Two clubs partner to create Arkansas Rising Soccer Club

LITTLE ROCK – Leaders from Arkansas United Soccer Club and Real Arkansas Soccer Club announced the formation of the “Arkansas Rising” Soccer Club.

At a news event, Curtis Bailey, President of Arkansas United and Joshua Clausen, President of Real Arkansas Soccer Club revealed the partnership of clubs and mission: “To develop top quality soccer players, but more importantly, strong, confident young people that desire to pursue excellence.”

Both clubs will maintain their respective recreational programs, but will partner for a single competitive club, working together to maximize resources, coaching staffs and combined facilities with the goal of being the premier competitive soccer club in the region.

“The Clubs partnering are proud, long-standing organizations within their communities. We believe the name ‘Arkansas Rising’ encompasses everything that we, as a select club, are trying to achieve,” said Brittany Axford, Rising Technical Director.

“We are stronger together, said Alex Burgess, Rising Girls Director of Coaching. This partnership creates an environment that enables the very best of all our athletes. Arkansas Rising will constantly strive to increase the level of competition in the state of Arkansas and beyond.”

The combined organizations will comprise 750+ competitive athletes aged 10-19 and is expected to field more than 40 teams in the Fall 2020 season. In the last 4 years, more than 70 alumni of the programs have gone or are going on to play in college, including multiple Division I bids.

The Club will be led by the following experienced and credentialed professionals:

● Brittany Axford, Technical Director, USSF A Licensed Coach
● David Garcia-Hevia, Boys’ Director of Coaching, USSF B License Coach
● Alex Burgess, Girls’ Director of Coaching, USSF C License Coach

Arkansas Rising currently represents athletes from throughout Arkansas, including: Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Maumelle, Greenbrier, Vilonia, Morristown, Heber Springs, Searcy, Cabot, Jacksonville, Benton, Bryant, Hot Springs, Sheridan, White Hall, Monticello, El Dorado, Paragould, Russellville, Mountain Home, and Jonesboro.