Downtown United Soccer Club

What Downtown United Soccer Club does

Downtown United Soccer Club (DUSC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth soccer organization incorporated in New York since 1982 (EIN 13-4130051), serving approximately 5,000 participants annually across Downtown Manhattan and the greater New York City area. The club operates a vertically integrated soccer development portfolio spanning ages 3 through U23+, structured as a pipeline from introductory programs to elite competitive play. Core programs include the Academy (competitive U7-U19 travel teams), Recreation League (parent-volunteer coached community play), Classes (Mini Ballers ages 3-5 through specialized Goalkeeping, Footworx, and Strikers), multi-format Camps (Summer Soccer Camp, Advanced Player Pathway Camp, School's Out Camps), D-League (Recreation-to-Academy bridge), and Futsal. The elite tier features DUSC Men competing in the Northeast Academy League (NEAL) with MLS NEXT scouting pathways, and DUSC Women in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) in partnership with NJ/NY Gotham FC, with back-to-back WPSL championships in 2021 and 2022. The organization is led by Executive Director Kevin McCarthy, governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Andy Scruton, and overseen by technical directors holding US Soccer "A" licenses.

The club generates revenue primarily through tiered program registration fees (Academy at $3,800-$4,750/season, Recreation at $295/season, Classes at $450/session, Camps at $200-$790/week, with usage-based Squads at $45-$55/class), supplemented by Adidas uniform kit sales, corporate sponsorships (Adidas, Chobani, Northwell Health, CIBC, Kollective), and tax-deductible donations processed through GiveLively. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the PlayMetrics registration platform, with secondary registration through LeagueApps, supported by Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook organic presence plus community referral. Field operations span nine permitted NYC venues including Pier 40 at Hudson River Park, Randalls Island, Governors Island, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Socceroof Wall Street. The organization has no proprietary technology stack; vendor partnerships for club management (PlayMetrics, LeagueApps), match video (Veo), and donations (GiveLively) constitute the operational technology layer.

From a positioning standpoint, DUSC self-describes as the largest and most comprehensive youth soccer club in NYC, with claimed advantages rooted in 40+ years of community tenancy, scarcity-protected access to premier urban facilities, an end-to-end player pathway to college recruitment and semi-professional play, and the Soccer For All financial-aid philosophy. The primary customer segments are family-payer households with children ages 3-19, dual-primary between Recreational/Classes (recreational feeder) and Academy/Travel (premium-tier competitive). No venture or private-equity backing exists; the entity operates independently as a community-based nonprofit reliant on fees, sponsorships, and donations.

Name

Downtown United Soccer Club

Legal name

Downtown United Soccer Club, Inc.

Website

https://dusc.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Downtown United Soccer Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth soccer organization founded in 1982 in New York City, serving approximately 5,000 participants annually through Academy, Recreation, Classes, Camps, D-League, Futsal, and elite Men's and Women's professional pathway programs under an MLS NEXT/Girls Academy/WPSL affiliation model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Soccer Training & Development

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

Keywords

• Youth soccer training
• Soccer academy programs
• Youth sports development
• Competitive soccer leagues
• Soccer camps and clinics

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Program Registration Fees: DUSC generates primary revenue through seasonal registration fees for Academy, Recreation League, Classes, Camps, D-League, Futsal, and Men's/Women's programs. Fees vary by program type and age group.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors including Adidas, Chobani, Northwell Health, Saatva, and Kollective provide financial and in-kind support through community sponsorship and corporate social responsibility partnerships.
3. Donations and Fundraising: As a 501c(3) nonprofit organization, DUSC receives tax-deductible donations through GiveLively platform, employer matching programs, team fundraising pages, and international trip contributions.
4. Uniform and Equipment Sales: Players purchase required Adidas uniform kits including home/away jerseys, shorts, socks, practice shirts, sweat suits, and backpacks on a two-year cycle.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Downtown United Soccer Club educates, trains, and inspires youth soccer players of all ages and abilities through a multi-tiered program ecosystem spanning beginner (Mini Ballers, ages 3-5) through semi-professional pathways (DUSC Women in WPSL, DUSC Men in NEAL/MLS NEXT). Programs include Academy, Recreation League, Classes (including Goalkeeping, Footworx, Strikers), Camps (Summer, Advanced Player Pathway, School's Out), D-League (bridge program), Futsal, and College ID Camps.

