Lowcountry United Soccer Academy (LUSA)
Overview
Lowcountry United Soccer Academy (LUSA) is a youth soccer organization operating in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina, based in Mount Pleasant. LUSA operates under or in close affiliation with James Island Youth Soccer Club (EIN 57-0718228, $1.96M revenue FY2025).
Teams & Players
Player count unknown. Multi-level competitive programming.
League Affiliations
- MLS Next Academy Division — 2025-26 member (the only MLS Next club in South Carolina)
- National Academy League (NAL) — Boys
- Girls Academy Aspire League — Girls
- Development Premier League (DPL) — Girls
- National Premier Leagues (NPL) — U13-U19, South Atlantic Premier League Conference
- SCYSA / USYS — Member
Facilities
Training locations in the Charleston / Mount Pleasant area. Specific facility details not compiled.
Competitive Position
LUSA is the only MLS Next club in South Carolina and the only Girls Academy affiliate in the state, making it a critical piece of the Lowcountry competitive landscape. It competes directly with SC Surf for elite players in the Charleston market — SC Surf has ECNL Boys while LUSA has MLS Next and Girls Academy.
Investment Thesis
MLS Next and Girls Academy membership are valuable platform affiliations. Relationship to James Island YSC (EIN 57-0718228) needs clarification — is LUSA a program within JIYSC or a separate entity?
Open Questions
- What is LUSA’s legal structure? Does it operate under JIYSC’s 501(c)(3)?
- What are the financials (separate from JIYSC)?
- Who are the key leaders?
- What facility does LUSA primarily use?