When our family moved twice in three years, one of the biggest sources of stress was finding a new soccer club for our kids. Whether you are new to the Kansas City area or just starting out your family’s soccer adventure, you will find a myriad of information to sift through and many factors to consider. This article is meant to help you with your decision to make sure you find the club best suited for your child and includes a detailed listing of local soccer clubs at the end. (1)
Finding the Right Club
The most basic factors you should consider when searching for a soccer club are driving distance to practice fields and game locations (with four kids, that one is huge for us!), cost, and the level of play offered. If you are new to soccer, the simplest step may be signing up where everyone else is going, so that your kids are among friends and you have carpooling opportunities. Other factors to consider are the size of the club, does it offer any camps, goalie training, or other skills academies to supplement team practices, are those free or fee-based, are the games small-sided or on larger fields, and is indoor soccer played during the winter.
If your child is just starting out, most likely he will play on a recreational (rec) team, meaning he will be assigned to a team in his age group (most clubs organize teams by schools but will try to honor specific coach requests), coached by a parent volunteer. Most rec leagues start with Kindergarten (K) or 1st Grade (U7) but some clubs offer PreK programs starting as early as age two. In addition to the traditional clubs, many Park & Rec programs offer recreational soccer leagues as well. As your child grows older and becomes a more serious soccer player, she may want to try out for a competitive or premier team. Most (but not all) premier teams are coached by a professional who collects coaching fees, and require a year-round commitment. The selection process and expense, in addition to the coach’s experience, generally ensure a higher level of play than a rec team can offer.
Most of the bigger soccer clubs like Blue Valley Soccer Club, Kansas Rush Soccer Club, Shawnee Soccer Club, Leavenworth Soccer Association, Soccer Association of Independence, and Lee’s Summit Soccer Association offer both rec and premier leagues, but there are quite a few clubs fielding only premier teams. Most children progress from rec ball to a premier team within the same club, but if your child is dedicated to soccer and wants to play with the best, take a look at some of those purely competitive clubs. Each has a slightly different philosophy when it comes to coaching, style of play, amount of travel, and seriousness of competition.
A Closer Look at Competitive Clubs
Starting on the high end, KCFC and KC United are probably the most competitive clubs in the area, both sporting an impressive list of professional coaches. KCFC, a product of the former Kansas City Futbol Club and Alliance Futbol Club, calls itself “one of the most successful soccer clubs in the Midwest,” boasting an impressive 47 state champions since 2000 and a top 20 national ranking for many of their teams, plus the selection of eleven players to US National Teams over the years. Like KCFC, KC United (formerly Attack Soccer Club) strives to prepare players for the collegiate level and offers participation in the Olympic Development Program. However, their focus is less on championships and national recognition than on individual player development, where the individual player takes precedence over the team if the two conflict. This is rooted in the belief that in the long term great players make winning teams.
This focus on the individual player is taken to an even higher level at Kansas City Legends, a club that was started in the Kansas City area and has since spawned nationwide franchises based on the book “Training Soccer Legends.” Its philosophy is quite a departure from conventional soccer strategy. According to Kyle Hogge of the Legends, it centers on training dribblers and finishers, not position play or even passing. “90% of our practices are spent on moves and shooting with very little tactical soccer,” says Hogge. “We don’t focus on results.” Short-term results, that is. Of Kansas City Legends alumni, 300 have played in college and 26 have been drafted to play professionally.
Playing Soccer Year-Round
All of the premier programs offer indoor play during the winter, but there are different types of indoor soccer. Some kids play at a soccer dome such as American Indoor Sports in Lenexa, where the ball cannot go out of bounds and the game much resembles hockey, and others play a game called Futsal, which is played on smaller, basketball-sized courts using more compact balls. When our kids first played Futsal, I felt slightly disappointed to give up indoor soccer as we knew it, but we quickly became converts to this fun and fast-paced game that tremendously helps with the development of foot skills. Some clubs favor traditional indoor soccer, some Futsal, and some leave the decision to the individual coaches.
The biggest drawback of playing on a competitive team may well be the overall time commitment, to the exclusion of other sports. If your child wants to play baseball or basketball, or attend a gymnastics class, it will have to be in addition to soccer, since it is year round, except for June and July. Although you pay on a monthly basis, most clubs make you commit to a team for the entire year.
A Word about Costs
Whichever club you end up choosing for your child, you should carefully evaluate their prices. It is not a big issue for rec ball, where each club charges a nominal registration fee ranging from $40 to $85 per season which may or may not include a t-shirt. But when it comes to premier soccer, the prices are quite staggering and there is a multitude of different fees on top of the cost of registration. The bulk of your cost will be a monthly coaching fee ($35-$89 per month for the clubs reviewed in this article). Multiply that by 10 months and you will have a base fee of up to $890 for a year of soccer, and you have not even bought any uniforms or played in any tournaments. On average, a team will play 2-3 tournaments per year for a cost of about $200 per player, but the more competitive teams will play quite a few more, and travel quite a bit farther for them, which may require additional lodging expenses. Add to that a uniform for about $100 and in some cases another $100 for indoor field rentals and Futsal registration, and you are well on your way to almost $1500 per year for one child.
