FC United

What FC United does

FC United is a privately held, non-profit youth soccer club founded in 2002 by Bill Ajram and headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The club delivers a comprehensive, age-segmented player development pathway spanning U5 through U19, organized into tiered programs: Little Strikers (U5-U8), Pre-Academy (U8), Academy (U9-U10), Premier Select (U11-U12, U13-U15, U16-U19), and an ECNL Regional League track (U13-U19) competing in the Heartland Division. The core technology is a proprietary, age-appropriate curriculum founded on technical development and conceptual application, refined over 20+ years, alongside multi-level competition pathways (ECNL Regional League, USYSA National League, Club Development League, Eastern Iowa Youth Soccer League).

The business operates from a private 4-field lighted outdoor complex plus indoor training facility at 8610 Milburn Rd NE, with extended reach through satellite community programs in Independence and Center Point-Urbana. Revenue is generated through annual club membership dues ($350-$1,890 depending on age and program tier), competition and team fees, tournament registrations (Midwest Classic and Winter Magic), private training sessions, skill clinics, and ECNL-specific fees. Ancillary revenue lines include Winter College ID Clinics, satellite community programs, and tournament sponsorship deals with regional brands.

The go-to-market motion combines event-driven acquisition (annual tryouts, hosted tournaments, preview days, College ID Clinics) with community-led brand marketing leveraging competitive track record. Customer segments are organized horizontally by age group and competitive level, with retention driven by tiered progression and alumni outcomes including college commitments (University of Kentucky, UNI, Simpson, Milwaukee), ODP national team selections, and the 2008 Boys' professional pathway to Sporting Kansas City MLS Next Pro.

Name

FC United

Legal name

FC United

Website

https://fcunitedcr.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FC United is a privately held, non-profit youth soccer club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, founded in 2002, serving ages U5-U19 across tiered competitive programs including ECNL Regional League, Premier Select, and community satellite programs with year-round training at a private 4-field complex.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Soccer Club Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Club Sports Programs (EDALAIAB)

Keywords

• Youth soccer programs
• Soccer player development
• Competitive soccer leagues
• ECNL regional league
• Soccer skills training

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedar Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Annual Club Membership Dues: Annual club dues ranging from $775 to $1,890 depending on age group and program level (Pre-Academy through ECNL). Payment plans available (2-month, 7-month, 9-month options). Non-refundable commitment fee.
2. Competition and Team Fees: Team competition fees for league games and tournaments. Varies by age group: U9-10 $175/season, U11-12 $250-300/season, U13-15 $250-375/season, U16-19 $250-420/season (fall only). Winter optional events additional.
3. ECNL Regional League Fees: Year-round training fees for ECNL: U13-U15 $1,395, U16-U19 $1,275. Competition fees separate. College showcase advancement events charged to participating players.
4. Skill Camp and Clinic Fees: Super Skills and Speed & Agility clinics at $80 per session series. Game-Time clinics at $60. Winter Focus Clinics running November-December 2025.
5. Private Training: Personalized individual or small group training (1-3 players). Member pricing: $30-$45/session depending on group size and number of sessions purchased (5 or 10 session packages).
6. Tournament Registration Fees: Midwest Classic tournament fees: U9-U10 $575, U11-U12 $695, U13-U19 $750. Winter Magic indoor tournament: $250/team.
7. Satellite Program Fees: Community-level parent coach programs: Independence $150/year/player, Center Point-Urbana $175/year/player. Includes player registration, player card, and access to club-identified tournaments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

FC United is a private, non-profit youth soccer club that delivers age-tiered training and competitive team programs from U5 through U19, including Little Strikers, Pre-Academy, Academy, Premier Select, and an ECNL Regional League. It also sells ancillary paid offerings such as private training, skills clinics, college ID clinics, and host tournaments (Midwest Classic and Winter Magic Indoor). The club is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with satellite sites in Independence and Center Point–Urbana.

