HISTORY

DC Stoddert Soccer League, Inc. (DCSSL) is a non-profit, youth soccer organization, providing organized teams and supervised games for girls and boys ages 4 1/2 - 19 through the cooperation of parent volunteers, paid staff, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, the National Park Service, schools and contributions.

Founded by neighborhood parents in 1977 to encourage the playing of soccer among Washington-area youngsters, DC Stoddert initially consisted of 60 youngsters learning to play soccer at the playground from which the League takes its name.  Since then, DC Stoddert has evolved into an independent, metropolitan-wide soccer program that includes over 5,000 players, 400 teams, several hundred volunteer coaches (mostly parents of players), scholarships and a field improvement fund, clinics for players, a newsletter, referee training and official USSF coaching courses.

DC Stoddert’s philosophy of "youngsters having fun" encourages youth players to pursue soccer for enjoyment.  The League promotes self-esteem through sports, sportsmanship, individual skill development, team tactics, parity among open division teams and opportunities for players of all skill levels.