Many of the best players in The National League are descending on Mesa, Ariz., this weekend, as 60 girls teams compete at the first winter event of the season.

The action in Mesa features teams in the 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U and 19U age groups and includes a mixture of sides from both club-based and team-based divisions. All teams are competing for advancement to postseason competitions in the Summer of 2026 — either the USYS National Championships, presented by New York Life, or the inaugural edition of The National League Cup.

Click on the buttons below to check out a few teams and players that have stood out in each age group, plus take a look at which states and clubs are most represented at the event.

GIrls PREVIEWS:

By the Numbers

14U Girls

An undefeated, first-place finish in the Premier 1 Northwest fueled a run to the Far West Regional Championships for Eastside Timbers G12 NL (OR) last year. The November event in Arizona will serve as the first opportunity for the Oregon side to follow up that success.

TSC Murfreesboro 2012G (TN)’s run through the Premier 1 Mid South last season was impressive on multiple fronts. The Tennessee side’s undefeated campaign was fueled by a consistent offense, but also by a stingy back line that allowed just three goals throughout its nine games. If that level of consistency shows up in Mesa, teams will struggle to break down TSC. 

After just missing out on a Premier 1 Frontier title in 2024-25, Coppell FC 12G Davies NL (TX-N) will have something to prove this season. The North Texas side can find success in Mesa if it once again outscores its opponents at a heavy clip — like its plus-16 goal differential last year.

15U Girls

Just two points separated Club Premier 2 Frontier champions Solar FDL 11G Hernandez NL (TX-N) from the second place team last season. That type of experience — and the fortitude gained from coming out on top of a title race — can be a difference maker at the November event.

Dallas Surf 11G Evans NL (TX-N) — another Club Premier 2 Frontier squad — could make some noise in Mesa. The North Texas side finished its 2024-25 campaign 6-6-3 and currently holds a 4-0-4 record to start the new league season, so while its results may be uneven, the ability to stack wins has proven it can beat anyone on its best day.

Even though its plus-32 goal differential wasn’t enough for a first place finish in the Club Premier 1 Pacific, teams should be on high alert when facing Los Angeles SC 11G NL (CA-S). The Cal South side poured in 49 goals during its 19-game season last year and has already scored 21 during a fast 6-1-1 start to the current season. LASC will make defenses pay if they’re not up to the challenge.

Taka Players to Watch

Players and descriptions provided by Taka.

Scarlett Palmer, FC Premier 11G NL (CA-S) — With pace, power, and top-class technique, she’s a nightmare matchup for any defender.

Eva Hovanessian, Los Angeles SC 11G NL (CA-S) — A strong midfielder, Hovanessian is tough to play against, will battle hard and shows real quality in possession for her team.

16U Girls

After a first-place finish in its Club Premier 1 Pacific division last season, Los Angeles SC 10G NL (CA-S) has maintained its form at the start of the 2025-26 campaign. With a 7-0-1 record and 34 goals scored, LASC could fill up the scoresheet at will during the November event in Arizona.

Charlottesville Alliance 2010G Navy (VA) should head to Mesa with confidence in its form. The Virginia side came out on top of the Premier 1 Red South Atlantic division last year and won its first game to start the new season, so this formidable stretch has positioned it well for success.

Led by an offense that tallied 57 goals, Miami Breakers FC 2010G Black (FL) went 14-1-1 and won its Team Premier 1 Sunshine division title last season. If that scoring prowess makes the cross-country trip to Mesa, it will be tough for opposing defenses to slow it down.

Taka Players to Watch

Players and descriptions provided by Taka.

Haley Alvarez, CDA Slammers 10G NL I (CA-S) — A really talented midfielder who brings tons of energy and quality to her team all over the pitch. https://taka.io/athlete/6735795ac9738c3d02a87395 

Ryleigh Smith, Solar South Adames 10G (TX-N) — An outstanding versatile full back who shows great athleticism and quality to get up and down the pitch — helping her team defend and attack incredibly well.

Alaina Yatooma, East County Surf SC 10G (CA-S) — A very technically gifted midfielder who makes excellent decisions on the ball — consistently involving teammates in play and creating significant scoring opportunities for her team.

