Potomac Soccer Association

Overview

Potomac Soccer Association (PSA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in 1982, based in Germantown, MD. EIN 52-1284366. The club serves Montgomery County youth ages 5-18 with fields in Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Potomac. PSA is the only club in Montgomery County competing in ECNL Boys.

Approximately 60 teams and 500 travel players.

Financials

YearRevenueExpensesNet Assets
2024$3,253,822$3,134,801$2,179,091
2023$3,148,527$2,731,976$2,060,070
2022$2,566,351$2,666,820$1,643,519
2021$2,855,341$1,770,521$1,743,989
2020$1,523,335$2,004,422$659,169
2019$2,475,064$2,550,453$1,140,256

Source: ProPublica 990 filings. (HIGH confidence)

Program services = 99.1% of revenue (2.18M is the strongest balance sheet among Maryland clubs relative to revenue. Growth from 3.25M (2024) = 262% growth over 13 years.

Teams & Players

~60 teams, ~500 travel players. Ages 5-18. Recreational, travel, and elite programs. Club-centric model where all teams operate under unified coaching structure.

League Affiliations

  • ECNL (Boys) — Only ECNL Boys club in Montgomery County
  • ECNL Regional League
  • Girls Academy Aspire (Girls U13-U19, new)
  • NCSL
  • EDP
  • Chesapeake Premier Soccer League (CPSL)

Facilities

Fields in Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Potomac (details TBD).

Leadership

  • Laurie Lane — Executive Director; $94,971 (FY2024)
  • Walter Kirkland — President ($0)
  • Shannon Merkle — Treasurer ($0)
  • Board: Tommy Zarembka, Joe Gentile, Amos Brunson, Alan Zang, Laura Pede (all $0)

Tournaments Hosted

Competitive Position

Strengths:

  • Only ECNL Boys in Montgomery County — unique market position
  • Strongest balance sheet (3.25M revenue)
  • Conservative, well-managed nonprofit
  • Montgomery County location = affluent player base

Weaknesses:

  • No girls ECNL (only GA Aspire — secondary pathway)
  • Smaller than Bethesda SC (500 travel vs. 1,300)
  • Less brand recognition nationally

SYNRGY Relevance

Potomac SA is a solid, well-capitalized club with a unique ECNL Boys position in Montgomery County. The $2.18M net assets and conservative management make it financially stable. A Bethesda SC + Potomac SA combination would create a Montgomery County dominant force with ECNL Boys (PSA) + ECNL Girls + MLS Next (BSC).

Open Questions

  • How does PSA’s ECNL Boys pathway complement or compete with Bethesda SC’s MLS Next Boys? (MEDIUM priority)
  • What is the GA Aspire program trajectory — will it become full GA? (LOW priority)