By Ashley Ferraro
Parkland Soccer Club continues to grow its footprint in the youth soccer community, both locally and abroad. As they gear up to head into the 2025–2026 season, the club reports a significant increase in player participation, almost doubling its size in the past couple of years.
Director of Coaching and Soccer Operations Luis Valente attributes this momentum to the club’s consistent focus on player development, values-based instruction, and inclusive growth. In alignment with this mission, the club introduced a new slogan this season: “More than a soccer club, a soccer family.” Emphasizing the Club’s family and community focus. Coach Dumel Decius, Director of Competitive Performance, puts it best, “We all have to understand that none of us is better than all of us. So we do better when we work together.”
In particular, this past couple of years have marked notable growth on the girls’ side of the program, with Parkland Soccer Club expanding from five to twelve girls’ teams, highlighting the club’s increasing reputation for developing female talent.
Parkland Soccer Club recently traveled to Barcelona, Spain, to compete in the MIC Cup, a widely regarded youth tournament that draws top-tier teams from around the world. Two boys’ teams earned the trip by placing in the top three of their ECNL divisions last season. Matches included opponents such as France’s PSG Academy, Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk, England’s Steven Gerrard Academy, and other international and local Spanish teams.
Both teams advanced from the group stage to the Round of 16, showcasing impressive skill and earning praise from opponents and officials alike, though ultimately falling short in closely contested matches.
Building on the success of this international experience, the club is now exploring similar opportunities for its ECNL-RL teams and teams in its girls program.
Off the field, Parkland Soccer Club has also enhanced its college recruitment resources this past season. After previously outsourcing this support, the club has now brought the role in-house.
The newly appointed Director of College Recruiting, Jona Andrade, works directly with student-athletes to provide both administrative guidance and long-term planning support. So far this season, four players have committed to college programs, with several more in active conversations with institutions.
Consistent with its comprehensive approach, Parkland Soccer Club continues to prioritize character development alongside athletic training by drilling in on a key set of values: Commitment, Resilience, Excellence, Winning Mentality, Humility, Growth Mindset, Respect, Effort, and, new this year, Generosity.
Bridget Jacobsen, the club administrator, stated, “We truly try to make the club feel like a soccer family. Our values help to create great athletes, teammates, and people. Our focus is to help each athlete grow and succeed in whatever they choose, whether that is playing soccer at the next level or committing to full-time academic life.”
The Club has also expanded its Mini and Mighty Kickers program, which is designed for children ages 4 to 7. In just its first year, the program has doubled in participation, and its graduating players have successfully transitioned to competitive play within the club’s teams.
Tryouts for the 2025–2026 season run May 1–8, with registration now open. Additional dates may be added as needed to accommodate new players or evaluate additional talent. Players ages 6–19 are encouraged to attend.
To learn more about Parkland Soccer Club or to register for tryouts, visit parklandtravelsoccer.com.
