Central Arkansas’s premier youth soccer organization, dedicated to developing players, supporting families, and building community.
- Founded
- 2020
- Players
- 95
- Teams
- 130
- Ages
- 2–18
- Plays
- Boys & Girls
- Programs
- 17
Where on the ladder
Level 2 to Level 6
Each level below lists the leagues this club plays in. Your kid's level depends on the team they make. The six levels are our own reading of public league play. They are not an official ranking.
Sanctioned by Arkansas State Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer). The club’s site also lists US Club Soccer and Arizona Soccer Association. We have not confirmed those from the bodies’ own member lists, so we do not call the club sanctioned. It also lists Arkansas State CARL, ACSL, Arkansas State Soccer, US Youth Soccer Association, USSF. We have not placed those leagues on the ladder, so they do not count above.
See how the whole ladder worksFrom the league tables
Arkansas Rising, every team.
Last season Arkansas Rising fielded 12 teams in the leagues we track: 8 boys and 4 girls, from national elite down to competitive regional. The ladder tops out in ECNL-RL from U15 up.
| lvl | U11 | U12 | U13 | U14 | U15 | U16 | U17 | U18 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECNL Regional, Pre-ECNL, Aspire, EAL | |||||||||
| ECNL Regional, Pre-ECNL, Aspire, EAL |
Each dot is one team in the 2026-27 season. We place it by the league the team actually plays in, not by the club’s own team names. A tap on a dot shows that team’s league, flight and record. The dots come from published league tables, so a team playing outside those leagues will not appear here.
Check the tables yourself
The link opens the event's flight list on Total Global Sports, where the ECNL family posts its tables. Your kid's birth year is one of the rows, and the Standings link beside the flight opens the table. Each season gets a new event page, so theecnl.com is the place to pick up a later one.
The link opens the event's flight list on Total Global Sports, where the ECNL family posts its tables. Your kid's birth year is one of the rows, and the Standings link beside the flight opens the table. Each season gets a new event page, so theecnl.com is the place to pick up a later one.
College & pro pathway
Where the players went next.
We counted these from public commitment lists and trackers, not from the club’s own claims.
The counts come from public commitment trackers, club lists, league records, player pages, and the rosters of 2,244 NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA programs. One player counts once per school. “Division unverified” means we matched the school but could not confirm the program level. We never print a current youth player’s name.
Programs
The programs, age by age
These come from the club's site, grouped the way the club groups them. Your kid starts in the one that fits their age.
Youth Developmental League
2½ to 18
YDL gives players ages 2½ to 18 a fun and welcoming place to learn, play, and grow. There are no tryouts and no pressure.
feeds into Academy
Rising Stars
under 4 years old
Rising Stars is an introductory Recreation program for players under 4 years old. Players learn age-appropriate activities across six sessions, with no games for this age group.
feeds into 4v4
4v4
5 and 6 · 4v4
This beginner-friendly program introduces players to soccer through fun activities focused on ball control, movement, coordination, and motor skills.
feeds into 5v5
5v5
7–8 · 5v5
5v5 is the next step after 4v4, with goalkeepers, bigger fields, and more decision making. It is designed to feel like a mini Academy environment.
feeds into Academy
7v7
9–11 · 7v7
This program supports the Academy and gives players a structured next step while developing spacing, teamwork, simple tactics, and confidence on the ball.
CARL feeds into Academy
9v9
11–13 · 9v9
Players connect their skills into full team play, learning to move with purpose, support teammates, and make quick decisions in realistic game situations.
CARL feeds into Competitive
11v11
13+ · 11v11
Players experience the full game and develop tactical awareness, quicker decision making under pressure, and an understanding of team roles and responsibilities.
CARL feeds into Competitive
Academy
U8–U10
The Academy is a development-focused bridge between Recreational soccer and the Competitive program. Players train twice at their home location and come together for Academy-wide tactical training.
feeds into Competitive
Classic Competitive
Classic competitive teams train at least twice a week, compete in 8–10 league games, and attend 2–3 tournaments during a 10-month season. Players must try out.
