US Club Soccer Expands Membership with Club Development League (CDL)
US Club Soccer gears up for the return of national youth soccer competitions, with the addition of Club Development League (CDL). The expansion of US Club Soccer’s membership provides opportunities for promising youth players in the region to compete at the highest level.
YOUTH SOCCER NEWS: US Club Soccer recently announced Iowa-based Club Development League (CDL) as the latest addition to its membership, beginning with the 2021-22 season.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Club Development League into the US Club Soccer family,” said Kevin Payne, US Club Soccer CEO/Executive Director.
“Adding a strong and growing league in Iowa continues our impressive growth in the Midwest and nationally as the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kevin Payne, US Club Soccer CEO/Executive Director
“Our founding principles of soccer people making soccer decisions, local decisions made locally, and professional management is resonating with soccer leaders everywhere,” said Payne. “We look forward to a long relationship with the Club Development League and its membership for years to come.”
The partnership welcomes 10 clubs, 300 teams and over 7,000 players and staff in U6 through U19 age groups. The member clubs will benefit from the expansive programming and resources offered by US Club Soccer.
The CDL will also host U.S. Soccer coach licensing courses via US Club Soccer. The CDL will benefit from US Club Soccer’s educational and developmental offerings, including LaLiga coach education programming.
“This is an exciting time for the CDL,” said Alen Kudumovic, CDL president. “The ability of our member clubs to come together to develop our own programming, standards and calendar allows us to enhance our program offerings and improve the coach education and player development environment across the state.”
“The timing is right for CDL member clubs to determine their own pathway,” said CDL league administrator, Ian Bradley. “The landscape of youth soccer in Iowa and across the USA continues to change and evolve, and this move puts us at the forefront of that change”.
With the partnership, the CDL will provide league competition for three levels of competitive teams in the fall and spring. The program includes central game sites, gender-specific event dates and competitive matchups.
The CDL will run a US Club Soccer two-flight State Cup in the U13 through U19 age groups. The teams will advance directly to the Regional or National Cup Finals, which is US Club Soccer’s national cup-based championship events.
Media Credit: US Club Soccer
