Youth soccer clubs play a big role in the development and growth of young athletes, encouraging their passion for the beautiful game while honing their skills and providing opportunities for competitive play.
Iowa, located in the heartland of the United States, boasts a thriving soccer scene with several exceptional clubs.
These clubs, with their unwavering dedication to player development, top-notch coaching staff, and passion for the game, have earned their rightful place among the state’s soccer elite.
Whether you’re a parent searching for the perfect club for your young prodigy or a soccer player eager to know more about Iowa’s soccer culture, keep reading as I will be listing youth soccer clubs that are shaping the future of the game in Hawkeye State.
Sporting Iowa
Age Range: U5-19
Location: 4685 Merle Hay Rd., Suite 202 Des Moines, IA 50322
Sporting Iowa is a highly regarded youth soccer club in Iowa. They provide excellent training programs for players of all ages and skill levels.
The club focuses on three core values: Trust, Family, and Integrity.
Trust is an important value at Sporting Iowa. They emphasize the importance of serving others and building trust within the team. Players are encouraged to rely on each other and work together towards a common goal.
Family is another key value at Sporting Iowa.
The youth soccer club creates a supportive and inclusive environment where players feel like they are part of a family.
They provide a strong support system for each player, fostering a sense of belonging and unity.
Integrity is highly valued at Sporting Iowa. The club emphasizes the importance of striving for excellence and conducting oneself with honesty and fairness.
They instill a strong work ethic and moral values in their players.
Sporting Iowa takes pride in its player development philosophy. They focus on developing players’ technical skills, tactical understanding, and character.
The club has experienced coaches and state-of-the-art facilities to ensure that players receive top-notch training and have ample opportunities for growth and advancement.
Iowa Soccer Club
Age Range: U6-19
Location: 2325 James Street, #8 Coralville, IA 52241, United States
Over the past 12 years, the Iowa Soccer Club (ISC) has been providing training programs for the youth of Iowa City.
The club offers both recreational and competitive levels of play to cater to different interests and skill levels.
ISC offers two options for recreational programs: ISC Academy and Lightning Academy.
ISC Academy is designed for players aged U6 to U8 and serves as an introductory program.
Lightning Academy, on the other hand, is suitable for U9 to U14 players and serves as an intermediate program. Both programs focus solely on training and do not involve competitive matches.
They are structured to run for 10 weeks in the fall and spring seasons, and 16 weeks during the winter season.
ISC coaches are committed to coaching and mentoring all players, regardless of their perceived potential.
They treat every player with equal attention and care, never giving less focus to a young athlete just because they may appear to have less potential compared to their peers.
ISC takes a long-term approach to player development, prioritizing the cultivation of competent and skillful players who can excel in multiple positions on the field.
The club’s emphasis on long-term team and player development means that the improvement of all players is a top priority, not just those who may be more advanced.
ISC believes in taking the necessary time and effort to develop players without resorting to shortcuts. By maintaining this approach, ISC aims to create a strong foundation for the growth and success of its players in the long run.
Johnston Urbandale Soccer Club
Age Range: U4-18
Location: 4685 Merle Hay Rd Suite 202, Des Moines, IA 50322, United States
Johnston Urbandale Soccer Club, Inc. (JUSC) is a non-profit organization that has been providing youth soccer programs to Johnston, Urbandale, and surrounding communities in Iowa since 1975.
JUSC is affiliated with US Club Soccer and is a member of the Sporting Club Network.
This youth soccer club offers different kinds of programs that are focused on fun and long-term player development, catering to age groups from U4 -18.
JUSC originally started as two separate clubs: the Johnston Soccer Club and Urbandale Soccer Club. In 2007, they formed a partnership known as the Johnston Urbandale Soccer Club to deliver select programs.
The programs offered by JUSC include:
- Discovery Soccer (U4 – U8
- Recreational Soccer (U9 – U19)
- JUSC Academy (U9 – U10)
- Select Soccer Program (U11 – U19)
West Des Moines Soccer Club
Age Range: U4-19
Location; West Des Moines, IA 50265, United States
The West Des Moines Soccer Club is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the community since 1986.
The youth soccer club provides a comprehensive player pathway for individuals aged 3 to 19, regardless of their ability level.
They operate out of two impressive soccer facilities in West Des Moines and take pride in serving their players, families, and communities.
The youth soccer club is renowned for its dedication to nurturing a love for soccer in young players, placing major emphasis on character development and sportsmanship.
Their programs are designed to accommodate players of all ages and skill levels, with a primary focus on skill acquisition, teamwork, and fostering a competitive spirit.
The club has experienced coaches who are committed to guiding and supporting their players.
Also, the club benefits from a strong and supportive community, creating an optimal environment for young athletes to excel and grow.
Cedar Valley Soccer Club
Age Range: U5-19
Location: 303 Jefferson St, Waterloo, IA 50701, United States
Cedar Valley Soccer Club (CVSC) has been serving the Cedar Valley area since 1992, providing soccer programs for youths in both recreational and competitive settings.
The recreational program offered by CVSC focuses on cultivating a love for the sport among children.
It is open to students in first through 8th grade.
Instead of assigning players to teams based on their abilities, the club randomly distributes them and places them on teams within their respective home communities.
The teams are coached by volunteer parents, and each season includes participation in six games.
Also, at the end of each year, there is a local Cedar Valley Cup tournament for the participants to enjoy.
CVSC values various aspects of youth development, including coaching development, parent engagement, community building, and the establishment of lifelong relationships.
They prioritize integrity, promoting a sense of honesty and fair play within the club.
They embrace diversity, recognizing and appreciating the unique backgrounds and experiences of their participants.
Northwest Soccer Club
Age Range: U5-16
Location: 4111 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311, United States
Northwest Soccer Club, located in the Des Moines area, is a non-profit organization established in 1976.
It operates with an all-volunteer staff and is dedicated to offering high-quality recreational and competitive soccer programs for young players.
The club provides training programs in three levels of play:
Level 3: This is the recreational program, focusing on foundational individual development while prioritizing fun and teamwork.
Level 2: The step-up program is designed for players who aspire to enter the competitive level. It provides extra training and challenges to help players progress in their soccer journey.
Level 1: This is the most competitive level, where teams compete against the best in central Iowa. It is for players who are considered the best of the best.
Northwest Soccer Club’s primary goal is to offer a quality recreational soccer experience for youth in the Des Moines area, with a strong emphasis on individual player development.
They believe that engaging in physical activity and pursuing excellence in soccer contributes to the personal growth and self-confidence of children, benefiting them throughout their lives.
The club is committed to dedicating its time and resources to various aspects of playing soccer, including technical skills, tactical understanding, physical conditioning, and psychological well-being.
Altoona Soccer Club (ASC)
Age Range: U6-19
Location: 7796 NE 38th Ave, Altoona, IA 50009, United States
Altoona Soccer Club (ASC) and Global Premier Soccer Iowa provide children, regardless of their experience level, with the opportunity to learn, play, and enjoy soccer.
The club offers different kinds of programs designed to cater to different age groups and skill levels. Their main focus is to instill a love for the game and provide pathways for all players to develop, train, and compete.
The club accommodates players from ages 4 and 5 to high school-aged players.
They welcome both dedicated players seeking to improve their skills for higher-level play and those who simply enjoy playing soccer.
Regardless of age or skill level, ASC and GPS prioritize creating an enjoyable and competitive environment that fosters the growth of soccer in Iowa.
ASC is affiliated with the Iowa Soccer League (ISL), specifically the Level 3 Central League.
Recreational teams do not require tryouts and are formed randomly, without consideration of individual talent. All teams are coached by volunteers and practice twice a week, with games taking place on weekends.
GPS Iowa represents the competitive select side of the club and participates in various divisions within the Iowa Soccer League, including Academy, Premier, and Level 1.
Academy teams do not hold tryouts, while select teams from 11U to 19U go through a tryout process. Select teams have the opportunity to train three nights a week under the guidance of professional, licensed coaches.
Final Whistle: Best Youth Soccer Club In Iowa
Finding the best youth soccer club is a crucial decision that can greatly impact a young player’s development and love for the game.
Knowing the best is a subjective matter, as it depends on various factors such as your child(ren) choice, distance, coaching philosophy, player development programs, and success.
Just choose the best.