lead a team that isn't as talented as the Knights. This isn't the last book, since Rise of the Scorpions comes out May 5, 2026.
My students absolutely ADORE this series, but since I have never seen a soccer game, they are not my personal favorite. They are starting to feel a bit formulaic. Still, I will definitely purchase this for my middle school library, and will circulate frequently. I do hope that Rise of the Scorpions is the last book, since series that go over six books don't do as well with my students, but I'd love to see Layton write some stand alone books.
Leo is home from the UK for the summer, and spends some time at home, but is then off to Atlanta. The Cup of Champions, for players his age, is being held in the US, and since his country is hosting, the pressure is on. This doesn't mean there isn't time to hang out with friends (Samantha surprises him with Robbie being at the US Soccer National Youth Training Facility, and Tig is there as well, playing with the U23S) but it does mean he has to step up to lead a team that isn't as talented as the Knights. This isn't the last book, since Rise of the Scorpions comes out May 5, 2026.
My students absolutely ADORE this series, but since I have never seen a soccer game, they are not my personal favorite. They are starting to feel a bit formulaic. Still, I will definitely purchase this for my middle school library, and will circulate frequently. I do hope that Rise of the Scorpions is the last book, since series that go over six books don't do as well with my students, but I'd love to see Layton write some stand alone books.
March 4, 2026
Well I’ll never get those 4 hours and 9 minutes of my life back, but I certainly wouldn’t want to. What a great read. We love this series and can’t recommend it enough. My daughter is a soccer player and has connected with the team and characters so much that it has truly inspired her in her own game . I have enjoyed listening and reading this series with her, we have had some white knuckle moments throughout the series. Bonus for me I’ve learned a lot about soccer. When the new book came out I was out of town and thought I’d just start it to get a feel. Well I couldn’t put it down and my daughter is gonna be so mad I read it without her. I encourage anyone interested to pick up this book and enjoy .
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Once again, I was caught up in Leo's soccer/football adventures. This time, readers get a glimpse of what it might take for a national team (even at a young age) to come together. I must admit that as an adult reader, I found that even with different challenges, I found the basic plot somewhat predictable, but I don't think that will be a problem for middle grade readers. And I confess, even as an adult, I want to read upcoming series entries. Highly recommended to all young football/soccer fans.
Review based on a DRC received through Edelweiss+.
Review based on a DRC received through Edelweiss+.
March 18, 2025
This is such a great book series for that preteen middle school age kiddo. My son loves soccer and wasn't ever a big reader. When I found this series he was hooked and it gave him the opportunity to enjoy reading! After he reads the book he always tells me I need to read it too. So I do!
The books are all great at teaching life lessons in a good clean way. There is leadership, compassion, struggles and more shown through that the kids in the book have to work through and learn and grow.
The books are all great at teaching life lessons in a good clean way. There is leadership, compassion, struggles and more shown through that the kids in the book have to work through and learn and grow.
July 22, 2025
The Academy V: Cup of Nations by T.Z. Layton is the fifth book in The Academy Series. The book follows Leo K. Doyle as he joins the United States U15 national team for the cup of Nations. Leo is already a star in the Youth Premier League, but this challenge is different because his new team does not have the same level of talent or chemistry as his club team. The team also has very little time to prepare before the tournament. The United States is hosting the tournament, which puts even more pressure on the players to perform.
The main setting of the book is around the U15 Cup of Nations and the environment surrounding the United States national team. Soccer is obviously a major part of the setting because almost every important problem connects back to the team and the torment. The plot follows Leo as he tries to help his team become successful while dealing with the pressure of representing his country. One of the biggest conflicts is that the team has poor chemistry. Leo has to learn that being one of the best players does not mean he can carry the entire team by himself. He has to become a leader and help his teammates work together.
The characters are the reason I enjoyed the book. My favorite character is Angel because he plays my position. Since I also play soccer, I found myself paying more attention to his role and now he was written. I liked reading about her because I can connect his position to the way I play. I also liked how the characters interacted with each other instead of the book only focusing on soccer games. The players have different personalities, which makes the team chemistry problem more interesting. The characters have to learn how to trust each other instead of acting like individual players.
