Minnesota has developed into one of the Midwest’s strongest youth soccer regions over the past two decades.
The state produces college-level talent year after year, and several clubs have built reputations for quality coaching, player development, and competitive opportunities.
For families looking to get their kids involved in organized soccer, the options can feel overwhelming.
Here are ten clubs that have earned their place among the best in the state, each offering something different depending on what you want for your young player.
1. Minnesota Thunder Academy
Website: mnthunderacademy.org
Address: 6600 Nicollet Ave, Richfield, MN 55423, United States
Phone: +1 763-334-0210
Minnesota Thunder Academy stands out as one of the premier soccer institutions in the state. The club has built a seamless player development pathway that leads directly to the Elite Clubs National League, the highest level of youth soccer competition in the country.
Players can start in the ThunderBolts Program and work their way up through various leagues as their skills develop.
The club employs coaches with US Soccer, UEFA, and USC accreditation, bringing professional-level expertise to youth development. Parents consistently praise the chemistry on teams and the example set by coaches and club directors.
For families with players working toward collegiate soccer, MTA offers both elite coaching and national exposure through ECNL competition.
The club operates with transparency about costs but delivers high-quality facilities, strong coaching availability, and a clear focus on preparing players for post-club soccer opportunities.
Former players have gone on to play at Division I programs and beyond, validating the pathway MTA has created.
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2. Minnesota Rush
Website: minnesotarush.com
Address: 380 Woodlake Dr, Rochester, MN 55904, United States
Phone: +1 507-280-7584
Minnesota Rush has established itself through a player-centered approach backed by national-level programming and elite coaching. The club provides a positive playing and learning environment that focuses on long-term player development and personal growth. Rush employs both full-time and part-time coaching staff with vast experience in youth soccer across the US and internationally.
The quality of coaching is a major factor in the club’s success. Rush provides top-quality opportunities for players at all levels, from recreational to highly competitive. One unique offering is Rush Travel, which goes beyond typical tournament trips. The program allows players to train with top coaches, compete against international opponents, and explore world-famous cities like Madrid, Rome, Buenos Aires, and London. This global soccer experience sets Rush apart from clubs focused solely on domestic competition.
The club serves the Twin Cities metro area and has multiple locations, making it accessible to families across the region. Rush teams compete at various levels, ensuring players can find the right competitive environment for their skill level and ambitions.
3. Edina Soccer Club
Website: edinasoccerclub.org
Address: 4801 W 50th St, Minneapolis, MN 55424, United States
Founded in 1986, Edina Soccer Club has deep roots as one of Minnesota’s top community-based clubs. The organization serves thousands of players, parents, coaches, and staff, building its reputation on relationships between all these groups. ESC values being an inclusive, welcoming, and loyal organization that supports each member.
The club focuses on wholistic player development, teaching players to compete to their full capacity in training and games while building character.
ESC prepares players not just for what comes next in soccer but for life beyond the sport. The club has produced professional players, including NWSL rookie Maddie Dahlien, who came through the ESC pathway before moving through high school, college, and Youth National Team programs.
Edina Soccer Club strives for excellence in everything it does while maintaining strong connections to the Edina community.
The club offers programs from youth recreational levels through highly competitive teams, providing pathways for players with different goals and abilities.
4. Tonka Fusion Elite
Website: tonkafusionelite.com
Address: 18328 Minnetonka Blvd, Wayzata, Minnesota
Phone: (952) 475-9178
Tonka Fusion Elite represents a partnership between Fusion Soccer Club and Tonka United, combining resources to provide unique opportunities for Minnesota soccer players.
The clubs serve youth from across the Twin Cities metro area, including communities like Plymouth, Wayzata, Medina, Maple Grove, Buffalo, Minnetonka, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Edina, Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, and Waconia.
The club competes at the highest levels, with teams in MLS Next Academy and Girls Academy leagues.
TFE has assembled a coaching staff with impressive credentials, including coaches from University of Minnesota programs and those with international experience. The club emphasizes its “ForEachOther” culture, promoting team unity and mutual support.
TFE teams regularly compete in college showcases and national championships, giving players exposure to college coaches and high-level competition.
The club recently added coaches with Big Ten experience and professional backgrounds, strengthening its already solid coaching foundation. Players who come through TFE go on to compete at Division I programs and beyond.
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5. Saint Paul Blackhawks Soccer Club
Website: blackhawksoccer.org
Address: 875 W Orchard Ave, St Paul, MN 55103, United States
Phone: +1 651-313-7172
Founded in 1952, Saint Paul Blackhawks is the oldest soccer organization in Minnesota. The club has built a strong reputation for bringing kids from all backgrounds together to develop as soccer players and people.
As a Saint Paul-based organization, the Blackhawks embrace diversity and welcome different cultures that bring richness to the club experience.
The club offers a high-quality year-round soccer program for players ages five to nineteen, including summer traveling teams starting at age 9, fall leagues, winter and spring indoor skills training, futsal, and summer camps.
The Blackhawks compete in NPL leagues at the U16-U19 girls levels and participate in college showcases, providing pathways for players aiming for collegiate soccer.
One unique offering is an international awareness and competition program for U15 players, who travel to Europe for homestays with soccer families and then participate in the Youth World Cup (Gothia Cup) in Sweden.
