Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandler Hoffman
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Soccer has been at the center of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, I fell in love with the game early on, and that passion took me from club soccer to UCLA, where I was fortunate to become both an academic and athletic All-American and a two-time Pac-10 champion. From there, I embarked on an 11-year professional career, winning an MLS Cup with the LA Galaxy and competing across every level of the U.S. Soccer pyramid. Through all of those experiences—the highs, the challenges, and everything in between—I came to realize something important: soccer was always more than just a game to me. It was a vehicle for growth, leadership, and connection. Yet, I also know firsthand how easy it is to tie your identity and self-worth to your performance on the field—something I struggled with throughout my own career.
As my playing days came to an end, I started thinking about how I could give back to the game that gave me so much. I knew I wanted to stay involved in soccer, but more than that, I wanted to help young players grow into confident leaders—on and off the field. That’s what ultimately led me to start Impact City FC in Salt Lake City and step into the role of Director of Coaching in January 2023.
From the beginning, the vision for Impact City FC was different. It wasn’t just about winning games or producing top-level players—it was about using soccer as a tool to develop leaders who serve their communities. I’ve seen how easily players can attach their identity to their stats, minutes, or results. But I want every player in our program to understand that their value is not defined by their performance. Soccer is a gift, but it’s not the end goal—it’s a platform to build confidence, resilience, and character.
In my role, I focus on long-term player development—ensuring that training is structured in a way that helps players grow, prepares them for matches, and teaches them life lessons through the game. My ultimate hope is that our players walk away with more than just technical and tactical skills. I want them to develop a growth mindset, leadership qualities, and a strong work ethic that will carry them far beyond the field. And above all, I want them to recognize that our worth is not in what we do, but in what Christ has already done for us on the cross.
Building Impact City FC has been one of the most rewarding challenges of my life. Every day, I get to combine my love for soccer with my passion for mentorship, helping young athletes realize that their potential is limitless—not just as players, but as people. Seeing them grow in confidence and take ownership of their development reminds me why I do this. Soccer shaped my journey, and now, through Impact City FC, I get to pass that same opportunity on to the next generation.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey through professional soccer is filled with highs and lows, and I’ve experienced both in ways that have shaped me not only as a player but as a person.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was dealing with serious injuries—a torn PCL in 2019 and a torn ACL in 2021. As an athlete, you always know injuries are part of the game, but that doesn’t make them any easier to handle. The rehab process is grueling, not just physically but mentally. You go from feeling at your peak, competing at the highest level, to being sidelined and forced to rebuild step by step. There were moments of doubt, frustration, and questioning whether I’d get back to the player I once was. But those experiences also taught me resilience, patience, and a deeper appreciation for the game.
Beyond injuries, the nature of professional sports itself is a challenge. There’s a constant sense of uncertainty—competition is fierce, and at any moment, you can find yourself moving to a new team and a new city. Over my 11-year career, I played for multiple clubs across different levels of the U.S. Soccer pyramid, which meant adjusting to new teammates, coaches, and environments over and over again. It wasn’t always easy, but looking back, I see how those experiences shaped me. They forced me to adapt, build relationships quickly, and find ways to contribute no matter where I was.
At the same time, there were incredible highs. Scoring over 90 professional goals, playing in more than 200 games, and winning multiple championships—including the 2014 MLS Cup with LA Galaxy and the 2017 USL Regular Season Championship—are moments I’ll never forget. I had the privilege of playing alongside and against some of the best players in the country, experiencing the thrill of big matches, and feeling the energy of passionate fan bases.
But more than the stats and trophies, what stands out the most is the people I’ve met along the way. The friendships I built with teammates, coaches, and staff at every club are what made this journey special. Every city I played in gave me new relationships, new lessons, and new perspectives. And perhaps the biggest surprise of all—I met my wife in Salt Lake City, Utah, a place I never imagined calling home. Soccer brought me here, but she’s the reason it became home.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Impact City FC, we do more than just coach soccer—we develop leaders who serve their communities and use the game as a platform for something greater. As a nonprofit youth soccer club, our mission is to create an environment where players not only improve technically and tactically but also grow in confidence, resilience, and leadership. We emphasize long-term player development, making sure that every training session is intentional and that players understand the connection between their hard work in training and their performance in games.
What sets us apart is that we aren’t just focused on wins, trophies, or producing the next pro player—our goal is to develop well-rounded young men and women who recognize their value beyond their performance on the field. We teach our players that soccer is a tool to build character, develop a strong work ethic, and learn how to handle both success and adversity. We want them to walk away from their time at Impact City FC with more than just improved skills—we want them to be leaders in their schools, families, and communities.
I’m most proud of the culture we are building. Impact City FC started from the ground up, and in a short time, we’ve created an environment where players, coaches, and families feel part of something bigger than themselves. We’ve established a clear identity in how we train, compete, and develop players, and we’re committed to doing things the right way—with integrity, purpose, and a focus on long-term success over short-term results.
What truly sets us apart is our belief that our worth is not in what we do, but in what Christ has already done for us. That perspective changes how we approach the game, how we coach, and how we lead. We’re not just trying to create great soccer players—we’re raising up young men and women who will go out and make an impact in whatever they choose to pursue. That’s what makes Impact City FC different.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is that players develop a deep love for the game, but even more than that, that they recognize how much they are loved by God.
Soccer has been such a powerful force in my life—it’s given me opportunities, relationships, and experiences that have shaped me into who I am today. I want every player who comes through Impact City FC to experience that same joy and passion for the game. I want them to love competing, pushing themselves, and seeing their hard work pay off. But ultimately, my biggest hope is that they walk away with a greater understanding of who they are beyond soccer.
Far too often, players—myself included at times—tie their worth to their performance. Wins and losses, goals and minutes, success and failure—it can all feel like it defines you. But the reality is, our identity isn’t found in what we do on the field—it’s found in who God says we are. My prayer is that every player I coach would not only develop as an athlete but also come to understand that their value isn’t based on results, stats, or external validation, but on the unshakable truth that they are loved by God.
At the end of the day, soccer is a gift, but it’s not the ultimate prize. If I can help players grow in their love for the game while also pointing them toward something far greater, then I know I’ve done what I was called to do.
Pricing:
- Club team tryouts for birth years 2017-2011 in May! link to register https://www.impactcityfc.com/tryouts
- Summer camps available! link to register https://www.impactcityfc.com/camps
- Juniors academy for ages 4-7 on Monday Nights! link to register https://www.impactcityfc.com/juniors-academy
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.impactcityfc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactcity.slc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18iXXvAV5Z/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Twitter: https://x.com/impactcityfc?s=21&t=wN1lMkEJ02AyX5C7CJYXZA
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@impactcityfc4793?si=vxU1g00NuLhMaswe
