Three travel soccer teams emerge as finalists in Coral Springs selection process
The City of Coral Springs has released its list of finalists for its proposed travel soccer program after months of debate over whether the program should exist at all.
Establishing such a program has been a point of contention since the city first moved to request proposals in February. Leaders of longtime facilitator Coral Springs Youth Soccer (CSYS) said they felt lower-level players were being left behind.
But after a revision, city officials said that they plan to structure official Coral Springs soccer programs to ensure all players are served equally. A new request for proposals was issued in early April, and six organizations submitted extensive pitches for the contract.
The top three will go before the city’s evaluation committee at 1 p.m. on April 28 at City Hall.
Here’s what to know about each organization:
Fort Lauderdale Football Club (ranked first)
The club affiliated with South Florida’s leading women’s professional soccer team, the Fort Lauderdale United, placed first in the evaluation committee’s initial round of voting with a 410-point score. Its youth programming currently includes three pre-professional teams and a Youth Academy, as well as futsal and flag football, according to its website.
RLC Management Sports Program (ranked second)
The nonprofit behind Springs Soccer Club (SSC), founded by former Jamaican women’s national soccer team coach Laurie Thomas, put in its own bid to become the city’s official travel soccer program.
SSC is already city-recognized and trains players ages 8 through 19, as well as hosting open training and tryouts, soccer clinics, and international opportunities through NextPlay. The organization also recently joined MLS Next, increasing elite boys teams’ exposure to college and professional opportunities, according to SSC’s website.
According to ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer, RLC’s annual revenue is over $1.4 million, with net income just north of $300,000.
Parkland Travel Soccer Club (ranked third)
Parkland Travel Soccer Club, another nonprofit group, operates development and competitive teams for players ages 4 through 19, as well as tournaments and clinics. The club also runs Play for 8, its signature mentorship arm created in partnership with Make Our Schools Safe in memory of Alyssa Alhadeff, who was killed in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Propublica’s Nonprofit Explorer states that Parkland Travel Soccer Club’s annual revenue is over $1.6 million and had a net income of $448,314 in 2025.
What’s next?
After the April 28 presentations, which include up to 30 minutes of speaking time and 30 minutes for questions and answers, the selection committee will pick one vendor to submit to the City Commission for final approval during its May 6 regular meeting.
While the usual team tryout period is nearing its end, city officials have not stated whether the Coral Springs-affiliated travel team will play during the 2026-27 season, or wait until the following year.
