Hidden Gems: Meet Carlos Rincon of Uprising Football Club Inc

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Rincon.

Hi Carlos, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
One evening during UCLA men’s soccer preseason in the fall of 2019, I was in my dorm room with my best friend. We talked about what we wanted to do in our lives. I ripped a piece of notebook paper and wrote down:

“Through soccer, make a change in the world for the kids that live and have a hard life. To give them guidance and a purpose. That one kid I saw selling hot dogs and he had the same pair of shoes but worse. Make a change in the world for the kids who say ‘why me’.”

That vision stayed with me. In August 2020, I founded Uprising Football Club because I decided to pursue a dream and to change the culture of soccer.

Before starting my company, I was born in Mexico and came to the United States when I was four years old. Driven by my hardworking parents and my obsession and love for soccer, I played every day and strived to be the best. I excelled and eventually played for UCLA, then finished my college career by winning a national championship at Cal State LA in 2021.

While playing my grad year at Cal State LA, I was already coaching the players in the program. That’s when the famous 6 a.m. training sessions began. When I made the switch, I thought all the kids would quit and stop showing up. Instead, they all decided to stay and make the sacrifice.

Fast forward to 2025: we still train at 6 a.m., we have over 70 committed players who want to thrive, and a network of alumni who still come back to train. Most importantly, our program has a 100% college acceptance rate.

Looking back, it all started with a piece of notebook paper, a simple idea, and a commitment to build something bigger than myself. I still carry that piece of notebook paper with me.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road to success is narrow. Staying true to our core value of genuine player development has never been simple. The entire U.S. soccer system is not built around developing the player—it’s built around developing a business.

Families spend an insane amount of money so their kids can play soccer, but what about the ones who can’t afford it? While some receive scholarships, what about the other players who might be just as good but don’t have the means to pay? We have a demographic with so much talent that too often goes to waste.

I’m tired of hearing coaches, programs, and teams say that their value is “development,” yet they refuse to push a kid up an age group because it might make the team worse. Simply put, if a club is truly for development, why are there four teams in the same age group?

While not every club or program is like this, ultimately, the system is failing. Our men’s national and youth teams are increasingly made up of players developed outside the U.S.

What does this mean for us? At Uprising, we tell players the truth and focus on developing their brains, not just their bodies. Football is a chess game, but too many people only look for “athletes.” Athleticism helps, but at the highest level, everyone is athletic. What sets top players apart is how they think on the field.

Our system at Uprising is built on real development. Every player must try out to be selected. We don’t offer our program to everyone. We want players who are committed and who want to make a change. Once they join the family, they understand the standards and expectations: train twice a week, maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher, listen and grow as people and players, complete community service requirements, follow a workout program at home, and more.

Even when resources were limited and people doubted what we were trying to build, we stayed committed to our vision.

What keeps me going is seeing the moments when a kid receives their letter or offer to play in college, gets accepted into a professional academy, or when alumni come back to train and stay connected. That’s why we keep pushing.

As you know, we’re big fans of Uprising Football Club Inc. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Uprising Football Club is more than just a place to play soccer—it’s a community built on purpose, accountability, and the belief that the sport can change lives.

We focus on authentic player development, combining high-level training with personal growth. What makes us different is that we don’t just look for athletes—we look for young people willing to commit to becoming the best version of themselves, both on and off the field. Our training emphasizes tactical intelligence, decision-making, discipline, and character. We often say football is a chess game, and we prepare our players to see it that way.

One of the things we’re known for is our 6 a.m. training sessions. They’ve become part of our culture and a symbol of the dedication our players bring every day. It’s not easy to wake up before sunrise to train, but it teaches discipline and sacrifice—qualities that carry over into every area of life.

Our program is also built on a faith-based foundation that shapes how we serve others and how we lead. We believe in using the gifts we’ve been given to make a positive impact, which is why community service is a core part of what we do. Players are expected to give back—whether it’s volunteering locally, mentoring younger kids, or supporting those in need. We see this not just as an obligation, but as an opportunity to live out our values in a tangible way.

We also hold our players to clear standards: maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA, participating in community service, and staying committed to their personal development. Everyone in the program must try out to earn their place, no matter their background or financial situation.

What I’m most proud of is that Uprising stands for something real. In a soccer landscape that can be driven by pay-to-play and the business side of the sport, we’ve created a model that puts the player first. Our graduates have a 100% college acceptance rate, and many have gone on to join professional academies. Just as important, our alumni keep coming back to train and to give back to the next generation.

If there’s one thing I’d want readers to know, it’s that Uprising Football Club is here for the kids who are willing to work for something bigger than themselves. We don’t promise shortcuts or quick success. We promise a process rooted in high standards, faith, and the belief that with the right guidance, any player can rise.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
Los Angeles is where I grew up. Predominantly, I spent my childhood and early years in Baldwin Hills, Crenshaw, Culver City, and Santa Monica. West LA has always felt like home to me.

What I love most about this city is the diversity and the richness of culture. You can drive five minutes in any direction and find small communities representing countries from all over the world, all proud to be here and call themselves American. I also love my Christian community and how we do our best to share the good news with others. It’s been inspiring to see LA continue to grow spiritually and to see faith-based groups making a positive impact.

What I like least is the homelessness crisis. It’s heartbreaking to see so many people living on the streets without real solutions to help them rebuild their lives. While food drives and shelters do important work, we often settle for a comfortable middle ground instead of creating sustainable paths for people to move forward. Beyond affecting the safety and well-being of our communities, it’s a sign that as a city, we can do more.

Another challenge I see is on the soccer side. In youth soccer, there is a lot of competition and, at times, envy between clubs. It feels like every interaction has to be a business transaction, and there isn’t enough genuine collaboration. We sometimes lose sight of why we coach in the first place: to serve the player in front of us and help them grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theuprisingfc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_uprising_fc/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theuprisingfootballclub

Image Credits
@Ricardo Talavera