south-carolina United FC (SCUFC)
Overview
South Carolina United FC (SCUFC), legally registered as Columbia United Football Club, is the premier youth soccer organization in the Midlands region of South Carolina. Headquartered at 455 St. Andrews Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, the club has been tax-exempt since August 1988 under EIN 57-0851403.
SCUFC serves 5,500+ children and young adults across 17 counties in South Carolina and georgia, making it the largest youth soccer club in the state by player count.
Mission: “Provide a positive environment for continuing development of players who demonstrate talent, commitment, good sportsmanship, and desire to excel in soccer.”
Financials
| Metric | FY2025 (ending May 2025) | FY2024 (ending May 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $4,032,726 | $3,381,942 |
| Total Expenses | $4,034,666 | $3,142,089 |
| Net Income | -$1,940 | $239,853 |
| Total Assets | $7,151,652 | $6,981,104 |
| Executive Compensation | $104,625 | $65,000 |
Revenue growth of 19.2% year-over-year. (HIGH confidence — 990 filing)
Executive compensation of $104K for a $4M club is remarkably low compared to CESA's $832K. This either reflects operational efficiency or under-investment in management talent.
Teams & Players
5,500+ players across programs:
- Recreational soccer (multiple locations)
- Junior Academy
- Select teams
- ECNL National (Boys & Girls)
- ECNL Regional League (Boys & Girls)
- E64 program
- usl-league-two — SC United Bantams (U23 men’s pre-professional)
- usl-w-league (women’s pre-professional)
- College ID Combines
- Training Corps
- Strikers Soccer at School
- SCUFC Classroom
League Affiliations
- ECNL — Boys and Girls (Southeast Conference)
- ECNL Regional League — Boys and Girls
- USL League Two — SC United Bantams
- USL W League
- SCYSA / USYS — Member
Facilities
| Facility | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Polo Road Park | 730 Polo Rd, Columbia, SC 29229 | 6 lighted soccer fields; county-owned |
| Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Center | 115 Sunbelt Blvd, Columbia, SC 29203 | 11v11 field |
| SCUFC West Soccer Complex | 1053 Bird Rd, Irmo, SC 29063 | Formerly BB&T Complex; 11v11 practice |
| Ballentine Park Complex | 1009 Bickley Rd, Irmo, SC 29063 | Multiple fields |
| SV Presbyterian Church | 125 Sparkleberry Ln, Columbia, SC 29229 | Supplemental |
| SCUFC Sorinex Weight Room | — | Strength & conditioning |
Observation: SCUFC operates across multiple dispersed facilities rather than a single anchor complex. None appear to be club-owned. This creates both a vulnerability (lease dependency) and an opportunity (consolidation into purpose-built facility).
Leadership
- Rob Strickland — Executive Director. Compensation: $77,667 (FY2025).
- Tripp Miller — Senior Director of Club Operations. Oversees day-to-day operations across multiple locations.
- Jamie McClendon — Director of Junior Academy
- Navid Azizzadeh — Assistant Director of Junior Academy
- Emily Jermstad — Safeguarding and Support Officer
College Placement
College ID Combines hosted for both boys and girls. Specific placement data not compiled.
Competitive Position
SCUFC is the monopoly power in the Columbia/Midlands market. With 5,500+ players and ECNL membership for both genders, it has no equal-sized competitor in its geography. Columbia Premier and congaree-rapid-fc exist as smaller alternatives but lack national platform affiliations.
Strengths:
- Largest player base in the state (5,500+)
- Full pathway: rec through USL2/W League
- ECNL Boys & Girls
- 19% revenue growth YoY
- Broad geographic reach (17 counties)
Weaknesses:
- No dedicated, club-controlled facility
- Dispersed operations across multiple sites
- Low executive compensation may reflect difficulty attracting top talent
- Thin margins (essentially breakeven)
Investment Thesis
Top acquisition target alongside CESA. SCUFC offers:
- Immediate ECNL membership (both genders)
- 5,500+ player base — the state’s largest
- USL League Two and W League pathway
- $4M+ and growing revenue
- Columbia is the state capital and geographic center
- Low executive comp creates room for professionalization under platform ownership
Key diligence items: facility lease terms, $7.2M in assets (what’s the composition?), Rob Strickland’s exit planning, competitive threats from Columbia Premier.
Open Questions
- What are the facility lease terms across all locations?
- Is there appetite from Richland County or City of Columbia for a public-private facility partnership?
- What is the club’s relationship with Columbia Premier — competitive, cooperative, or indifferent?
- What comprises the $7.2M in total assets?
- Is there succession planning beyond Rob Strickland?