In Ohio, soccer stands as the dominant force, and the state proudly hosts a collection of the best youth soccer clubs that can compete with any in the country.
Within these clubs, young players not only learn the complexities of the game but also get ample opportunities to improve their skills and face strong opponents from the region.
It is a fertile environment where promising talents can grow and realize their full potential.
These clubs serve as nurturing grounds, encouraging a deep passion for the beautiful and empowering young players to develop both individually and as part of a team.
With Ohio’s strong soccer heritage and the presence of these youth clubs, the state becomes a breeding ground for future stars, where aspirations are ignited, and achievements are made.
The Best Youth Soccer Clubs Is Ohio
Columbus Crew SC Academy
Age Range: 8 -15 + years
Location: 4822 Hendron Rd, Groveport, OH 43125, United States
The Columbus Crew SC Academy aims to develop young soccer players with strong character and a connection to the Columbus Crew MLS team.
Led by Academy Director Kelvin Jones and overseen by Crew President and General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko, the academy offers top-level coaching and facilities to help players reach their potential.
The academy’s vision is to create a consistent pathway for young players to advance to the professional level, while also improving the overall level of soccer and coaching in Ohio and the region.
The academy’s methodology and style of play are built around specific principles that are integrated from the First Team through the Academy.
The academy’s culture is focused on the long-term holistic development of each individual player.
The staff works to instill characteristics such as passion, accountability, a growth mindset, work ethic, and team mentality in each player.
By using soccer as a teacher, the academy aims to maximize each person’s potential and create a pathway for success in all facets of life.
Integration with the First Team is critical to creating consistent culture, training methodology, and style of play.
The academy offers consistent training opportunities, friendly matches, and staff integration to help participants feel closer to the First Team.
The academy also provides individual learning objective plans to each player, tailored to their age, skill level, role, and position.
Through this process, the academy aims to have five meetings with each player per year, with parents included in three, to ensure clarity on how each player can improve their strengths and opportunities for growth.
Lightning Soccer Club
Age Range: 7-14 years
Location: 4935 Sharonwood Ave NW Canton, OH 44718, United States
The Lightning Soccer Club is committed to providing the young soccer community with a model of high-quality youth development through soccer.
The academy strives for outstanding achievements in soccer by pushing young athletes, regardless of their prior experience, to achieve their utmost potential in the sport while fostering their personal development.
Based in Canton, the Club focuses on moving soccer players from recreational to competitive levels.
They do so by:
Conducting a youth soccer program for 4-8-year-olds who have an interest in the sport.
The six-week-long classes are enriched with activities suitable for their age and attention span.
The young learners are trained by certified coaches who help them set specific goals in accordance with their ability levels.
The club has an academy that trains 7-14-year-olds in foot skills and other technical aspects of soccer.
Learning occurs in a fun and structured environment and is conducted by licensed coaches, learners also undergo conditioning and small-sided scrimmages.
The Club also offers Summer Training camps to improve skills and allow participants more time to touch the ball.
Campers who complete at least one training session don’t have to schedule tryouts during the competitive season.
Ohio Elite Soccer Academy
Age Range: 6 – 19 years
Location: 5226 Rialto Rd, West Chester Township, OH 45069, United States
The Ohio Elite Soccer Academy is a non-profit organization that offers elite-level soccer training, top-of-the-line facilities, and a competitive environment for players.
The youth soccer club provides the best and most experienced coaching in Region II, with a professional coaching staff who have extensive playing and coaching backgrounds.
Each team is assigned a professional coach to conduct training sessions and oversee game/player management.
The coaching staff has developed a curriculum and developmental process that focuses on the development of individual players at younger ages leading to team tactical knowledge at older age groups.
The Academy offers teams in U9-U18 age groups for both boys and girls.
It also offers a U8 program for boys and girls that is structured as a non-competitive, fun, and learning environment.
This program focuses on developing a love of the game and individual skills.
The club aims to participate in the highest-level leagues, competitions, and tournaments available in the Cincinnati area.
It aims to achieve success at the state, regional, and national levels.
The academy teams participate in age-appropriate tournaments, and U15-U18 teams have the opportunity to attend tournaments that provide the highest level of competition and exposure to college coaches.
Warrior Soccer Club
Age Range: Junior warriors (4 -8 years) Select soccer (9 – 19 years)
Location: 4110 Fishburg Rd Dayton, OH 45424, United States
Since its establishment in 1982, the academy has been at the forefront of promoting excellence within the soccer community of Dayton.
The primary mission of the academy is to ensure the comprehensive development of its players.
This goes beyond focusing solely on the technical and tactical aspects of soccer, as the youth soccer club adheres to the guidelines and recommendations set forth by renowned organizations such as US Youth Soccer, United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA), and the Olympic Development Program (ODP).
At the Warrior Soccer Club, they take pride in offering the Junior Warriors/academy program, carefully crafted for children aged 4 to 8.
This specialized initiative serves as a perfect introduction to the sport, providing participants with 1 to 2 training sessions per week.
These sessions serve as the bedrock for their soccer journey, instilling the fundamental skills necessary for their technical growth and overall development.
In order to become a part of the Academy Select Soccer program, aspiring players undergo a thorough try-out process.
Upon selection, they are assigned to either the fall or spring season teams.
These teams receive training from highly skilled and licensed coaches.
And, they actively participate in weekend tournaments and compete in a total of eight games throughout each season.
Fairfield Optimist Soccer Club
Age Range: Competitive program (U8 – U18) Academy (5-8 years)
Location: 18334, 194 Joe Nuxhall Way, Fairfield, OH 45014, United States
The Fairfield Optimist Soccer Club (FOSC) is a non-profit organization that focuses on competitive soccer for youth players.
Since 1978, FOSC has aimed to provide positive experiences and growth opportunities for its players. It takes pride in developing skilled players and instilling values that promote success both on and off the field.
The youth soccer club values the relationships between players, trainers, teammates, families, and the community. The club creates a positive environment for youth soccer players, supported by staff and families.
The club’s youth staff, who are experienced and knowledgeable, lead an academy for 5-8-year-old players.
They teach the fundamental aspects of the sport and provide opportunities for players to use the skills they learn in fun, competitive games against each other and other clubs.
For players aged U8-U18, the club offers a competitive team training program that involves training twice a week during the spring and fall seasons and once a week during the winter season.
Classes are conducted outdoors in spring and fall, while winter classes take place indoors.
FOSC aspires to be an excellent athletic organization by providing quality competitive opportunities for all players regardless of age or ability.
The club is committed to being a leader in player and staff development while providing a family-oriented atmosphere and partnering with the community.
Ohio Premier Soccer Club
Age Range: 4 -23 years
Location: 560 Metro PI S, Dublin, OH 43017, United States
This youth soccer club is ideal for kids and parents who have a good understanding of soccer and are ready to take part in a more competitive environment.
The academy program focuses on skills development and places emphasis on individual growth.
The program includes complete fall, spring, and winter seasons, where teams train 2-3 times per week and participate in local league games, one local tournament, and one in-state tournament.
The club is dedicated to taking your child’s training and development to new heights, ensuring they reach their full potential and remain fully engaged in the sport.
The academy understands that every child is an individual with unique needs.
That’s why they have developed a specialized Player Development Pathway.
This pathway is designed to cater to their age, skills, and abilities, providing them with the appropriate program that supports their mental and physical growth, ensuring they stay committed to the game.
Player Development Pathway:
OP Juniors (4-7 years): This concentrates on building the fundamental skills of soccer and promoting good sportsmanship among young children.
OP Youth Academy (6-10 years): Designed to cater to individual development, this program combines a fun and structured approach with skill-based activities.
OP Youth Teams (10-14 years): Selected through tryouts, these teams receive advanced training in soccer skills and tactics.
OP Girls Pre-ECNL (10-12 years): This program is designed to prepare girls’ teams for the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) and associated competitions.
Four Counties United
F.C United, also known as Four Counties United, is an all-girls team that was established in the Spring of 2014 by merging several independent teams.
The club’s aim is to provide young girls with exceptional opportunities and support for their overall growth and development.
The club meticulously cherry-picks promising young girls hailing from the Northern counties of the Dayton region and forms competitive teams based on their age and skill levels.
These teams undergo comprehensive training and actively participate in high-level competitions to improve their skills.
The training regimen includes teaching the basics of soccer while emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
The coaching staff is dedicated to assisting the teams in developing not only soccer skills but also crucial life skills such as social interaction, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
The club takes pride in its all-volunteer coaching staff who teach the European style of soccer.
Final Whistle – Youth Soccer Club For Kids
When it comes to soccer, the goal is simple: make it a thrilling and enjoyable experience for kids to develop their passion.
If you’re in search of a youth soccer club in Ohio, don’t settle for anything less.
This article is here to give you a good head start on your quest