The club also manages the Orchard Recreation Center building and fields in Saint Paul, giving it a strong community presence.
6. Salvo Soccer Club
Website: salvosoccer.org
Address: 6043 Hudson Road, Suite 140B, Woodbury, MN 55125
Email: salvosc@salvosoccer.org
Phone: 612-503-4738
Salvo Soccer Club was formed through a merger of Woodbury Soccer Club and REV SC, creating a comprehensive youth soccer organization that serves ages 4-21+ at community, state, regional, and national levels.
The club operates with a focus on delivering the best holistic youth soccer development in Minnesota.
Salvo offers programs at every level, from recreation to elite competition. The club’s recreation program is the only one in Minnesota to receive the US Youth Soccer 5-Star Recreation Award multiple times, demonstrating the quality even at entry levels.
Competitive programs include Girls Academy, National League PRO, and the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), providing advanced training and national exposure.
The club serves multiple communities, including Woodbury, West St. Paul, Rosemount, and Farmington, with different recreation programs hosted by various community athletic associations.
Salvo emphasizes possession-based soccer rooted in control, creativity, and decision-making, while developing players of character and competence who are technically proficient, tactically aware, physically resilient, mentally strong, and socially grounded.
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7. BV United Soccer Club
Website: bvunited.org
Address: 11501 19th Ave, Burnsville, MN 55337, United States
BV United Soccer Club has built its reputation on offering the best value in the state by prioritizing player development both on and off the field.
The club focuses on building confidence, leadership skills, and technical abilities, ensuring each child becomes a stronger player while developing a lifelong engagement with soccer.
BV United serves families looking for quality programming without the highest price tags that come with some elite clubs.
The club offers pathways from recreational to competitive levels, allowing players to progress based on their interest and ability. The emphasis on holistic development means BV United coaches work on more than just soccer skills, helping players build character traits that serve them in all areas of life.
The club competes in local and regional leagues, giving players appropriate competition levels as they develop.
BV United has established itself as a community-focused club that welcomes families from various backgrounds and economic situations.
8. Minneapolis United
Website: minneapolisunited.org
Address: 5500 Nicollet Ave suite 19200, Minneapolis, MN 55419, United States
Phone: +1 651-247-4735
Minneapolis United takes a unique approach by serving the city of Minneapolis with a focus on making soccer accessible to urban youth.
The club operates with the tagline “Soccer for the City,” emphasizing its commitment to bringing the game to kids who might not otherwise have access to organized soccer programs.
The club offers programs for boys and girls from Pre-K through 4th grade, providing an entry point into soccer for young players.
Minneapolis United partners with schools and community organizations to reach families throughout the city, breaking down barriers that often prevent urban youth from participating in club sports.
While the club may not offer the same level of elite competition as some others on this list, its mission-driven approach fills an important role in Minnesota’s soccer landscape.
Minneapolis United creates pathways for kids to learn the game, develop skills, and potentially move on to more competitive programs as they grow.
9. Cottage Grove United Soccer Club
Website: cottagegrovesoccer.org
Address: 7064 W Point Douglas Rd, Suite 202, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Email: registrar@cottagegrovesoccer.org (registration questions)
Phone: 651-983-0622
Cottage Grove United Soccer Club serves the Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park, and Grey Cloud Island communities with comprehensive programming from recreational through competitive levels.
The club exists to serve the needs and interests of players by providing opportunities to improve skills and achieve success at the highest levels they choose to pursue.
CGU offers both recreational soccer for younger ages (U4-U9/10) and competitive soccer for U9-U18 players. The club plays within the Twin Cities Soccer League, competing against similar-sized and skilled clubs.
The club prides itself on being affordable while maintaining professional standards and experienced training staff.
CGU aims to provide every player with a team to play for, regardless of level or age, welcoming players from both within and outside the Cottage Grove community.
Competitive teams require tryouts starting at U11, with players divided by skill level to ensure appropriate competition and development opportunities.
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10. Minnesota United FC Academy
Website: mnufc.com (navigate to academy section)
Address: 4150 Olson Memorial Highway, Suite 300 Golden Valley, MN 554226
Phone: (763) 476.2237
Fax: (763) 331.8788
For families with players who dream of professional soccer, Minnesota United FC Academy represents the ultimate pathway. As the youth development wing of the MLS club, the academy was launched in February 2017 and focuses on developing young players who could eventually join the first team.
The academy competes in MLS NEXT, providing the highest level of competition available to youth players in the region.
Players receive professional-level coaching and training facilities, with the opportunity to train alongside first team players at times. The academy collaborates with local youth clubs throughout Minnesota, creating partnerships that benefit the broader soccer community.
Getting into the MNUFC Academy requires elite talent and commitment.
Tryouts are highly competitive, and players who make academy teams should expect a demanding schedule that includes multiple training sessions per week and extensive travel for competitions. For those with the ability and dedication, the academy offers a clear professional pathway.
Choosing the Right Club
When choosing a club, families should consider their player’s skill level, competitive ambitions, time commitment, budget, and geographic location.
The best club for one player may not be the best for another.
Many clubs offer trial sessions or practices where potential players can experience the coaching style and team culture before committing.
Taking time to research, visit clubs, and talk with current families can help you find the right fit for your young soccer player.
