Soccer Association of Columbia

What Soccer Association of Columbia does

Soccer Association of Columbia (SAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth soccer club founded in 1971 and based in Ellicott City, Maryland, serving approximately 6,000 youth players and 1,000 volunteers annually in the Howard County and greater Baltimore-Washington corridor. The club operates a tiered developmental funnel spanning ages 3 to 19: introductory SAC Juniors programs (Junior Tots, Junior Academy, Junior Technical Training), Recreation, tryout-based Select, multi-tier Travel (Pre-MLS NEXT/Pre-GA, MLS NEXT AD/GA Aspire, Premier, United), and the elite Baltimore Armour Academy — its wholly-owned subsidiary competing in MLS Next (boys U12–U18/19) and the Girls Academy League (girls U12–U18/19). The portfolio is rounded out by ancillary offerings including Technical Training, Summer Leagues, College Prep advisory, and a full slate of Holiday, Spring Break, and Summer camps and clinics.

The underlying technology stack is intentionally lean and third-party: PlayMetrics handles all player registration, team management, scheduling, and family communications; GotSport is used for league management and MSYSA player cards; Veo cameras record travel-level games; and Soccer.com powers the official fan wear and uniform e-commerce storefront. Operations are anchored by Bob Lucido Fields at Covenant Park, a 54-acre, 9-field, LED-lit complex opened in 2004, supplemented by partner facilities including Howard Community College, Howard County Public Schools, Cedar Lane Park, Soccer Dome, and Sports World.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack: the primary engine is program registration fees ranging from $135 for Junior Tots to $3,850 for top-tier Travel, billed seasonally or via multi-year contracts with Early Bird discounts and family/multi-child incentives; secondary streams include corporate sponsorship (Under Armour as headline uniform sponsor, plus DICK'S Sporting Goods, Soccer.com, Patient First, Musco Lighting), concession revenue share from the Snack Shack operated by Jennings Cafe, and tournament hosting fees. Distribution is registration-based through PlayMetrics with tryout-driven selection for Select, Travel, and Academy tiers, supported by community word-of-mouth, the sackick.com website, Instagram (@sacbaltimorearmour), and earned media such as FOX45 BMore Lifestyle. Strategic partnerships with Southampton FC (English Premier League), MLS Next, Girls Academy League, EDP Soccer, MSYSA, and Under Armour reinforce both brand positioning and competitive placement at the highest levels of U.S. youth soccer.

Name

Soccer Association of Columbia

Legal name

Soccer Association of Columbia

Website

https://sackick.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Soccer Association of Columbia is a nonprofit youth soccer club based in Ellicott City, Maryland, serving approximately 6,000 players annually ages 3–19 across introductory, recreational, travel, and elite academy tiers, anchored by its Baltimore Armour Academy competing in MLS Next and Girls Academy leagues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Soccer Programs and Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKACAE

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Collegiate & Amateur Sports Organizations (NCAA, Federations, Clubs)

SECONDARYBPAGADAJ

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYMPAKACAJ

Sport-Specific Amateur Leagues & Circuits (Non-Professional)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Collegiate & Amateur Sports Organizations (NCAA, Federations, Clubs)

SECONDARYEDALAIAB

Club Sports Programs

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Athletics, Recreation & Fitness

Keywords

• Youth soccer programs
• Soccer training services
• Recreational sports leagues
• Competitive soccer travel
• Youth athletic development

Headquarters

HQ city

Ellicott City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Program Registration Fees: Primary revenue source from player registration fees for Junior Tots, Junior Academy, Recreation, Select, Travel, and Academy programs. Fees vary by program type and include seasonal rates.
2. Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsors including Under Armour (uniform supplier), DICK'S Sporting Goods, Soccer.com (fan wear), Patient First, and Musco Lighting provide sponsorship income and in-kind support.
3. Concession Sales: Snack Shack vendor Steve Lampieri (owner of Jennings Cafe) operates concessions at Covenant Park, providing revenue share and enhanced game-day experience.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Soccer Association of Columbia (SAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth soccer organization founded in 1970/1971 in Howard County, Maryland, that delivers instructional and competitive soccer programming to more than 6,000 youth players annually through volunteer-supported programs. The organization operates the Bob Lucido Fields at Covenant Park, a 54-acre, 9-field complex, and runs developmental, recreational, and travel soccer pathways culminating in the Baltimore Armour Academy. SAC generates revenue from player registration fees, sponsorships, and on-site concessions.

Product overview

Soccer Association of Columbia (SAC) operates a multi-tiered youth soccer club offering programs for ages 3-19. The portfolio includes: (1) Entry-level programs under SAC Juniors for ages 3-6; (2) Recreational programs (Rec, Rec Plus, High School Rec) for ages 6-19; (3) Select competitive program for ages 8-14; (4) Travel program with multiple levels (Pre-MLS NEXT/Pre-GA, MLS NEXT AD/GA Aspire, Premier, United) for ages 7-19; (5) Baltimore Armour Academy as the top-tier program in MLS Next (boys) and Girls Academy (girls). Supplemental offerings include Technical Training, Summer Leagues, College Prep, and comprehensive camps/clinics (Holiday, Spring Break, Summer, Advanced). The club also organizes tournaments including its Select Tournament and hosts external camps from organizations like Coerver Soccer, Dutch Pro Camps, and others at its Bob Lucido Fields at Covenant Park facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Junior Tots
• Junior Academy
• Recreation League
• Select League
• Travel League
• Baltimore Armour Academy

