We provide year-round soccer programs for boys and girls ages 6–19, from entry level to elite pathways.
- Founded
- 1977
- Teams
- 7
- Ages
- 6–19
- Plays
- Boys & Girls
- Programs
- 8
Where on the ladder
Level 5
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 US Club Soccer and Indiana Soccer (US Youth Soccer). The club also played in USYS NL and NPL. Those leagues ended in July 2026 and merged into National 1, so they do not count above. The club’s site also lists Indiana Soccer League, USYS Great Lakes Conference, US Club NPL, CNC South. We have not placed those leagues on the ladder, so they do not count above.
See how the whole ladder worksPrograms
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.
Pre-Academy
U7-U8 · 4v4 (No Goalkeeper)
The Columbus Express Pre-Academy focuses on developing coordination, balance, and basic soccer skills in a fun and engaging environment. Players train and compete in a 4v4 format that encourages lots of touches, creativity, and active play.
CNC South feeds into Academy
Academy
U9-U10 · 7v7
The Columbus Express Academy focuses on building confidence, creativity, and game understanding through fun, competitive training. Players are introduced to team concepts while continuing to develop strong individual technical skills in a 7v7 format.
CNC South feeds into Juniors
Juniors
U11-U14 · 9v9 and 11v11
The Columbus Express Juniors program emphasizes game awareness, decision-making, and teamwork. Players learn to apply principles of play within structured training and competitive matches in 9v9 and 11v11 formats, preparing them for the next stages of development.
Indiana Soccer League · USYS Great Lakes Conference · US Club NPL feeds into Seniors
Seniors
U15-U19 · 11v11
The Columbus Express compete at a high regional level where players are challenged to perform under pressure, adapt quickly, and strive for excellence. The focus is on developing competitive, driven athletes prepared to play at the highest youth levels.
Indiana Soccer League · US Club Soccer N1 League Play
Lil’ Locos Liga
Boys & Girls, Born 2016-2019 · Small-Sided League
Lil’ Locos Liga is a small-sided league for boys and girls born in 2016-2019, hosted on turf at Nexus Park. Each participant gets four game days and a league t-shirt.
Locos Liga
Boys & Girls, Born 2007–2015 · Small-Sided League
Locos Liga is a small-sided league for boys and girls born in 2007-2015, hosted at FFY in Columbus. Each participant gets five game days and a league t-shirt.
Breakfast Club
Boys & Girls Entering Grades K-8th in 26-27
A 5-week morning training program focused on individual skills and small-group games. Breakfast Club is open to all players and is not specific to only Columbus Express athletes.
Express Soccer Camp
Grades K-8
Express Soccer Camp is an evening camp offering individual instruction, a written evaluation, daily challenges, and a t-shirt. The camp is open to all players and is not specific to only Columbus Express athletes.
Tryouts
2026/27 season
Tryouts decide which travel team a kid plays on. Confirm the details on the club’s page before you go.
- · Wear a black shirt
- · Soccer cleats
- · Shin guards
- · Water
- · Appropriate training attire
- · A properly inflated soccer ball (if requested)
Coaching
Who coaches here
32 names from the club's own staff page. The titles and licenses are what the club lists.
Ty Smith
DIRECTOR OF COACHING
Overall club direction and soccer methodology; Boys Junior and Senior teams
Director of Coaching at Columbus Express since 2017; played collegiately at Thomas More College and Hanover College; coached at Hanover College, Miami University, Xavier University, University of Dayton, and Kings Hammer Academy; Coach Educator for US Soccer
BA in Education from Hanover College (2010); Master’s in Coaching from Ball State University (2012)
US Soccer A License · US Soccer Club Technical Leader II License · US Soccer Director License · US Soccer Coach Educator License · USC Premier Diploma · USC Director of Coaching Diploma[email protected]
Sam LaVelle
JUNIORS DIRECTOR
U11-14 teams, coaches, and players; Boys Junior and Functional Staff
Former Express player; played collegiately at Manchester University; Columbus East High School Boy’s Soccer Coach; oversaw the 2008 Boys Orange team’s Presidents Cup and USYS National Championship runs
BS in Business Management from IUPUC
USSF C License · TOVO Level I certification[email protected]
Jose Acosta
GOALKEEPING DIRECTOR
Goalkeeping methodology and all CESC Goalkeepers; Goalkeeping Staff
Former Honduran National Team Goalkeeper
Rachel Hutchinson
GIRLS ACADEMY & PRE-ACADEMY DIRECTOR
Girls Academy and Pre-Academy players and coaches; Girls Pre-Academy and Academy Staff
Coaching with Express since 2012; former Columbus Express youth player; played collegiately at Franklin College
BS in Education & English from Franklin College
USSF D License · USSF Grassroots License · TOVO Level I certificate[email protected]
Dane Whitley
BOYS PRE-ACADEMY DIRECTOR
Boys Pre-Academy 4v4 program; Boys Pre-Academy Staff
Long-time coach of CESC; former Columbus North HS player and State Player of the Year; letterwinner at the University of Notre Dame
Nick Eddy
Pre-Academy Coach
Boys Pre-Academy
Logan Cline
Pre-Academy Coach
Boys Pre-Academy
Nathan Davis
Pre-Academy Coach; Speed Staff
Boys Pre-Academy; Speed Staff
Where they play
5 fields
The fields the club lists as its own. Directions open in Google Maps, so you can check the drive before you sign up.
Richard Wigh Soccer CenterPrimary
1647 Whitney Ct, Columbus, IN 47203 · Grass
Nexus Park
2380 25th St, Columbus, IN 47201 · Turf
BCSC Soccer Complex
1585 Poshard Dr, Columbus, IN 47203 · Turf · lights
Columbus East High School
230 S Marr Rd, Columbus, IN 47201 · Turf · lights
Ceraland
3989 S 525 E, Columbus, IN 47203
1 field isn’t located on the map yet.
Fees
What it costs
What the club charges, from its own price list.
Add-ons
A $100 application fee is required before completing the scholarship questionnaire, Uniform cost not included in program fee.
Is Express 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.