BEST FC

Background

BEST FC is a premier soccer club in Massachusetts; based in Westborough and been around since 1999. They compete with some of the finest youth soccer clubs in the New England region.

Club Highlights

The teams on BEST range from ages 9 – 13 and they also have a youth academy program for soccer players ages 5 – 9 years. The club designs specific training programs dependent on the player’s age and skill levels. The BEST club prides themselves on being very selective it hiring and training their coaches; coaches are highly qualified.

Have you seen this article I recently wrote: Premier Soccer Clubs Not For Everyone?

Camps/Clinics

There are numerous camps available at BEST soccer.

There is a Co-ed U6 Academy; a U8 (separate for boys and girls) and a U10 Academy (separate for boys and girls). There are Wednesdays and Fridays sessions. Fees are ~ $105 for the 7 week sessions.

Young Players

BEST FC has a First KIX program which is designed to be a fun, age appropriate and a high energy experience for children; the coaches have a great deal of experience with kids in this age group. See their website for more information on First KIX.

Tournaments

TBA

Facilities

Melican Middle School
145 Lincoln Street
Northborough, MA 01532

Teamworks
185 Otis Street
Northborough, MA 01532

Website

• Good comprehensive site; does a good job of breaking out camps and also has town information so just be careful you’re in the right section.
• The “Best FC Teams” is the tab on the site that contains the club information.

Leave your comments and ratings for BEST FC below!

Brazilian United FC

Background

Brazilian United FC, based in Everett, Mass, touts themselves as the first Brazilian soccer club in the Boston area having been founded in 2010. A great feature of their website is that users can toggle between Portuguese and English. This club offers year-round soccer having both indoor and outdoor facilities and currently has only boys teams.

This relatively new soccer club aims to developing soccer skills, encourage hard work and player development, reward positive attitudes and allow the kids to have fun while doing all of this.

The focus of Brazilian United is not only to teach and advance the kids’ skill level but to also develop each player to their highest potential. They maintain that they have superior coaching…

Brazilian United expects their players to training hard, set personal and team goals, improve their soccer skill set, know the game and treat all with mutual respect: this applies to teammates, coaches, parents, referees and spectators.

I am not sure what league, if any they belong to. At one point recently they belonged to MAPLE but there is no mention of such on the Brazilian United site. Do you know? Please contact me or leave a comment below.

[Click here for a >> map of soccer clubs in Massachusetts.]

Camps/Clinics

While not necessarily a clinic, Brazilian United FC offers an exchange program for their soccer players; this is for their top players and they allow them to travel to Brazil to get exposure to players in that country; this is a fantastic opportunity for elite-level soccer players to get some great experience. See details on their website.

Tournaments

NA

Facilities

NA

Website

• Good website overall; provide the basics that are needed to ask further questions of others before joining.
• Great pictures of the kids in action; give a real sense of the club atmosphere; nice to see so many pictures.

• Couple of menus brought me nowhere; may need to be updated.
• Some outdated information on certain pages.

Leave your comments and ratings for Brazilian United below!

Abbey Villa S.C.

Background

Abbey Villa S. C. is based in based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts with satellites in Shrewsbury, North Grafton, Newton, Uxbridge and Ashland; the club was created in 2002. This is a pressure-free environment where self-esteem is fostered by encouraging players to “express themselves” with their soccer ball and learn from their mistakes.

Abbey Villa S. C. promotes the Total Football concept from the very early stages of soccer development. This concept is anchored in a methodology that encourages each player to aspire to play a controlled game.

Total Football is a tactical way of playing soccer in which any player can take the role of any other player on the field. So if a midfielder needs to attack or defend then he /she can play that position on-the-fly. No player has a specific role other than the goalie; players are tested physically and need to be comfortable with playing many positions. There is less of an emphasis on winning and more on player development.

This approach is not traditionally taught in the U.S., though the Total Football movement is gaining recognition on the West Coast.

For more information see 5 Best Soccer Teams in Mass AND the new article written Is “Total Football” Effective?

Club Highlights

Abbey Villa S.C. has 28 teams playing premier soccer in Massachusetts and regional leagues; the emphasis is on player development; there is a great emphasis on ball possession and technical ability.

Teams train in the Hopkinton area. The main home field for game day is Lancaster Citizen Bank. During winter teams train in the surrounding indoor facilities. The Hopkinton based teams main winter home is Hit Quarters in Shrewsbury. They also train in Northborough and Franklin.

Abbey Villa S.C. provides opportunities for players ages 8 to 17 years old to play soccer at the highest level through their Club Teams. Youth Academy (below) is offered for boys and girls aged 6-9 while their Soccer Mini is offered for children aged 3-6 years old.  The Club’s primary focus is player development through the teaching of technique.