Of course there are differences between the clubs. KC Blaze, KC Strikers, KC Fusion, Shawnee Soccer Club, and Kansas Rush are all reasonably priced from $400-$800 per year. On the other end of the spectrum, KC United costs $1300 per year, but they are very upfront about it and add no additional fees later on throughout the season. A portion of their fees is also allocated to a scholarship fund.
By far the best deals are the teams that call themselves “independent premier” but are coached by a parent volunteer. If you can find such a team, you avoid coaching fees altogether yet get a select group of motivated players. And if you can’t find one, you might consider creating one and coaching it yourself.
Location, Location, Location
As mentioned earlier, your team’s practice location will also play a role in your decision, especially if you have several children involved in sports and your after-school routine already resembles a shuttle service. Most clubs utilize fields in the school district they are in, but since that can be quite a big area, it will still depend on the actual team your child is put on.
Game locations, on the other hand, matter much less, for the simple reason that the games are almost all played on the same fields. A large number of local clubs are members of Heartland Soccer Association, and kids U9 and up play on the Heartland fields.(2) A few Kansas City clubs play in the KC Metro league with games spread out between its member clubs.(3) Once it opens in September, the new Overland Park Soccer Complex at 135th and Switzer with its 12 synthetic-turf fields will be an additional venue for a portion of league and tournament play.
Your Next Step
If you’re signing your child up for a rec team, register now. Most recreational deadlines are approaching fast, but even if you miss it, you can usually still sign up. You might just not be guaranteed placement on the team of your choice.
If you’re considering a competitive team, make sure you look at their tryout schedule. Some clubs require you to register first, and some just let you walk up. In some cases your child will have to try out for a specific team and you should contact the coach directly. Also look for pre-tryout camps. Most clubs offer those as a means for new players to get up to speed, and a chance for prospective coaches to take a closer look at participants. Most clubs charge a fee for such camps, but a few offer them for free, like KC Legends and Omega Soccer Club.
Almost all local tryouts take place on and around the weekend of June 13th, so if your child wants to get on a competitive team, it’s a good idea to stick around that weekend. You might even try to attend several tryouts but that is not really necessary, as most clubs find a spot for all applicants based on their skill level. Once tryouts are complete, most teams move fast and ask you to make a commitment as soon as you receive the invitation for your child. You won’t get much more than 30 minutes to make a decision, so make sure your child knows what she wants to do. If you happen to miss tryouts, you can usually schedule an individual tryout by calling the club.
Whichever club you make your home, and whatever level of competition you choose, help your child enjoy the wonderful game of soccer. It’s a great sport that gets your kids to move and be fit, if nothing else, and the whole family can participate – some clubs offer adult leagues! But be patient. Soccer IQ and dribbling skills don’t develop overnight, and it always looks easier from the sidelines. I still remember our oldest son’s first soccer season, and how we were ready to despair because all those little boys seemed to know where they needed to be, except our son. We’ve come a long way since then!
Kansas City Area Soccer Clubs:
Blue Valley Soccer Club
BVSoccer.org • 913-685-2872
Players: 6,500. Area4): Blue Valley School District. Practices: Blue Valley Schools, soccer fields at 135th/Switzer. Games: Heartland. Age: PreK-U18. Recreational enrollment: April-June. Competitive tryouts: June 13-15. Registration fees5): $75. Competitive fees: $66/month. Academy $160/session, summer camp $95, pre-tryout camp $125, goalie training for extra fee. Futsal for competitive teams. Future Stars program for U7/U8. One of largest area clubs.
Brookside Soccer Club
BrooksideSoccer.org
Area: Kansas City. Practices: KC area. Games: Swope Park (63rd/Lewis). Age: PreK-U18. Rec soccer only. Recreational deadline: August 1. Registration fees: $50. VIP program for special needs children.
Futura Futbol Club
FuturaFC.com • 816-985-7478
Players: 475. Area: Tiffan Hills, Liberty, Kearney. Games: KC Metro. Age: PreK-U18. No rec program. Competitive tryouts: June 13-21. Call for competitive fees. Academy age 3-12 for $65, summer camp June 1-3, pre-tryout camp July 29-31 for $80. Scholarships available.
