• Our goal is to produce a family friendly environment in which all players can learn, develop, compete, and have fun.

• We offer club teams, clinics, and camps coached by experienced staff who are committed to the education and development of athletes.

• We are a Maine-owned, Maine-run club committed to player and coach development.

• We formed a club to make a difference, not to make a living

• We offer a multi-sport club for both multi-sport athletes and singularly focused athletes.

• We have a proven staff of high school coaches and college coaches from all over Southern Maine who are coaching to give back to our communities and to the game we love.

• We will work with families to limit conflict and travel, especially for our younger athletes.

• We will also offer choices for teams based on their needs---those choices include access to out-of-state tournaments and college exposure events in and out of Maine. This will primarily be addressed through two levels of commitment---we will offer both a Regional team & a State team for most ages.

• We will offer training at multiple levels for athletes ages six to nineteen & have access to Edge Academy opportunities that include SAQ training, strength training, college counseling & connections, & more!

When players play for our club, they can expect to find coaches who will serve as positive role models who take a holistic approach to coaching. Many of our staff have backgrounds working in education as teachers, advisors, counselors, administrators, and other various roles, and coach high school or college teams in the fall. All of our head coaches are highly experienced and hold coaching licenses from NSCAA, USSF, UEFA, NFHS and/or other reputable organizations from around the world. 

Our coaching staff shares our basic philosophy:

• Model and encourage others to work hard with direction---always have a goal in mind.

• Strive to be consistently at your best and expect the same of others---as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

• Have fun---a competitive kind of fun!

When is the season?

All teams run from November - end of May/June depending on playoff game schedules at the end of the season. 

What weeks do we have off during the season?

For the 2025/2026 season, there are no practices November 26th - 30th, December 23rd - January 1st, & February 16th - 22nd. Remainder of teams schedules are dependent on coaches digression. 

What is the commitment?

MLSC is a competitive soccer club. Teams train 2 times per week, and participate in weekly leagues, tournaments, or other playdates. We also believe, however, that family and school come first. We believe that soccer can be an important part of one's overall youth experience but recognize that players have other commitments. We only ask that families try their best to make all events.  

Where do we play?

MLSC teams train at the Maine Athletic Complex (MAC) or the Portland Sports Complex (PSC) during the winter, and Falmouth fields in the spring. Additional foot skills sessions and clinics are held at local community centers in the Southern Maine Area.

Who are my coaches?

We are most proud of our coaching staff. Our coaches come from local colleges, high schools, and town programs. We select coaches who understand the community and the development levels of the youths we coach. Many of our coaches are teachers and professionals who work with children outside of soccer. As part of our club philosophy, we are committed to assuring that coaches will coach only one team and will be dedicated to the development of that team. Check out our Teams page for a list of coaches for the season!

How much does it cost?

Club Team Full Roster Player

The cost of club teams varies by birth year and programming. For details of programming by birth year, you can visit our Teams page.

Club Team Pool Player

Pool player positions are available on most teams. Pool Player spots are 80% of the full roster player price and allows players to train with the team, along with eligibility to participate in League games and tournaments as a fill in if a full roster player cannot attend. 

Training Players

Training Player positions available on most teams. Training Player spots are 60% of the full roster player price and allows players to train with the team, however they are not eligible League games and tournaments. Please ask for details if this is of interest to you.

Financial Assistance

If you are in need of financial assistance, please know we have limited scholarship funds. If you would like to apply for aid, please email bnoltkamper.mlsc@gmail.com for an application. 

Clinics

The cost of clinics varies by program offering. For current programs, you can visit our Clinics page, which includes cost information. 

Where can I find more answers?

For questions about boys' teams, email our Boys Director at branden@mainelightningsoccer.com 

For questions about girls' teams, email our Girls Director at kat@mainelightningsoccer.com

You can also stay, up to date with the latest information from Maine Lightning Soccer Club, including information on new programming like clinics, camps, leagues and tryouts by joining our email list.