The Top Girls Soccer Clubs in the US

Many youth girls soccer players have the dream of one day playing for the USWNT. Training with other elite soccer players for top-notch soccer clubs is how many USWNT and NWSL players started their journey. Let’s take a look at eight soccer clubs that are consistently ranked in the top ten throughout different age groups, as well as those that produce the most NWSL/USWNT players. 

Solar SC – Allen, TX

Established in 1976, Solar SC ranked as the number one club aggregately for ages U14-U19 in February 2021 and is consistently ranked in the top ten for girls’ youth clubs. The club has an enormous talent pool with numerous teams for the same age groups. Not surprisingly, the club has had countless US Youth Women’s National Team call-ups. Solar SC alumni Taylor Smith now plays as a defender for the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL. 

San Diego Surf FC – San Diego, CA

The San Diego Surf FC was founded in 1977. Drawing the best players from Southern California, the girls club has produced more than 20 US Youth National Team call-ups in recent years. Additionally, alumni Taylor Kornieck plays as a midfielder for the Orlando Pride, alumni defender Julie Doyle played for Sky Blue FC (now NY/NJ Gotham FC) in 2019, and alumni midfielder Mia Fishel was called up for the USWNT training camp at the age of 19. 

Slammers FC – Costa Mesa, CA

Founded in 1994, the Slammers FC is another top soccer club. They have taken the ECNL championship three times, and have countless alumni that have been drafted into the NWSL, called up for the USWNT, or that have played internationally. Notably, USWNT star Christen Press played for the Slammers. 

Tophat SC – Atlanta, GA

Founded in 1982, Tophat Soccer Club boasts six ECNL Southeast Conference titles. The club was named the 2017 Top Drawer Soccer Best Girls Club in the US. They are consistently ranked amongst the top ten youth girls soccer clubs, if not the top five, and have had sixteen call-ups to US Youth National Teams in the past few years.

Michigan Hawks – Plymouth, MI

Founded in 1974, the Michigan Hawks is a girls-only soccer club. Producing 14 US Youth National Team call-ups in 2016 alone, the Michigan Hawks have made history. The club has trained alumni that have gone on to play on each of the national championship teams. Additionally, alumna Ally Haran and Courtney Petersen play for the Orlando Pride and Zoe Morse for the Chicago Red Stars.

PDA – Somerset, NJ

The Players Development Academy, founded in 1998, is consistently ranked among the top girls’ soccer clubs. In 2019, the PDA girls won three ECNL Championships. Most notably, USWNT Champion Tobin Heath played for PDA. 

So Cal Blues – CA

Founded in 1985, the Southern California Blues soccer club is another team consistently ranked in the top ten for all age groups. The all-girls club has a long list of call-ups to the US Youth National Team, and even USWNT champion Julie Foudy once played for the So Cal Blues. Alumni Trinity Rodman was the number two overall draft pick for the 2021 NWSL draft, and she now plays for the Washington Spirit. 

Real Colorado – Centennial, CO

Real Colorado is another club that has been ranked consistently amongst other top clubs and has produced a long list of players that have played on the USWNT and in the NWSL. Most notably, before making the USWNT, Mallory Pugh played for Real Colorado. Additionally, alumni and forward Sophia Smith was called up for the USWNT and was the first overall draft pick for the NWSL and plays for Portland Thorns FC. 

Featured Image via Unsplash

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