Started by Alex Moraes, Franklin County Sports Club provides a high-quality, competitive soccer experience to the youth of Franklin County, ensuring that every player reaches their full potential both on and off the field. The organization provides elite training and coaching opportunities for players of all backgrounds.
Its focus is on youth athletes ages four to 18 in Franklin County and the surrounding areas, it has been well received by families in the area and its programs are growing. FCSC has partnered with local organizations, schools, and soccer professionals to provide an environment where young athletes can grow their skills, build character, and compete at the highest levels.
“The goal is to elevate Franklin County athletes and to be more competitive,” Alex shares.
Currently Franklin County Sports Club has a number of programs, including competitive soccer, a high-level training and game environment for dedicated players looking to challenge themselves and grow in the game, MLS Go Rec Soccer, which is a program that prepares players to go from recreational play to the pros. There are also programs built around specific skillsets like ball mastery and goalkeeping, as well as improving overall athletic performance, and soccer camps.
The club operates under the guidance of four core values – community, integrity, excellence, and respect.
“Our four values reflect the organization’s leadership,” he says.
Alex is the current president, executive director, and head coach at FCSC. There are three other board members – Scott Alberson, vice president and treasurer, David Pope, secretary, goalkeeping coach, and assistant coach, and Jason Schmelz, advisor, goalkeeping trainer, and head coach.
Getting the organization started
Organizations with a big vision and strong leadership like FCSC’s don’t just form overnight, but Alex shares that once he had the idea for the club, things came together quickly – in about one year. Taking a leap of faith and encouraged by his wife Maria to do something for the youth of Franklin County, Alex created a business plan and marketing strategy to ensure the organization’s success.
“We knew we wanted to do a nonprofit because we didn’t want anybody to own Franklin County Sports Club,” he explains.
Another area of importance was to integrate elements of Franklin County history and the value of community into every aspect of the organization, right down to its badge. The three curved lines at the bottom represent the three rivers present in Franklin County, the Meramec, Missouri, and Bourbeuse, and the badge itself features a minimalist design that is reminiscent of historic German soccer badges, to honor the German settlers in Franklin County.
Once the plans were in place on paper, the organization gained momentum quickly, and received the necessary licensing needed, as well as recruiting board members and sponsors. Franklin County Sports Club obtained its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2024 and launched its first spring league in 2025.
Alex points to numerous people and organizations within the Franklin County community with helping FCSC gain its footing so quickly – from Brenda Kleinheider, original developer and former owner of N-Sports Rec Center in Washington, to gaining sponsors like Bank of Washington.
Educational and sports background
Alex was born and raised in Honduras, and soccer was a major part of the culture he grew up in. He is a former semi-professional goalkeeper as well as a former member of the Honduras U-17 Youth Men’s National Team. Prior to launching FCSC, he coached with St. Louis Scott Gallagher SC and Lou Fusz Athletic, leading teams to regional playoffs and tournament titles.
Alex attended Lindenwood University and was a triple undergraduate major in political science and government, public administration, and economics. He also holds an MBA in international business from Lindenwood.
In February 2025, after nearly a decade and a half of living in the U.S. under a student visa and later an H-1B visa, Alex became an official American citizen.
“I always wanted to study abroad and I came here to change my family tree,” he shares.
With his drive to help others succeed, his commitment to building a sports club that will change the lives of the youth in Franklin County, and leading an organization that’s fostering community, Alex is a living embodiment of what it means to chase the American Dream in today’s world.
To find out more about Franklin County Sports Club, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or visit its website.
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