DMSC News & Events

Des Moines Soccer Club Announces Multi-Year Partnership with SCHEELS

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 01:46:18 GMT

Des Moines Soccer Club Announces Multi-Year Partnership with SCHEELS

Des Moines Soccer Club is proud to announce a new multi-year partnership with SCHEELS. The partnership brings together two organizations committed to youth development, teamwork, and community engagement. Through this collaboration, SCHEELS will provide financial support and in-kind contributions to strengthen club programs and enhance the experience for our players and families.

“We are excited to welcome SCHEELS to our Des Moines Soccer Club community,” said Matt Ream, executive director of DMSC. “Their commitment to community engagement and supporting youth sports aligns perfectly with our mission to create opportunities to help our players realize their potential on and off the pitch.”

The partnership will be represented in a variety of ways including apparel for Select Program participants, signage at both Aliber and Water Works complexes, participation in SCHEELS Day of Giving and special promotions for club families.

"We are incredibly proud to partner with Des Moines Soccer Club to support their mission of providing accessible, high-quality soccer programs to youth across our community. By investing in these young athletes and the club’s inclusive environment, we are honored to help foster the next generation of leaders both on and off the field,” said Eric McEntee, Public Relations Associate at Des Moines SCHEELS.

If you’re interested in learning more about our organization or potential partnerships, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to marketing@desmoinessoccerclub.org for more information.

An Important Facilities Announcement

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 18:02:57 GMT

DMSC to Partner with Genus Landscape Architects

We’re excited to share an important update about the future of our club’s facilities. After a year of thoughtful feedback from families and players, we’re taking the next step by partnering with Genus Landscape Architects. Our partnership will include assessing our current fields and infrastructure, gathering community input, and identifying priorities to create a safer, more functional, and inspiring environment for every player. Preliminary findings and recommended next steps will be shared in the coming months.

USYS announces age transition beginning with the Fall 2026–Spring 2027 Season

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 18:15:32 GMT

USYS announces age transition beginning with the Fall 2026–Spring 2027 Season

Beginning with the Fall 2026–Spring 2027 seasonal year, US Youth Soccer is updating how youth age groups are organized. Instead of using birth year to determine a player’s team placement, national organizations—including US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and AYSO—will move to an age-group system based on a traditional school-year calendar.

This change gives local clubs more flexibility and better aligns teams with school-based peer groups. While planning for this transition will begin well in advance, please note that nothing changes for the upcoming Spring 2026 season . The new system will take effect starting Fall 2026 .

What This Means for DMSC Families

DMSC will continue using birth-year age groups for the Spring 2026 season.
As a member club under Iowa Soccer Association, US Youth Soccer, and US Soccer, DMSC will align with the new age-group system beginning Fall 2026.
Ahead of the Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 season, we’ll share clear guidance to help families understand team placements and what to expect.
Our goal is to make this transition smooth and transparent while keeping player development and team continuity at the center of our decisions.

We’ll provide more details as national organizations release further instructions and tools to assist clubs and families.

Age Group Transition FAQ: Effective Fall 2026- Spring 2027 Season

What is changing with age groups?
Starting with the Fall 2026- Spring 2027 season (registration year beginning Fall 2026), youth soccer age groups will shift from a “birth year” calendar system (January 1 – December 31) to a “seasonal year” format that runs August 1 – July 31 . See Age Group Chart.

Why is this change happening?

It aligns better with the school year so players are more likely to be playing with peers in their same grade.
It helps reduce the number of so-called “trapped players” — players whose birthdays make them older than many of their school-year teammates and can lead to imbalanced experiences.
It supports consistency across major youth soccer organizations in the U.S.

When will this take effect?
Teams organized by birth year remains in place for the Spring 2026 season. The new system (Aug 1-July 31) begins for the Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 registration year (starting Fall 2026).

Does this mean registration is based on school grade instead of birthdate?
Not exactly. Players will still be placed based on birth date, but the birth-date range changes to Aug 1 – July 31 . Their grade does not automatically determine placement.

How might this affect my child’s age group/team?

If your child was born between January 1 and July 31, they will move up an age group for the Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 in most cases.
If your child was born between August 1 and December 31, they may remain in the same age group they are in currently.
Please note: DMSC may have specific decisions based on its teams, competition level, and roster structure.

Will this affect all leagues/programs equally?
Most youth soccer organizations are transitioning to the Aug 1-July 31 format, including elite leagues.

What about teams with “playing up” or older age groups — will those options still exist?
Yes. Playing up (a younger player joining an older age group) will still be possible, but such decisions will continue to be made by coaches and technical staff with the player’s development in mind. Being in the same school grade alone will not guarantee playing up.

If my Select player would like to try out for an older age group, what should we do next?

Before we will allow a player to tryout for an older age group, families must have a conversation with Academy & Select Director Matt Lamale and their coach. Please email Matt Lamale at academy@desmoinessoccerclub.org and your coach to schedule a meeting time.

If it's decided that my player should try out for an older age group, do we need to register and pay for both tryout groups?

No. Families can register and pay for ONE tryout. Then players should attend both their age group and the older age group tryout dates.

