Club Soccer
Competition Teams
Here’s the short version: rec soccer is great for getting kids outside and moving. Club soccer is where players start to actually develop.
At Utah Surf, our competition teams are the backbone of the club. They’re where most of our players compete, and they cover a wide range of skill levels and commitment levels so every family can find the right fit.
Competition Levels
We organize our competition teams into three tiers within the Utah Youth Soccer Association framework:
Premier
The highest level of UYSA state league play. Premier teams train more frequently, travel to tournaments, and play against the strongest opponents in the state. This is one step below ECNL RL for players who are close to that level or building toward it.
SCL (State Competitive League)
A strong competitive division that's a great fit for players who want serious soccer without the full Premier travel schedule. SCL teams still train regularly and play meaningful league games, but the time commitment is a bit more manageable for families.
IRL (Intermountain Recreation League)
Our development-level competition tier. IRL is perfect for players who are new to club soccer or younger players building their foundation. It's competitive enough to push growth, but not so intense that it burns kids out.
How Teams Are Organized
Teams are formed by birth year and placed into the appropriate league based on player ability. Within each age group, we typically run multiple teams so that players compete at the level where they’ll get the most development. A U12 player who’s brand new to club soccer won’t be thrown in with a U12 Premier squad — they’ll start at IRL or SCL and move up as they improve.
Seth Swenson
U13–U17, North Utah County
Brad Silvey
U8–U12
Jake McKay
Orem Program, All Age Groups
- What a Season Looks Like
Competition teams typically train two to three times per week, with league games on weekends. Most teams also attend two or three tournaments per season. The fall season runs from August through November, and the spring season picks up in March and goes through June. Some teams also participate in winter indoor or futsal programs.
It’s a commitment, but the development is real. Parents consistently tell us that a single club season does more for their child’s growth than two or three years of rec.
The Pathway Up
Competition teams aren’t the end of the road. Players who stand out at the Premier level get evaluated for ECNL RL placement. And players at SCL or IRL who show strong improvement regularly move up a tier the following season. Our coaches communicate openly with families about where each player is in their development and what it would take to move to the next level.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Ready to Join the League?
Take the next step in your development pathway today.