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Top Rated Youth Soccer Clubs in Santa Barbara, California

For families living in or near Santa Barbara, finding a club that balances high-level player development with reasonable commute times is critical. This directory lists the competitive youth soccer organizations headquartered specifically within the Santa Barbara metropolitan area and surrounding suburbs.

These clubs offer programs for various age groups, typically starting at U6 and progressing through U19 college showcase teams. The listings below include detailed data on field locations, tryout dates, and league affiliations to help you compare local options side-by-side.

Find the Best Soccer Club in Santa Barbara, California for you.

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Soccer Clubs Near Santa Barbara, California (8)

Eagles Soccer Club logo
Camarillo, CA

Eagles Soccer Club (Eagles SC) is a youth soccer organization based in Camarillo, California. The club has been established since 1978, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to youth soccer development. Eagles SC provides an elite environment focused on helping players achieve their full potential through quality training. The club serves a wide range of age groups, with teams spanning from birth years 2006/2007 through 2016 for both boys and girls. Eagles SC emphasizes a "One Family Committed To Excellence" philosophy. A notable feature is their college program, which assists players with college commitments and placement. The club competes in top competitive leagues, including the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) and ECNL Regional League (ECNL-RL). They also participate in the National Premier League (NPL) for specific age groups, as well as the Coast Soccer League (CSL) and Eagles Youth Soccer League (EYSL).

Leagues: ECNL Girls | ECNL RL Girls | ECNL RL Boys | Pre-ECNL

Oaks FC logo
Thousand Oaks, CA

Oaks FC is a youth soccer organization based in Thousand Oaks, California, serving the Conejo Valley and San Fernando Valley regions. The club has continuously operated in Thousand Oaks since the early 1980s and became a non-profit corporation in 1987. Oaks FC provides soccer education for boys and girls ranging from 4 through 19 years old, including a Juniors Program for the youngest players. The club emphasizes player development over a winning-at-all-costs mentality, fostering a challenging and supportive environment. It offers a clear player pathway, facilitating a smooth transition from recreational to competitive club soccer. From 2015-2021, Oaks FC operated as an LA Galaxy affiliate, LA Galaxy Conejo Valley. Oaks FC competitive teams participate in top-tier leagues such as ECNL, ECNL-RL, and the Elite Academy (EA) League. They are also a US Club Soccer affiliate and compete in the SOCAL Soccer League and Coast Soccer League. Oaks FC is listed as an MLS NEXT Academy Division Member Club for the 2025-26 season, providing a pathway to professional soccer. The club has a history of developing players, including notable alumni like Cobi Jones and Eric Wynalda.

Leagues: MLS Next 2 | DPL

Santa Barbara Soccer Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to youth soccer development and amateur athletic competition. They offer a variety of programs including Recreational, Competitive, and Academy soccer, catering to players from Pre-K through high school. The club focuses on individual player development, aiming to help each participant reach their full potential and fostering a love for the game. They support both boys' and girls' teams competing in California Youth Soccer Association (CYSA) leagues and tournaments, and also sponsor CYSA tournaments. Santa Barbara SC strives to create a positive environment that promotes player advancement, including opportunities for college placement and invitations to national training camps. They emphasize building a strong technical foundation and tactical awareness through their programs. The club is committed to providing a safe and equitable environment for all players, regardless of background.

Leagues: MLS Next

Ventura County Fusion is a founding member of MLS NEXT, an elite youth development platform in partnership with Major League Soccer. This platform aims to transform youth player development in the United States and Canada by providing elite year-round competition, player identification initiatives, coaching education, and other programming. MLS NEXT operates with a collaborative governance structure to accelerate and enhance player development in North America. VC Fusion's participation in MLS NEXT means their players will compete against top teams, including MLS Academies and foreign competition, providing a challenging environment for player growth. Ventura County Fusion offers a full elite player pathway for youth players, with teams competing in various leagues including MLS NEXT.

Leagues: MLS Next | MLS Next 2 | NPL | DPL

Club Deportivo La Esperanza is a youth soccer club based in Oxnard, California. Established in 2003, the club focuses on fostering passion for soccer among young players through structured team environments. It serves boys and girls across various youth age groups, emphasizing development from early stages onward. The club builds strong team unity and companionship, evident in rapid bonding among players both on and off the field. A key feature is the mentorship provided by dedicated coaches who instill values of hard work, perseverance, and respect. The Boys 2007 Team, guided by Coach Eric, exemplifies this approach by earning Team of the Year recognition through outstanding achievements. La Esperanza Soccer Club promotes a culture of teamwork and shared dedication to the sport. It distinguishes itself by creating supportive atmospheres that accelerate player growth and team success in competitive settings.

