Featured Club: City SC Frederick

This month, we’re proud to spotlight City SC Frederick. We sat down with Jennifer Roeder, Director of Operations at City SC Frederick, to learn more about the club’s community, recent successes, and what the future holds as part of the City SC Affiliate Network.

Q: Tell us about your club and community. What makes your club unique, and what are you most proud of as an organization?

A: City SC Frederick provides soccer programming for players ages 3–16, welcoming athletes at a variety of experience and competition levels. Our mission is to create citizens for life through soccer, helping players grow not only as athletes but also as teammates, leaders, and members of their community.

We are proud to be a community-focused club where soccer is a family experience. Many of our coaches are parents who volunteer their time and share their love of the game with their children and their teammates. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to creating a positive, supportive environment where players can develop their skills, build friendships, and enjoy the game for years to come.

Q: What has been the biggest benefit of being part of the City SC Affiliate Network?

A: City SC Frederick joined the City SC Affiliate Network in 2023 as the network’s first affiliate east of the Mississippi River. The greatest benefit has been the ability to combine the resources, experience, and shared knowledge of a larger network with the flexibility to serve our local community.

The network gives us opportunities to learn from other clubs, strengthen our programming, and create new opportunities for our players and coaches, all while maintaining the community-focused approach that defines City SC Frederick. We value being part of a network that supports our growth while allowing us to build a club that reflects the needs of our local families.

Q: Looking back over the past year, what accomplishments or milestones are you most proud of?

A: We are proud of the progress City SC Frederick has made both on and off the field this year. Some of our highlights include:

• 2026 Community Award: Earning the Community Award at the City SC Leadership Summit was a meaningful recognition of our commitment to serving the Frederick community.
• New competitive opportunities: Three of our teams were accepted into the N1 League, creating opportunities for players to compete at a new level.
• On-field success: Eight of our teams advanced to the semifinals or finals of a single tournament in May, with four teams finishing as champions.

These milestones reflect the dedication of our players, coaches, families, and volunteers. We are especially proud that our competitive growth continues alongside our commitment to community and player development.

Q: How has the City SC Network helped create opportunities for your players, coaches, and families?

A: Over the past three years, City SC Frederick has doubled the number of players we serve. The support of the City SC Affiliate Network has been an important part of that growth, providing resources, shared expertise, and opportunities to strengthen our club.

Earlier this year, we welcomed a new Technical Director who brings nearly a decade of coaching experience with City SC Carlsbad. His experience, combined with the support and collaboration available through the Affiliate Network, is helping us invest in our coaches and continue improving the development experience for our players.

We also sent 13 players to City Connect this summer, giving them an exceptional opportunity to train, compete, and connect with players from across the City SC network. Experiences like City Connect allow our players to broaden their horizons, challenge themselves, and feel part of something bigger than their local team.

Q: What initiatives, events, or experiences has your club hosted or participated in recently that have had a positive impact on your players and community?

A: Each fall, we host a club-wide Trunk or Treat event that brings our soccer families together for a fun, festive evening. Players wear costumes to practice, and parents decorate their car trunks with creative Halloween themes. After practice, the kids enjoy trick-or-treating from trunk to trunk, spending time with teammates and celebrating the season together.

It is a simple but meaningful tradition that brings families together beyond the soccer field and reflects what we value most as a club: community, connection, and making soccer a positive experience for the whole family.

Q: Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for the future of your club and your partnership within the City SC network?

A: We are excited to continue expanding opportunities for players throughout the Frederick, Maryland, area to compete, develop, and pursue their love of soccer. As our club grows, we want to build on the strong community foundation we have established while continuing to improve the quality and variety of programming we offer.

Our partnership with the City SC network will remain an important part of that journey, helping us learn from other clubs, strengthen our coaching and player development, and create opportunities that might not otherwise be available to our local players.

Q: Anything else we should know about your club? 

A: City SC Frederick is proud to be part of the Frederick community and the broader City SC family. We believe soccer can be much more than a game: it can teach resilience, build confidence, create lasting friendships, and bring people together.