U4 to U8 Mike Latty Soccer Academy
U4-U8 USC Youth ACademy
* Fall 2025: Athletes born U4 (Born 2022) through U8 (Born 2018)
* Boys & Girls
* NO evaluation or tryout
* $15.00 Registration fee
* Fall Season will begin September and Spring Season will begin March
* Priority registration for Winter Indoor training
What is the U4-U8 Mike Latty Soccer Academy (MLSA)?
The Mike Latty Soccer Academy (MLSA) is the youth development academy at United Soccer Club. Starting in the Fall of 2015, USC was very excited to introduce this branded program to the North Alabama soccer community that will honor the legacy of the USC Technical Director, Mike Latty, the most successful coach in Alabama Soccer History.
The MLSA is the youth soccer development program at United Soccer Club for boys and girls ages 4-8. It is built on the fundamental teaching principles developed by coach Mike Latty over his illustrious 30+ year career. It is a positive perspective program that focuses on teaching children how to love and enjoy the sport of soccer while being trained by coaches who encourage the positive things they do to succeed on and off of the field.
The MLSA will also offer winter indoor programs and summer kick-arounds.
USC players are guaranteed to receive age-appropriate instruction from our coaches during all training and game day sessions. Registered players will be offered 1-2 training opportunities per week and 4-6 games dates for approximately 8 weeks each fall and spring.
The U6 and U7/8 Academy spring season will conclude with a World Cup Tournament with medals and a closing awards ceremony.
The Academy will continue to provide a quality introduction to club soccer and the principles of the game to our youngest players. USC has trained thousands of players that started in our Academy and continued their soccer journey all the way through graduation. You're never too early to start with quality instruction.
If you still have questions not answered on this page, contact one of the USC coaches or Coaching Director at info@unitedsoccerclub.org
U4-U8 USC Academy
| FALL SEASON | SPRING SEASON | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | $15 | $15 |
| Who? | Boys and Girls | Boys and Girls |
| Type | Open Registration | Open Registration NEW players |
| Registration | Opens online in June | Opens online in January |
| Season | September & October (8 weeks) | March & April (8 weeks) |
Regular Season Information
| 2025/26 AGE GROUP | CLUB REGISTRATION | CLUB DUES | STATE REGISTRATION | UNIFORM(S) COST | FORMAT | PRACTICE LENGTH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U4 (Born 2022) | $15 | $85.00 | $35 | ~$50.00 (1 kit) | 1v1, 2v2 | 45 minutes 2x a week |
| U5/6 (Born 2020 & 2021) | $15 | $125.00 | $35 | ~$50.00 (1 kit) | 1v1, 2v2, 4v4 | 1.25 hours 2x a week |
| U7 (Born 2019) | $15 | $250.00 | $35 | ~$130.00 (2 kits) | 4v4, 7v7 | 1.5 hours 2x a week |
| U8 (Born 2018) | $15 | $250.00 | $35 | ~$130.00 (2 kits) | 4v4, 7v7 | 1.5 hours 2x a week |
Winter Indoor Training
| BIRTH YEAR | COST | WHEN? |
|---|---|---|
| U4 & U6 | $85.00 | December & January |
| U8-U14 | $175.00 | December through Feb. |
Summer Kickarounds
| BIRTH YEAR | COST | WHEN? |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 & 2018 | $50.00 | June |
Season Information
| Season Information | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| When is the right time to start club soccer? | USC believes quality training from a young age is key to your athlete's success. We feel strongly our Academy program provides soccer training at an affordable price to ensure your child is learning from qualified coaches and staff. We want your athletes to enjoy soccer where ever they play and hope you will choose USC when the time is right for your family whether it be now or in the future. | USC believes quality training from a young age is key to your athlete's success. We feel strongly our Academy program provides soccer training at an affordable price to ensure your child is learning from qualified coaches and staff. We want your athletes to enjoy soccer where ever they play and hope you will choose USC when the time is right for your family whether it be now or in the future. |
| When is Registration? | U6 and U7/8: Always open. Email info@unitedsoccerclub.org for more information. | U6 and U7/8: Always open. Email info@unitedsoccerclub.org for more information. |
| U9 and U10: Players will register and attend evaluations in mid-May. | U9 and U10: Players will register and set up a time to be evaluated. There are no formal evaluations for spring season. | |
| What is the cost of the MLSA Academy? | Please see the table above. | Please see the table above. |
| What is the cost of Uniforms? | Varies depending on age group, but expect to pay $45 to $85 for uniforms that go on a 2 year cycle. | Varies depending on age group, but expect to pay $45 to $85 for uniforms that go on a 2 year cycle. |