Leagues: NPL

Oxnard United Soccer Club (OUSC) operates as a premier youth soccer organization in Oxnard, California, serving the greater Ventura County region. Founded in 1985, the club has built a strong reputation for fostering talent and passion for the sport over nearly four decades. OUSC provides comprehensive programs for boys and girls across age groups from U5 through U19, emphasizing skill development, teamwork, and personal growth. The club distinguishes itself through its inclusive approach, combining recreational and elite competitive pathways to accommodate players of all skill levels. OUSC's competitive teams participate in high-caliber leagues such as ECNL, NPL, and USYS National League, offering direct pathways to advanced youth national teams and professional scouting opportunities. Players advance through structured tiers that prioritize technical proficiency and tactical awareness, preparing them for collegiate and professional soccer. The club maintains a focus on character building alongside athletic achievement, with alumni progressing to Division I college programs and select professional academies. OUSC also integrates community outreach, promoting soccer accessibility in local schools and underserved areas of Oxnard.

Leagues: NPL

Oxnard Wave FC is a premier youth soccer club based in Oxnard, California, serving the Ventura County region along the Central Coast. Established in 1995, the club has built a strong reputation for fostering soccer talent in a coastal community known for its vibrant sports culture. Oxnard Wave FC caters to boys and girls across age groups from U5 through U19, emphasizing skill development at every level from recreational to elite competition. The club distinguishes itself through its integrated training philosophy that combines technical drills, tactical awareness, and physical conditioning in a beachside environment, promoting both athletic growth and personal resilience. Unique features include specialized coastal training sessions that leverage Oxnard's ocean proximity for recovery and team-building activities, setting it apart from inland competitors. Oxnard Wave FC fields teams in top competitive leagues such as ECNL, NPL, and USYS National League, providing clear pathways for players advancing toward collegiate and professional opportunities. The club's academy program focuses on holistic player development, with pathways designed to prepare athletes for higher-level showcases and scouting events. Over the years, Oxnard Wave FC has produced numerous players who have secured spots on college rosters and semi-professional teams, underscoring its commitment to long-term success in youth soccer.

Leagues: NPL

Ventura Surf SC is a premier youth soccer club based in Ventura County, California, with operations extending to the Thousand Oaks region. The club delivers comprehensive soccer programming rooted in the US Soccer Curriculum to foster skill development from introductory levels to advanced competition. They serve players across a wide range of ages, starting from 3-year-olds in foundational academies up through high school athletes. Ventura Surf emphasizes technical proficiency through targeted initiatives like the FUNdamental Soccer Academy, Ball Mastery Clinics, and Elite Friday Finishing Academy. Professional coaching staff integrate a unified club curriculum designed for age-appropriate evaluation and optimal player growth. The organization supports long-term family involvement, encouraging participants to progress together from early years into competitive environments. Girls' teams compete in the SOCAL League sanctioned by US Club Soccer and the CSL under CalSouth. Ventura Surf hosts prestigious events such as the Shoreline Cup, enhancing regional competition and exposure for all participants. The club positions itself as the \"Best of the Best\" in youth soccer development, prioritizing a challenging yet supportive atmosphere for boys and girls alike.

Leagues: NPL

Player Development Pathways in Santa Barbara

The youth soccer culture in Santa Barbara is driven by a mix of non-profit community associations and private academies. Many of the clubs listed here utilize local facilities, including municipal parks and school district stadiums.

How to Compare:

We recommend reviewing the 'Competitive Level' tag on each profile. Some clubs in Santa Barbara focus on recreational play and foundational skills, others are designated as 'High Level', or 'Local/State Level Competitive' requiring regional travel or to nearby cities for league matches, while 'Elite' teams often travel across states and nationally.

Browse Soccer Clubs Near Other Cities In California

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Club Soccer?

Club Soccer, also commonly known as travel soccer, represents a higher level of competitive youth soccer compared to recreational leagues. In the club system, players typically attend tryouts to be selected for a team within a privately-owned soccer club. These clubs are focused on long-term player development and compete against other clubs in various leagues and tournaments. The environment is more structured, with professionally licensed coaches, more frequent practices, and a greater time and financial commitment. The goal is to develop players' technical skills, tactical understanding, and overall passion for the game at a more intensive level.

If you're interested in exploring this path for your child, a great first step is to see what options are available in your area. You can start by looking at our directory of youth soccer clubs. For a deeper dive into what this journey entails, check out our article on Understanding Youth Soccer Player Development.

What is the difference between travel, club, and rec soccer?

Club Soccer and Travel Soccer are generally synonymous terms for competitive soccer programs. They are a significant step up from recreational soccer in terms of commitment, competition, and cost.