Abbey Villa S.C. is a very competitive club playing in MAPLE, MASC and Regionals.

Camps/Clinics

There are many summer (and winter!) clinics available for just about every age group and skill level; there are so many you will not need to work your summer vacation plans around them. For more information please see Summer Clinics.

Young Players

Abbey Villa has a youth academy that started just in 2011 and has more than 50 players; the academy is for girls and boys ages 6 -  9 years old. The academy strives to provide a fun, safe and pressure free environment where children can learn to play and love the game of soccer; they accept all applicants. For more information please see the Abbey Villa website.

Tournaments

TBA

Facilities

Website

• The website of Abbey Villa is easy to read and contains a fair amount of information.
• The key information you need for the club is all in here.

Leave your comments and ratings for Abbey Villa S.C. below!

Select FC (Select)

Background

Select FC (Select) is a premier youth soccer organization located in Hingham, MA; founded in 1998 by Laurindo Lima and is run by Laurindo and Danny Lima.

They have more than 200 players in the U11 – U18 age groups participating in the Massachusetts Premier League (MAPLE) and more than 100 players in their academy programs. All Select teams train at several locations throughout the South Shore, including Abington, Hingham, Rockland, Brockton and Easton.

This is a boys club! Their girls club is South Shore Select FC.

Club Highlights

Select FC was created to promote a high-level of competitive youth soccer training for talented young soccer players. their objective is to provide quality training so players can reach their highest potential.

Have you seen this article I recently wrote: Premier Soccer Clubs Not For Everyone?

Camps/Clinics

TBA

Young Players

Select FC has a Youth Academy.

The academy program provides the developmental bridge between recreational soccer and competitive soccer. Age groups are from 6 – 10 years old.  Ther youth academy teams participate in various outdoor leagues, indoor leagues and tournaments around the state. Click here for more information on the Select Youth Academy.

Tournaments

TBA

Facilities

• Abington High School (1 and 2) (Home Field of Select
  201 Gliniewicz Way, Abington, MA 02351
• Hingham Middle School
  1103 Main St, Hingham, MA 02043
• Lower Reed St., Rockland
• Massasoit Community College
  One Massasoit Blvd., Brockton, MA 02302
• Notre Dame Academy, Hingham
  1073 Main St., Hingham, MA 02043
• South Shore Sports Center
  55 Recreation Park Dr., Hingham, MA 02043

Website

• The Select FC website is easy to navigate and provides great club information.
• Fees, field conditins, training schedulesa are easy to find.

Leave your comments and ratings for Select FC below!

Euro United FC

Background

Euro United FC is a very small club program in South Hadley, Massachusetts; the club plays in the Massachusetts Premier League (MAPLE).

Not much more to say… anyone care to contribute to this post. Please contact me.

Club Composition

Euro United consist of three teams; a Boys U-13,  Girls U-10 and Girls U-12.

Camps/Clinics

NA

Young Players

NA

Tournaments

NA

Facilities

TBA

Website

• Horrible website for Euro United; no tournament information, no fees, no news, etc. Might as well just put their phone number in the local phone book.

Leave your comments and ratings for Euro United below!

Lexington Player Development Academy (LPDA)

Background

LPDA is a supplement to Lexington United Soccer Club (LUSC) and not a replacement; LUSC is a the soccer program for the town of Lexington, Massachusetts. Once you join the town soccer program of LUSC (open to Lexington residents only) you can get the club-like experience by signing up for LPDA. LPDA players are expected to practice and play in all the their respective travel/in-town events.

The LPDA offers soccer players access to more professional training and a higher level of team play than that offered by LUSC alone; the program offers a more cost effective alternative to a “traditional’ club soccer program – see cost structure below. LPDA teams practice in Lexington and compete on fall and spring Sunday afternoons, and on weekends during the winter.

Eligible LPDA players include all players registered with LUSC in the U11 through U14 age groups. Players are chosen through an evaluation session and through invitation. Selection to LPDA is based on ability, potential, commitment level, and coachability.

Regular players: $825 for the year + player kit (~ $175)
Practice players: $600 (receive training, won’t play Sunday matches or tournaments)

Club Highlights

TBA

Camps/Clinics

TBA

Young Players

TBA

Tournaments

TBA

Facilities

Website

• The LPDA site is a great soccer website.
• The site has just about all you need such as contact information, club history, etc.
• The main LUSC is very user friendly as well; easy to navigate and fast as well.

Leave your comments and ratings for LPDA below!