Product overview

Downtown United Soccer Club (DUSC) is a 501c(3) nonprofit youth soccer organization offering a comprehensive, multi-tiered portfolio of soccer programs in NYC. The club serves approximately 5,000 participants annually through a unified ecosystem of programs spanning beginner to elite levels. The core programs include Academy (competitive youth soccer U7–U19), Recreation League (parent-volunteer coached community league), Classes (professional coach-led skill development including Mini Ballers, Goalkeeping, Footworx, and Strikers), and Camps (Summer Soccer Camp, Advanced Player Pathway Camp, and School's Out Camps). Additional programs include D-League (bridge from Recreation to Academy), Futsal Club (winter indoor), College ID Camps (recruitment support with college coaches), and 3As/DUSC Select (advanced player evaluation and selection). DUSC also operates a professional pathway through DUSC Women (WPSL, in partnership with Gotham FC) and DUSC Men (NEAL/MLS NEXT pathway). Community initiatives include Soccer Recycle (uniform recycling) and community volunteering. Registration and payments are handled through PlayMetrics and LeagueApps platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academy Competitive youth soccer program for players U7-U19, managed by a professional coaching staff. Geared toward complete development of high-level players progressing toward collegiate and professional levels. Includes Pre-Academy (U7-U8), full Academy (U9-U14), and U15-U19 programs with structured age-group formats from 4v4 to 11v11.
• Recreation League Youth soccer league for building friendships, community, and passion for the game through friendly competition. Managed by professional staff but coached by parent volunteers. Offered in fall and winter seasons at Pier 40 and other NYC locations.
• Classes Professional coach-led small-group soccer skill development programs. Includes Mini Ballers (Ages 3-5), General Classes (Ages 5-14), specialized offerings such as Goalkeeping, Footworx, and Strikers, plus Squads (custom small-group sessions).
• Summer Soccer Camp Full-day and half-day soccer camp at Pier 40, Manhattan, for ages 3-13. Offers 12 weeks of programming (June-September) combining skill work, ball mastery, coordination activities, and small-sided games in a positive environment.
• Advanced Player Pathway Camp Full-day advanced soccer camp for academy-level players (U8-U15) participating in travel or academy programs. Includes individual development plans, athletic development, video analysis, nutrition guidance, and mental skills coaching. Led by Directors and Academy coaches at MLS NEXT and GA level.
• School's Out Camps Soccer camps held during school breaks (e.g., February Break, Eid al-Adha, summer). Open to all players ages 5-12, offering skill work, small-sided games, and World Cup-format competitions.
• D-League Invitation-only bridge program for players U9-U12 between Recreation League and Academy. Introduces a more competitive environment with less commitment than Academy. Competes in Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL).
• Futsal Club Winter indoor futsal program for competitive club soccer players in birth years 2012-2016. Focuses on ball mastery, individual duels, and small-sided game experience. Offered at Pier 40 Indoor facility.
• DUSC Women Women's semi-professional team competing in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL), operating in collaboration with NJ/NY Gotham FC. Serves as Gotham FC's main scouting affiliate in NYC. Won back-to-back WPSL league championships in 2021 and 2022.
• DUSC Men Men's team competing in the Northeast Academy League (NEAL), a competitive platform for players aspiring to MLS NEXT. Provides increased identification opportunities and enhanced scouting through MLS NEXT cooperation.
• College ID Camps Events held throughout the year to help players with college recruitment. College coaches run training sessions, facilitate Q&A sessions on the recruitment process, evaluate players, and view 11v11 match play. Open to DUSC and non-DUSC players. All matches filmed via Veo.

Quantifiable outcome

• Former DUSC players have progressed to professional academies, US Youth National Teams, and collegiate programs across Division I, II, III and Junior College
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, lead and community.

