Upstate Soccer Alliance | Facts About Classic Soccer

The Upstate Soccer Alliance (also referred to as USA or Upstate) is a soccer club / association created to provide youth soccer for the children of Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina and the surrounding areas. The USA was formed when members from the West Spartanburg Soccer Club joined the Saint Margaret’s Soccer Club in order to enhance the playing experience for all the members. This alliance was formed on the basis of similar guiding principles that were shared by both of the organizations. Through association with Saint Margaret's Episcopal Church in Boiling Springs, SC, the USA remains an outreach program of the Episcopal Dioceses, holds fast to the church values, and believes that any player that desires to achieve and dedicates themselves to training can and will develop themselves to their maximum ability. As a club, we dedicate ourselves to these young athletes to help them achieve their dreams, and believe that they will be (and are) winners no matter what the score of the game. We currently offer training for recreational / development soccer to children ages 4 to 13, and competitive soccer for children ages 10 and up.

Club soccer is an acronym for a program whose players, coaches, and teams are organized by a soccer club or academy that looks to the outside (e.g., to an association such as US Club Soccer, Super-Y League, or the US Youth Soccer Association) for its league play. Currently in South Carolina, "club soccer" is essentially synonymous with the SCYSA (the South Carolina division of US Youth Soccer), since most club teams play in leagues sanctioned by the SCYSA. Classic soccer is a classification used in youth soccer synonymous with "competitive soccer" or "select soccer", to distinguish it from "recreational soccer". As members of the USA, players receive professional coaching from coaches and/or trainers who have played the game at a high level and who are dedicated in pursuing coaching education. Not only will these coaches create better soccer players, but also kids will learn life long lessons that can only be revealed by participating in a competitive sport.

I've heard that some players involved in classic soccer, don't even get to play in the games. Is that true?

No - at least not for players in the USA programs that put effort into their training. We believe that game play is as essential to player development as the training we offer. During league play, our coaches attempt to make sure that all players get to play at least half of each game. Winning games is placed secondary to player development. Don't misunderstand this point though. While we mandate that our coaches put players on the field for a minimum of 1/2 of the game, this amount of game time is not guaranteed in the select programs. In classic soccer, game time is earned - and those that attend all team practices and train the hardest and perform the best will indeed get increased game time, but this is within reach of every player that truly desires it.

Yes... in that certainly there are expenses involved with the use of professional trainers and participation in competitive programs and traveling leagues.

No... in that our value to expense ratio is remarkably good. Our recreational / development programs are essentially equivalent in cost to other recreational soccer programs offered in this area, and our competitive teams are one of the best classic soccer values in this area. Using our current classic fee structure as a guideline, the regular seasonal cost is somewhere around $5 per hour of training / game experience - less than the cost of sitting in a movie theater (and a whole lot better for you). In addition, one of the USA's founding principles is that for economically disadvantaged families, "money should not be a reason that someone cannot participate in soccer." In support of this philosophy, approximately 20% of each season's budget is earmarked for allocation to players in need of financial assistance.

You can start at any age, but the sooner the better. Our programs are designed to teach and build upon the fundamental skills, which are absolutely necessities to fully enjoy and compete in this sport known as "the beautiful game." These skills are best learned by repetition and can take years to properly master.

At the USA, we go by 3 priorities.

1 – Enjoyment – We want players to develop passion for soccer. If it’s not fun, players will lose that passion. By applying positive reinforcement to develop confidence, and motivation techniques that creates a burning desire to improve, players will learn to always think about how they can be a better player.

2 – Development – The style of soccer that we strive to teach at the USA is an indirect attacking style of soccer by keeping possession of the ball. This requires the player to use skill and make intelligent decisions on and off the ball. This is a long term attitude toward accelerating player development which is often not as effective in the short run, when compared to the direct style of soccer also known as the “kick and run” game that many coaches adopt due to the pressure to win. The kick and run game often produces more results but sacrifices player development.

3 – Competitiveness – During practice or games, we go out to win and perform at the most excellent effort possible, but not to the detriment of the first two priorities. As long as 110% is given to achieve the goal for that particular game or practice, the player should be proud of his performance regardless of the result.

With U-6 / micro-soccer, we simply create the environment for the player to enjoy the fundamentals of soccer. We do not offer league games as this is counter productive at this stage in development, but instead employ some very unique game methods instead.

With our Footskills programs, individual skills and small sided game tactics are stressed. We begin the process of teaching ball possession while continuing to expand on the player's fundamental skill set.

At U11 - U14, the competitive side of soccer begins to be taught by both our developmental and select programs - but never to the detriment of enjoyment and development. Our belief is that winning will come in it's own time and as a result of proper development.

At U15 and above, the competitive soccer comes alive in full bloom. The game is fast and amazing to watch. Come watch one of our games and enjoy.

