Los Angeles Surf Soccer Club

What Los Angeles Surf Soccer Club does

Los Angeles Surf Soccer Club (LA Surf SC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth soccer organization founded in 2004 and headquartered in Pasadena, California. The club operates a multi-tier player development pathway spanning toddler introduction (Soccer Shots, ages 2-5), grassroots (MLS GO), competitive club soccer (SOCAL league), and elite national competition (MLS NEXT for boys, Girls Academy/GA ASPIRE/DPL for girls). Operations span 10+ regional locations across Los Angeles County — including La Canada/Pasadena (flagship), Arcadia, Rosemead, Covina, San Marino, Sherman Oaks, San Fernando Valley, Hollywood/Downtown LA, and Southwest/Torrance — supported by a 12,000 sq. ft. indoor turf facility (LA Surf Soccer Center) and a network of 137+ teams serving 1,700+ youth players aged U6-U19.

The business operates on a subscription-style annual membership model with seasonal commitments of 12-14 months, supplemented by mandatory uniform sales through a Nike partnership and Surf Soccer Post. The organization is structured as a nonprofit, accepting tax-deductible donations and awarding over $250,000 annually in need-based scholarships (at least 80% of designated donations flow to specified recipients, with the remainder supporting a General Scholarship Fund). Each regional location has a dedicated director (e.g., Rob Gallo, Erick Ramirez, Treena Bozart, Marcus Meakin), with centralized leadership for elite programs (Rod Lafaurie and Hank Ramirez for MLS NEXT boys; Michael Quigley for Girls Academy). A CFO (Kevin McCloskey) oversees sponsorships and partnerships.

Distribution and customer acquisition are community-led and event-driven: the club runs open annual tryouts (with pre-registration opening December 1 for the 2026/27 season), leverages an AI-powered onboarding portal (portal.wearelasurf.ai), participates in marquee tournaments (Surf Cup Weekend, SD Sporting End Line Derby, City SC Carlsbad Cup), and operates a "Guestlist" guest-play program that generates network effects across clubs. The club has actively expanded through 2024-2026, launching new locations in Arcadia, Rosemead, and Covina, while formalizing sub-brand identities (MLS NEXT, Girls Academy, DPL, EA, MLS GO, Soccer Shots) under unified LA Surf branding.

Name

Los Angeles Surf Soccer Club

Legal name

LA Surf Soccer Club

Website

https://wearelasurf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Los Angeles Surf Soccer Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth soccer organization operating 10+ regional locations across LA County, serving 1,700+ players ages 2-18 through a tiered pathway from toddler programs to elite national leagues (MLS NEXT, Girls Academy).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Soccer Club Services

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Club Sports Programs (EDALAIAB), Cause, Community & CSR-Linked Sports Partnerships (Foundations, Youth Programs) (MPAKALAJ)

Keywords

• Youth soccer club
• Competitive soccer programs
• Elite player development
• Youth sports training
• Soccer league affiliation

Headquarters

HQ city

Pasadena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Club Membership/Tuition Fees: Seasonal club fees for participation in LA Surf programs. Costs vary by program (grassroots vs. elite), age group, and location. Commitment period is 12-14 months per season.
2. Uniform and Gear Sales: Mandatory uniforms purchased through partners Nike and Surf Soccer Post. Families order directly; uniforms are shipped to homes. Costs vary annually.
3. Donations and Fundraising: 501(c)(3) nonprofit accepting donations. At least 80% of designated donations go to the specified family or purpose; remainder supports General Scholarship Fund. The club also facilitates team fundraising activities (requires club approval).
4. Scholarship Allocation: Over $250,000 awarded annually in need-based scholarships. Documentation required; funds allocated per team.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

LA Surf Soccer Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates year-round youth soccer training, league play, and player development programs for ages 2-18 across 10+ regional locations in the Los Angeles area. It offers a tiered pathway from toddler introductory programs (Soccer Shots, MLS GO) through competitive club soccer (SOCAL) up to elite national-level competition (MLS NEXT for boys, Girls Academy for girls), with coaching, college recruiting support, and over $250,000 awarded annually in need-based scholarships.