One of my favorite scenes was the truth or dare thing in the part where they walked to the sign. I liked this far because it showed the characters outside of the actual soccer games. It gave me a better understanding of their personalities and relationships. It also showed that becoming a team is not only about practicing soccer. Players have to get comfortable around each other and build trust. This scene helped me connect to one of the biggest ideas in the book: team chemistry.
The book raises several important questions. One question is whether a team needs the most talented players to succeed. Another is what makes someone a real leader. Leo is already a great soccer player, but the book shows that leadership requires more than an individual skill. A leader has to communicate, support teammates, and help everyone work towards the same goal. I know their question is whether a group of people with different personalities can become a successful team when they do not have much time to prepare. This made the soccer competition more interesting because the main goal was not simply winning games.
T.Z. Layton´s writing style is fast-paced and easy to follow. The author focuses on soccer while still including humor, competition, and character relationships. The action keeps the story moving, especially when the team is preparing for important matches. The writing also makes the soccer parts understandable without making them overly complicated since Layton is a soccer dad, youth coach, former collegiate player, and lifelong soccer fan; his experience with the sport is reflected in the way soccer is used throughout the story.
This book changed me by making me think more about how important team chemistry is. Before reading it, I already knew that teamwork was good, but the book made me think about how much trust and communication can affect a team's performance. 18 can have talented players, but if everyone is playing for themselves, the team will have problems. In soccer especially, players have to depend on each other. A Winger needs teammates to pass to, Defenders need midfielders and forwards to help, and everyone needs to communicate. This is something I can use in my own soccer life because individual skill is important, but it is not enough by itself.
I believe this book is life changing because it shows that becoming better is not always about improving yourself individually. Sometimes you have to improve the people around you and become someone they can depend on. It is also world changing because the lesson about teamwork can apply outside of soccer. Schools, families, sports teams, and all work places all require people to cooperate. If people only focus on themselves it becomes harder for a group to accomplish something important.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy soccer, sports, competition, or stories about teamwork. I would especially recommend it to young soccer players because the problem and the story are connected to things that can actually happen on a team. Even though the book is fictional, the lessons about leadership, communication, trust, and chemistry are realistic.
overall, I would give The Academy V: Cup of Nations an 8.7 out of 10. I enjoyed the soccer, the characters, and the competition, but the biggest thing I took away from the book was that the team chemistry matters. 18 does not become successful just because it has talented players. The players have to trust each other, communicate, and work towards the same goal. That was the biggest lesson I got from this book, and it's something I can take with me beyond the story.
The main setting of the book is around the U15 Cup of Nations and the environment surrounding the United States national team. Soccer is obviously a major part of the setting because almost every important problem connects back to the team and the torment. The plot follows Leo as he tries to help his team become successful while dealing with the pressure of representing his country. One of the biggest conflicts is that the team has poor chemistry. Leo has to learn that being one of the best players does not mean he can carry the entire team by himself. He has to become a leader and help his teammates work together.
The characters are the reason I enjoyed the book. My favorite character is Angel because he plays my position. Since I also play soccer, I found myself paying more attention to his role and now he was written. I liked reading about her because I can connect his position to the way I play. I also liked how the characters interacted with each other instead of the book only focusing on soccer games. The players have different personalities, which makes the team chemistry problem more interesting. The characters have to learn how to trust each other instead of acting like individual players.
One of my favorite scenes was the truth or dare thing in the part where they walked to the sign. I liked this far because it showed the characters outside of the actual soccer games. It gave me a better understanding of their personalities and relationships. It also showed that becoming a team is not only about practicing soccer. Players have to get comfortable around each other and build trust. This scene helped me connect to one of the biggest ideas in the book: team chemistry.
The book raises several important questions. One question is whether a team needs the most talented players to succeed. Another is what makes someone a real leader. Leo is already a great soccer player, but the book shows that leadership requires more than an individual skill. A leader has to communicate, support teammates, and help everyone work towards the same goal. I know their question is whether a group of people with different personalities can become a successful team when they do not have much time to prepare. This made the soccer competition more interesting because the main goal was not simply winning games.