17U Girls

A two-year stretch for Rebels San Diego G2009 (CA-S) has positioned it as one of the strongest teams at the November event. The Cal South side went 16-0-4 last year en route to claiming the Club Premier 1 Pacific title and remains in first place this year with an 8-1-1 record. Throughout those 30 matches, Rebels has tallied an impressive 106 goals.

Rush WI 2009G (WI) found its best form toward the end of the season, when it went 3-0-0 during the group stage at the 2025 USYS Midwest Regional Championships. The Wisconsin side has opened the 25-26 campaign with an uneven 3-2-1 record, but if this past summer’s version of this team shows up, it can beat anyone.

An unbeaten league run for Solar 09G Naizer NL (TX-N) now stretches two years. The North Texas side claimed the Club Premier 2 Frontier title last season behind a plus-42 goal differential and has yet to be beaten during its first five games this year. Solar also made noise at the 2025 Southern Regional Championships, going 4-1 and earning a trip to Nationals.

Taka Players to Watch

Players and descriptions provided by Taka.

Taylor Leingang, Legends FC SD North 09G NL (CA-S) — An all-around attacker who links play superbly, combines great vision with sharp awareness, and poses a constant goal threat.

Isabella Farmer, Solar 09G Naizer NL (TX-N) — A smart, hard-working player who not only creates chances but also reads the game brilliantly. She makes key interceptions and challenges that add real value to her team.

19U Girls

A Los Angeles SC 07/08 NL (CA-S) offense that reached the 70-goal mark last season has once again hit the ground running. In just eight games, the Cal South side has tallied an impressive 37 goals while remaining undefeated in Club Premier 1 Pacific play. Dating back to 2024-25, no one has been able to slow LASC down — and that may stay true in Mesa.

An unbeaten campaign in last season’s Team Premier 1 Frontier was a sign of things to come for FC Dallas ETX 07G (NT-X). Its sharp offense propelled it through league play and all the way to the Southern Regional Championships, where it tallied 13 goals in its three group stage games before finishing as the runner-up. If FC Dallas remains that clinical in Mesa, it could find success fast.

Another team that can score in a hurry — W&H America 2008 Adrenalina Ladies (FL) — will try to shake things up at the November event. The Florida side is no stranger to success after winning its Team Premier 1 Sunshine division last year on the heels of an offense that found the back of the net 59 times. W&H may cause havoc on its opponents with that type of goal-scoring ability.

Taka Players to Watch

Players and descriptions provided by Taka.

Allison Bravo, FC Premier 08/07G NL (CA-S) — An incredible player with the ball at her feet. Bravo can beat defenders with ease and create brilliant chances for herself and her teammates.

Sophia Ochoa, FC Premier 08/07G NL (CA-S) — A talented goalkeeper who has come up big for her team time and time again, showcasing excellent shot-stopping ability and great composure when dealing with crosses.

Kate Mitchell, Solar 08G Hernandez (TX-N) — Causes chaos for defences from wide areas or central positions with unbelievable passing and vision.

Many of the best players in The National League are descending on Mesa, Ariz., this weekend, as 60 boys teams compete at the first winter event of the season.

The action in Mesa features teams in the 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U and 19U age groups and includes a mixture of sides from both club-based and team-based divisions. All teams are competing for advancement to postseason competitions in the Summer of 2026 — either the USYS National Championships, presented by New York Life, or the inaugural edition of The National League Cup.

Click on the buttons below to check out a few teams and players that have stood out in each age group, plus take a look at which states and clubs are most represented at the event.

BOYS PREVIEWS:

By the Numbers

14U Boys

An impressive 2024-25 season for Evo PFC 2012B (IL) included a second-place finish in the Premier 1 Midwest and a Midwest Regional Championship title. The Illinois side will aim for another strong campaign this year and heads to the November event in good form as it currently holds a 3-1-0 record in conference play.

An undefeated run through the Premier 1 Mid South that now stretches two seasons makes IFC 2012 Boys Premier (MS) a team that should be on everyone’s radar. The Mississippi side has a plus-26 goal differential in its five conference games this season.

MVP B12 Gold NL (KY) will hope a trip to Mesa can spark a return to last year’s form, when it finished second in the Premier 1 Great Lakes division. While the Kentucky side has struggled out of the gates this season, MVP has scored in every game so far — proving its offense can give it a shot to take points from any contest.

15U Boys

A 6-1-1 record in the Premier 1 Midwest saw Evo PFC 2011 B NL (IL) finish second in its division last year. The Illinois side used that form to earn a trip to the National Championships and will now look to earn a berth for the second year in a row at the November event.

Another Premier 1 Midwest squad — Minneapolis United 11B (MN) — found its stride at the end of the 2024-25 season after finishing just behind Evo PFC in the conference standings. Minneapolis’ summer run included the Midwest Regional Championship title and a runner-up finish at the National Championships.

After a third-place finish in the Premier 1 Mid South last season, IFC 2011 Boys Premier (MS) heads to Mesa with a 2-0-0 record to start the 2025-26 campaign. With six goals in just two games to date, teams may struggle to keep this offense quiet.

Taka Players to Watch

Players and descriptions provided by Taka.

Benton Knox, IFC 2011 Boys Premier (MS) — A composed midfielder, strong in duels and effective at breaking up play while dictating tempo with accurate passing.

Bangally Jaiteh, Playmaker Futbol Academy 11B NL (AZ) — An aggressive midfielder with excellent game intelligence and strong positional awareness both on and off the ball. Never shies away from a challenge.

16U Boys

The November event in Mesa is the first step for Spartans FC Academy 10B NL (AZ) to finish what it started last season. The Arizona side, which ran through its Premier 1 Desert division with a 6-1-0 record, made it all the way to the 2025 National Championship final before ultimately falling short. Look for its prolific attack, which has 15 goals in three league games to start this season, to show up in Mesa.

Evo PFC 2010B NL (IL)’s two year stretch is one of the most successful of all teams competing at the November event. The Illinois side won a National Championship in 2024 and followed that feat by securing a first-place finish in the Premier 1 Midwest in 2024-25, as well as the 2025 Midwest Regional Championship title. Evo PFC will once again be a tough team to beat as it looks to add to its impressive resume.

Slowing down Miami Breakers FC Elite 64 10B (FL) has proved to be a difficult task over the last year. The Breakers piled in 56 goals en route to a first place finish in the Premier 1 Sunshine last year and should continue to be a problem for opposing defenses at the November event in Mesa.

Taka Players to Watch

Players and descriptions provided by Taka.

Carlos Gonzalez Castellano, Spartans FC Academy 10B NL II (AZ) — An all-around attacker who can score, combine effectively with teammates, and produce moments of creativity out of nothing.

Jack Vines, Spartans FC Academy 10B NL II (AZ) — A commanding goalkeeper with excellent shot-stopping ability, strong handling on crosses, and outstanding reading of the game.

Eduardo Ponce Cruz, Legends FC SD North 09B NL (CA-S) — Brilliant on set pieces and in tight spaces, combining sharp link-up play with excellent close control. A constant threat whenever he’s in possession.

17U Boys

A plus-26 goal differential propelled Aggies FC 09B Blue (UT) to the top of its Premier 1 Desert division last season. The Utah side’s success continued with a Far West Regional Championship and a trip to Nationals, but the Aggies fell short of advancing out of group play. The November event will be the first step in its attempt to go even further this year.

One of the most impressive seasons in recent memory came from LASC 09B NL (CA-S)’s undefeated run last year. The Cal South side — through 22 games — tallied 121 goals and gave up only eight in its Club Premier 1 Pacific division. LASC can score early and often.

In a competitive 2024-25 Premier 1 Sunshine division, Miami Breakers FC 09B Elite (NL)’s plus-45 goal differential gave it the cushion it needed at the top. The Florida side’s defense proved tough to break down all season, as it gave up just two goals in its 14 games. The Breakers could once again find success if that toughness travels to Mesa.

Taka Players to Watch

Players and descriptions provided by Taka.

Andrew Godoi Neves, KOSA 09B Black (SC) — A powerful and athletic attacker who dominates aerially and poses a constant scoring threat from anywhere on the pitch. Defenders must stay alert at all times.

Bryson Penrose, Aggies FC 09B Blue (UT) — Brilliant link-up play, clever movement, and the creativity to make something happen from nothing

19U Boys

A high-scoring attack looks to have carried over to the new season for Excel Soccer Academy 08 NL (AZ). The Arizona side scored 68 goals during its first-place finish in its Premier 1 Pacific division last season and has quickly tallied 22 during the first four games of 2025-26 play. There will be no shortage of scoring during its time in Mesa.

A cross-country trip awaits Southern Homestead Soccer Academy 08 (FL) when it heads to the November event. The Florida side should head west with some confidence after it came out on top of a competitive Premier 1 Sunshine division last season — a campaign that saw them earn points in all but one game. The one game that Southern Homestead dropped was to second-place Pinellas County United SC Blue 2008 (FL). Pinellas heads to Mesa in strong form (3-0-0 in league play) and with something to prove.

Taka Players to Watch

Players and descriptions provided by Taka.

Roberto Chaidez Robles, Excel Soccer Academy 08 NL (AZ) — A highly promising young goalkeeper with excellent distribution and strong command of his area. Attackers need to be at their best to beat him.

Alejandro Cruz, Strikers Miami FC 07B Elite (FL) — A sharp, fearless goalkeeper, Cruz is a brilliant shot-stopper with great awareness and timing off his line.

Tristan S Martinez, Oceanside Breakers 07/08B (CA-S) — An honest, hard-working No. 9 who pins defenders, links play effectively, and loves finding the back of the net.

FRISCO, Texas (Sept. 22, 2025) — The game schedule is now available for the first National League Winter Event of the 2025-26 season, which will kick off Oct. 31 in Mesa, Ariz.

Some notes for viewing the schedule on Squadi:

• The game times listed will appear in your current time zone (where you are located at the time of viewing).
• All games take place in the “Arizona” time zone, which changes. It is the Pacific time zone on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. After the clocks adjust in other parts of the country (Arizona DOES NOT change), the game times will be in the Mountain time zone (Nov. 2; Nov. 7-9).
• Please take this into consideration when booking departing flights for after your Sunday games.

Boys teams will compete Oct. 31-Nov. 2, while the girls will play Nov. 7-9. All games will take place at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Ariz.

“National League events are always an exciting opportunity to bring together talented players on proven teams, and there’s even more to play for this year,” National League general manager Marc Frankland said. “With advancement to postseason competitions on the line, it will be a great atmosphere full of high-energy games.”

The November event is the first of two winter events for the 2025-26 season, with the second event taking place Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2026, when both the boys and girls will compete.

The winter events feature competition for boys and girls teams that are playing in the 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U and 19U age groups during the 2025-26 youth soccer season. Within each age group, teams are split into groups of four, and each team plays its three group opponents over three days.

Teams that finish in first place in their winter event’s four-team group advance directly to the 2026 US Youth Soccer National Championships, presented by New York Life. In most age groups, top second-place finishers will also advance to the National Championships to round out 10 total qualifiers — from across both winter events — in each age group.

The remaining second-place finishers will advance to The National League Cup Playoffs, with the number of advancing teams dependent on the total number of teams competing in Mesa in each respective age group.

For age groups in which winter event second-place finishers advance to either the National Championships or The National League Cup, the postseason destination for each team will be determined after the January 2026 event is concluded and tiebreakers are calculated.

About The National League: Established in 2007, The National League represents the top league platform in US Youth Soccer and offers both team-based and club-based league formats across the country. National League teams experience high-level localized competition with national connectivity through events and The National League Cup — an annual postseason competition that determines the league’s best team in each age group.

FRISCO, Texas (Sept. 2, 2025) — The dates and locations are now available for the inaugural edition of The National League Cup (The NL Cup), which is debuting at the conclusion of the 2025-26 youth soccer season.

The NL Cup features four playoff events that will qualify top teams into The NL Cup Finals, which concludes the competition and crowns The NL Cup champions.

