When it comes to the best soccer clubs in Ohio you can bet there is a lot of talent. I remember flying into Cleveland years ago to visit a friend of mine who at the time ran one of the top 3 biggest futsal leagues in the country… Two things stuck out to me… Good soccer and cold weather:) Cincinnati is another city I’ve been to. It’s one of the top youth soccer cities in America in terms of the amount of kids enrolled in soccer. Then there’s Columbus who has an MLS pro team… Ohio is a big time soccer state.
Research on soccer clubs in Ohio
Based on the research I did on the following websites… Soccer Wire, Soccer America, Top Drawer and ECNL you’ll get a recent and accurate rating.
Besides seeing which clubs are ranked in America and the Midwest and which teams help produce national and college players, I also asked a friend [Chris D]. He has coached in Ohio for 12+ years. Chris grew up in Cleveland and played at Bowling Green University before playing pro.
This article took several hours to put together because besides researching from the league sites, I also went to the club sites.
Of the club sites, some are easier to gather info than others. I want you to be able to see their location, as well as success and history. Hope it helps you!
Leagues by age and gender
There are MANY leagues in US youth soccer…
Age 10-11 is when things become more competitive. Age 12-13 is when you want to have already been prepared technically.
On the girls side, ECNL is the highest level for U-13 – U19 teams.
On the boys side the highest level is MLS Academy, ECNL is 2nd tier. There are great players and teams who don’t compete in either of these leagues, so don’t think this is the “best” option for you. Players who play in “lower tier leagues” still get college soccer opportunities.
Girls best soccer clubs in Ohio
1) Internationals
Established in 1983
2007 & 2008: The girls program was recognized as one of the top 25 programs in the nation.
In 2022 they were ranked #8 in America.
2012 excepted into the Elite Clubs National League [ECNL]
The girls teams have won more State, Regional and National Titles than any other NE Ohio club.
The International Girls Soccer Club has developed National Team players, professional players, and has sent hundreds of players on to the collegiate ranks.
College commits: 20+ each year
Main location: Medina, OH [32 miles south from downtown Cleveland]
2) Cincinnati United
Cincinnati United brings together four of the area’s top, most recognized Clubs, Cincinnati United Premier (CUP), Lakota United Soccer Club, Sycamore Soccer Club (Arsenal), SCSA and combines them into one exceptional program.
Their Juniors program is for ages 3 – U-8 and is a bridge between rec and competitive.
Cincinnati United has premier and competitive programs for U8 – U19 teams, plus GA teams.
College commits: 10 – 50 depending on the yr
Main location: Greater Cincinnati
3) Ohio Premier
Established in 1993
Premier co-ed soccer club offering programming for youths 5-19 years of age, located in the greater Columbus, Ohio area.
Ohio Premier has teams participating in the Elite Clubs National League [ECNL]
College commits: 20-30 signees each year. Recent schools – Stanford University, University of Tennessee, Bowling Green, University of Cincinnati + more.
Main location: Dublin, OH [17 miles northwest from downtown Columbus]
4) Cleveland Force
U-5 to U-19 for youth teams. The Cleveland Force also has teams all the way up to USL League 2 and W League, which is a pre-professional pathway.
U-13 – U-19 Elite Clubs National League [ECNL]
6 grads with national team playing experience, 40+ grads with professional playing experience , 450+ grads with collegiate playing experience
College commits: 15 – 35 total commits per year [50/50 boys and girls]. Very organized website/page honoring their signees.
Main location: East, West and South Cleveland
5) Ohio Elite
Established in 2002
The Ohio Elite Soccer Academy will offer teams U9-U18 age groups for both boys and girls. The Academy will offer a U8 program for boys and girls that will be structured as a non-result based, fun, learning environment.
Ohio Elite is a member of the Elite Clubs National League [ECNL].
2 professional players, 5 high school players of the year, 14 youth all-americans
College commits: 20-40 girls and boys each year [200+ total]
Main location: West Chester, OH [20 miles north of Cincinnati]
Boys best soccer clubs in Ohio
1) Cincinnati United
Cincinnati United brings together four of the area’s top, most recognized Clubs, Cincinnati United Premier (CUP), Lakota United Soccer Club, Sycamore Soccer Club (Arsenal), SCSA and combines them into one exceptional program.
Their Juniors program is for ages 3 – U-8 and is a bridge between rec and competitive.
Cincinnati United has premier and competitive programs for U8 – U19 teams. MLS Next U-11 to U-14.
College commits: 10 – 50+ depending on the year
Main location: Greater Cincinnati
2) Team Challenger FC
Established in 2007
They are a top developmental club in all of Ohio and our teams compete in State, Regional and National level competitions on a regular basis.
Based in the Cleveland/Akron, Ohio area. Team Challenger provides a unique opportunity for serious, skilled and dedicated soccer players. The club consists of both boys and girls ranging from the ages of 6–18 years old.
College commits: 20+ signees each year
Main location: Cleveland & Akron, OH
3) Club Ohio
Club Ohio offers soccer for ages 5 – 19.
Their juniors program is for ages 5-6 and is an excellent supplement to your player’s recreation team training.
College commits: NA
Main location: Dayton and Dublin, OH
4) Ohio Premier
Established in 1993
Ohio Premier is a co-ed soccer club offering programming for youths 5-19 years of age, located in the greater Columbus, Ohio area.
OP has teams participating in the Elite Clubs National League [ECNL]
College commits: 20-30 total signees per year.
Main location: Dublin, OH [17 miles northwest from downtown Columbus]
5) Spire FC
Spire FC is a youth soccer organization dedicated to challenging and assisting young soccer players on a quest to reach their highest potential.
Teams competing from ages 9 – 19.
Leagues: Elite Club National League: Regional – (ECNLR- Club v Club centric), US Youth Soccer Sanctioned , US YOUTH National League – National , Great Lakes Conference – Regional
College commits: NA
Main location: Geneva and Downtown Cleveland, OH
Other top clubs in Ohio
It’s hard to pick only 5 clubs, so here are more…
Best soccer clubs by state
- List of top ranked soccer states in America
- North Texas [Dallas/Fort Worth]
- Southern California [L.A. & San Diego]
- New Jersey
- Michigan
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