Best youth soccer clubs in Southern California

The best youth soccer clubs in Southern California are very strong and consistently top 25 in America. This doesn’t mean all the best players are on these teams. Some of the most talented kids are on smaller clubs for different reasons. Where kids live, finances, parents travel ability all play roles.

SoCal makes up the San Diego / Los Angeles area. L.A. has most of the top ranked teams in the region.

The girls and boys both have strong futbol culture. 

Most top clubs expect players to already have strong technical ability. If you want to stand out, you need advanced soccer ball control training before you even reach these levels.

Research on soccer clubs in Southern California

Based on research I did on different websites like Top Drawer, Soccer Wire, ECNL, GA & MLS Next you’ll see how they’re ranked. 

Top Drawer ranks each age group by standing, while Soccer Wire ranked them as a whole club.   

With Soccer Wire it was easier to see the rankings. Whereas Top Drawer I spent more time because the ranking were by each age group U13 – U18. 

Spending time on the league sites is also important to see the current standings. In addition, how far teams go into the playoffs & who are crowned national champions. 

Sometimes teams from smaller clubs win State Cup. Although, just because a few age groups do well doesn’t mean the whole club should be ranked top 5. 

U11 [Legends vs SD Surf] good possession – high level.

 

Top 5 soccer clubs in Southern California

Below are the top 5 soccer clubs in Southern California from recent research following boys and girls soccer all age groups.

One thing they have in common is winning.   

1) Slammers

Established 1994

The Slammers were recently ranked #1 in Southern California and in America for girls soccer via Soccer Wire. 

On the girls side they have 7 teams from ages 13 – 18 ranked top 25 in America via Top Drawer. 

One of the teams is ranked #1 in America and two of the teams are ranked #2 in America.  

College commits:  45+ signees each year

Main location: Newport Beach, CA (L.A. area)

2) San Diego Surf 

Established 1977

Surf is based out of San Diego and is known as one of the top clubs in America.

By far one of the best soccer clubs in Southern California and arguably most popular nationwide. 

They do good marketing and part of it has to do with the Surf Cup Tournament where they hold many of the best youth teams in the country.  

Soccer Wire recently ranked Surf girls #5 in America. 

College commits: 30 – 35 signees each year

Main location: San Diego, CA

3) So Cal Blues

Established 1985

The So Cal Blues are based out of L.A.  This year the girls side has 2 teams (U13 and U14) ranked #1 in California.

Last year the U13 team was ranked #1 in America and the U14 team was ranked #4 in America via Top Drawer. 

Soccer Wire recently ranked So Cal Blues #4 in America. 

College commits: 25+ signees each year

Main location: L.A. area

4) Legends FC

Established 2002

The Legends FC is based out of L.A.   

Nationwide the girls teams from U13 – U18 they have teams ranked #18, #23 and another team ranked #23 in the nation via Top Drawer. These ranking are by specific age groups. 

Recently ranked #25 in America by Soccer Wire. This is based on an overall ranking of all ages. 

College commits: 50 – 75 signees each year

Main location: Chino, CA (L.A. area) 

5) Beach Futbol Club 

Established 2008

Another top club in So Cal is Beach FC. When going through league standings and playoffs you’ll constantly see Beach. 

Recently Soccer Wire ranked them #27 best girls soccer club in America. 

College commits: 20 – 30 signees each year

Main location: Torrance, CA (L.A. area) 

Level of play

When it comes to the level of play, everything depends on which league a specific team is in. 

The bigger clubs have teams in several different leagues…

In one age group it’s not uncommon for a club to have over 10 teams. 

MLS Next clubs in CA

The top two MLS Next clubs (LA Galaxy & LAFC) have been successful in competition and giving players the opportunity to sign pro. 

• ALBION SC Los Angeles
• ALBION SC Merced
• ALBION SC San Diego
• Atletico Santa Rosa
• Ballistic United
• Breakers FC
• Chula Vista FC
• City SC San Diego
• De Anza Force
• Diablo Valley Wolves
• FC Bay Area Surf
• FC Golden State Force
• LA Galaxy
• Lamorinda SC
• Los Angeles Bulls Soccer Club
• Los Angeles Football Club
• Los Angeles Soccer Club
• Los Angeles Surf
• Modesto Ajax United
• Napa United
• Sacramento Republic
• Sacramento United
• San Diego FC
• San Francisco Glens
• San Francisco Seals
• San Jose Earthquakes
• Santa Barbara Soccer Club
• Silicon Valley SA
• SoCal Reds FC
• Strikers FC
• The Towne FC Academy
• Total Futbol Academy
• Ventura County Fusion
• WSC Crush

MLS Next Cup ⬇️

At the highest levels, teams that can play through midfield consistently outperform teams that rely on long balls. This is where true player development shows.