Product overview

LA Surf Soccer Club is a multi-location youth soccer organization operating as a portfolio of distinct programs and regional locations across the Los Angeles area. The club operates a tiered program structure ranging from recreational/grassroots to elite competitive levels. Core elite programs include MLS NEXT (boys) and Girls Academy (girls), supported by developmental pathways including GA ASPIRE, Elite Academy League (EA), and Development Premier League (DPL). Entry-level offerings include MLS GO and Soccer Shots (ages 2-5). The club spans multiple geographic regions including La Canada/Pasadena (flagship), Arcadia, San Marino, Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, Sherman Oaks, Southwest, Covina, and Rosemead, each with local directors. All programs feed into a unified player development pathway aimed at college commitments and national team opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MLS NEXT: Elite boys soccer program competing at the highest level of youth soccer in MLS Next league.
• Girls Academy (GA)
• GA Aspire
• DPL
• Elite Academy League (EA)
• MLS GO
• Soccer Shots
• LA Grassroots

Products and services

• MLS NEXT Program Elite boys soccer program serving all of Los Angeles at the highest level of youth soccer. Teams compete in MLS NEXT and Elite Academy League under direction of Rod Lafaurie and Hank Ramirez.
• Girls Academy (GA) Program Elite girls soccer program representing the highest level of youth soccer for girls in Los Angeles, led by Michael Quigley. Competes in the Girls Academy league.
• GA ASPIRE Program Girls Academy Aspire program providing a development pathway for girls within the GA ecosystem.
• Elite Academy League (EA) Program Elite Academy League program for boys competing at high levels of youth soccer under director A. Lima.
• The DPL (Development Premier League) Program Development Premier League program offering competitive soccer development for girls across multiple LA Surf locations.
• MLS GO Program MLS Go program powered by LA Surf for boys and girls falling in love with the sport, operated as an entry-level grassroots offering.
• Soccer Shots (Toddler Program) Partnership with Soccer Shots providing age-appropriate soccer experiences for boys and girls ages 2-5 years old, located at LA Surf Soccer Center in Pasadena.
• LA Surf Rosemead Regional Program Regional location serving Rosemead and Alhambra communities in the San Gabriel Valley with director Carlos Guerrero, with teams forming across all age groups.
• LA Surf Covina Regional Program
• LA Surf Arcadia Regional Program Regional location serving Arcadia, Rosemead, El Monte, Temple City, Duarte, Monrovia, and surrounding communities for boys and girls U6-U19 under directors Rob Gallo and Jeremy Gonzalez.
• LA Surf Hollywood Regional Program Regional location serving Burbank, Glendale, Hollywood, Silverlake, and Downtown Los Angeles communities under director Erick Ramirez.
• LA Surf San Fernando Valley Regional Program Regional location serving Woodland Hills, West Valley, Canoga Park, Calabasas, and West San Fernando Valley communities under director Juan Florez. Programs include Grassroots, SOCAL, and Elite Academy League.
• LA Surf San Marino Regional Program Regional location serving San Marino, San Gabriel, Alhambra, and surrounding communities under directors Rob Gallo and Michael Quigley. Programs include SOCAL, Girls Academy, and DPL.
• LA Surf Sherman Oaks Regional Program Regional location serving Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, and neighboring communities under directors Marcus Meakin and Freddy Arroyo. Programs include SOCAL and DPL.
• LA Surf Southwest Regional Program Regional location operating out of South Bay Tennis Center, serving Torrance, Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Redondo Beach, Lomita, San Pedro, and surrounding communities under director Treena Bozart.
• LA Canada Surf | Pasadena Regional Program
• LA Surf Soccer Center Facility 12,000 sq. ft. indoor facility in Pasadena with enclosed turf field, restrooms, and parking. Houses the Soccer Shots program and LA Surf Toddler Soccer program.
• Need-Based Scholarship Program 501(c)(3) scholarship program awarding over $250,000 annually in need-based scholarships to families, with funds allocated per team and documentation required.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $250,000 awarded in need-based scholarships annually to support family access
• +3 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Soccer ShotscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSoccer Shots is an established leader in providing age-appropriate soccer experiences for young children (ages 2-5). LA Surf partnered with Soccer Shots to offer toddler soccer programs at the LA Surf Soccer Center in Pasadena. This partnership brings Soccer Shots' expertise in coaching beginner players combined with LA Surf's long-term development philosophy.
