In the heart of Cavite, where narrow streets echo with laughter, traffic horns, and the thud of a worn-out football, a quiet revolution is taking place. It doesn’t begin with money, fame, or fancy academies.
It begins with one man’s belief — that the beautiful game can save lives.
That man is Mike Clemente, founder of TSL United Football Club, one of the most inspiring local football clubs in the Philippines.
To most, TSL is just a small grassroots Philippine football club. But to the kids who wear its crest, it’s everything — a home, a family, and a second chance at life.
A Dream Born from the Streets
When Mike founded TSL United FC/Academy in 2023, his mission wasn’t just to build champions — it was to build character.
He saw too many young talents losing their way, not because they lacked skill, but because they lacked opportunity. Poverty and poor role models often pull kids off the pitch and into darker corners of life.
So, Mike created TSL United as a bridge — between the streets and the turf, between survival and purpose.
“Football can teach discipline, teamwork, and hope,” Mike says. “Sometimes, that’s all a kid needs to change his story.”
The Name That Carried a Legacy
Before TSL United, there was Bakunawa FC, a well-loved Cavite academy that gave countless kids their first real football experience.
When Bakunawa closed its doors, its players were left without a home — until they turned to the man they trusted most.
“Coach Mike, please start a new club,” they pleaded. “Let’s continue.”
They even suggested naming it after his small business — TSL Printing Solutions.
Mike smiled and said yes.
And just like that, TSL United Football Club was born — built not on profit, but on puso (heart). A name that once stood for a printing shop now prints dreams onto jerseys and young souls alike.
Built on Faith, Fueled by Sacrifice
Running a grassroots football club in the Philippines isn’t glamorous. There are no big sponsors, no training grounds, no comfortable budgets.
Most of Mike’s players are scholars, and the club runs entirely on faith — and his own pocket.
“We’re still struggling,” Mike admits. “But I can’t stop. These kids depend on this.”
To keep the dream alive, Mike organizes open plays and local tournaments to fund training sessions. Every peso spent is a prayer answered, every late-night practice a promise fulfilled.
He makes sure his players train on turf, not cement, so they’re ready for bigger stages when scouts come calling. Because for Mike, exposure equals opportunity — and opportunity can change a life.
Forged by Experience, Guided by Purpose
TSL United trains every Thursday night, from 8–10 PM, at McKinley, Taguig. For many kids, it’s the highlight of their week — two hours of passion, focus, and fun.
Under Head Coach Ram Tarin, a PFF B-Licensed coach, the sessions are structured, intense, and full of life lessons. The club also runs specialized programs in Girls’ Football, Goalkeeping, and Futsal, keeping the doors open for every aspiring player.
Mike’s coaching philosophy is simple:
“Experience is the best teacher. Go play, win or lose — and let football shape you.”
Against All Odds: The Ang Liga Story
One of TSL’s most memorable moments came in Ang Liga, one of the top tournaments for local football clubs in the Philippines.
TSL faced Tuloy FC, a powerhouse team filled with national players. On paper, it wasn’t even a contest. But what TSL lacked in resources, they made up for in heart.
“They trained day and night,” Mike recalls. “When match day came, they fought with everything they had. We lost, but their puso never gave up.”
That match became a defining chapter — a symbol of resilience and unity that shaped TSL’s identity.
Changing Lives, One Goal at a Time
The true victories of TSL United aren’t in trophies, but in the lives they’ve changed.
Through football, many of Mike’s scholars have earned academic scholarships from San Beda, PCU, UMAK, Ateneo, PWU, and other top universities. Football became their passport to education — their ticket to a better life.
Each story proves one thing: when you invest in passion, you invest in people.
Even without large sponsors, Mike and his coaches have built something more valuable — a community of hope that uplifts everyone it touches.
Fun, Family, and Football
Inside TSL United, every session is filled with laughter, discipline, and teamwork. Players push each other hard, but off the pitch, they share stories, food, and friendship.
It’s not just a team — it’s a family.
Their rallying cry, “Vamos TSL!”, echoes far beyond the field. It’s not just a motto. It’s a movement — a reminder that no matter how tough life gets, they’ll keep moving forward, together.
The Vision Ahead
Mike dreams of expanding TSL United into a full-fledged football academy — one of the most inspiring local football clubs in the Philippines — complete with better facilities and full-week training schedules.
His vision is simple yet powerful:
“That every Filipino kid, regardless of background, can chase a football dream without limits.”
He hopes more local government units (LGUs), schools, and sponsors will see the value of football as a tool for education and community building.
A Message to Every Dreamer
“Fight for your dreams. Even when life is hard, don’t lose focus. Train harder. Play better. And always, always pray.”
Faith, for him, is the backbone of every comeback story.
More Than a Club — A Movement
TSL United proves that to create change, you don’t need millions — just one person with heart and a team of kids brave enough to believe.
From the streets of Cavite to the turf of Taguig, this Philippine football club is showing the nation what true passion looks like.
Football, for them, isn’t just a sport — it’s a lifeline, a classroom, and a calling.
And as their chant rings once more under the floodlights —
“VAMOS TSL!” —
you can’t help but believe that maybe, just maybe, this small club from Cavite is helping shape the future of Philippine football.
OneFutbol Salutes TSL United Football Club
Grassroots football is alive — not in stadiums, but in hearts.
TSL United Football Club embodies everything that makes the sport beautiful: passion, perseverance, and purpose.
OneFutbol calls on fans, parents, schools, and sponsors to rally behind their mission.
Support their training programs. Share their story. Partner with them to open more doors for young players.
Because when we stand behind local football clubs in the Philippines like TSL United,
we don’t just build better footballers — we build better Filipinos.
Vamos TSL! Vamos Pilipinas!
Facebook Page: TSL United Football Club
📞 Contact Person : Mike Clemente on FB – 09175511590 Viber