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 players have represented colleges around the United States
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Under ArmourcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Current uniform sponsor. Provides official uniforms for SAC and Baltimore Armour. Bi-annual uniform purchasing cycle. Fan wear available through Soccer.com under Under Armour brand.
• Southampton FCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership with Southampton FC of English Premier League includes camps, coaching education courses, and tournaments. Both parties eager to strengthen relationship and grow mutually beneficial arrangement. Places SAC in national spotlight as one of few youth soccer clubs in US with top foreign professional club partnership.
• Musco LightingminorOthersInstalled new LED Stadium Lights at Bob Lucido Fields at Covenant Park. Musco Lighting provided lighting solutions for the facility.
• PlayMetricscoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary registration platform for all SAC programs. Handles player registration, team management, scheduling, and communication. Families create accounts and register through PlayMetrics with club-specific tokens.
• Soccer.comcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial fan wear store for SAC/BA merchandise. Handles uniform purchasing for travel players. Exclusive promotional offers and discounts for SAC members.
• DICK'S Sporting GoodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive discounts for SAC members at Columbia & Ellicott City stores. Year-round coupon offers and seasonal promotions for SAC families.
• Patient FirstminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNew sponsor providing healthcare information and urgent care services. Shared allergy season tips and health guidance with SAC community.
• MLS NextcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaltimore Armour boys teams compete in MLS Next league - highest level youth soccer league in US. Provides national competition, scouting exposure, and development pathway.
• Girls Academy LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaltimore Armour girls teams compete in Girls Academy League. Provides national competition, showcase events, and college recruitment exposure.
• EDP Soccer (CMSSL)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel teams participate in EDP/CMSSL league for regional competition. League management through GotSport platform.
• Maryland Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState-level governing body for youth soccer. Handles player carding, league sanctions, referee assignments, and state cup competitions.
• Howard Community CollegeminorOthersPartner facility for additional field space and game locations. Located at 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD.
• Howard County Public SchoolscoreOthersBoard of Education fields utilized for practice permits and recreational games. Multiple school fields across Howard County for practices and games.
• Elite TournamentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts multiple tournaments including Amanda Post Memorial, Baltimore Mania, Columbia Invitational Memorial Day, and Columbus Day Tournament through Elite Tournaments platform.
• Covenant ChurchminorOthersHost venue for Annual General Meeting. Jim Carlan Clubhouse located adjacent to church.
• Jennings Cafe (Steve Lampieri)minorOthersNew concession vendor for SAC Snack Shack at Covenant Park. Owner brings restaurant industry experience with expanded food and beverage options.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bethesda SC: Maryland-based elite youth soccer club fielding MLS Next teams and offering competitive travel programs. Comparable to SAC in operating model, age range, and DMV regional footprint.
• Players Development Academy (PDA): New Jersey-based elite youth soccer club with strong MLS Next and ECNL presence, recognized nationally for college placement and professional pathway development. Comparable to SAC's Baltimore Armour Academy in elite-tier competition and alumni outcomes.
• FC Delco: Pennsylvania-based elite youth soccer club historically known as one of the top talent producers in the U.S., operating ECNL and ECNL-RL programs. Comparable to SAC's Baltimore Armour in elite-tier competition and college placement track record.
• Pipeline Soccer Club: Maryland/DC-area elite youth soccer club competing in MLS Next and Girls Academy with a similar age 3-19 development pathway. Comparable to SAC as a direct competitor for elite travel and academy players in the DMV corridor.
• Baltimore Celtic: Maryland-based competitive youth soccer club operating Travel and Academy teams across the Baltimore region. Directly comparable to SAC as a regional competitor serving overlapping player families with similar MLS Next and EDP participation.
• Arlington Soccer Association: Virginia-based 501(c)(3) youth soccer club with a similar Rec, Select, Travel, and Academy structure serving the greater DC area. Directly comparable in nonprofit status, programming tiers, and family-focused community model.
• BRYC (Braddock Road Youth Club) Elite: Virginia-based youth soccer organization with competitive Travel and Elite programs competing in EDP and national leagues. Comparable to SAC in DMV regional footprint and full-pipeline age structure.
• McLean Youth Soccer: Northern Virginia youth soccer club with a large Rec-to-Academy pipeline competing in EDP, NPL, and select national leagues. Comparable to SAC as a community-based nonprofit with a full age-tiered structure and elite travel teams.

Others

• US Youth Soccer (USYS): National governing body overseeing state associations (e.g., MSYSA) that sanctions SAC's state cup competitions, ODP pipelines, and referee certification. Not a direct competitor but the structural umbrella under which SAC operates its community and Select programs.

Emerging players

• Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club: MLS-affiliated youth soccer club operating MLS Next teams and a community Rec-to-Academy pipeline. Comparable to SAC's Baltimore Armour in MLS Next participation, though operating under a different MLS-club affiliation model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/sacbaltimorearmour
• Xx.com/sac_hc
• Facebookfacebook.com/SoccerAssociationofColumbia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soccer-association-of-columbia

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Soccer Association of Columbia