US Youth Soccer National League Accepting Applications
US Youth Soccer National League has expanded to meet the growing demand from clubs and colleges and is now accepting team applications for the 2016-2017 year for ages U15 through U19. The National League is an extension of the US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues providing youth players with competitive competition across the U.S. and a chance to compete in the annual US Youth Soccer National Championships. SoccerToday spoke with National League Commissioner Paul Luchowski to find out more.
How strong is the U.S. Youth Soccer National league?
Many U.S. Youth Soccer National alums have succeeded at the next level of the beautiful game. A great example is No. 1 pick in 2016 MLS SuperDraft – Jack Harrison – played for Manhattan PSG in the NL. Jack is now proving his worth in the professional world having just scored his first goal for New York City FC on June 2. The US Youth Soccer National League is equally strong for girls. The No. 1 pick in the 2015 and 2016 NWSL Drafts — Morgan Brian and Emily Sonnett — each played in the league.
In fact, the 2015 NWSL Rookie of the Year Danielle Colaprico played in the National League as well and Jordan Morris, Walker Zimmerman, Gedion Zelalem, Samantha Mewis are a few more players.
Youth Soccer News: Celebrating its 10th season, the US Youth Soccer National League is now accepting team applications for the 2016-17 seasonal year. The league is expanding from 160 to 256 teams with 32 teams in U16-18 age groups and 16 in U15, U19.
Applications are due Thursday, July 7, 2016. National League competition will be held for the Under-15 (2002), Under-16 (2001), Under-17 (2000), Under-18 (1999) and Under-19 (1998+) Boys and Girls age groups. The league has grown significantly from its modest start in 2007 with only 30 teams and this exponential growth reflects our country’s increased interest in youth soccer.
One of the many benefits of playing in the highly competitive National League is for players to have the ability to play high school soccer. Youth soccer players do not have to relinquish participating on other soccer events or competitions.
Another plus of the US Youth Soccer National League is the wide-spread college exposure. More than 750 coaches attended the last three boys weekends and over than 1,100 attended the girls weekends.
So what is new for this coming youth soccer season?
An expanded field for the 2016-17 season will see 16 teams earn their place in the National League in the Under-15 and Under-19 age groups, while 32 teams will qualify to compete in the Under-16 through Under-18 age groups. The top finishers in each U-14, U-15, U-16 and U-17 division from the 2015-16 National League season (with the current seasonal year age groups) have earned the opportunity to retain their slots for the 2016-17 season, provided teams meet all eligibility requirements.
Teams in the four US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues, dependent on each league’s format, receive an automatic slot into the National League.
Teams either automatically qualify for National League spots, or are selected by the National League Committee for remaining open slots. Qualification and selection spots may vary based on a specific gender age group. Specific information on each gender age group, as well as a list of automatic qualifying teams for 2016-17 can be found here.
Also earning a place in the 2016-17 National League season are the four representatives from each of the upcoming 2016 US Youth Soccer Regional Championships in the U-13 through U-17 gender age groups who advance to the 2016 US Youth Soccer National Championships. Regional Championship finalists in the U-14 through U-16 age groups also earn automatic qualification into the National League. The remaining slots will be filled by teams that have either achieved success in their respective Regional League or were a semifinalist at the 2016 Regional Championships. For those remaining slots, the teams will be selected by the National League Committee.
All teams who would like to participate in the National League must submit an application.
The National League will reach over 5,500 players and is an extension of the highly successful US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues (Eastern Regional League, Midwest Regional League, Southern Regional Premier League and Far West Regional League). Using the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional League as an example with over 28,000 players, US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues will reach over 100,000 players and provide meaningful games in addition to promotion /relegation.
The National League provides an avenue for teams to play in meaningful matches against top competition from across the country for continued development. In addition to recruiting opportunities, National League teams compete for the National League title and one of four slots from each gender age group to the annual US Youth Soccer National Championships, the oldest and most prestigious youth soccer national championships.
Teams that earn their place in the National League have a proven track record of success in US Youth Soccer regional and national competitions, and are among the nation’s best. Hundreds of college scouts attend each National League weekend, creating another significant opportunity for the nation’s collegiate and National Team coaches to see National League players in an environment of meaningful play, citing the competitive level of each game as every team has to earn their place in the competition, regardless of club affiliation or location.
The National League completed its ninth season of play in 2015-16, with the US Youth Soccer National Championships still to be played. During the first eight years, National League teams have won 39 of a possible 58 National Championships, including eight of 10 last year.
In the 2016-17 National League season, the Under-15 and Under-19 age groups will be split into two eight-team divisions, while the Under-16 through Under-18 age groups will feature four eight-team divisions. Teams from each of US Youth Soccer’s four regions will compete in round robin play within each division. All teams will compete in the National League Fall Showcase in Wilson, N.C., with the girls playing Dec. 1-4 and the boys competing Dec. 8-11. Teams will then be assigned to play in one of the two remaining events held in Orlando, Fla., alongside the Disney College Showcase in late December or during March in the Las Vegas, Nev., alongside the Players Showcase.
Teams for the 2016-17 season are expected to be announced around August 2, 2016, following this summer’s US Youth Soccer National Championships.
Source/Photo Credit: US Youth Soccer
