Recreational Soccer
CSA's Recreational soccer program is open to boys and girls of all levels of ability. This is our "grassroots" program and utilizes volunteer coaches, primarily parents of our players. There are no player evaluations or tryouts - everyone who registers is placed on a team. Many players who are interested in trying out for competitive teams
begin their training by building a solid foundation in our recreational
program. Our Recreational program includes our 6U, 7U and 8U Junior Academy teams and pools, which are formed each season based on evaluations of players that show interest and aptitude for moving to our competitive program.
CSA offers Recreational Soccer in two primary regions: South and North. The South rec program is our largest division, with practice locations in South Charlotte, Uptown, Matthews and the Palisades. The North rec program offers three practice locations, including Mount Pleasant.
Rec soccer is offered in the Fall (August - November) and the Spring (February - May) seasons. Our youngest players (ages 2-4) participate in fun weekly sessions offered at our recreational fields through our affiliation with Soccer Shots. 6U-19U rec teams practice one evening per week and typically play one game on Saturday throughout an 8-week season. We provide our volunteer coaches with coaching clinics, licensing,
structured lessons plans and assistance on the field from CSA Staff
Coaches. In addition to team practices, we offer optional, free
technical skills training sessions for ages 6U to 19U in three locations. The training sessions are run
by experienced coaches and give interested players more opportunity to develop and
improve age appropriate skills. Recreational level camps are offered in the summer and pre-season clinics are also offered (Additional fees apply.)
Please visit our CSA Recreational website at www.csarecsoccer.com for details and registration.
USYS Youth Academy Program
CSA offers the Youth Academy program to boys and girls ages 8U through 10U that are ready to move from recreational soccer into a curriculum focused on development of skills and techniques. The program, as recommended by US Soccer and the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association, stresses player development over winning. CSA strongly believes that the Youth Academy Program is the best development option for children leaving recreational level programs. The training program is unmatched for preparing the youth player for higher level competitive programs. Interested players must participate in an evaluation process that occurs in May of each year. Once a player has accepted a position in the Youth Academy, they are committed to participate for the entire upcoming soccer year (August to May).
Youth Academy players train two nights per week and are strongly encourage to participate in the supplemental technical training session offered by CSA to its members at no additional charge. CSA Youth Academy coaches specialize in developing the youngest players and sharing their love of the game. The Youth Academy typically plays matches on Saturdays during the season against Academy teams from other clubs in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties. A balance of home and away matches are played. Youth Academy teams typically participate in one CSA festival event and one other festival event per season.
Click here to visit the Youth Academy page for additional program and contact information.
USYS Classic/Premier Competitive Soccer
CSA forms teams at several levels of competitive (also commonly known as travel or select) soccer at each of our locations based on the results of formal tryouts held in the spring of each year. All players must attend tryouts every spring to be considered for a spot on a competitive team for the following year (August through May). Following tryouts, CSA will present qualified players with an offer of a position on a competitive team based on their demonstrated level of ability. Players and families are made aware of the team's planned playing level, coach assignment and travel/tournament expectations prior to player commitment. Once the player accepts his position on the team, he is committed to CSA and that team for the entire playing year (August - May).
Competitive teams train a minimum of two nights per week; more advanced teams may practice three nights per week. In addition, players are strongly encouraged to attend the free supplemental training sessions to further improve personal skills and to attend off-season camps offered by or endorsed by CSA. Games are primarily on Saturdays and Sundays, although mid-week evening games are possible. 11U-14U teams participate in both Fall and Spring seasons, high school age teams (15U-19U) participate only the designated off-season for public high schools.
Competitive teams 11U through 19U participate in leagues administered by either North Carolina Youth Soccer Association or South Carolina Youth Soccer Association. Both state associations offers several levels of competition.
CSA's USYS teams can expect to attend 2-3 tournaments per season, which includes local competitions, out-of-town tournaments and a State Cup series if appropriate. CSA's higher-level teams can expect to travel more frequently and to more distant tournaments to ensure the highest levels of competition and exposure.
For more information and contacts, please visit the regional pages linked above.
Pre-Elite Clubs National League (Pre-ECNL)
The Pre-ECNL program at CSA is designed for the elite boys and girls who have a strong desire and commitment to reach the highest levels of play. The Pre-ECNL pathway helps prepare our players to go on to compete in the CSA National programs by providing a greater frequency of practices and games, a higher level of competition, individualized training and learning plans and futsal training and games. Pre-ECNL is offered at the 9U through 12U age groups in Charlotte and 10U through 12U in North/Huntersville.
Elite 64 and Uptown/Matthews Elite
CSA first entered the Elite 64 program in 2022 and has formalized the program to build upon the strategic partnership between our Matthews and Uptown sections so as to provide further platforms for our teams to come together, have fun, learn and develop their soccer skills at the higher levels. 13U-19U boys and girls teams will compete in the new Elite 64 Regional platform and play in highly competitive environments where they can showcase their talent and get additional exposure for collegiate opportunities. CSA Elite 64 teams will compete in the Southeast Conference against teams from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida and participate in showcases and/or post-season playoff events.
CSA Matthews and Uptown will form 11U and 12U Boys and Girls Elite teams that will serve to seamlessly progress players to the Elite 64 teams at 13U.
For information on the Elite 64 program, please contact Catey Stewart.
National Premier Leagues (NPL)
CSA-York/Palmetto boys teams in age groups U13-U19 will participate in the South Atlantic Division of the National Premier Leagues. The NPL platform provides our elite South Carolina based players the opportunity to complete on the national level and still remain available for high school soccer.
For information on the CSA-York/Palmetto NPL teams, please contact Ralph Latchana: click here.
Development Player League (DPL)
CSA-York/Palmetto has been accepted into the Development Player League beginning in 2022-2023. Girls teams in age groups U13-U19 will participate in the Southeast Division. The DPL platform provides our elite South Carolina based players the opportunity to complete on the national level and still remain available for high school soccer.
For information on the CSA-York/Palmetto DPL teams, please contact Ralph Latchana: click here or Sheldon Russell click here.
Elite Clubs National League (ECNL)
CSA's Elite level teams in 13U-19U participate in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). The ECNL offers both Regional and National levels of play for boys and girls. CSA provides these players with the elite training and competition needed to prepare them for success at the collegiate and professional level.
For information on our Regional Program for boys and girls 13U and older, click here.
For information on our National Programs, for boys and girls 13U and older, click here.