What ages and program levels does Ellicott City Soccer Club offer?Recreational soccer is co-ed from pre-K and kindergarten TOTS through middle school (6th–8th grade) with 4v4, 7v7, or 9v9 formats by age band. Travel soccer includes boys and girls teams from U8 through U19, with tryouts for roster placement and a season that generally runs from late summer through spring, plus winter training options for older groups.
About
Ellicott City Soccer Club—often called CiTY—is a Howard County, Maryland youth soccer organization that has operated since 2013. The club blends a large recreational program with boys and girls travel teams from U8 through U19 so families can grow inside one club whether they want a lighter schedule or a competitive track.
What the club offers
Recreational soccer is co-ed and does not use tryouts; players are grouped into TOTS (pre-K and kindergarten, 4v4), 1st grade (4v4), 2nd–3rd grade (7v7), 4th–5th grade (9v9), and middle school 6th–8th grade (9v9). Teams practice about once a week for an hour and play one game per week in a typical season, with volunteer and CiTY staff coaches who are background-checked and trained. Travel soccer runs from about mid or late August through May (high school–age teams may start after the school season), with at least two team practices per week in fall and spring, weekend league games, optional winter technical training for U11 and older, and tryouts for placement each cycle. Selected travel teams for the 2025–26 season are slated for the Chesapeake Premier Soccer League, and the club also connects teams to other regional league options families may see on schedules.
Philosophy and community
Volunteer leaders and professional staff ground the club in deep soccer experience and treat member families as the priority—not internal prestige. Programming spans recreational play through nationally competitive experience levels, and each fall and spring the club offers a no-cost special-needs opportunity that relies heavily on volunteers. Off the field, the club brings in outside speakers and programs so players and parents learn leadership and life skills alongside soccer.
Recreational soccer details
The rec program stresses fun, exercise, and a lower-pressure environment. Recreational players are entitled to at least half of each game on the field, with coaches managing substitutions to meet that minimum. Practices and games for recent seasons have centered on Howard Community College, Howard County Public School grass fields, and county park fields, with many teams on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings and Saturday games at Howard Community College for spring blocks—exact nights and fields can vary by coach and field availability. New rec registrants receive a link to order white and black game jerseys through the club’s soccer.com storefront (roughly $22 plus shipping in recent seasons); returning players who already have the current kit may not need a new order.
Travel soccer details
Travel tryouts are required from U8 through U18; age-group coaches and technical staff evaluate players, and families register for tryout sessions through PlayMetrics once dates and field assignments are set for the year. Local travel coaches are USSF-licensed, background-checked, and chosen with input from the technical staff. Travel fees are bundled to cover league and tournament costs, coaching, fields, referees, winter training where applicable, and MSYSA/USYS registration among other operating costs; uniforms are a separate purchase through Adidas via soccer.com on a roughly two-year replacement cycle, with fill-in pieces available annually. Club dues include a customized CiTY ball at the start of the seasonal year. Each family pays a $100 club raffle contribution as part of dues for a chance at a $10,000 prize drawing after the spring season. Paying travel fees on a payment plan adds a $100 administrative fee to the total.
Fees, financial aid, and volunteer perks
Recent recreational pricing has been $225 for TOTS and $250 for Rec League divisions (1st–8th bands), with early-bird discounts of $25 off each if families register by December 31. Travel totals combine $390 club dues with age-based team fees that step upward by birth year—for example, about $2,340 all-in for many U8–U10 players and up to about $2,940 for typical U16–U17 bands before optional installment fees, with a reduced-profile U19 limited-season bundle near $1,490 alongside those age-group totals. Need-based financial aid exists for players who earn a travel roster spot; families complete the CiTY financial-aid questionnaire in PlayMetrics and the scholarship committee usually responds within one to three business days. Head volunteer rec coaches receive free registration for their own player plus coaching apparel, equipment, and training support.
How to register and reach the club
Families enroll in recreational soccer, travel tryouts, and the financial-aid workflow through PlayMetrics using the club’s signup links. For office questions, call +1 443-305-3889 or email office@ellicottcitysc.org during support hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. Social updates also run on the club’s Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts.
Explore more teams
Compare Ellicott City 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 Maryland programs, and nearby team options in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Ellicott City Soccer Club train or play?Recreational practices and games commonly use Howard Community College, Howard County Public School grass fields, and county park fields, with many spring Saturday games held at Howard Community College. Travel teams practice around Howard County and play weekend league and tournament games across the region; families should confirm exact field assignments when they register or hear from their coach.
How do tryouts and registration work?Recreational players do not try out; families register through PlayMetrics and are placed on teams. Travel players must register for tryouts through PlayMetrics, attend the scheduled evaluation sessions for their age group, and accept an offer if selected. Tryouts typically land in late spring or early summer, with final times and locations confirmed each cycle.
What does recreational soccer cost?Recent CiTY rec pricing is $225 for TOTS and $250 for Rec League divisions covering 1st through 8th grades, with a $25 early-bird discount on each if registration is completed by December 31. New players usually order home and away jerseys through the club’s soccer.com link for about $22 plus shipping unless they already have the current kit.
What does travel soccer cost?Travel billing combines $390 annual club dues, age-based team fees that range from about $1,850 for younger teams up to about $2,450 for many high-school bands, and a $100 club raffle contribution; the U19 limited-season package totals about $1,490 before payment-plan fees. Uniforms are purchased separately through Adidas on soccer.com. Choosing installment payments adds a $100 administrative fee to the package total.
Does Ellicott City Soccer Club offer financial aid or inclusion programs?Need-based aid is available for players who make a travel team; families submit the financial-aid questionnaire in PlayMetrics and the scholarship committee usually decides within one to three business days. Each fall and spring the club also runs a free special-needs soccer opportunity supported by volunteers.
How can families contact Ellicott City Soccer Club?Email office@ellicottcitysc.org or call +1 443-305-3889 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern. Registration for rec, travel tryouts, and financial aid flows through PlayMetrics, and the club shares updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
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