Kansas City Legends
KCLegends.com • 913-851-9898 x 36
Players: 500. Area: Overland Park, Lenexa, Olathe. Practices: Mid-American Nazarene University (139th/Mur-Len), JCC (115th/Nall), own indoor facility in Lenexa (I-35, 82nd). Games: Heartland. Age: 2-U18. No rec program. Competitive tryouts: June 13 (but you can join anytime). Competitive fees: $49-$89/month. Academy $72.50 per month for non-members, free for members, free pre-tryout camps, free goalie training, indoor soccer during winter. Unique philosophy, 90% of practice focused on dribbling and shooting. Indoor facility available year-round. Happy Feet preschool program.
Kansas City Soccer Club
KansasCitySC.com
Area: Kansas City. Practices: Blue River Rd/122nd. Competitive tryouts: June 13-20 (Blue Ridge/128th or Blue River Rd/122nd).
Kansas City United Soccer Club
KansasCityUnited.net • 914-488-3331
Players: 630. Area: Johnson County. Games: Heartland. Age: PreK-U18. No rec program. Competitive tryouts: June 13. Competitive fees: $1,300/year all-inclusive. Academy $10 per season, 4-day summer camp $15, goalie training and Futsal free. 10% of annual expenses reserved for financial aid. Olympic Development Program.
Kansas Rush Soccer Club
KansasRush.com • 913-764-4111
Players: 3,100. Area: Olathe School District. Games: Heartland, Lone Elm & Prairie Center Parks. Age: PreK-Adult. Recreational deadline: July 23. Competitive tryouts: June 13-17. Recreational fees: $55-$80. Competitive fees: $550-$750/year all-inclusive. Academy $105 per season, summer camp age 8-14 $70, junior kickers age 5-7 $50, advanced age 10-18 $90, goalie training free for premier teams or $35. Adult league available. Annual Rush Festival hosting 36 nationwide Rush teams.
KC Blaze Soccer Club
KCBlazeSoccerClub.com • 913-649-5892
Players: 200. Area: Shawnee Mission, Blue Valley, Olathe, KCK, Bonner Springs. Practices: Indian Woods Middle School (99th/Woodson). Games: Heartland. Age: Boys U8-U18, Girls U13-U18. No rec program. Competitive tryouts: June 13-25 Indian Woods Middle School. Competitive fees: $400-$800/year all-inclusive. Goalie coach for individual instruction, indoor soccer and Futsal. One of smallest area soccer clubs.
KC Comets Soccer Club
KCCometsSoccer.com • 816-591-7872
Area: Lenexa. Games: Heartland, Mill Creek Soccer Park, Olathe NW High School. Age: U9-U18. Recreational deadline: See Overland Park Soccer Club. Competitive tryouts: June 14-21 Olathe NW High School. Summer camp age 7-14 July 6-9 $60, free academy.
KCFC
KCFCAlliance.com • 816-803-5893
Players: 1,000. Area: Greater KC. Practices: Polo Fields. Games: Heartland. Age: U7-U19. Competitive tryouts: June 13 Polo Fields. Competitive fees: $65/month. Players have option of attending any camp or goalie training. Indoor play varies by team. One of most competitive area clubs with emphasis on preparing players for the collegiate level.
KCK Soccer Association
KCKSoccer.org • 816-804-9931
Area: Kansas City Kansas. Practices and games: Leo Alvey field (49th/Metropolitan), Vego Field (24th/Metropolitan). Age: U5-U12. Rec soccer only. Recreational deadline: August 1. Recreational fees: $45. Academy $10-$20.
KC Outlaws
KCOutlaws.com • 913-568-9438
Area: Olathe. Games: Heartland. Age: U8-U18. No rec soccer. Competitive tryouts: June 1-June 14. Competitive fees: $85 registration fee plus $85/month. Summer and winter camps $60.
KC Select Soccer Club
KCSelect.org • 913-752-8042
Games: KC Metro. Age: U7-U18. No rec soccer. Competitive tryouts: June 15 – 25. Competitive fees: $75 registration plus up to $65/month. According to website ranked #3 in Missouri.
KC Strikers Soccer Club
KCStrikers.com • 913-648-7480
Players: 330. Area: Shawnee Mission School District. Games: Heartland. Age: U9-U18. No rec soccer. Competitive tryouts: June 13-20 Mission Valley Middle School. Competitive fees: $60 annual club fee plus $40-$55/month. Summer camp $65, free goalie training, indoor soccer, and Futsal.
Lee's Summit Soccer Association
LSSA.org • 816-554-2255
Players: 3,000. Area: Lee’s Summit. Games: KC Metro. Age: PreK-Adult. Recreational deadline: June 30. Competitive tryouts: June 13. Recreational fees: $50, sibling discount available. Competitive fees: $500-$800/year. Host of various tournaments.
Leavenworth Soccer Association
LeavenworthSoccer.org • 913-651-3800
Area: Leavenworth. Games: Heartland. Age: U9-U18. Competitive tryouts: June 15 - July 15. Competitive fees: $400/year plus coaching fees. Indoor soccer and Futsal. Adult soccer league available.