| When does the season start and end? | Usually mid-August through October. | Usually mid-February to early March through mid-May. |
| Where do MLSA teams practice? | Merrimack Soccer Complex and John Hunt Park | Merrimack Soccer Complex and John Hunt Park |
| How long are practices? | U6 is traditionally 1.25 hours and U7/8 and up is 1.5 hours. | U6 is traditionally 1.25 hours and U7/8 and up is 1.5 hours. |
| When are games? | U6 and U7/8: games are traditionally held during weekly training times and Saturday mornings. No overnight travel is involved at these ages. | U6 and U7/8: games are traditionally held during weekly training times and Saturday mornings. No overnight travel is involved at these ages. |
| U9 & U10: games are held on Saturdays, Sundays, and sometimes during the week/training times. Friendlies will be played at Merrimack & Palmer Park and usually one day trip to either Chattanooga or Birmingham per season. Two tournaments held within a 3-hour drive will be selected per season. | U9 & U10: games are held on Saturdays, Sundays, and sometimes during the week/training times. Friendlies will be played at Merrimack & Palmer Park and usually one day trip to either Chattanooga or Birmingham per season. Two tournaments held within a 3-hour drive will be selected per season. | |
| How do I pay? | Dues can be paid via PayPal, Venmo, cash or check. Details will be sent at the start of the season. | Dues can be paid via PayPal, Venmo, cash or check. Details will be sent at the start of the season. |
| When we sign up, does it carry over to the next season? | Club soccer is considered a year round sport. Therefore, when you sign up in the Fall, your enrollment automatically rolls over to the spring unless you tell us otherwise. |
| Is the season price per season or year? | The Academy price is per SEASON. You will pay dues in the fall and then again in the spring. |
| Are uniforms included in the season price? | No. Uniforms are ordered separately and ship directly to your house. |
| What is the difference between recreational soccer and an Academy setting? | USC utilizes the Academy setting for all of our younger teams. This means the athletes train all together, as opposed to being assigned a set team at the start of the season. We fully believe this gives players the opportunity to develop at their own pace with different coaches and players. |
USC Academy Contacts
| CONTACT | DIRECTOR | |
|---|---|---|
| Director of MLSA Academy | Leonardo Santin | santin.leonardo@hotmaill.com |
| Head U4 Coach | Kelsie Shields | info@unitedsoccerclub.org |
| Head U6 Coach | Kassie Duke | info@unitedsoccerclub.org |
| Head U7 and U8 Director | Leo Santin | santin.leonardo@hotmail.com |
| USC Director of Coaching | Rusty Campbell | info@unitedsoccerclub.org |
| USC Club Manager | Meredith Miller | admin@unitedsoccerclub.org |
Who is Mike Latty?
Mike Latty is a native of Jamaica. He moved to Huntsville in the late 70’s, and has set a standard of soccer as a player and coach that continues to inspire young athletes in the community to become successful soccer players, as well as successful people today. He is the Technical Director for United Soccer Club, and the Mike Latty Soccer Academy.
Mike Latty has been the most successful soccer coach in the state of Alabama for over 30 years.
He has mentored and coached many successful players and coaches during that time. He is mentor and coach to the entire MLSA and USC Staff Coaches. His positive influence, and charismatic smile has always created a passion in kids to love the game of soccer. His teaching methods, and perspective are the cornerstone for the fundamental core values of the Mike Latty Soccer Academy, and United Soccer Club.
- Jamaica National Team
- Captain, Alabama A&M 1977 NCAA II National Champions
- Assistant Coach, Alabama A&M 1979 NCAA II National Champs
- AYSA U18 Boys State Champions - GHS Soccer 1989, 1990
- AHSAA Boys 6A State Champions - GHS Soccer 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998
- 10 years as GHS Head Coach, 9 times State Title Game, 7 time Champion
- Head Coach of Grissom High School 1988-1998: Record - 189 Wins- 12 Losses -9 Ties
- Nationally ranked High School program Top 20 for 5 consecutive years
- Director of Coaching; Eagles Soccer Club, Huntsville, AL
- Director of Coaching; Rocket City Kicks FC, Huntsville, AL
- Director of Coaching; United Soccer Club, Huntsville, AL 2007-present
- Numerous State Titles and League Championships with Kicks FC and United SC
- Founder and Director of Mike Latty Soccer Academy
- 2014 Alabama Soccer Association Competitive Girls' Coach of the Year
- 2020 Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee
2015 YOUTH ACADEMY JERSEYS
