Manitou F.C.
Minnesota
Soccer Club
Manitou is more than football. Manitou is about fun and friends. It’s about learning and about being challenged to grow both as a player and as a person! It’s about stretching yourself and giving your best to meet the challenges that sport provides. We’re passionate about our club’s culture and the player pathway we provide for boys and girls to experience and enjoy the world’s most popular sport.
MANITOU F.C OVERVIEW
"Manitou is more than football. Manitou is about fun and friends. It's about learning and about being challenged to grow both as a player and as a person! ...Character is important to us and we believe the lessons learned on a field carry over into life." — Edi Buro, Sporting Director
A Complete Player Pathway
Manitou FC offers one of the most comprehensive pathways in the state, catering to every stage of a player's journey from grassroots to pre-professional.
Young Legends (U8-U10): A player-centered foundation that emphasizes movement education, skill acquisition, and a love for the game without the pressure of early travel.
Competitive (U11-U19): Players are placed on "Orange" or "Green" teams based on ability, competing in the Twin Cities Soccer League (TCSL) and National Premier Leagues (NPL).
Elite Platforms: Top-tier talent has access to national platforms, including MLS NEXT (Boys), Elite Academy League (EA), and the ECNL Regional League (ECNL-RL).
Pre-Professional: The club extends the pathway for collegiate and adult players through its UPSL (Men) and WPSL (Women) teams.
The Manitou Culture
The club’s identity is built on the belief that "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts."
Community First: Whether win or lose, the club prioritizes being a support system for its families.
Excellence: A commitment to producing not just superior technical players, but leaders who contribute positively to their community.
Mission & Values
With roots dating back to 1981, Manitou FC has evolved into a premier destination for soccer in the Twin Cities.
Our vision is to provide a sporting environment that instills a culture of excellence through leadership, coaching, and the empowerment of young athletes.
Connect With Manitou
Stay updated on tryouts, game schedules, and community events through their official channels:
Website: www.manitoufc.org
Facebook: @whitebearsoccer
Instagram: @manitoufutbol
MANITOU F.C. FAST FACTS
CATEGORY | DETAILS |
Founded | 1981 (as White Bear Soccer Club, rebranded 2020) |
Headquarters | White Bear Lake, MN |
Service Area | White Bear Lake, Northeast Metro, and Western Wisconsin |
Status | 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization |
Affiliations | MLS NEXT, Elite Academy League (EA), ECNL Regional League (ECNL-RL), TCSL, US Club Soccer, UPSL, WPSL |
Programs | Early Development: Future Manitous (U8-U10), Pre-MLS NEXT (U11-U12) Youth: Competitive (Orange, Green levels), Elite Academy (EA), MLS NEXT (Boys), ECNL-RL (Girls) Pre-Professional: UPSL (Men), WPSL (Women) |
Key Distinction | The only club in the Northeast Metro offering the MLS NEXT platform, the highest level of boys' youth soccer competition in North America. |
MANITOU F.C. TESTIMONIALS & REVIEWS
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CJ Buzzell
Parent
How long have you been a part of Manitou F.C.?
My daughter Lauren played with Manitou FC for 5 seasons, 5.5. What attracted us to the club was just the style of play that she saw when she was a U13 player, U14, yeah, U12, and we had to switch up because of the age change to U14.
What has been your favorite experience at Manitou F.C.?
It was a great opportunity. She was lucky enough to be selected for that team, and that team went on to have a lot of success, not just with winning games. Which was great. Winning is a huge part of it, but it was all about development. And the number of girls that went on to play college soccer is a testimony to that style of coaching and understanding that development's more important than winning at U14, U15, and U16. So, very, very thrilled for that opportunity for Lauren.
How has Manitou F.C. impacted your son/daughter? Share an example.
I watched Edi coach his team from White Bear Lake that nobody really heard of back then and was very excited about the opportunity to join the team at U14 simply because they played soccer. It wasn't about get the ball to the best athletes or play fast. It was actually, they were playing soccer. My daughter was a center back, so learning how to play out of the back and understanding how you run a defensive line, how you communicate with your six. It was the first time she was exposed to actual soccer, not just the way it was played with get the ball to the best athletes and try to win. It was actually about development. Which was what really attracted my daughter Lauren and myself to explore joining Manitou FC White Bear at the time.