Recreational Soccer


Recreational soccer is a large component of the FC Ellicott City. The primary objective of the FC Ellicott City Rec program is to provide a positive, low-pressure soccer experience for the youth of our community. Recreational soccer is the FC team option for traditional soccer with the lowest commitment level, both in terms of time and cost.


Tryout: No Tryout for Recreational soccer. All players are placed on teams of 6-8 players for 1st and 2nd grade, 10-12 players for 3rd grade, and 12-16 player teams for 4th-5th grades. Players in TOTS and Middle School divisions will be divided into teams on match days and practice together. All teams are co-ed.


Why They Play:  For fun, for exercise, to enjoy soccer in a less competitive environment.


Coaches: Volunteers and FC Staff Coaches. All FC coaches are background checked and trained.


Season Length:  Fall season begins early September through late October with 6 games scheduled with a make up dates as needed.


Practice Frequency: Once a week per team.


Practice Length: One hour.


Game Frequency 1 Game per week on Saturdays

Register Here for Recreation

General Info (scroll down for season specific information)

  • Why They Play

    For fun, for exercise, to enjoy soccer in a less competitive environment.

  • Who Coaches?

    Volunteers and FC Ellicott City Staff Coaches.  All coaches are background checked and trained.

  • Season Length

    Fall season begins early September through late October with 6 games scheduled with a make up dates as needed.

  • Practice Frequency:

    Once a week per team. Practices are one hour.

  • Games/Leagues:

    1 Game per week on Saturdays

  • Uniforms:

    All players who register for the Fall season do not need to purchase new uniforms. All newly Spring registered players will receive a link to order soccer jerseys from soccer.com Cost is around $22 plus shipping. Game jerseys will be white and black this year for the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 seasons.  You only need to order once to get your home and away jerseys for the program.

  • Fees

    TOTS (pre-K and K)  Cost: $225

    Early-Bird registration until Dec 31 - Cost $200


    REC League (1st-3rd division, 4th-5th division, and 6th-8th division) Cost: $250

    Early-Bird registration until Dec 31 - Cost $225


    REC Referral Program - When a new family registers for REC and puts your name in the referral box, we put a credit in your Playmetrics account. Credits can be used towards any future program (including travel fees and future REC registrations) and never expire.

  • Financial Aid:

    Financial aid is available to those who apply and qualify.  If you hope to receive financial aid, please complete the financial aid questionnaire and submit your request to the financial committee for review.

  • Divisions and Age Groups

    Tots Division: Pre-k and Kindergarten | Games are 4v4


    Rec League:

    • 1st grade | Games are 4v4
    • 2nd - 3rd Grade | Games are 7v7
    • 4th - 5th grade | Games are 9v9
    • 6th - 8th grade | Games are 9v9

  • Policies (playing time, sideline, game and training)

    Playing Time Policy

    • All Recreational players are entitled to play at least 50% of the game. Coaches will manage substitutions accordingly to ensure minimum playing time for each player is met

    Sideline, Game and Training Policies

    • During games and practices, spectators may sit on the side of the field or in the bleachers.
    • Spectators may not sit or stand behind the goals or on the end lines, or in the area between fields designated for coaches and players.
    • Positive cheering is encouraged. Please refrain from coaching from the sidelines.  “Good job!” is positive cheering. “Stay back on defense!” is coaching from the sidelines.
    • Criticism of players, coaches, or referees is prohibited.
    • Dogs are prohibited from practices and games. Any person bringing a dog to the field will be asked to take the pet home or to stay at least 50 yards away from the field. This is for the safety of the pet as well as the players and other spectators at the field.

Fall 2026 Program Information

Practice Locations:  Howard Community College and HCPSS grass fields


*Most teams practice on Tuesday evenings at Howard Community College, though some teams may practice at an alternate location in Howard County or on a different day of the week. In such cases, practice details will be determined by the coach of that team based on the coach's availability and the availability of fields convenient to the coach and players on that team.

Practice Dates:

Tuesdays: April 7, 14, 21, 28; May 6, 13 - Make Up - May 20

Wednesdays: April 8, 15, 22, 29; May 7, 14 - Make Up - May 21


Practice Times:  TBS


Practice Locations:  Howard Community College, Howard County Public School Fields or Howard County park fields.

Game Dates: 

Saturdays: April 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16 - Make Up May 30


Game Locations: Howard Community College


Game Times: Typically Saturday mornings & early afternoon

Registration Coming Soon

Volunteer REC Coaches


FC Ellicott City will provide FREE registration to any player whose parent is the head coach of the team. We will also offer several coaches training opportunities online and in person, as well as training sessions to use with your team. Additionally, all head coaches will be provided with a sweatshirt and coaching shirt along with equipment to include cones, small goals, training vests and soccer balls to use at each team's practice.