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. Southern California makes up the San Diego / Los Angeles area. L.A. has most of the top ranked teams in the region, mainly because of the larger population. Both girls and boys have strong youth soccer clubs in SoCal.
Research on soccer clubs in Southern California
Based on research I did on different websites like Top Drawer and Soccer Wire you’ll see how I ranked them.
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, while Top Drawer I spent more time because the ranking were by each age group U13 – U18.
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 good 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.
Top 5 soccer clubs in Southern California
Below are the top 5 soccer clubs in Southern California from my research following boys and girls soccer all ages.
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: Cerritos, 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. The U13 team is ranked #1 in America and the U14 team is 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.
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)
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.
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.
Sources for youth soccer rankings in America
Best soccer clubs by state
- Best youth soccer states – see rankings here
- North Texas [Dallas/Fort Worth]
- Ohio
- New Jersey
- Michigan
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