Northeast United Soccer Club
NEUSoccer.org
Area: Shawnee Mission North of 75th. Games: Heartland, St. Ann School (Mission/73rd). Age: PreK-U18. Recreational deadline: check website.
Omega Soccer Club
OmegaSC.com • 816 -942-6714
Area: Shawnee Mission. Practices: Franklin Park. Games: Heartland. No rec soccer. Competitive tryouts:
June 13-June 21. Academy U5-U8, free pre-tryout summer camp at Franklin Park (Roe Ave./Somerset). Indoor soccer at KC Soccer Dome. Adult men’s and co-ed league at Soccer Dome.
Overland Park Soccer Club
OPSoccerClub.org • 913.280.5645
Players: 1,600+. Area: Overland Park, Lenexa, Leawood, Olathe, Prairie Village and greater Kansas City metro area. Games: Heartland for competitive, Roe & Nall Parks (105th/Nall) for Pre-competitive/Rec. Ages: K-18. Recreational enrollment: Mid to late summer. Competitive tryouts: Early June each year. Recreational fees: $75-$85.
Raytown Soccer Club
RaytownSoccerClub.org • 816-313-7721
Players: 1,500. Area: South Kansas City, Raytown, Lee’s Summit. Games: KC Metro. Age: PreK-U18. Recreational deadline: check website. Recreational fees: $40-$65. Competitive fees: vary per team. Academy $40, goalie training, no indoor play. Four competitive tournaments per year.
Shawnee Soccer Club
ShawneeSoccer.org • 913-432-2250
Players: 3,100. Area: Shawnee, Lenexa, Merriam, Olathe, DeSoto, Piper, Bonner Springs, Eudora. Games: Heartland, Swarner Park , Gum Springs, Stump Park, Stoll Park. Age: PreK-U16. Recreational deadline: July 11. Competitive tryouts: June 13. Recreational fees: $55-$65. Competitive fees: $95 registration plus $35-$55/month. Goalie training extra fee, indoor soccer or Futsal at coach’s discretion. Free training by Challenger Sports.
Soccer Association of Independence
SAISoccer.org • 816-510-3975
Players: 700. Area: Independence. Games: KC Metro. Age: PreK-U18. Recreational signups: June 27 & July 11 at Sermon Center (Noland & Truman Roads). Competitive tryouts: Check website. Recreational and competitive fees: $55-$75. Academy, summer camps, goalie training available. Indoor play at Sports City/Sports Lodge.
Southwest United Soccer Club/KC Fusion
SWUSC.org • 913-962-2221
Players: 1,250. Area: Lenexa, Shawnee. Practices: Mill Creek Soccer Park (79th/Pflumm), JC Penney Fields (off Lackman near JC Penney Distribution Center), Freedom Fields (87th St/K7). Games: Heartland, Freedom Fields. Age: PreK-U19. Recreational enrollment: July – August, check website. Competitive tryouts: June 13 Mill Creek Soccer Park in Lenexa. Recreational Fees: $75. Competitive Fees: $125 registration plus up to $60/month. Summer camps $55-$85, goalie training extra fee, indoor soccer/Futsal coach’s decision.
Vantage Xtreme Soccer Club
KCXtremeSoccer.com • 913-529-9439
Area: Olathe. Games: Heartland. Age: U16-U17. No rec soccer. Competitive tryouts: June 13-18 Santa Fe Trail Junior HS. Futsal. Very small club fielding only a few teams.
Western Missouri Soccer League
WMSL.org • 816-459-7543
Players: 2,200. Area: North of river. Games: KC Metro League. Age: PreK-U18. Competitive tryouts: June 13. Competitive fees: call for pricing. Academy $60 per session.
Footnotes:
1) Every effort was made to assemble a complete listing of local soccer clubs; our apologies if any were missed.
2) Heartland fields (online at HeartlandSoccer.net): Heritage Soccer Park (173/Lackman), Polo Fields (151st/State Line), England (151st/England), Blackbob (151st/Pflumm).
3) KC Metro fields (online at KCMetroLeague.com): Tiffany Springs (Amity Ave/Hwy 152), Raytown SC (Noland Rd/Hwy 350), Legacy Park (Blackwell Rd/Langsford Rd), Fricke Park (Broadway/12th St), Independence Athletic Complex (Hwy 24/Salisbury), Van Hook Park (Hwy 24/Erin Way), WMSL Complex ((I-435/Hwy 152).
4) Area where practices are generally held; most clubs accept players from anywhere in the greater KC area.
5) Registration fees are for both rec and premier teams and per season unless otherwise noted; competitive fees are shown as additional monthly coaching fees, not counting tournament, indoor play, goalie training, etc. fees. All-inclusive fees cover everything except uniforms.