• NJ/NY Gotham FCflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Gotham and DUSC partnered in 2021 to launch a Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) team. DUSC Women won back-to-back league championships in 2021 and 2022. The team serves as the main scouting affiliate club in NYC for Gotham FC.
• PlayMetricscoreTechnology or IntegrationPlayMetrics is the club management platform partner handling all registrations, payments, scheduling, and communications for DUSC. All families must create PlayMetrics accounts to register for programs.
• AdidasflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLead sponsor providing official uniforms and equipment. All Academy and D-League players are required to purchase Adidas kits including home/away jerseys, shorts, socks, practice shirts, sweat suits, and backpacks.
• ChobanileadGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor providing support for recreation league and community programs.
• Northwell HealthleadGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor providing health and safety support. Partner in keeping players safe during summer programming with UV protection awareness.
• SaatvacommunityGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship offering community members a discount on Saatva products. Discount automatically applied when using DUSC referral link.
• DAZNcommunityGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership providing free streaming access to top-tier women's football including UEFA Women's Champions League, Liga F, Arkema Premiere Ligue, Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga, and Serie A Femminile for DUSC community.
• Kickoff Coffee CocommunityGTM or Marketing Partner10% of proceeds from every bag sold goes directly to funding football for social development programs in underserved communities in the US and around the world. Use code DUSC20 for 20% discount.
• KollectiveleadGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor supporting DUSC programs with presence in Recreation League, Classes, and community initiatives.
• Hudson River Park TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for field permits and maintenance at Pier 40 and other Hudson River Park locations. DUSC Academy teams participate in volunteering to keep parks and fields beautiful.
• Partnerships For ParkscommunityStrategic or Co-development PartnerDUSC teams partner with Partnerships For Parks for community volunteering and park maintenance initiatives.
• Soccer RecyclecommunityStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity initiative that collects new and gently used soccer uniforms and redistributes them to needy programs around the world. Engages youth volunteers to promote social responsibility.
• Northeast Academy League (NEAL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDUSC Men competes in NEAL, a competitive platform for players aspiring to participate in MLS NEXT. Strategic cooperation agreement provides increased identification opportunities and enhanced scouting.
• Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal league affiliate for D-League program. CJSL is the local league affiliate of the state association for youth soccer.
• MLS NEXTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDUSC participates in MLS NEXT league for Boys Academy (U13-U19 Homegrown teams). Provides competition platform with MLS collaboration for identification opportunities and assessments.
• Girls Academy LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDUSC Girls Academy participates in GA league for competitive development at national level.
• CIBCleadGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor supporting DUSC programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Manhattan SC: NYC-based youth soccer club fielding travel and Academy teams in Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs. Direct peer to DUSC in the competitive youth soccer market, competing for Academy registrations in the same geographic catchment.
• New York Soccer Club (NYSC): NYC youth soccer club fielding competitive teams in regional and national leagues. Overlaps directly with DUSC's Academy programming and competes for players across Manhattan and surrounding boroughs.
• Super Soccer Stars: NYC-based youth soccer program offering classes, camps, and recreational play for ages 1–14. Direct peer to DUSC's Classes, Mini Ballers, and Summer Camp programs in the same metro market with similar parent-coached/learner models.
• FC Westchester: Youth soccer club operating Academy and travel programs in the NY metro (Westchester/NYC). Competes with DUSC for elite players willing to travel, and operates in ECNL, GA, and NPL leagues overlapping with DUSC's Academy pathways.
• SUSA FC: Long-running New York metropolitan area youth soccer club offering Academy, travel, and select programs. Comparable to DUSC in scale and programming breadth, and a competitor for NYC tri-state elite player talent.
• Brooklyn Italians / Brooklyn FC: Long-established NYC youth soccer club with competitive Academy teams in MLS NEXT, ECNL, and regional leagues. Direct peer to DUSC for elite boys' and girls' talent across the five boroughs, with similar club-based competitive model.

Regional players

• Sky Blue FC Youth Programs / NJ/NY Gotham FC Youth: NWSL-aligned (Gotham FC) youth programming operating across NJ/NY. Comparable to DUSC's Girls Academy and Women WPSL pathway; already a DUSC partner (scouting affiliate) and serves as both peer and ecosystem collaborator.

Emerging players

• i9 Sports: Franchise-based youth sports program operator offering soccer and other sports leagues/clinics in communities nationwide. Comparable to DUSC's Recreation League and Classes model in structure (community-based, multi-sport) and audience (ages 3–14).

Broad incumbents

• New York Red Bulls Academy: MLS-affiliated elite youth development academy competing in MLS NEXT across the NY/NJ region. Competes with DUSC's Boys Academy for elite U13–U19 talent and operates as a larger incumbent with direct professional club backing.
• NYCFC Academy / New York City FC Youth Programs: MLS-affiliated youth development pathway in NYC. Competes with DUSC for top-tier NYC Academy talent and operates MLS NEXT programming, providing a more visible pro-club pipeline alternative for DUSC's player families.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DowntownUtdSC
• Instagraminstagram.com/downtownunited
• Facebookfacebook.com/downtownunitedsoccerclub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/downtown-united-soccer-club

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Downtown United Soccer Club