The National League Cup | 2026 Events

Southeast Playoffs
Bryan Park Soccer Complex
Greensboro, NC
June 12-14, 2026

Southwest Playoffs
Epic Sports Park
Provo, UT
June 12-14, 2026

Northeast Playoffs
Publix Virginia Soccer Training Center
Fredericksburg, VA
June 19-21, 2026

Northwest Playoffs
Epic Sports Park
Provo, UT
June 19-21, 2026

The NL Cup Finals
Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex
St. Louis, MO
July 7-9, 2026

“We are excited to be working with some of the top facilities in the country for the inaugural year of The National League Cup,” said Marc Frankland, National League General Manager. “These locations will each provide a great setting for the top teams in The National League to play in a high-level competition.”

This new, streamlined competition format will offer teams the opportunity of a postseason competition and will be exclusive to National League teams, highlighting the top competition in the league. Qualification will take place on a same-season basis, with teams earning placement directly from their performance in regular season league competition.

Winners of National League Tier 1 Divisions, in both club-based and team-based leagues, will earn automatic qualification into The NL Cup. The Northwest Playoffs will feature automatic qualifiers from the Midwest and Northwest divisions. The Southwest Playoffs will feature automatic qualifiers from the Desert and Pacific divisions. The Northeast Playoffs will feature automatic qualifiers from the Great Lakes, Mid Atlantic, New England, North Atlantic, Northeast and South Atlantic divisions. The Southeast Playoffs will feature automatic qualifiers from the Frontier, Mid South, Piedmont, Southeast and Sunshine divisions.

The remaining spots in The NL Cup will be filled by the teams that qualify for the competition through their performance at the winter events.

At each playoff event, eight boys teams and eight girls teams in their respective 13U-19U age group will compete in a group play format with three games over three days. Each age group will have two groups of four teams, with the winner of each four-team group advancing to The NL Cup Finals.

The NL Cup Finals will feature eight teams — the two group winners from each of the four playoff events — in each of the 13U-19U age groups for both boys and girls. Teams will play three games in three days in a bracket format, where games progress from quarterfinals to semifinals to the finals — in which The NL Cup champions will be determined.

About The National League: Established in 2007, The National League represents the top league platform in US Youth Soccer and offers both team-based and club-based league formats across the country. National League teams experience high-level localized competition with national connectivity through events and The National League Cup — an annual postseason competition that determines the league’s best team in each age group.

FRISCO, Texas (Aug. 19, 2025) — The field of teams that is set to compete in the upcoming season’s National League Winter Events has been announced.

Please note: Teams are subject to change, and teams on waiting lists may be included should additional teams/groups be added to either the November or January event.

“These events will be full of proven teams that have earned the opportunity to compete by excelling in their recent National League competitions,” said Marc Frankland, National League general manager. “We are excited to see some great performances as these teams and players get a chance to compete for berths to the 2026 postseason.”

The winter events, which are open to only teams playing in the National League, present participating teams with opportunities to qualify for the 2026 USYS National Championships, presented by New York Life, and the inaugural edition of The National League Cup.

Each winter event will take place at the Arizona Athletic Grounds, in Mesa, Ariz., and participating teams will play at one of the two event options. Competition is available for boys and girls teams that are playing in the 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U and 19U age groups during the 2025-26 youth soccer season.

Among US Youth Soccer State Associations, Cal South leads the way with 35 teams playing in the winter events, followed by New Jersey with 28 teams. Illinois has 24 teams, Indiana has 23 and Ohio has 21. Six additional states have at least 10 teams competing, and 37 total state associations are represented in the winter events’ field of teams.

The field of teams for the winter events includes 53 sides that competed at the 2025 USYS National Championships.

Teams were accepted for the winter events based on their history of performance — giving any applying team the chance to earn its way into the highly competitive field. Within each age group, up to 40 total teams will compete in the winter events, with the teams divided among the two events.

At the events, teams are split into five groups of four, and each team plays its three group opponents over three days. Teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss.

Teams that finish in first or second place in their four-team group will advance to a postseason event, with top finishers moving on to the 2026 USYS National Championships as a National League representative. Age groups with larger team counts will see the remaining top-two finishers advance to The National League Cup Playoffs, with the number of advancement spots dependent on the number of teams competing in each respective age group.

About The National League: Established in 2007, The National League represents the top league platform in US Youth Soccer and offers both team-based and club-based league formats across the country. National League teams experience high-level localized competition with national connectivity through events and The National League Cup — an annual postseason competition that determines the league’s best team in each age group.

