Cal South is the official youth and adult state soccer association of the United States Soccer Federation, US Youth Soccer, and the United States Adult Soccer Association — serving players from San Luis Obispo to San Diego.
The California State Soccer Association – South (Cal South) is a 501(c)(3) California public benefit corporation and the official youth and adult state soccer association of the United States Soccer Federation, US Youth Soccer, and the United States Adult Soccer Association.
Our service area extends from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, and we provide rewarding recreational and competitive opportunities for players of all ages, genders and skill levels.
Today, Cal South supports more than 100,000 players across Southern California. We’re continuing to expand opportunities for growth, development, and advancement through innovative programming and leadership that embraces all skill levels and every format of the game.
From the sideline to the pitch to the front office, Cal South builds pathways for every role in soccer.
Licensing pathways from recreational to competitive/signature levels, plus ongoing webinars and resources.
Training, certification, upgrades and support for new and returning officials across the region.
Player identification and development pools that connect top talent with camps and advanced pathways.
An inclusive program that gives players with disabilities the opportunity to play and belong.
From four charter leagues to one of the largest state soccer associations in the country.
At the USSF Annual General Meeting, Don Greer and others established the United States Youth Soccer Association. With Norm Nielsen's help, Cal South was founded under the USSF/USYSA affiliation with 5,000 players across four charter organizations: Coast Soccer League Juniors, Pacific Soccer League Juniors, Golden State Soccer League, and West Valley Soccer League.
Membership grew to 8,500 as San Diego County leagues joined, reaching 11,000 across Los Angeles and San Diego by 1977, 15,000 by 1978, and 26,000 by 1979 with the addition of Orange County. Cal South formally incorporated in 1979.
Membership reached 32,000 by 1980 and 62,000 by 1990. Interest accelerated through the '90s, spurred in part by the 1994 World Cup, as new counties — Ventura, Santa Barbara, Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, Kern and San Luis Obispo — joined the association.
By 2000, Cal South membership hit 96,000 players. By fall 2012, more than 280 affiliate leagues and clubs had joined, bringing total membership to roughly 156,000 players across 11,000+ registered teams, plus 30,000+ coaches, administrators and referees.
The annual operating budget has grown from less than $25,000 in 1974 to $3 million today. Cal South has called its 6,500-square-foot Fullerton facility home since 1999, after earlier offices in District 5 and Anaheim.
The California State Soccer Association – South (Cal South) is a 501c(3) California public benefit corporation and is the official youth and adult state soccer association of the United States Soccer Federation, US Youth Soccer, and the United States Adult Soccer Association. The organization, with a service area that extends from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, provides rewarding recreational and competitive opportunities for players of all ages, genders and skill levels.
Our goal is to have one million players, coaches, referees and administrators by 2027. In fulfillment of our Mission, we will provide opportunities for growth, development, and advancement through innovative programming and leadership that embraces all skill levels and all formats of the game.
Our goal is to have one million players, coaches, referees and administrators by 2027. In fulfillment of our Mission, we will provide opportunities for growth, development, and advancement through innovative programming and leadership that embraces all skill levels and all formats of the game.
Our goal is to have one million players, coaches, referees and administrators by 2027. In fulfillment of our Mission, we will provide opportunities for growth, development, and advancement through innovative programming and leadership that embraces all skill levels and all formats of the game.
In 1974, at the Annual General Meeting of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), Don Greer and others established the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA). At that time, USYSA was the youth division of the USSF and was incorporated later in 1984. In discussions with Norm Nielsen, Greer expressed the desire to start youth soccer associations in their own right. With this encouragement, Mr. Nielsen helped establish CAL SOUTH under the USSF/USYSA affiliation with 5,000 players. Four charter organizations comprised the fledgling association: Coast Soccer League Juniors, Pacific Soccer League Juniors, Golden State Soccer League, and West Valley Soccer League.
In 1976, the Association grew to 8,500 when leagues from San Diego County joined, and by 1977, there were some 11,000 players in Los Angeles and San Diego counties. We grew to 15,000 players by 1978 and to 26,000 players in 1979, adding Orange County to the membership. Along the way, members were added in Ventura, Santa Barbara, Riverside, San Bernardino, and later Imperial, Kern and San Luis Obispo counties.
The year 1979 saw the incorporation of Cal South, and by 1980 the membership had grown to 32,000 players. By 1990 membership had grown to 62,000 players. Throughout the ’90s, interest in youth soccer continued to accelerate (encouraged in part by the 1994 World Cup) so much that, by 2000, the Cal South membership was at 96,000 players. Cal South continues to bring in new affiliate member leagues and clubs — over 280 in all through fall 2012 — with a current total membership of around 156,000 players, both youth and adult playing on over 11,000 registered teams. Cal South also has over 30,000 coaches, administrators, and referees in its registered membership.
From its initial establishment in 1974, the annual operation budget for the Association has grown from less than about $25,000 to its current level of $3 million. Also, the necessity for a state office was realized and was first established in District 5 in June 1978, where it remained for four years. Prior to that, an administrative office was maintained in the home of Hope Weaver, Cal South Office Manager. In November 1982, the office was moved to a new facility in Anaheim, and remained in Anaheim until 1999, when the Association purchased its current 6,500 square foot facility in Fullerton.
2021 – Present
February 2021 – 2021
April 2020 to February 2021
February 2018 to April 2020
February 2014 to February 2018
February 2013 to February 2014
February 2010 to February 2013
October 2005 to February 2010
March 2000 to October 2005
1996 to March 2000
1990 to 1996
1988 to 1990
1986 to 1988
June 1982 to 1986
June 1981 to June 1982
June 1980 to June 1981
February 1980 to June 1980
June 1979 to February 1980
December 1977 to June 1979