The best youth soccer clubs in Michigan have some of the strongest teams in America. They have teams that are ranked nationally in different leagues, plus several players who make the USYNT and go on to play in college. The research is compiled from league, club and ranking sites. Then verified by a friend Sal, who grew up in Michigan, played college and pro and has coached in MI for over a decade. You can’t perfectly rank these clubs, it’s more about giving MI a shout-out in player development.
Top soccer clubs in Michigan
Michigan has a number of quality youth soccer clubs. Most are near Detroit, while Grand Rapids has a few.
The boys are similar to the girls in that, Michigan has some power clubs across the state.
They have MLS Next clubs, as well as ECNL and GA that are considered top dogs!
Top soccer clubs in Michigan – Girls
The top 4 listed are set apart… After that there are a group of 6 clubs that have quality, in no specific order.
1) Nationals
Established 2016
Nationals are a massive club with 2 teams in each age group playing girls GA. Recently the soccer wire ranked them #7 in America.
According to their site, Nationals is the largest soccer club in Michigan with over 4,000 players on over 280 premier/select teams and our recreational program for youth ages 4-10.
Their 10 locations, attract players from at least 9 counties (Bay, Clinton, Genesee, Macomb, Midland, Oakland, Saginaw, St Clair, Wayne).
Leagues:
- Local – MYSL
- State – Directors Academy, MSPSP
- National – GA, NLC
College commits: 45+ commit to play each year
Main location: Shelby, MI [40 mins north of Detroit]
2) Michigan Hawks
Established 1974
Not only have I seen the Michigan Hawks in the top 25 rankings for years, they are also ranked on soccer wire and do well in ECNL competitions.
According to the Hawks they are the only female focused club in Michigan.
Leagues: ECNL, ECRL, USYSA
College commits: 40+ female players commit each year to big schools… North Carolina Tar Heels, Michigan State, Ohio State to name a few.
Main location: Livonia, MI [20 miles west of Detroit]
3) Michigan Jaguars
Established 1989
The Michigan Jaguars are one of the top clubs for both female and male.
Leagues: GA, NLC
College commits: About 30 girls who commit to play college soccer each year.
Main location: Novi, MI [30 miles northwest of Detroit]
4) Midwest United
Established 2015
Midwest United FC Mission is to promote the highest levels of sportsmanship, skills, and understanding for youth players to maximize their pleasure and possibilities of continuing on to play the game at a college level or beyond if they desire.
They have about 30 total coaches for all ages. 40 teams on the girls side.
Leagues: ECNL, NLC, MSPSP, GVSA
College commits: There are about 30 girls each year that go on to play college soccer. Most stay in Michigan.
Main location: Kentwood, MI [10 miles south of Grand Rapids]
Other quality girls clubs in Michigan
- Detroit City FC – USL Academy
- Detroit FC West
- Liverpool FC – Central
- Michigan Burn
- Michigan Rangers
- Michigan Tigers
- Force soccer club
Top soccer clubs in Michigan – Boys
These top 4 clubs are MLS Next, where the 5th and other 4 are ECNL – NLC.
Because of the age groups, leagues offered and club history it’s hard to rank in order. More important, each has an age group at the top of the Mid-American div.
1) Vardar
Established 1982
Vardar is large enough to offer opportunity and challenge to the gifted child (male or female).
Yet Vardar is small enough to take a personal approach, giving each child the kind of immediate and direct guidance that is carefully tailored to their individual needs.
Leagues: MLS Next, NLC
College commits: 16-20 boys signing to play college soccer each season
Main location: Rochester Hills, MI [25 miles north of Detroit]
2) Michigan Wolves
Established 1974
The Michigan Wolves have 3 core values: Character, commitment and courage.
The Wolves coaching staff consists of about 15 for ages U7 – U19.
Leagues: MLS Next, ECNL, U.S. Youth Soccer’s National League as well as Michigan State Youth Soccer Association leagues.
College commits: About 20 boys each year committed to play college soccer.
Main location: Livonia, MI [20 miles west of Detroit]
3) Michigan Jaguars
Established 1989
The Michigan Jaguars are one of the strongest soccer clubs in Michigan for both males and females.
There operations span CW3, Dearborn, Genesee, Huron Valley, Novi, and LaSalle.
Leagues: MLS Next, NLC
College commits: The Jags have around 10 boys who commit to play college soccer each year.
Main location: Novi, MI [30 miles northwest of Detroit]
4) Midwest United
Established 2015
Midwest United FC Mission is to promote the highest levels of sportsmanship, skills, and understanding for youth players to maximize their pleasure and possibilities of continuing on to play the game at a college level or beyond if they desire.
They have about 30 coaches throughout all the age groups. Over 35 teams on the boys side.
Leagues: MLS Next, NLC, MSPSP, GVSA
College commits: On the boys side there are about 10 players each year that go on to play college soccer.
Main location: Kentwood, MI [10 miles south of Grand Rapids]
5) Nationals
Established 2016
Nationals is a massive club with 2 teams in each age group playing girls GA.
According to their site, Nationals is the largest soccer club in Michigan with over 4,000 players on over 280 premier/select teams and our recreational program for youth ages 4-10.
Their operations span the Southeast Michigan and Mid-Michigan area. Therefore, operating in 10 locations, attracting players from at least 9 counties (Bay, Clinton, Genesee, Macomb, Midland, Oakland, Saginaw, St Clair, Wayne).
Leagues:
- Local – MYSL
- State – Directors Academy, MSPSP
- National – ECNL
College commits: About 10 college signees each year
Main location: Shelby, MI [40 mins north of Detroit]
Other big boys soccer clubs in Michigan
- Michigan Tigers
- Detroit City FC – USL Academy
- Detroit City FC West
- Liverpool FC Central
- Michigan Rangers
There are also clubs that have good age groups, but not massive clubs.
Last, there’s a skills company in Detroit called Next Level Training, owner Aaron Byrd who does a great job developing players. NOT affiliated with any clubs.
Sources for youth soccer rankings in America
Best soccer clubs by state
- Best youth soccer in America
- North Texas [Dallas/Fort Worth]
- Southern California [L.A. & San Diego]
- Ohio
- New Jersey
- Michigan
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