About | City Soccer

About City Soccer

City Soccer is a community academy based in New Orleans. We provide supplemental player development. Most sessions are open and at-will. Sessions are rooted in a principle-based game model that teaches players useful ways to through a dynamic group game, then apply their individual ability.

Our Mission

We push local soccer to be better.

City Soccer is a non-profit organization and public community academy. We function as a supplement to local soccer serving New Orleans year-round. We are not a competitive club.

Our sessions are open and at-will. Open means you have access to attend at your level, all year long. It also means open-forum, where 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 teaches and reveals truth. At-will means you choose when to train. When you 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, solving common soccer and social problems on and off the field. We provide programming that covers early development 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.

Player Levels

All players begin at the "Start" level and advance based on demonstrated qualities. Assignments consider age, experience, ability, and training background.