T.Z. Layton´s writing style is fast-paced and easy to follow. The author focuses on soccer while still including humor, competition, and character relationships. The action keeps the story moving, especially when the team is preparing for important matches. The writing also makes the soccer parts understandable without making them overly complicated since Layton is a soccer dad, youth coach, former collegiate player, and lifelong soccer fan; his experience with the sport is reflected in the way soccer is used throughout the story.
This book changed me by making me think more about how important team chemistry is. Before reading it, I already knew that teamwork was good, but the book made me think about how much trust and communication can affect a team's performance. 18 can have talented players, but if everyone is playing for themselves, the team will have problems. In soccer especially, players have to depend on each other. A Winger needs teammates to pass to, Defenders need midfielders and forwards to help, and everyone needs to communicate. This is something I can use in my own soccer life because individual skill is important, but it is not enough by itself.
I believe this book is life changing because it shows that becoming better is not always about improving yourself individually. Sometimes you have to improve the people around you and become someone they can depend on. It is also world changing because the lesson about teamwork can apply outside of soccer. Schools, families, sports teams, and all work places all require people to cooperate. If people only focus on themselves it becomes harder for a group to accomplish something important.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy soccer, sports, competition, or stories about teamwork. I would especially recommend it to young soccer players because the problem and the story are connected to things that can actually happen on a team. Even though the book is fictional, the lessons about leadership, communication, trust, and chemistry are realistic.
overall, I would give The Academy V: Cup of Nations an 8.7 out of 10. I enjoyed the soccer, the characters, and the competition, but the biggest thing I took away from the book was that the team chemistry matters. 18 does not become successful just because it has talented players. The players have to trust each other, communicate, and work towards the same goal. That was the biggest lesson I got from this book, and it's something I can take with me beyond the story.
October 5, 2025
I think this was a great book with their travels across the USA. That was cool and also the laser tag in Denver sounded really fun! Also, beach soccer and going across New York City and bubble soccer is something I have also wanted to try. Strongly recommend after you read the first 4 books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2025
The cup of nations is not a thing. I mean this is a fiction series, but I’d rather keep it in a realistic setting.
September 30, 2025
Any soccer mums that haven’t stumbled across this series, run don’t walk!! My soccer nut is nuts for these books, and I have to admit I love them too 💗💗💗 super fun to read out loud together.
March 1, 2026
Great book!I loved it.Can’t wait for the next one to come out.
March 10, 2026
Yay it was a some
August 19, 2026
My son and I love this series
September 19, 2026
This is such a fun series!! I can't wait to start the next book in the series!!!
October 3, 2026
This series is just so good! It has me begging for more!
October 21, 2026
So fun and a cast of many new characters that Leo won't see again for a bit. This made me sad too ;)
December 20, 2024
Awesome Ver cool
August 2, 2026
[Zawiera drobne spoilery]
Po raz kolejny sięgnęłam po następny tom przygód Leo i… czy jestem zawiedziona? Nie!
Po autorze z resztą nie spodziewałam się niczego innego. Dostajemy historię pełną zwrotów akcji, nowych sojuszy oraz cennych lekcji dla naszego głównego bohatera.
Leo dostaje zaproszenie na sprawdzian do drużyny, która będzie reprezentowała USA na Pucharze Narodów. Przekonujemy się, że tym razem będzie musiał stawić czoła zupełnie nowym wyzwaniom i wziąć odpowiedzialność nie tylko za siebie, ale i całą drużynę.
Rozwój Leo jest tutaj bardzo dynamiczny. Podoba mi się sposób w jaki chłopiec dojrzewa psychicznie do pewnych decyzji, które mają wpływ nie tylko na jego karierę ale i losy nowych kolegów. W pewnym sensie jest to przełom, bo jest to pierwszy raz, kiedy Leo nie musi (albo właśnie musi bardziej) nic nikomu udowadniać.
Ale czy spocznie na laurach? No i jak potoczy się walka o tytuł?
Jeżeli tak, jak ją śledzicie tę serię, sięgnijcie śmiało po kolejny tom! Na pewno się nie zawiedziecie ⚽️⚽️
February 18, 2025
Great young reader book for any child who loves soccer. Solid character development and compelling story. My kids love it.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews