US Club Soccer unveils 1st-ever class of Players First-licensed clubs
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Via US Club Soccer) – The first-ever group of US Club Soccer Players First-licensed clubs features 46 clubs from 19 states around the country.
These clubs have met the Players First standards of offering comprehensive Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Parent Engagement & Education and Player Health & Safety:
- Arizona Arsenal SC (Gilbert, Ariz.)
- Arkansas United (Little Rock, Ark.)
- Ballistic United SC (Pleasanton, Calif.)
- Barça Academy Charlotte (Charlotte, N.C.)
- BEST FC (Westborough, Mass.)
- Birmingham United Soccer Association (Birmingham, Ala.)
- Blaine SC (Blaine, Minn.)
- CAPS FC (Cleveland, Ohio)
- Challenge SC (Houston, Texas)
- Classics Elite (San Antonio, Texas)
- Crossfire Premier Redmond (Redmond, Wash.)
- East Meadow SC (East Meadow, N.Y.)
- FC Alliance (Knoxville, Tenn.)
- FC Stars (Lancaster, Mass.)
- FC Wisconsin Girls (Milwaukee, Wis.)
- Florida Kraze Krush (Oviedio, Fla.)
- Houston Dynamo/Dash Youth (The Woodlands, Texas)
- ISC Gunners FC (Issaquah, Wash.)
- Lake Norman SC (Mooresville, N.C.)
- Liverpool FCIA TX (Dallas, Texas)
- Lonestar SC (Austin, Texas)
- Manhattan SC (New York, N.Y.)
- Marin FC (Greenbrae, Calif.)
- Match Fit Academy (Brick, N.J.)
- Mustang SC (Danville, Calif.)
- North Carolina FC Youth (Raleigh, N.C.)
- Ohio Elite Soccer Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio)
- Ohio Premier (Dublin, Ohio)
- Placer United SC (Rocklin, Calif.)
- Prince William Soccer (Woodbridge, Va.)
- Sacramento United SC (Sacramento, Calif.)
- San Antonio City SC (San Antonio, Texas)
- San Francisco Elite Academy (San Francisco, Calif.)
- San Juan SC (Rancho Cordova, Calif.)
- Sockers FC (Palatine, Ill.)
- Southern Soccer Academy (Marietta, Ga.)
- Space Coast United (Melbourne, Fla.)
- STA (Randolph, N.J.)
- Sting SC (Dallas, Texas)
- SUSA (Suffolk County, N.Y.)
- TSC Hurricane (Tulsa, Okla.)
- United Futbol Academy (Cummings, Ga.)
- Villarreal Virginia Academy/Annandale (Fairfax, Va.)
- Virginia Soccer Association (Haymarket, Va.)
- West Florida Flames (Brandon, Fla.)
- Western NY Flash (Buffalo, N.Y.)
“We believe this to be the most rigorous and comprehensive attempt in U.S. Soccer history to identify those clubs that have demonstrated a commitment to creating the kind of infrastructure and culture necessary to provide the best overall environment for players,” said US Club Soccer CEO Kevin Payne.
In addition to this nationally recognized stamp of approval, these clubs also receive increased exposure through US Club Soccer’s best-in-class search engine optimization, more access and special benefits from Players First partners and resources, features on US Club Soccer digital and social channels, customizable content and more. They’ll also be invited to a Players First symposium in 2019.
These 46 clubs enjoy Players First licensing status until Dec. 31, 2020, at which time there will be a renewal opportunity.
The application includes seven sections, in which clubs must demonstrate their commitment to the Players First pillars:
- Club and Applicant Information
- Club Leadership Expertise and Development
- Staff Education and Development
- Player Health and Safety
- Training and Competition Structure
- Staffing Structure
- Parent Education and Engagement
