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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 and more importantly Desoto County talent in Desoto County

  • Provide quality training at a reasonable 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. Our program is based on 3 days a week with 1 out of town trip each fall and spring season. During the seasons we either play a game a week and train twice a week or train three times a week. Some clubs are 4 or more days a week with a skills day or a shooting and goalkeeping day and team practices. Many also take monthly trips out of town, etc. AC Desoto believes in family, church, and school. We produce quality soccer players with a maximum of 3 days a week. This does not mean that we do not expect and encourage players to work out both with and without a ball at home. We do everything we can to avoid Wednesday evening and Sunday morning/evening practices. We try to have our Saturday practices early to leave as much of the weekend as possible for the family.

"Competitive soccer" is a buzz or catch phrase that has come to be associated with big money and traveling. Undoubtedly both can be true but neither are necessary to a soccer player's development. The US is the only country in the world that requires big money for the game to be played by children. Taking a realistic look at the game one would see that it only requires a ball to be played. Pele grew up kicking a ball made of rags in the streets of Brazil. Maradonna slept with his soccer ball because it was the only thing that he owned. Christiano Ronaldo escaped poverty through the game. The US is not producing many professionals playing in other countries and considering our population we are not very competitive at the International level. More and more Division 1 college players are coming from foreign counties. These are indications that something is wrong with the training in our country. Unfortunately in this country the focus is on training the financially elite for profitability and not focusing on the best players overall. AC Desoto's club fees and club philosophy are geared towards more kids playing better soccer, not just those that can afford 1200+ dollars a year to play the game.   
 
  Competitive soccer is also developmental soccer but that does not sound as glamorous. Recreational soccer has little resemblance to the team organization, speed of play and ball control of competitive. Being able to kick a ball half field or more is a blessing that can make a recreational superstar but it has nothing to do with how the game should be played. Being able to out run other players is something that certainly cannot be taught. It does not mean that it will have the same impact in competitive as it does in recreational where little or no defense is taught. None of this is to say that any child cannot compete in competitive. It is intended as a reference that rarely, if ever does a child or a team come from recreational to competitive and find instant success. As players grow mentally and physically they should be exposed to the next challenges the game has to offer. The younger the player the more technical their play, learning to move with the ball and having the confidence to take on opponents is paramount to players below 12 years old. As they grow both mentally and physically the game becomes more tactical. Learning to move as a team and developing the ability to play as a group. The game it's self is a journey, not a destination and players do not peak and play the game at the mental and physical levels until their early 20s.
 
 The things to look for in a club and coaching staff are their developmental philosophies and their experience. Is the club committed to developing every player? Do they guarantee that everyone receives game to gain experience and show what they have learned in training? Does the coach have playing experience? Is it above the recreational level? Are they committed to coaching education and continuing that education? When you choose a soccer club you are choosing your child's teacher.
 
 "Cookie cutter" clubs are not beneficial for a player's development in the game. Part of the complexity of soccer is that each player brings individual flair to the game. When they are forced into a style of play their creativity is lost. Players should be given a minimal set of guidelines to follow (never run in straight lines, always face the ball, defend with your back to your goal, play the direction you're facing) and put them on the field. If a team plays a certain way their opponent usually recognizes it and shuts it down. Then what? All of the great players are heralded because of their creativity, not because they do the same thing over and over. Clubs whose teams all play the same send a message to prospective players that the coaching staff only knows how to each the game one way and do not adapt to each player's unique contribution to the game.     
 
  Recruiting is against the policies of most State organizations. There are specific dates in which it can happen in Tennessee. In Mississippi it's illegal. Some still do it. Parents are always flattered and overlook three things:
1. The club you are at has developed your child to the point that they are catching other people's eye. Why would you move them?  
2. The club that is recruiting you: Why are they having to recruit? Why are they not developing their talent? Why would you put your child into a new environment when they are obviously growing where they are?
3. Knowing that approaching a child to come play for a club is against the policies of most states what does this say about the ethics and morals of the club that has approached you about your child?  
 
 There are many rumors that have nothing to do with the reality of a child eventually playing college. What a child does before their junior year makes an eye catching resume. Simply attending a college showcases does not guarantee being seen by a recruiter or in crease the chances of playing college soccer. Common sense tells you that if there are 8 fields of teams playing at a time the chances of being seen by a recruiter are very slim. It is when they are in front of the college coach or recruiter that a player must show that they have learned how to play the game. At that moment it does not matter if they have won 6 state titles or never won a game. The key to getting into that situation is done by marketing one's self to colleges, not by hoping to be noticed at a soccer event. 
 
Coaching: All competitive coaches should have playing experience, coaching experience, and have attended coaching certification courses put on by the USSF or the NSCAA. How high a level has your coach played? Are they continuing their education or are they happy with the minimum level to coach? Are they able to provide you with their coaching philosophy? Can they give you 3 strengths and 3 weaknesses of your child?   
 
Memphis Shelby Soccer Federation (MSSF) - The Competitive League: A league played at Mike Rose Soccer Complex with like kind and quality club teams from the Memphis area. A fantastic opportunity because it allows weekly games at the higher level of play to work in conjunction with the teams training cycle. There are no awards for playing or winning the league.  
Tournaments: As should be expected there are only so many clubs and so many children playing competitive in the Memphis area. Playing in tournaments is a great way to see new competition and give the team a chance to earn some hardware. We try to keep our traveling to within a three hour radius but within that area are some great tournaments.
 
Fees - With recreational soccer there is a registration fee. That fee usually includes a uniform. Competitive soccer has a uniform fee, registration fee, league fees, referee fees, tournament fees and training fees. It seems and initially sounds overwhelming but our fees are less than half of most area clubs when all things are considered. Many clubs break these fees into team and club fees. We present them all together on our fees page
 
 The uniform is a variable because sometimes children can wear them for several seasons. If you are doing club research you will find that even with our uniform included the total is less than most local club fees and those clubs still charge league, referee, and tournament fees as team fees. 

 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, all 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.