South Carolina Youth Soccer and BISA host first ever D Course delivered in Spanish

Elizabeth Heard • November 10, 2025

COLUMBIA, S.C. (November 10, 2025) – South Carolina Youth Soccer is proud to be hosting the first-ever Spanish language D Course in the state of South Carolina, in collaboration with Bilu International Soccer Academy. 


The Spanish language course kicked off in October and will run through early December, bringing together coaches from South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. Coaches on the course are following the same format of English language courses and will earn the same licensing from U.S. Soccer. 


“Leading this course in Spanish means a great deal,” said Mario Garcia Carvajal, U.S. Soccer Coach Educator. “It gives coaches the chance to learn and express themselves in the language they use to think, feel, and communicate. This group brings energy, curiosity, and pride into every session. When we honor who coaches are and where they come from, we strengthen our coaching communities.”

South Carolina Youth Soccer continues to be a leader in the coaching education space. This course is yet another example of how the organization is breaking barriers and expanding opportunities for coaches across the region, raising the level of the game for players.


”Being part of this groundbreaking course has been both inspiring and empowering,” said Alessandro Morreira, Executive Director of BISA. “ It’s a reminder that soccer unites people beyond language and culture. Providing education in Spanish allows more coaches to access professional development and ultimately strengthens the quality of the game across our state.”


“The expansion of our coaching education offerings is integral to the growth of the game,” said Walter Clapton, Executive Director of South Carolina Youth Soccer. “We know that the Hispanic community is highly active and passionate about the sport, and we want to provide opportunities for these coaches to improve and create opportunities for the players they instruct. BISA has been an engaging and growing member since joining South Carolina Youth Soccer, and we are thrilled to partner with them, especially through education.”


View the complete list of current and upcoming courses hosted by South Carolina Youth Soccer in the U.S. Soccer Learning Center here.

2025 Publix Open Cup crowns fall champions, caps season for U15-U18/19 teams

By Elizabeth Heard • December 8, 2025
LEXINGTON, South Carolina (December 8, 2025) – The annual Publix Open Cup concluded Sunday afternoon after a weekend of competition at Gibson Road Soccer Complex in Lexington, South Carolina. Fourteen teams earned Publix Open Cup titles. A total of 62 teams representing 26 clubs participated in the cup. The event served as the culmination of the fall season for teams in the U15 through U18/19 age groups. Four clubs won more than one title: Aiken FC (BU15 McKennie and BU16 Turner), Lexington Soccer Academy (BU17 Turner and GU19 Coffey), South Carolina United (GU15 Girma and BU16 McKennie) and United FC Furman (BU15 Pulisic and BU19 Turner).

2025 Publix Fall Festival draws nearly 900 participants from across the state

By Elizabeth Heard • November 14, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. (November 14, 2025) – South Carolina Youth Soccer hosted its annual Fall Festival last weekend at Gibson Road Soccer Complex in Lexington, SC. The event saw 71 teams take the field for a day of competition and fun. Teams were split into five divisions with more than 120 games taking place throughout the day. Players and families were gifted items from our sponsors including Prime water bottles, Publix mini balls and event medals.

South Carolina Youth Soccer welcomes Elizabeth Heard to the Membership Services team

By Walter Clapton • November 4, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. (November 4, 2025) – South Carolina Youth Soccer is excited to announce the hiring of Elizabeth Heard to our Membership Services team. In her new role, Heard will focus on improving and creating a consistent image across South Carolina Youth Soccer programming, providing member clubs with clearer assets and tools to engage with their own members as they seek to grow the sport in their regions. She will also play a critical role in the management, execution and overall strategy of our coaching education program, which recently expanded to include higher-level licensing such as the B Course, CTL-1 Course, as well as courses delivered in Spanish. Expect to see her on upcoming courses across the state. Heard joins South Carolina Youth Soccer from US Club Soccer, where she was the Senior Coordinator of Marketing & Communications. During her time at US Club Soccer, she was responsible for maintaining the organization’s online presence across nine channels and contributed to the development and execution of specific communications and marketing plans for the more than 60 leagues managed by US Club Soccer. In addition to her role with South Carolina Youth Soccer, Heard serves as the Marketing Director & Club Registrar for South Carolina Surf Soccer Club in Charleston, S.C. In these roles, she manages all internal and external marketing and communications efforts for the club, and the registration of the club’s over 800 members. She also coaches for the club. Heard graduated from the University of Georgia in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and a minor in Sport Management. She also received a certificate in Sports Media upon graduation. She is a lifelong footballer who is excited to continue helping South Carolina Youth Soccer improve and grow the game in the state! South Carolina has seen 23% in participation growth since 2022, and we are excited to expand our team as we strive to provide a better experience in all programming for clubs, coaches, and players.