• MLS NEXTflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMLS NEXT is Major League Soccer's elite youth soccer platform. LA Surf boys elite teams compete in MLS NEXT, the highest level of youth soccer for boys in the United States. This affiliation provides access to national showcases, college recruiting visibility, and the premier competitive platform for aspiring professional players.
• Girls AcademyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGirls Academy is the premier national youth soccer league for girls. LA Surf fields Girls Academy teams as the flagship elite girls program, providing the highest competitive level for female players with pathway to college and national team opportunities.
• NikecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerNike is the official uniform and gear supplier for LA Surf. Mandatory uniforms for all players are purchased through the Nike partnership, with families ordering directly through the partner's e-commerce platform.
• Surf Soccer PostcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSurf Soccer Post serves as an additional uniform ordering partner for LA Surf families. Orders are placed directly through their website with shipping to customer homes.
• SOCAL Soccer LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOCAL (Southern California Soccer League) is the regional competitive league for LA Surf teams across multiple locations. SOCAL tryout windows align with LA Surf's open tryout schedule.
• Elite Academy League (EAL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElite Academy League provides an additional competitive platform for LA Surf boys teams alongside MLS NEXT, offering developmental competition and showcase opportunities.
• Development Premier League (DPL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDPL (Development Premier League) serves as a competitive girls league platform within the LA Surf network, operating in conjunction with Girls Academy and GA ASPIRE programs.
• GA ASPIREcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGA ASPIRE is a girls elite development program within the Girls Academy ecosystem, providing a stepping stone between recreational and top-level Girls Academy competition.
• WPSL (Women's Premier Soccer League)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWPSL provides competitive women's soccer opportunities, with LA Canada Surf offering a WPSL program as part of their regional offerings.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Solar Soccer Club: Premier Dallas-area youth soccer club operating MLS NEXT and Girls Academy teams with multi-location model across North Texas — comparable scale and tiered pathway approach to LA Surf.
• Crossfire Premier Soccer Club: Pacific Northwest elite youth soccer club running MLS NEXT and Girls Academy teams with a similar multi-region, tiered pathway model — directly comparable in structure even though geography differs.
• San Diego Surf Soccer Club: San Diego Surf is the sister SoCal club under the broader Surf national brand, running a comparable tiered pathway from grassroots through MLS NEXT and Girls Academy. Highly comparable model, geography, and league affiliations.
• Players Development Academy (PDA): Top New Jersey-based elite girls youth soccer program competing in Girls Academy with a strong college placement track record, mirroring LA Surf's Girls Academy flagship positioning in a different region.
• Pateadores Soccer Club: Long-established Southern California elite youth soccer club based in Orange County operating MLS NEXT and Girls Academy teams; competes with LA Surf for top talent across the broader SoCal ecosystem.
• Real So Cal Soccer Club: Southern California youth soccer club running MLS NEXT and Girls Academy programs with multiple regional locations — directly comparable operating model in the same SoCal market.
• Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) Youth Development: LAFC's academy fields MLS NEXT teams in the same LA market as LA Surf, offering elite boys a path to a Major League Soccer contract and competing for the same top-tier talent pool.
• LA Galaxy Youth Soccer Club: Operates the official LA Galaxy MLS NEXT academy in the same Los Angeles market, competing directly with LA Surf for top boys talent and offering a perceived direct-to-professional pathway.
• Weston FC: Florida-based elite youth soccer club with MLS NEXT and Girls Academy participation, serving the South Florida market with a comparable pathway from grassroots to elite.

Others

• Soccer Shots: National franchise providing youth soccer programming for ages 2-5; an actual partner of LA Surf at the LA Surf Soccer Center in Pasadena, operating as an adjacent entry-point feeder into the LA Surf pathway.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LASURFSOCCER
• Facebookfacebook.com/LASurfSoccer
• Instagraminstagram.com/lasurfsoccer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/los-angeles-surf-soccer-club

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 Los Angeles Surf Soccer Club