We believe that our coaches are first and foremost role models and teachers. Good coaching is not just about producing winning teams; it's about asking every day before practice or a game: "Is what we're planning to do today in the best interest of the kids?" Preparation, knowing the game and the proper progressions to various training topics, will provide the kids with numerous opportunities to explore and discover their full potential through active participation. Our coaches form an environment that allows each player on the team to become the best possible soccer player that he can be and provide maximum contribution to his team. For a published list of our current coaching staff, please check here.

With U-6 / micro-soccer, we employ a coach / director that oversees the program, and may at their discretion either use club assistants or enlist volunteer help.

In our Footskills programs, our select coaching staff oversees the process of teaching the fundamentals while utilizing volunteer coaches from around the area as assitants. This helps to train both the player and the volunteer coach to enhance their soccer experiences.

In the recreational and developmental programs, the coaches may be volunteers that get assistance / direction from our select coaching staff.

In the select soccer programs, the trainer and coach become one in the same and are certified by the USSF and/or the NSCAA. Each competitive team has a coach dedicated to them, and each coach is responsible for only one team. Unlike the programs offered by other clubs in this area, our "One Coach - One Team" goal allows the group to build team unity & loyalty, and permits the coach to concentrate on a single program. This improves the enjoyment both for the player AND for the coach.

As our name implies, we serve members primarily from the upstate of South Carolina in the Greenville-Spartanburg area, but there are no geographic restrictions on where are players are allowed to come from. We even have members that travel every week from North Carolina to participate in our programs.

Currently, the USA runs a micro soccer program (ages 5 & below), supports developmental soccer for children age 6 through 13, and provides select soccer programs for players 10 through 17 (under 18). Our seasonal year starts on August 1. This is the cutoff date for all birthdays, so any child age 4 through age 17 on July 31 may participate in our programs.

Please note that the spring season, club soccer only supports league play for ages 4 through 13 as most of the older players (ages 14 and above) will be playing for their respective high school programs.

Practice times and locations are up to the individual coaches, and scheduled through our field coordinator. Practices typically alternate between the USA complex and the USC-Upstate youth fields. Micro practices are hosted at our field next to Saint Margaret's Episcopal Church in Boiling Springs. Recreational / development teams typically practice twice per week, and classic teams practice either two or three times per week.

Developmental soccer games (U8 - U14) are played in Greenville, SC (typically on Saturday).

Academy games (U11 & U12 select soccer) participate in the CESA academy league and play their games in Greenville, SC at the MESA complex. These games are typically played on Sunday.

Classic teams (U13 and above) are involved in statewide traveling leagues and play their games across the upstate and midstate of South Carolina. All games are scheduled for weekends, and games may be held on both Saturdays and Sundays. Classic teams play about 10 games each season (not counting tournaments) and will have both home and away games. Typically, the farthest these teams travel for league play will be to Columbia for games against coastal and lower state teams (who will be coming up to Columbia to meet us). When traveling to Columbia for games, we normally play double headers to minimize the travel.

The beauty of soccer is the little need for equipment and its ability to be played just about anywhere. USA will provide field equipment and uniforms for the micro through U10 programs. Select players will need to purchase a uniform from the club. All players will be responsible for providing shin guards, cleats and a ball. Shin guards are required of all players before they can practice or play in a game. Cleats are optional, but recommended since soccer is played in all kinds of weather. The game ball will be provided, but players will need to bring their own ball to practices. The Under 6 (micro) and Under 8 divisions will use a size 3 ball, Under 10 and Under 12 will use a size 4, and Under 14 and above will use a size 5.

YES. The Upstate Soccer Alliance is a nonprofit, tax deductible 501(c)3 corporation and a registered charity in the state of South Carolina. Please note that program fees, uniform costs, spirit wear, etc. are NOT tax deductible items if purchased for your own child. In general, think of it this way... For items where you receive goods or services, you may NOT take these amounts off your taxes. For monies that you donate above and beyond these fees (for which you do not receive direct personal benefit), your donations are tax deductible.

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How many tournaments can we play?

That is really up to the team, with one exception, we will require participation from all of our teams in the USA Labor Day cup tournament. How do we choose which ones we should participate in beyond the USA Labor Day cup? The team, coach, manager, and parents should choose the ones they want to participate in, we can give advise from the club level, Doc level, but do not want to dictate those activities. Our philosophy is to allow the team to function, as a unit under our umbrella, not our microscopic control. Once a team is formed the coach, the manager, the parents and players work together to set up training days, help define the schedule or matches and tournaments. The club is here for guidance and support, and structure. How do I get questions answered? The board, Directors of coaching, will respond to emails or phone calls. You can click on a coaches name under the coaches and teams section of the website, this will directly email the coach and manager. You can email, the DOC's at Doc@upstatesoccer.org, the board at Board@upstatesoccer.org, or the PRES, or Vice President, via the board @uspatatesoccer.org

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