What do I need to do now as a parent?

Stay tuned for our club’s timeline and communications about Select tryouts, registration, and team placements for the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 season.
Review your child’s birthdate in light of the new range and think about how it may affect their age group. See Age Group Chart.
If you have concerns about team continuity (e.g., playing with current teammates) or development pathways, reach out early to your program staff:
Academy & Select players: Contact Matt Lamale at academy@desmoinessoccerclub.org
6U-8U, 9U+ Rec players: Contact Zach Scott at doc@desmoinessoccerclub.org

Will there be a chance for parents to meet directly with coaches and staff prior to Select team tryouts?

Select Families - please plan to attend your player's age group meeting at Water Works. Please meet by the gazebo near the concession stand. Dates and times below.

Select Meeting Times

11U/12U Boys – Thursday, April 9 at 5:30 PM *Rescheduled to Thursday, April 23 at 5:30pm*

11U/12U Girls – Thursday, April 9 at 6:45 PM *Rescheduled to Thursday, April 23 at 5:30pm*

13U Girls – Monday, April 13 at 6:45 PM

13U Boys – Thursday, April 23 at 6:45 PM

14U Boys – Monday, April 27 at 5:30 PM

14U/15U Girls – Thursday, April 30 at 6:45 PM

15U Boys – Wednesday, April 15 at 5:30 PM

High School Age Groups – Saturday, May 2 at 4:00 PM

If you're unable to make the meeting times above, please refer to additional details in our Age Group Transition Handout.

If you have additional general questions, you’re welcome to contact us at membership@desmoinessoccerclub.org . We want to ensure you and your player feel supported through this transition.

DMSC Teams Win Iowa Presidents Cup!

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 00:05:26 GMT

16U Boys

“These guys have an elite mentality”

Our U16’s truly had production from the entire roster during our Presidents Cup run. We prepared well during the weeks leading up to the tournament and it showed in a big way come game time. Our defense and midfield took everything our coaching staff had worked with them on and showed that they are a top tier defensive team. Our collection of talent up top put away their chances and it was an overall great performance from the entire team. We dominated possession, maintained composure, and scored some beautiful goals! Overall, this group of guys have an elite mentality that started weeks prior to the tournament. They felt disrespected being given the second seed in the tournament, then took that emotion and showed everyone that they were the true number one seed. I could not be more proud to play a part in this season and look forward to continuing the run at regionals!

-16U Boys Coach Chaz Birkenfeld

17U Boys

“Everything fell into place at the right time.”

After a disappointing loss in the 2023 Presidents Cup Final, the 2008 DMSC Boys Red team were able to flip the result and come out on top this year as 17U Presidents Cup Champions! The boys put in a lot of work over the last year to ensure they didn't have the same feeling at the end like they did in the past. They competed with a lot of heart and lifted each other up whenever there was a mistake. With a few departures of starters from last year, the lineup was shaken up and everything fell into place at the right time. The team set the tone from the first game of Presidents Cup with a dominant win and didn't look back. They scored 21 goals in the tournament, while keeping a clean sheet in every game!

The championship game was a rematch of last year's final, with DMSC playing UFA. These two teams have grown into a friendly rivalry with every game being a battle. This game was no different, with both teams creating good opportunities and keeping possession of the ball for long spells throughout the first half. DMSC was able to get on the scoresheet in the 43rd minute when Ramadhani Songwa picked off a pass and was able to get around the UFA keeper to find the back of the net. The second half raised the intensity with the game still anyone's to win. DMSC's stringent defense and some remarkable saves by their keeper, kept UFA off the scoreboard and extended their clean sheet streak! The boys joyfully raised the trophy as proud champions, then raised up keeper Cullen Arnold over their heads as the unanimous MVP.

-17U Boys Coach Tyger Nieters

19U Boys

“Four games, Twelve points!”

That was the cry at every practice and before every game for the 19U Red team at this year's 2024 Iowa Presidents Cup. Having lost the previous year's championship game in heartbreaking fashion on penalties, the team regrouped this season and entered the tournament determined that they would leave no doubt.

The 19U bracket contained 5 teams and was decided in a pool play only format. All 5 teams played each other and the winner was crowned with the highest point total after each played four games. The 19U Red team dedicated itself to dominating the tournament, thus the mantra, "Four games, twelve points!" And dominate they did. Playing a free flowing attacking style of football, the team was victorious in all four games claiming the maximum number of points available. Along the way, the boys recorded the most goals scored (14), the fewest conceded (3) and held opponents scoreless in two games. Eight different players contributed goals and assists.

The team will play friendlies and train indoors over the winter before playing for their high schools in the Spring. At the conclusion of those seasons, they will come back together to represent the state at the Regional Presidents Cup in St. Louis in June 2025.

-19U Boys Coach John Cook

Become a DMSC Sponsor!

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 22:49:01 GMT

Did you know that DMSC was able to provide $70,000 in financial assistance for players in 2023? Together, in partnership with sponsors and individual donors, we help create this opportunity for our kids to learn, grow and play. Help us continue our mission!

Contact marketing@desmoinessoccerclub.org to learn more about available sponsorships.