ACSL feeds into ECNL Regional League
ECNL Regional League — Boys
U11-U19
The boys ECNL-RL teams train three times a week, compete in the Frontier Conference, and attend National Showcases every season.
ECNL-RL
ECNL Regional League — Girls
U11-U19
The girls ECNL-RL teams train three times a week and compete in 1–2 National Showcase events per year. The program offers a pathway combining elite training, league play, and showcase opportunities.
ECNL-RL
Pre-ECNL
U11 and/or U12
The Pre-ECNL platform provides a developmental stage for players aspiring to join ECNL RL teams, with competition in the North Texas Conference and a focus on technical and tactical development.
ECNL feeds into ECNL Regional League
Private Training
Private training offers small-group or one-on-one sessions led by Rising staff and planned around each player’s level and goals.
feeds into Academy
Standout Soccer Camp
Standout Soccer Camp combines technical training with psychological and philosophical development, using 3v3 inflatable fields, music, and motivating coaches.
United Soccer Camps
3v3
United Soccer Camps focus on individual skill development, 1v1 play, and the 3v3 game in a structured and enjoyable learning environment.
Everton FC Soccer School
Arkansas Rising partners with Everton FC Soccer Schools at Burns Park. Sessions use the Everton Academy Game Model and focus on the “Six Brilliant Basics.”
Rise Above Winter Camp
2017 through 2011
Rise Above is an eight-session winter camp for players working toward their highest level, with small groups and focused technical training.
Tryouts
2026/27 season
Tryouts decide which travel team a kid plays on. Confirm the details on the club’s page before you go.
Burns Park Soccer Complex · 1 Soccer Avenue, North Little Rock, AR 72118
$10 (registration fee; includes tryout t-shirt supporting scholarship fund)
5 days after final tryout date of age group
Coaching
Who coaches here
30 names from the club's own staff page. The titles and licenses are what the club lists.
Brandon Hom
Head Coach
2009B ECNL-RL; 2011B ECNL-RL
Alex Burgess
Player Development Director / Head Coach
2015G PRE-ECNL
Ryan Smith
Head Coach
2009G ECNL-RL; 2013G ECNL-RL; 2014G PRE-ECNL
US Soccer B License[email protected]
Mark Gibbs
Head Coach
2007/08G ECNL-RL; 2012G ECNL-RL
Billy Clements
Head Coach
2007 / 08B ECNL
Bradley Turnage
Head Coach
2009b ACSL
Steven Laster
Head Coach
2009B ACSL & 2007/08B ACSL
Brittany Axford
Head Coach
2010G ECNL-RL; 2011G ECNL-RL
Where they play
9 fields
The fields the club lists as its own. Directions open in Google Maps, so you can check the drive before you sign up.
The Ranch
6200 Ranch Drive Little Rock, AR 72223
Natural Steps Park
11101 Highway 300 Roland, AR 72135
Maumelle
1 FairPlay Way, Maumelle, AR 72113
Murray Park
4450 Rebsamen Park Little Rock, AR 72202
Burns Park
1 Soccer Avenue North Little Rock, AR 72116 · lights
Henderson Middle School
401 Barrow Road Little Rock, AR 72205
Riverdale Soccer
Rolling Oaks (Maumelle) Soccer
The Soccer Center
5 fields aren’t located on the map yet.
Fees
What it costs
What the club charges, from its own price list.
$10
Add-ons
Uniforms: Approximately $90.00 plus tax, reusable across seasons.
Get in touch
How to reach Arkansas Rising
16603 Cantrell Road, Suite 4, Little Rock, Arkansas 72223
Is Arkansas Rising the right move for your kid?
Tell us about your kid and we’ll rank this club against every other option inside your drive time, on level, cost, and where its players end up.