Soccer
Soccer or commonly known as "football" is the most popular sport
in the world. The sport dates back to ancient China, Japan, Egypt, Greece,
and Rome.
The Chinese are credited with the earliest form of soccer or "football",
meaning "kicking the ball with feet". Some think the game was
part of a physical eduation program to train soldiers. Today, it is "kicking
the ball with feet and head"! It is a great sport for boys and girls
to develop endurance, athletic skills, and team play. Soccer can be a
year round sport with outdoor and indoor soccer available. Indoor soccer
is a faster paced game with fewer players and shorter time on the field.
According to the Soccer Industry Council of America, soccer is the number
one youth participation sport in the United States. There are over 3.6
million boys and girls under age 19 who are registered to play in organized
games. Recreational soccer is offered through many youth organizations
such as YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, National Youth Sports, and through
local City programs. Soccer leagues and clubs provide a variety of options
such as recreational, developmental, and competitive programs .Larger
clubs, such as Sereno Soccer Club, rated
# 3 by Soccer American Magazine, and Arcadia United Soccer Club ASUSC,
have all age groups, while other clubs may only have a few. Ages can range
from 3 1/2 through 18 years old. The competitive clubs offer the best
training for boys and girls who want to become their best. Professional
trainers, coaches, and special clinics help students learn and develop
their skills and team plays.
For highly talented and motivated students, AYSA (Arizona Youth Soccer
Association) has an Olympic Development
Program. The program identifies the most advanced youth for national
team competition. Many of our countries top coaches are involved with
the program. It provides exposure to the leading college coaches across
the US. It is sponsored by the US Soccer Association. If your youngster
wishes to follow this path, then look at clubs that are active in this
program.
Recreational Soccer.
AYSO American Youth Soccer Organization
YMCA
Boys & Girls Club
National Youth Sports
City Youth Sports Programs
League & Club Soccer
League and Club Soccer (Recreational, developmental & competitive)
The main league soccer organization in Arizona is AYSA - Arizona Youth Soccer Association. It organizes and sanctions tournaments and governs the leagues and clubs. For a full listing of clubs and leagues including Pinal county visit their website. Other leagues organize and sanction their own tournaments as well. Most clubs listed in league and club soccer belong to both AYSA and VYSL.
AYSA
2424 W. Missouri, Ste 2
Phoenix, AZ 85015
(602) 433-9201
Fax: (602) 433-9221
Soccer Leagues & Clubs
Tryouts for soccer teams usually begin in May and go through August. There are numerous summer skills clinics throughout the valley for youngsters to improve their skills and game. Check out the club or league nearest you for special clinics. Most registrations are completed by the end of August. Recreational teams usually play in the fall, whereas competitive teams can play 2 seasons lasting until April.
VYSL Valley Youth Soccer League
1815 W. Missouri Ste # 109
Phoenix, AZ 85015
(602) 242-3188
PVSL Palm Valley Soccer League
The Palm Valley Soccer League (PVSL) has 7 clubs in the south west part of the valley including Goodyear, Avondale, Peoria, and Buckeye. The league offers both recreational and compeitive soccer.
Soccer Clubs
| Club | Area | Contact |
| Peoria, Buckeye, Goodyear | (623) 329-0544 David Cameron | |
| Avondale Soccer Club |
Avondale | (623) 204-7235 Ryan Cameron |
| Palm Valley Soccer
Club |
Goodyear | (623) 556-9088 Rick Timmons |
| Buckeye Soccer Club |
Buckeye | (623) 556-9088 Rick Timmons |
| Dysart Futbol Club |
Buckeye | (623) 204-7280 Chris Scotti |
| Estrella Futbol Club |
Goodyear | (623) 204-7235 Ryan Cameron |
| Peoria Futbol Club |
Peoria | (623) 204-7285 Ryan Lockhart |
More Soccer Clubs
| Club | Area | Contact |
Arizona Futbol Club (Competitive) |
Tempe | (480) 330 9259 Joe Butler |
| Arizona Sunbird Scocer
club (Competitive) |
Tempe | (602) 502-3165 Greg Johnson |
| Ahwatukee Foothills Soccer Club
(Recreational & Competitive) |
Ahwatukee | (480) 759-8742 Jeff Orne |
| Arcadia ( Recreational and Competitive) |
Scottsdale | (602) 241-6771 info@asusc.com |
| CCV Stars Soccer Club (Christian
based recreational program) |
NW Phoenix | (623) 376-2444 |
| Chelsea Soccer
club (Competitive) |
Phoenix | (602) 997-8044 Shawn Barrier |
| Classic Soccer Club | SW Mesa | (480) 897-2427 (480) 897-9347 |
