A. C. Desoto is located in an unusual geological position. We are closer to Tennessee and the various programs in Memphis than we are to any Mississippi clubs. The club was started for several reasons:

• Keep Mississippi talent in Mississippi but more importantly Desoto County talent in Desoto County

• Provide quality training at an affordable price.

• Create a club with a long term growth plan that intertwines with the local recreational programs.

• Utilize the multiple clubs and tournaments in the Memphis area to minimize traveling .

  We are a Mississippi non-profit corporation formed to promote and develop youth soccer within our community. We firmly believe that coaching soccer should not be a full time job unless you are at the Collegiate or Professional level.

 Our focus is on individual and team development, not winning. This gives us the opportunity to bring better soccer to more kids instead of focusing strictly on the best few we can find. The wins come but in the process we are developing stronger local high school programs and exposing more children to the opportunities of ODP (Olympic Development Program) ID2 (US Club's ODP Program) and possibly collegiate soccer. Expecting immediate results and undefeated seasons is unrealistic. It also puts undue stress on the children who are playing because the love the game and want to grow with it. Nobody plays a sport with the unrealistic expectation of winning all of their games or not having to develop and learn. Given the time and the opportunity to learn we sincerely hope that all of our players become better players AND better people.

 We encourage our players to explore other life interests be it other sports, music or advanced learning situations. Going through a referee course is a great way to learn more about the game and opens opportunities for a part time job in the local recreational associations. Several of our older players are involved in high school football, band, cheerleading, etc. We work around their schedules as long as they make an honest attempt to come to practice and games when there is no conflict. We also expect that family and school comes first, soccer is a game that we play for fun. The only thing that we ask is communication. As long as we know they will not be at practice we can plan our exercises around the number of children that will be attending.

 We promote a true club environment by scheduling things like skills and fitness sessions when all teams can be involved. This allows the parents and players from various ages to get to know each other, helping to promote our club spirit through the various teams. When was the last time you saw a U-18 on the sidelines of a U-14 match (or vice-versa) cheering their club on? How many U-18s KNOW the kids on their club's U-14 team? We are proud to say that ours do spend some time training together and do support each other when we have the opportunity to be on the sidelines for a match.

 Sometimes have players on our rosters who do not live in our area and only make occasional practices. This usually happens due to one of two things, they domicile here but go to school in an area that does not offer competitive soccer or they live close and their local organization does not offer a competitive team in their age group. This is another example of our philosophy of more people playing better soccer instead of an elite few. These players make team practices when they can through arrangements with the coach. They are in constant contact with the coach who sends them activities to perform each week. As long as they are performing their activities each week they are working as hard as the rest of the team, just in a different location. They meet us at games and tournaments.

 While there is no guarantee of playing time we acknowledge that playing time is the key to a player's growth. Our playing time policy is as follows:

1. League games are for development. Barring circumstances that dictate otherwise, players should receive considerable playing time.

2. Tournament games, while in contention, will be coached to win.

3. Tournament games, once out of contention, (+/- 3 goals) are handled in a fashion similar to league games.

Why we are not associated with a State organization

 We make a conscious effort to keep all fees associated with our program as affordable as possible. That includes player registration. Most of the surrounding State organizations are approximately $30.00 for competitive registration. Mississippi is $95.00 per player. To register in the lowest possible traveling division it is $37.00 and a travel permit must be obtained anytime the team leaves the State for an additional $20.00.

 We roster players with a United States Soccer Federation affiliate, U.S. Club Soccer for $20.00 per player. For this amount we get insurance for practices, games and travel along with player passes. The only drawback to not being in a State association is we do not play in a State Cup tournament but are eligible to go straight into the regional tournament of the U.S. Club National Championship.

 Due to this we have to pick our tournaments a little more closely. Some states do not allow U.S. Club members in their tournaments because the State Organization feel that U.S. Club is taking money out of their pocket. It is. When there is an attractive option that fits into the model of your club (League play in MSSF and a few tournaments a year) it does not make sense to pay double or more per player for a registration that adequately serves the purpose.