South Carolina United FC (SCUFC) is a Columbia-area club serving the Midlands with first-class facilities and a full pathway from recreational beginners through high-commitment competitive teams, including ECNL and Elite 64 programming for qualified players. The club is affiliated with South Carolina Youth Soccer Association and organizes youth programming for boys and girls roughly from preschool through high school, emphasizing team play, individual skill growth, and a safe, positive environment for families across the greater Columbia area.
Recreational soccer draws more than 5,000 Midlands players across fall and spring seasons, with coed and gender-specific brackets from young 4U-style groups through high-school ages. Competitive programming includes Junior Academy for 8U–12U players who want a licensed coach, at least twice-weekly training, league play through pathways such as the PUMA United Development League and South Carolina Youth Soccer Association–based leagues, and a handful of tournaments each season. Older athletes can pursue Select teams at U13–U19, where the club may field multiple boys and girls sides when numbers support it, plus ECNL National and Regional teams and Elite 64 Regional League participation for players seeking national-level showcases and travel. Training Corps adds optional camps and seasonal training blocks, including summer small-sided events such as the 7v7 Summer Showdown.
Recreational league home complexes include Polo Road Park and Ballentine Park in the Columbia area. The club’s administrative address is 455 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29210. Competitive teams use club training sites and travel for league and showcase play according to their tier.
Recreational families register through PlayMetrics; after signup, the club expects every household to use the PlayMetrics app for team assignments, practice times, game details, and coach communication. Spring 2026 recreational signup opened in November 2025 with an on-time close in February 2026, a late-registration phase with an added late fee, and a projected first league match day in late February 2026, with eight guaranteed games mostly on Saturday mornings and early afternoons and occasional Sunday slots for balancing brackets. Competitive families also move through PlayMetrics for Junior Academy and Select, with Junior Academy questions directed to the program director and additional ECNL or E64 details handled as part of those team commitments.
The mission is to keep talented, committed, sportsmanlike players in a positive developmental environment, with professional leadership and quality coaching producing teams that can compete at every level. Training stresses advanced technical and tactical skills, a club-first culture that still values individuals, and travel-team experiences from local play up through regional and national goals. The vision is “For the love of the game. For the life of the player.”
Recreational league fees for spring 2026 were about $70 for U3–U6 coed, $85 for U7–U8, $105 for U9–U12, and $135 for U13–U19, each paired with a 2024–2026 uniform kit charge around $30 for new-cycle players; late registration carries an additional $35 fee. Head coaches who finish SafeSport, health and safety training, South Carolina Youth Soccer background screening, and introductory grassroots or licensing coursework can earn a $25 appreciation refund or discount code after league play begins, subject to the club’s coach rules. Refund rules limit registration-fee returns to written requests with a reason, exclude uniform and late fees, and cut off after the third week of the season except where policy allows injury or relocation exceptions. Need-based recreational assistance goes through a committee-reviewed application, with prior balances required to be clear before awards apply. Competitive tuition, deposits, and travel expectations vary by Junior Academy, Select, ECNL, or E64 placement; families work through PlayMetrics and program staff for the active membership year numbers.
Compare South Carolina United with other youth soccer options in your area before making a decision. These directory links make it easier to review local clubs, broader South Carolina programs, and nearby team options in one place.
What ages and program levels does South Carolina United FC offer?Recreational soccer serves children from about ages 3–18 with coed and gender-specific divisions from young 4U-style groups through high school. Junior Academy covers 8U–12U competitive development, while Select fields U13–U19 teams when numbers allow. ECNL National and Regional teams and Elite 64 Regional League sides sit at the highest travel tiers for qualified players.
Where does South Carolina United FC train or play?Recreational home complexes include Polo Road Park and Ballentine Park around Columbia. The club office is at 455 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29210. Competitive teams train at club facilities and follow league travel schedules for matches and showcases.
When is registration, and how do tryouts work?Recreational soccer uses seasonal PlayMetrics registration rather than tryout cuts; recent spring cycles showed an on-time window closing in February with late signup afterward. Junior Academy and Select placement also runs through PlayMetrics, with evaluations timed to the competitive calendar for each age group. Email Jamie McClendon at jamie@scufc.com for Junior Academy questions.
What does recreational registration cost?Spring 2026 recreational league fees were about $70 for U3–U6 coed, $85 for U7–U8, $105 for U9–U12, and $135 for U13–U19, plus roughly $30 for the 2024–2026 uniform kit for players who need the new-cycle uniform. Late registration added $35. Future seasons may adjust those figures, so confirm the active chart when you enroll.
What does a competitive season cost?Competitive tuition, team fees, and travel budgets depend on whether a player joins Junior Academy, Select, ECNL, or E64 and change each membership year. Start the correct PlayMetrics registration path for the age group and program tier you want, then review deposits, installment expectations, and travel with program staff so the numbers match the team you are pursuing.
What is the club’s mission, philosophy, or coaching approach?The club commits to a positive environment for players who show talent, commitment, and sportsmanship, with professional leadership and licensed coaching guiding teams from local play through national opportunities. Training balances high-level skills and tactics with a club culture that values both the whole team and each individual, summarized by the vision line about loving the game and supporting the player’s long-term growth.
How can families contact South Carolina United FC or register?Call +1 877-457-2832 for general club questions, visit 455 St. Andrews Road in Columbia, and use PlayMetrics to register for recreational, Junior Academy, Select, or Training Corps offerings. Recreational families can reach Tripp Miller at (803) 446-2750 or tripp@scufc.com for league operations, and Training Corps refund requests go to registration@scufc.com at least seven days before a camp starts when a refund is needed.
CESA (Carolina Elite Soccer Academy) serves the South Carolina Upstate with recreation U6–U19, Center of Excellence and Junior Academy bridges, and travel soccer from Select and Challenge through ECRL and ECNL (girls U13–U19 Mid-Atlantic). Training at MeSA, Wenwood, Brushy Creek, plus Spartanburg and Tri-County satellites; Greenville office on Boland Court.
Greenville, South Carolina
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Charleston Soccer Club runs Junior Academy, select, boys MLS NEXT, and girls DPL pathways for roughly U8–U19 across Summerville, Daniel Island, and West Ashley, with 2026–27 tryouts in late April and May, UEFA- and USSF-style coaching, and registration in SprocketSports.
Charleston, South Carolina
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SOAR Columbia runs recreational youth soccer for the Columbia area at 5637 Bush River Road, with U5–U19 divisions, spring and fall seasons, one weeknight practice and Saturday games, sibling and coach discounts, and a faith-shaped coach culture. Call +1 803-873-9297 or use the contact form for the next registration window.
Columbia, South Carolina
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South Carolina Surf runs a Charleston-area player pathway from Little Surfers and Junior Surfers through pre-academy, academy, and U13–U19 select soccer with ECNL and ECNL Regional League platforms, plus SC Youth Soccer play. Home base is Shea Family Fields. Tryouts and many programs register in AthleteOne; registrar elizabeth.heard@southcarolinasurfsoccer.com.
Charleston, South Carolina
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