| CISCO Soccer Club | W. Valley Phoenix | (602) 271-6500 |
| Club Arizona Boca Juniors Soccer Club | Tempe, Chandler, Ahwatukee | (602) 689-2225 |
| Desert Foothills Athletic Club (Recreational, Developmental, & Competitive) | Cave Creek | (480) 488-8485 |
| Fountain Hills Soccer Club | Fountain Hills | (602) 625-5410 |
| Juventus | N. Scottsdale | (480) 577-3323 |
| Gilbert Soccer Club | Gilbert | (602) 741-9681 Bob Lawrence |
| Madison Futbol Club (Competitive) | Phoenix | (602) 264 0668 (623) 930-1589 Marcos Gil |
| Mesa Soccer Club (Developmental & Competitive) | Mesa | (480) 858-5890 |
| McDowell Mountain Soccer Club
(Recreational & Competitive) |
N. Scottsdale | (480) 443-4964 mmrsoccerclub@aol.com |
| Scottsdale Soccer Club
(Competitive Girls) |
(602) 548-8140 | |
| SC Del Sol (Developmental &
Competitive) |
Phoenix & Scottsdale | (602) 867-2302 |
| Santos Futebol
Clube (Competitive) |
Phoenix |
(602) 863-0420 |
| South Bank Soccer Club (Competitive) |
Tempe | (623) 907-8925 Pete Partida (602) 228-7874 Mike Long |
| San Tan Soccer Club (Recreational
& Competitive) |
Chandler | (480) 988-3448 |
| Sereno Soccer Club (Recreational
& Competitive) |
N. Phoenix/Scottsdale | (602) 996-5754 |
| Tempe Soccer Club (Developmental
& Competitive) |
Tempe | (480) 966-4053 |
| Tempe Soccer Club (Developmental) | Tempe | (480) 999-9999 |
| West Valley United Soccer Club (Recreational & Competitive) | Glendale | (623) 561-2787 |
| Arizona Soccer Club (Recreational and Competitive U04-U14 Fall, Winter, & Spring) |
Queen Creek & Gilbert | 480 332-4718 Jason Sandri, Director |
Recreational Soccer
AYSO American Youth Soccer Organization
AYSO is a nationwide non-profit soccer organization that provides a fun family atmosphere for the sport. It is a great place to introduce a child to the sport without undue stress of competition. No child will feel left out or feel that he or she is not good enough to play. Every child plays at least 1/2 of every game. The 5 elements of the program are:
- Everyone Plays - all players must play at least 1/2 of each game
- Balanced teams - new teams are formed each year and are evenly matched as possible
- Open registration for all children ages 4 1/2 to 19 years old
- Positive Coaching - encouragement versus criticism
- Good Sportsmanship with mutual respect
Local Regions
| Region |
Area | Contact |
| Region 72 |
Phoenix, Maryvale, Glendale | Katrina Coronado |
| Region 225 | Buckeye, Goodyear, Avondale | Don Radford |
| Region 310 |
Glendale, New River, Peoria, NW Phoenix | Michael Cavallucci (623) 412-9500 |
| Region 502 (Dobson Area Soccer League) | Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Dobson | Stanley Miller (480) 814-8019 |
| Region 688 | Apache Junction, Gilbert, Gold Canyon, Highley, Mesa, Queen Creek | Andrew Clarke (480) 830-9312 |
| Region 1046 |
Chandler, Phoenix, Tempe, Ahwatukee | Paul Scowen (480) 391-6555 |
| Region 1079 (Red Mountain Soccer) | NE Mesa, Red Mountain | Keri Hopkins (480) 985-7783 |
YMCA
Most YMCA's offer soccer as a fall sport. Some restrict the program to elementary kids in pre-K through 6th grade. Registration is usually in August and the season runs from September through November. Please call the YMCA nearest you to confirm age of participants and dates for registration. Some Y's offer a spring and summer program and have it available to youngsters through high school.
Boys & Girls Clubs
The Boys & Girls Clubs in the valley offer soccer usually during the fall. Each club is different and may or may not offer soccer at the same time as other clubs. Please contact the club or clubs nearest you to find out about schedules and fees.
National Youth Sports
National Youth Sports is a non-profit youth sports organization serving the Southern United States. It provides co-educational youth soccer for a low cost fee with no fundraising commitment by parents and participants. The organization focuses on family values, sportsmanship, teamwork and basic fundamentals. It serves youth ages ages 3 to 12 years old. A child may play up one year in age division (except 3 year olds), but cannot play below age group. Typically, soccer is offered in fall, spring, and summer. Fall registration begins mid July through mid September and the season begins mid October through mid December.
Registration can be done online or mailed to:
| NYS N. Phoenix 5255 W. Phelps Rd Ste 2 Glendale, AZ 85306 (602) 843-0791 |
NYS SE Valley 511 W. Guadalupe, Ste 15 Gilbert, AZ 85233 (480) 539-8989 |
City Youth Sports Programs
Please check out your city's recreational and sports programs for youth. Not all cities offer soccer.