Des Moines Soccer Club (DMSC) brings families across the Des Moines metro together under one umbrella: “One City. One Club.” The mission is to create opportunities to grow and learn through soccer, with programming for players from 4U through 19U—from introductory Kickstart and recreational leagues up to Academy (9U–10U) and Select (11U–19U) for athletes who want the highest level of club play in the state. Families register and manage accounts in PlayMetrics, and the club encourages downloading the Playmetrics app for text and email notifications.
Kickstart (4U–5U) introduces the youngest players with a club-provided colored tee, a $55 per player fee, and fall and spring blocks (for example fall roughly mid-September through mid-October and spring roughly mid-April through mid-May, with registration opening June 1 for fall and January 1 for spring). Recreation 6U–8U runs as an in-house, co-ed league by birth year with one or two practices per week, Sunday games at set kickoff times by age (7U 12:15 p.m., 8U 1:45 p.m., 6U 3:15 p.m. on the current schedule), early-bird registration $150 through January 31 (spring) or June 30 (fall) and $160 regular, plus uniforms on a two-year cycle through soccer.com. Recreation 9U–19U focuses on fun with two practices per week, teams entered in Iowa Soccer Association Rec Central, early-bird $155 and regular $165 with the same cutoff dates, girls-only options at older ages, and size 4 or 5 balls by age band. Iowa Soccer does not run 16U+ rec league play in the spring because those athletes are expected to play high school soccer.
Pre-Academy is an optional spring add-on for in-house 8U rec players who match the current birth-year line on the club matrix: an extra weekly session led by Academy Director Matt Lamale that mirrors Academy training, held on Wednesday evenings at Aliber Soccer Complex Field 20 during the spring Pre-Academy block, with a $60 fee for that block—confirm dates and eligibility each season in PlayMetrics. Academy 9U–10U is the bridge to Select with no tryouts; anyone who registers can play, with $350 per season, payment plans, US Soccer grassroots-licensed assistant coaches, and a uniform cycle coordinated by the equipment office.
Select 11U–19U is DMSC’s most competitive track: professional head coaches, three trainings per week, most weekends with one or two games, and at least one tournament per season. Rosters require tryouts; not every attendee receives an offer. Tryouts take place at Water Works Field, 5171 Park Ave, Des Moines, with age-group evenings concentrated in late May and early June—register in PlayMetrics when the player’s birth year is eligible, attend at least one session (two recommended), and join the parent informational meeting on the first night for that age group. Accepted players receive an email invitation to accept a bid during a defined window (for the 2025–2026 club year, 11U–14U on June 11 and 15U–19U on June 18, each 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Central). Select registration runs $600 for high school players in the fall-only option and $1,150 for eighth grade and younger for the full fall-and-spring club year, with payment plans; uniform ordering details go to new Select families directly.
Cabin Fever Camp is a spring-break week (March 16–20 on the current schedule) at Stilwell Junior High, 1601 Vine St, West Des Moines, IA 50265, led by Select/Academy Director Matt Lamale: 8U–10U from 8–9 a.m. and 11U–13U from 9–10 a.m., $100 per age band. Winter indoor space is rented through West Des Moines Community Schools; if district weather closures shut facilities, the club reschedules when possible or applies a prorated credit.
Select tryouts and much of the competitive calendar center on Water Works Field in Des Moines. Pre-Academy sessions use Aliber Soccer Complex. Cabin Fever Camp meets at Stilwell Junior High in West Des Moines. Recreational teams follow coach-assigned practice fields; 9U–19U league schedules come from Iowa Soccer Association Rec Central after club registration deadlines (roughly mid-July for fall teams and mid-February for spring).
DMSC aims to make soccer accessible to every child who wants to play while still offering Academy and Select for families seeking more challenge. Academy and Select leadership sits with Matt Lamale; equipment questions route to the director of equipment at the club’s equipment inbox. Volunteers power many off-field roles, and the club welcomes new helpers.
Beyond the numbers above, Kickstart families bring shin guards, cleats or tennis shoes, a size 3 ball, and water. Rec and Academy players order uniforms through the club’s soccer.com storefront during the current two-year cycle. Select athletes size up to ball 4 (11U–12U) or 5 (13U+) and reuse prior-cycle uniforms when still valid.
General membership questions: membership@desmoinessoccerclub.org. Academy, Pre-Academy, and Select soccer questions: academy@desmoinessoccerclub.org. Uniform ordering for Academy: equipment@desmoinessoccerclub.org. Mailing address: PO Box 21172, Des Moines, IA 50321. The online contact form accepts name, phone, email, and a message. Supporters may donate through the club’s linked PayPal charity page or Venmo @DesMoinesSC. Follow social conversation with #DMSC.
Compare Des Moines Soccer Club with other youth soccer options in your area before making a decision. These directory links make it easier to review local clubs, broader Iowa programs, and nearby team options in one place.
What ages and program levels does Des Moines Soccer Club offer?DMSC runs Kickstart for 4U–5U, in-house Recreation 6U–8U, optional Pre-Academy for eligible 8U rec players, Recreation 9U–19U in Iowa Soccer Rec Central, Academy 9U–10U without tryouts, and Select 11U–19U after tryouts. Cabin Fever Camp serves 8U–13U during spring break.
Where does DMSC train, hold tryouts, or run camps?Select tryouts and much of the competitive calendar use Water Works Field, 5171 Park Ave, Des Moines. Pre-Academy trains at Aliber Soccer Complex Field 20. Cabin Fever Camp meets at Stilwell Junior High, 1601 Vine St, West Des Moines, IA 50265. Recreational practice locations are assigned by coaches; 9U–19U rec game schedules are issued through Iowa Soccer Association Rec Central.
When are Select tryouts and how does bid acceptance work?Tryouts gather in late May and early June at Water Works Field with age-specific evenings. Register in PlayMetrics when your player’s birth year opens, bring a ball, shin guards, cleats, and water, attend at least one session (both are recommended), and attend the parent meeting on the first night for that age group. After offers go out, families accept through a timed email invitation; for the 2025–2026 club year those windows were June 11 (11U–14U) and June 18 (15U–19U), 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Central—verify the next cycle with academy@desmoinessoccerclub.org or PlayMetrics.
What do registration and season fees cost?Kickstart is $55 per player. Rec 6U–8U is $150 early through January 31 (spring) or June 30 (fall) and $160 regular; Rec 9U–19U is $155 early and $165 regular with the same cutoffs. Pre-Academy add-on training is $60 for the spring block. Academy is $350 per season. Cabin Fever Camp is $100 per registered age band. Select club-year tuition is $600 for the high school fall-only option and $1,150 for eighth grade and younger covering fall and spring, with payment plans. Early-bird deadlines and fees can change—confirm in PlayMetrics before checkout.
What is DMSC’s philosophy for families new to club soccer?The club balances broad access for beginners with Academy and Select pathways for players who want more training and statewide competition. Academy bridges rec and Select with licensed coaching support; Select emphasizes professional-led teams, three trainings weekly, weekend league play, and tournament experience while still requiring families to register and communicate through PlayMetrics.
How can families contact or register with Des Moines Soccer Club?Email membership@desmoinessoccerclub.org for membership, academy@desmoinessoccerclub.org for Academy, Pre-Academy, or Select soccer, and equipment@desmoinessoccerclub.org for Academy uniform orders. Use the club’s online contact form for general messages. New and returning players enroll through PlayMetrics; mail reaches PO Box 21172, Des Moines, IA 50321.
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