Home of New York's Most Comprehensive Youth Soccer Program

• Over 1000 Boys and Girls U5-U19
• Competitive Travel Soccer Teams coached and trained by top USSF licensed and experienced coaches
• Recreational Teams and Clinics
• Parent Clinics and Games
• "A" License, ODP and college coaches assigned to youth teams
• International training camps available to interested players

DUSC - A Tradition of Soccer Excellence Since 1982

Since 1982 Downtown United Soccer Club has been offering soccer to boys and girls. DUSC’s inclusive program has a simple idea: "teach a younger player the skills that he or she will need, play them in a supportive team structure, make sure the emphasis is on fun and you will grow strong, cohesive and competitive teams."

The Recreational League fields intramural coed teams for children 5-13 years old. Coached by experienced parents, the weekend games are spirited and fun-filled. Professional coaches support and guide the enthusiastic efforts of our parent volunteers, assist in the preparaton of curriculum-based practice plans, run supplemental training clinics and scout for potential travel and tournament-level players.

Recreational soccer is a great way to start your New York soccer experience! Clinics offer children who want to work more intensively on their skills the opportunity to train with one of DUSC’s professional coaches.

DUSC’s fall recreational league is a 10 week season that play games each week in a fun, learning environment. Each game will follow a short clinic that teaches some of the fundamental techniques in soccer. The curriculum and playing formats has been designed and developed based on best practices and recommendations from international soccer coaching organizations.

DUSC strongly believes that it is in the best interests of children ages U6-U10 age to play soccer in an academy program comprised of intensive training sessions and small-sided games.  This allows players to learn the fundamentals of soccer, and to appreciate the game, without an inappropriate level of competition.

The program is run by professional coaches who have designed lesson plans to develop each player’s technical and tactical skill in a friendly, fun and professional environment. Players will learn the various components of the game in preparation for Travel League soccer at U11.

The Academy is a 10-month program. Activities will progress from simple to more complex as the year continues.  The focus of the training will be on the individual player: we want every Academy player to become more confident and comfortable with the ball in game-like situations when challenged.  Focus will also be placed on the fundamental techniques of soccer: dribbling, receiving, passing and ball striking -- the building blocks of the game for all youth players.

DUSC Travel is the most comprehensive program in Manhattan. Boys’ teams from U11 through U18 and co-ed Academy teams from U6 through U10 are coached by excellent and dedicated professionals drawn from college and Olympic Development Program teams.

All coaches are licensed by a FIFA (Federation International de Football Association) recognized associations such as USSF (United States Soccer Federation), and are also certified by the NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America).

Full attention is given to skills, fitness, game strategy, and sportsmanship

Supplementary clinics with guest coaches, seminars and individual consultations are offered throughout the year to guide players in their soccer choices.

In 2007, Gotham Girls Football Club (GGFC) was established as the FIRST and ONLY ALL-GIRLS Soccer Club in NYC.

The Club’s top flight, professional coaching staff has a uniquely positive, child-centered  approach to teaching and competition, with the goals of instilling a love for the beautiful game, and helping girls reach their full potential as players and people.   

GGFC is committed to long-term success for its athletes. For the youngest, coaches emphasize skills, decision making, and creativity. Girls who play for GGFC are given the tools and opportunities to compete at the highest level in a safe and fun environment.  Over the years, GGFC teams have been invited to play in the top division of the very competitive Westchester Youth Soccer League. This is quite an accomplishment for a new club playing in a higher level  league.

For those who wish to play collegiate soccer, GGFC offers a personalized placement program with AndGo Sports. GGFC is also proud to be affiliated with the Women’s Pro Soccer League Champions, Sky Blue FC, a relationship that includes special camp, game-day and training opportunities for our aspiring athletes.
DUSC is proud to have GGFC as their sister club and will continue to encourage and recommend young women that are looking for the BEST training, competition and girls’ elite soccer experience in NYC to join the club. To learn more visit GothamGirls.org

In 2003 Downtown United Soccer Club started an outreach program, City Soccer Initiative (CSI), serving New York City’s underprivileged children in inner city schools. The mission of CSI is to provide soccer instruction in a fun and motivating environment where children can learn the values of teamwork while building self-confidence and self-esteem. These characteristics will follow the children into the classroom and result in stronger academic achievements and improved life skills.

CSI is reaching over eight hundred children each week with instructional play and development through its in school programs. We will continue to build local Recreational programs, Elite Academies and expand Travel team opportunities citywide.

DUSC’s five-day camp offers top-flight skills training and critical character building. Our experienced and talented staff employs disciplined training methods to deliver a week of innovative – and fun! – soccer education.

Gustavo Palomino, Director of Coaching at DUSC, has designed an intensive program for players looking to improve their individual game and reach a higher level of play.  Players will learn new forms of warm up and flexibility exercises and will be put on dribbling, body movement, passing, shooting, game tactics and much more. Games will allow players the opportunity to develop skills gained.

Our focus is on the imagination, style and flair of the individual player.  We believe that soccer is a player’s game where each player should be given the skills that allow him or her the freedom to use their imagination and to make critical decisions on the field without the restrictions of over-coaching.  We want to develop smart players, with a strong grounding in proper technique, who will go on to develop their own creative interpretation, and love, of the game.

Clinics offer children who want to work more intensively on their skills the opportunity to train with one of DUSC’s professional coaches.

Clinics are scheduled various week day evenings for age-specific groups.

The clinics are the ideal environment for children who want to take their game to the next level, but not ready to commit to the Travel Soccer experience.

DUSC sponsors tournaments throughout the year.

These tournaments help to support youth soccer in New York City.

Tournament fees are DUSC's major fundraiser and are tax deducatble.

The proceeds from these tournaments go directly to supporting scholarship players and to help teams attend tournaments.