Product overview

FC United is a unified youth soccer club offering a comprehensive developmental pathway from beginner (U5-U8) through elite competition (U16-U19). The portfolio centers on age-appropriate training programs including Little Strikers, Pre-Academy, Academy, and Premier Select tiers, complemented by ECNL Regional League participation for top-tier players. Additional offerings include private training, skill camps (Super Skills, Speed & Agility, Game Time), Winter Magic indoor tournaments, College ID Clinics for recruitment, satellite community programs, and the Midwest Classic hosted tournament. The club provides financial assistance programs and utilizes its private training complex with indoor facilities for year-round programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Little Strikers (U5-U8)

Named customers11 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ECNL (Elite Clubs National League)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFC United is the first and only club in eastern Iowa admitted to the ECNL for both Girls and Boys. ECNL provides access to the nation's top youth soccer development platform with regional and national showcases, high-level competition, and college recruiting exposure. FC United participates in ECNL Regional League - Heartland Division.
• Iowa Soccer Association / Iowa Soccer LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level soccer governing body affiliation. Teams participate in Iowa Soccer League and State Cup competitions. Club operates under Iowa Soccer guidelines for age group formation and league play.
• US Club SoccercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational sanctioning body. FC United participates in US Club Regionals and Nationals through this affiliation. CDL (Club Development League) operates under US Club Soccer sanctioning.
• US Youth SoccercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational youth soccer organization. FC United competes in USYSA National League and USYS Midwest Regional Championships. ODP pathway operates under USYSA.
• Eastern Iowa Youth Soccer League (EIYSL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional league for U9-U12 age groups formed in 2021 by top clubs in Eastern Iowa. League requires Director minimum US Soccer National C License for participating clubs.
• 15+ Iowa Colleges and Universities (College ID Clinic Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Winter College ID Clinics bring coaches from University of Iowa, Iowa State, UNI, Loras, Wartburg, Upper Iowa, Clarke, Coe, Simpson, Dubuque, Grinnell, Central, Mt. Mercy, Cornell, Hawkeye Community College. Provides college recruiting exposure for FC United players.
• Midwest Classic Tournament SponsorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual tournament sponsors including Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman Law, Ralston Construction, Rapids Reproductions, Sadler Machine Co, Clean Laundry, Scheels, North Liberty Oral Surgery, Hogan and Hansen, and others. Supports club financial assistance programming.
• AdidasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUniform and equipment sponsor visible on website. Sponsors page includes adidas logo.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Bethesda SC: Midwest ECNL-affiliated youth soccer club with comprehensive age-group programming. Similar age-tier structure and competitive philosophy to FC United.
• Michigan Jaguars FC: Michigan-based youth soccer club with ECNL participation. Comparable youth development model and competitive tier, though in a different geographic sub-region.

Direct peers

• Iowa Rush Soccer Club: Premier Iowa youth soccer club offering age-group programming from U5 through U19 with multi-tier competitive pathways. Directly competes with FC United for elite Iowa talent.
• Sockers FC Chicago: Major ECNL-affiliated youth soccer club in the Chicago metro area with girls' and boys' programs. Comparable ECNL membership, age-group coverage, and elite competitive positioning, though in a much larger market.
• Lou Fusz Athletic: St. Louis-based youth soccer organization with ECNL participation and comprehensive age-group programming. Heartland Division peer competing for the same regional talent pool.
• Eclipse Select SC: Long-established ECNL member club in Illinois offering year-round programming across multiple competitive tiers. Heartland Division ECNL competitor to FC United in showcase competitions.
• KC Legends: Kansas City-area ECNL member club with boys' and girls' programs. Heartland Division competitor and direct peer for ECNL showcase competition and college recruiting exposure.
• Sporting Iowa Soccer Club: Iowa-based youth soccer club fielding competitive teams across multiple age groups with ECNL-vintage programming. Most direct regional comparison to FC United's Iowa youth soccer positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Sporting Kansas City Academy: MLS-affiliated youth academy with professional pathway integration. Larger and broader in scope than FC United but shares Midwest regional talent market and ECNL competitive context.
• Saint Louis FC (SLSG): Major St. Louis-area youth soccer organization with ECNL membership and professional pathway. Broader and better-resourced incumbent competing in the Heartland Division.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FCUnitedSoccer1
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCiUqgnvBlFSjhsE6vA5Nhmw
• Facebookfacebook.com/fcunitedcr
• Instagraminstagram.com/accounts/onetap/?next=%2F
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fc-united

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

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 FC United