About City Soccer
City Soccer is a community academy based in New Orleans, LA. We provide supplemental player development. Most sessions are open and attended at will. Sessions are rooted in a a principle-based curriculum pulled from our larger game model. We teach players better ways to understand and navigate the dynamic group game, while applying their individual ability. What we teach is critical for American players to learn.
Our Mission
We push local soccer.
We serve the City and aim to drive improvement in the wider soccer environment. City Soccer is a non-profit organization with a public community academy. We are a critical and compatible supplement for local soccer all year long. We are not a competitive club.
Most of our sessions are open and attended at will. Open means you have access to attend at your level, all year long. It also means open-forum. In our environment, the truth cannot hide. Players attend from all over the city to learn—not only what we teach—but what others are doing elsewhere. The environment illuminates, educates, and connects. At-will means you choose when to train with us. When you choose to show up, you have a duty to do your part. Come prepared to play and learn.
Our programs are designed for all levels and interests. We solve common problems on and off the field. We provide programming that covers early development, right through to advanced adults.
Our Foundation
Our foundation works with parks and governing bodies to improve programming, access, service, and conditions in parks and play-spaces across the city, country, and internationally.
Leadership
We have been through the U.S. soccer system as players, coaches, and parents. We know how confusing it can be. The landscape is fragmented, the messaging is inconsistent, and families are often left trying to figure it out on their own.
City Soccer exists to be the place you can always come back to. A supplement to your club, not a replacement. A place where players develop real ability, but also a place where they enjoy the game. Development and fun are not opposites. We believe the best training happens when both are present.
Grant Guthrie
Director & Technical Staff
Grant directs City Soccer’s operations and technical staff. His background in US Soccer and abroad provides unique motivation, connections, and perspective.
Paul LeBlanc
Operations Director
Paul oversees player orientation and prep for Open Academy, additionally helping to ensure City Soccer coaches deliver for players and families. Paul’s talent and perspective as a player and coach provides unique motivation and value to help all who attend to player and learn.
Ibrahim Belkhouche
Director & Technical Staff
New Orleans is my home, and soccer is my lifelong passion.
I joined City Soccer because I wanted to find a meaningful way to be involved in my community while giving back to the game I love.
For me, joining was about more than what happens on the field. The activities really do foster a sense of belonging, support, and culture without saying it.
It is clear that the company truly cares about people and the spirit of New Orleans while putting on a higher standard than I experienced as a club player in the city.
Our Coaches
Our coaches are players and teachers first. They love the game and they love showing others how to play it. We look for people who feel strongly about maintaining both of those things in every session.
Being prepared is a big part of coaching in our environment. Every session is planned with intention, because the quality of our training depends on coaches who care about the details.