America FC United

Background

With Quincy as their home base, America FC United prides itself on providing young soccer players in Mass a place to learn and play soccer by developing their skills and prepare them to play against competitive club teams throughout the state and beyond. They try to make the club affordable for most families and try very hard to minimize expenses.

Players with America FC are put on teams based on their age and skill level. Teams play other league teams and in various tournaments throughout the season(s). Players are expected to have a minimum level of participation, attend training sessions and games. This is a premier team so each player must earn their spot.

The club is a serious one for hard workers yet they are willing to work with you to help you achieve all you can be on the field; many players have conflicting private school soccer commitments during certain times of the year. America FC will work with players during such conflicts – communication is the key!

America FC United plays in the Massachusetts Premier League (MAPLE).

Camps/Clinics

If you enroll in America FC you’re are automatically part of the AFC Academy; yet you can sign-up for the AFC Academy alone and not play for America FC.

AFC Academy

The AFC Academy is designed for players who are interested in improving their game by developing their soccer skills and have the opportunity to train along-side [other] America FC United Players.

The Academy has four sessions: Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer; each lasts ~9 weeks and meets 2-3 times per week; depending on the session, you can be playing Futsal (winter session) or soccer. For more information see America FC Registration.

You don’t see many clubs advertise this: America FC offers private lessons; these can be private or on a group basis. This program is conducted by their director of coaching and his website is Cari-Samba Soccer.

America FC offers Futsal, too. This program runs from approximately January – March; this is a great way to sat in shape as well as hone your ball handling skills. Much different from soccer, Futsal is played indoors with five on a team and play about eight games per season. For more information please go here.

Young Players

In addition, America FC offers: a U8 program designed for 6-8 year olds and a goalkeeper clinic: each is offered year round.

Tournaments

The club normally participates in the Cape Cod Classic and New England College Showcase tournaments. These are held during Memorial Day weekend each year; each of these is a great tournament and tons of clubs/teams play; lots of fun and great exposure playing other clubs/teams.

Make sure your’e Finding the Best Youth Soccer Tournaments.

Facilities

America FC United practice at two locations.

Home games:

Website

• The website for America FC is clean and easy to navigate; love the red, white and blue colors.
• The America FC United site does a great job of getting in details on club philosophy, training regimen, expectations of the club, etc.

• Tough to find tournament information.
• Also, if you’re in either Camps or Clinics it is not very easy to get back out to the home page of the Club.
• Content on the site still being developed for the club so check back often.

Leave your comments and ratings for America FC below!

SCOR FC

Background

This is a relatively new soccer club and they are growing fast. SCOR started as one instructional team and has been growing since then: they have a U-13 and in 2012 they began developing three more teams (U-8 – U10). SCOR is a member club of the Massachusetts Premier League (MAPLE).

SCORE, by the way, is an acronym made up of Success, Character, Observe and Respect.

They are looking for coaches and soccer players and are recruiting aggressively.

SCOR is very serious, as many soccer clubs are, on being in top physical shape in order to play a more effective game and also to avoid injuries. They have a very comprehensive training program for their coaches on the warning signs and treatment of concussions from playing soccer.

More information on Why Children Get Concussions Playing Soccer.

Camps/Clinics

NA

Young Players

NA

Tournaments

NA

Facilities

SCOR utilizes more than seven locations for their training and games:

And they recently secured Clark YMCA Field House as an additional facility they can use.

Website

• Very good website for SCOR; easy to navigate and find the information you’re looking for.
• Good job of providing all you need to know including the identification of club fees.
• Lots of resources for health and fitness, training and soccer concussions.

Leave your comments and ratings for SCOR FC below!

Blackhawks Soccer

Are you familiar with Blackhawks Soccer? Please help me out with some information so I can give them a proper review.

Please visit the Contact page.

FC United (Futbol Club United of Massachusetts)

Background

FC United is based in Worcester offering boys and girls teams from U9 leading up to U18; their philosophy emphasizes player development through skilled technique with the ball.

Coaches

FC United boasts itself on having great coaches; they realize one of the top reasons for any player or team to be successful is to have the right coaches. According to FC United their coaches are in it for more than just wining – they look at individual development and try to instill technical mastery of body over ball. They feel once this is mastered winning will come naturally.

Camps/Clinics

There is a Sidekick Soccer Academy, Summer Camps and soccer training (usually held with Millbury Soccer Club) ; see the FC United website for more information.

Young Players

TBA

Tournaments

TBA

Facilities

Weston Pond
2025 Washington St.
Holliston, MA 01746

Krashes Field
110 East Princeton Rd.
Princeton, MA 01541

Website

• Perhaps up there for one of the worst websites.