Club/Cup Soccer Teams are in general the next level of soccer above Travel soccer. Unlike Travel, which is community-based (non-profit), club soccer (for-profit) teams are formed with players across different communities/school districts. Club teams play in PA West's Classic League—Divisions 1, 2, and 3 or other Regional Leagues; however, strong travel teams can play in Divisions 1, 2, or 3 (with restrictions regarding players who play both Club and Travel and coach license levels). Classic League Division 1 is usually tougher than Travel Division 4 however, Classic Divisions 2 & 3 are often comparable to Travel Division 4.
Club soccer is separate from MASA and MASA does not endorse any one program, but MASA has players that participate in different club organizations and, as such, is providing information regarding the various club programs in the region for older players that want to progress to
the next level of training and competition and further their development.
Club tryouts are typically held in early June for the subsequent Fall/Spring season. Clubs will practice twice per week in Spring and Fall and typically offer Winter training. Games are played on Saturdays. Most clubs attend 1-2 tournaments (age dependent) in both the Fall and Spring. Players can try out for any program, but due to varying costs ($2,500 - $10,000 per year including travel,hotels, and tournament fees), and the logistics of attending practices and games, most players gravitate toward a club that is both logistically and financially feasible. When deciding on a club, contact the director and ask to attend a few training sessions with the coach and team for the relevant age group. Talk to the coach. Talk to other families that are involved in the program. Consider feedback from others about the club and the club/coach's reputation, but, remember, no one club is the best fit for every player. It's usually best to match the player to the coach that best meets your individual player's needs and philosophy of player development.
If you have more questions about the Club/Cup Soccer opportunities in our area or wish to understand what the US Soccer landscape looks like, please reach out to our Player Development Coordinator, John "Willie" Arnold.
Below are the club soccer programs in the Pittsburgh area along with their general location. Clubs with an asterisk have Moon players currently rostered on one or more teams. Click on the club name to go directly to their website.
| Club Website | Club Operating Region |
| Allegheny Force FC (AFFC) | East - Irwin, New Kensington, Plum |
| Arsenal * | Northeast - Fox Chapel, Penn Hills, Plum, Wexford |
| BC United * | West - Beaver County |
| Beadling * | South primarily, with East and North branches |
| Century * | South primarily, with West, East, and North branches |
| FC Pittsburgh * | West - Sewickley |
| Hotspurs * | West, Northeast |
| Pittsburgh FC * | South - Bridgeville, Canonsburg |
| Riverhounds Development Academy * | Pittsburgh |
| SCS United * | North - Cranberry |
| Steel Town Magic | South - Bethel Park, North - Shaler |
| Victory Express * | South - Washington |