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:

  • Competition Level: Club/Travel soccer is highly competitive, with teams formed through tryouts. Recreational (Rec) soccer is open to everyone regardless of skill level, focusing on fun and participation.
  • Coaching: Club teams are typically coached by licensed, professional coaches who are paid for their services. Rec teams are often coached by parent volunteers.
  • Commitment: Club players commit to a full soccer year (fall and spring seasons) and are expected to attend multiple practices per week (often 2-3 sessions of 90-120 minutes) and games on weekends. Rec soccer usually involves a shorter season, with maybe one practice and one game per week.
  • Travel: As the name implies, travel/club soccer involves traveling to play games against teams from other towns, cities, or even states, especially for tournaments and showcase events. Rec soccer games are almost always local.
  • Cost: The financial commitment for club soccer is significantly higher, covering professional coaching, league fees, tournament entries, and uniforms. You can learn more in our detailed guide on the Cost of Youth Soccer.
  • Player Development: The primary focus of club soccer is on developing individual skills and tactical knowledge to prepare players for higher levels of competition. Rec soccer focuses more on learning the basic rules, sportsmanship, and having fun.

For families looking for a fun, introductory experience, a recreational program like MLS Go can be a perfect start.

What are the different youth soccer leagues in the US?

The U.S. youth soccer landscape is comprised of numerous leagues, each offering different levels of competition, exposure to college scouts, and geographical reach. Understanding this structure can be complex, but it can generally be viewed as a pyramid.

Here are some of the most prominent national and regional leagues:

  • MLS NEXT: Considered the highest level of boys' youth soccer in North America, it's run by Major League Soccer and focuses on developing players for professional and national teams. Learn more about the new two-tiered system in our Guide to the New MLS Next Divisions.
  • ECNL (Elite Clubs National League): The ECNL is a premier national league for both boys and girls, known for its high level of competition and as a major platform for college recruitment. It includes both national and regional tiers (ECNL-RL).
  • Girls Academy (GA): A top-tier, girls-only league created by and for players, focusing on holistic player development and providing a direct pathway to college and national teams.
  • US Youth Soccer National League: One of the largest and most established leagues, offering a tiered structure with both team-based and club-based competition that provides a pathway to the annual USYS National Championships.
  • National Premier Leagues (NPL): A national competition platform by US Club Soccer that consists of various regional member leagues, culminating in a national championship event.

For a comprehensive overview of how these leagues compare, explore our Youth Soccer Leagues guide and our detailed analysis in the Boys Youth Soccer Pyramid Explained.

How do I choose the right club for my child?

Choosing the right soccer club is a crucial decision that can shape your child's athletic and personal development. It's about finding the best fit for their skills, goals, and personality, as well as what works for your family.

Here are key factors to consider:

  • Club Philosophy and Culture: Does the club prioritize winning at all costs, or is there a strong emphasis on player development, sportsmanship, and fun? Try to observe a practice or game to get a feel for the environment.
  • Coaching Quality: Look for experienced, licensed coaches who are good teachers and positive role models. A good coach knows how to motivate and develop young athletes while fostering a love for the game.
  • Player Development Pathway: Does the club have a clear plan for developing players from younger ages to older, more competitive levels? What opportunities do they provide for growth?
  • Level of Competition: Ensure the club competes at a level that will challenge your child without being overwhelming. This is where understanding the different youth soccer leagues is important.
  • Logistics and Cost: Consider the practice schedules, travel requirements, and overall financial commitment. Be sure to understand what is included in the club fees and what will be extra.

To begin your research, you can browse our directory of youth soccer clubs. For more tips on the evaluation process, read our guide on Understanding Youth Soccer Player Development.

What is the pathway to college soccer?

Navigating the college soccer recruiting process requires a proactive and organized approach from both the player and their family. The journey typically begins in the early high school years.

Here are the essential steps on the pathway to playing college soccer:

  1. Play at a High Level: Competing in nationally recognized leagues like ECNL, Girls Academy, or MLS NEXT is crucial for exposure, as college coaches heavily recruit from these platforms.
  2. Maintain Strong Academics: Good grades and standardized test scores are non-negotiable. Student-athletes must meet NCAA eligibility requirements to be considered.
  3. Create a Player Profile & Highlight Video: Compile a soccer resume that includes your academic achievements, athletic accomplishments, and contact information. A well-edited highlight video (3-5 minutes) is essential to showcase your skills to coaches.
  4. Attend ID Camps and Showcases: These events are specifically designed for prospective student-athletes to demonstrate their abilities in front of numerous college coaches.
  5. Proactive Communication: Don't wait to be discovered. Research schools that are a good fit both athletically and academically. Send introductory emails to coaches, including your player profile and highlight video, and follow up persistently.
  6. Guidance from Your Club: Your club coaches and directors can be valuable resources in connecting with college programs and offering advice.

For a complete breakdown of the timeline and strategy, be sure to read our Youth Soccer Guide to College Soccer Recruiting.