ECNL Boys in CA

Last year California had 3 clubs win Nationals (U14, U16 and U17)… LAFC 2x and Surf 1x. 

Southwest

• San Diego Surf
• Slammers
• LAFC
• Legends
• Beach FC
• SoCal Blues
• LA Breakers
• Sporting CA
• Rebels SC
• Pateadores
• West Coast FC

Northern CA

• MVLA
• Placer United
• River Island Surf
• Association FC
• El Camino FC
• San Juan
• Santa Clara
• 1974 Newark FC
• Marin
• California Odyssey SC
• Santa Rosa
• Davis
• San Francisco Elite Academy
• Mustang SC

ECNL Girls clubs in CA

Out of the 6 age groups, 3 California teams won Nationals on the girls side… U13 and U14 San Diego Surf, U18/19 Slammers. The Michigan Hawks had 1 champion in U15 and 1 finalist U14. 

Southwest

• San Diego Surf
• Slammers
• LAFC
• Legends
• Beach FC
• SoCal Blues
• LA Breakers
• Sporting CA
• Rebels SC
• Eagles SC
• Pateadores

Northwest CA

• MVLA
• San Juan SC
• Placer United
• Mustang SC
• Bay Area Surf
• Santa Rosa United
• Marin FC
• Davis Legacy
• California Odyssey SC 
• Pleasanton RAGE
• De Anza Force

Girls Academy in CA

Northwest Conference

• 1974 Newark FC (Newark, CA)
• Ajax United (Modesto, CA)
• Almaden FC (San Jose, CA)
• Blues FC  (Rocklin, CA)
• Clovis Crossfire (Clovis, CA)
• Lamorinda SC (Orinda, CA)
• Napa United (Napa, CA)
• Sacramento United (Sacramento, CA)
• Santa Clara Sporting (Santa Clara, CA)
• SF Glens (San Francisco, CA)
• Silicon Valley SA (Palo Alto, CA)
• South Valley Surf (Bakersfield, CA)

Southwest Conference

• Albion SC San Diego (San Diego, CA)
• City SC Blue (Carlsbad, CA)
• City SC White (Carlsbad, CA)
• FRAM Soccer Club (Torrance, CA)
• LA Surf SC (Pasadena, CA)
• SoCal Reds FC (Irvine, CA)
• City SC Southwest (Temecula, CA)
• Rangers FC (Fullerton, CA)
• SDSC Surf (San Diego, CA)
• West Coast FC (Irvine, CA)

California youth soccer as a whole

Most years girls soccer in America, California is the best.

The boys are not as dominant, but still have dominant teams. 

The females had 4 teams in the top 6 in California. Three were from So Cal, one team (MVLA) from Nor Cal.  Albertine and Erin Montoya (husband and wife team) who both coach and develop the players.  

If I had to pick the best youth soccer state in America it would be California. It doesn’t hurt that the state is one of the biggest and has several major cities. 

Cali is also very diverse, so you have families with a soccer background.  So there’s an automatic futbol culture. 

Age breakdown where you should and can be

• 5-6 years of age the main focus should be have fun, be encouraged and learn the basics.
• 7-8 continue learning the basics of dribbling, trapping and passing short with the inside of the foot. 
• 9-10  should be learning how to strike the ball with power and distance different ways. Keep working on ball control. Volley passes to partner with the inside and top of the foot.  Most kids this age are not yet great at this.
• 11-13 more advanced footskills, trapping different ways on the ground and in the air. Volleys on goal and as a pass. Shooting from long range and learning how to strike the 4 best ways. 
• 14-18 should work on more advanced skills like chipping, bending, receiving aerial balls. 

Soccer skills training

If you want to be the best soccer player you can be, you have to put in the right work at the proper time. 

You’ll see some kids playing top tier club soccer at age 6 or 7. Don’t feel you have to do this. 

Some of the best players I’ve seen who went on to play college soccer didn’t get into extra training until ages 10.   

It’s important at this age to start working on your own. Therefore spend time at home practicing or with a private trainer in 1:1 or small group lessons. 

Read and watch these drills for competitive players. 

Sources for youth soccer rankings in America

• Top Drawer
• Soccer Wire 
• Youth Soccer Rankings 

Best soccer clubs by state

Explore how Southern California compares nationally:

• Best clubs in Virginia
• Best clubs in Ohio
• Best youth soccer states – see rankings here
• North Texas [Dallas/Fort Worth] 
• New Jersey
• Michigan 
• Florida
• Massachusetts 
• Virginia 

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