FRISCO, Texas (Aug. 7, 2025) — The second round of accepted teams has been announced for the National League Winter Events taking place in the 2025-26 youth soccer season.

2025-26 Winter Events | Accepted Teams (as of Aug. 7)
Boys Teams | Girls Teams

The current list of accepted teams features a majority of teams that will ultimately compete in the winter events. All other applicants are still being reviewed for acceptance, and teams are still being considered in every age group for both the November and January events.

Teams currently have their last chance to submit winter event applications over this weekend before the final round of acceptances. Click here to apply for a winter event.

The winter events, which are open to only teams playing in the National League, present participating teams with chances to qualify for the 2026 USYS National Championships, presented by New York Life, and the inaugural edition of The National League Cup. Each winter event will take place at the Arizona Athletic Grounds, in Mesa, Ariz.

Each participating team will play at one of the two event options. Competition is available for boys and girls teams that are playing in the 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U and 19U age groups during the 2025-26 youth soccer season.

Teams are being accepted for the winter events based on their history of performance — giving any applying team the chance to earn its way into the highly competitive field. Within each age group, up to 40 total teams will compete in the winter events, with the teams divided evenly among two events (20 teams per event).

At the events, teams are split into five groups of four, and each team plays its three group opponents over three days. Teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss.

Teams that finish in first place in their four-team group will advance to the 2026 USYS National Championships as a National League representative. Teams that finish in second place in their four-team group at the winter events will earn a wildcard spot into The NL Cup at the end of the 2025-26 season.

About The National League: Established in 2007, The National League represents the top league platform in US Youth Soccer and offers both team-based and club-based league formats across the country. National League teams experience high-level localized competition with national connectivity through events and The National League Cup — an annual postseason competition that determines the league’s best team in each age group.

FRISCO, Texas (July 31, 2025) — The first round of accepted teams has been announced for the National League Winter Events taking place in the 2025-26 youth soccer season.

2025-26 Winter Events | Accepted Teams (as of July 31)
Boys Teams | Girls Teams

This initial round of acceptances features only a portion of the teams that will ultimately compete in the winter events. All other applicants are still being reviewed for acceptance, and teams are being accepted into 2025-26 winter events on a rolling basis.

Winter event applications are still open for interested teams, and the next round of acceptances will occur in early August. Click here to apply for a winter event.

The winter events, which are open to only teams playing in the National League, present participating teams with chances to qualify for the 2026 USYS National Championships, presented by New York Life, and the inaugural edition of The National League Cup. Each winter event will take place at the Arizona Athletic Grounds, in Mesa, Ariz.

Each participating team will play at one of the two event options. Competition is available for boys and girls teams that are playing in the 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U and 19U age groups during the 2025-26 youth soccer season.

Teams are being accepted for the winter events based on their history of performance — giving any applying team the chance to earn its way into the highly competitive field. Within each age group, 40 total teams will compete in the winter events, with the teams divided evenly among two events (20 teams per event).

At the events, teams are split into five groups of four, and each team plays its three group opponents over three days. Teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss.

Teams that finish in first place in their four-team group will advance to the 2026 USYS National Championships as a National League representative. Teams that finish in second place in their four-team group at the winter events will earn a wildcard spot into The NL Cup at the end of the 2025-26 season.

About The National League: Established in 2007, The National League represents the top league platform in US Youth Soccer and offers both team-based and club-based league formats across the country. National League teams experience high-level localized competition with national connectivity through events and The National League Cup — an annual postseason competition that determines the league’s best team in each age group.

Dates announced for events to be played in Mesa, Ariz.

FRISCO, Texas (June 12, 2025) — The National League is excited to announce the dates and locations for its winter events for the 2025-26 season. These events provide participating teams with chances to qualify for the 2026 USYS National Championships, presented by New York Life, and the inaugural edition of The National League Cup.

Each winter event will take place at the Arizona Athletic Grounds, in Mesa, Ariz.

The winter events are open to only teams playing The National League in the 2025-26 season, and team applications are now being accepted for the events. All teams must apply to participate in a winter event, and the deadline to apply is Aug. 8, 2025.

Each participating team will play at one of the two event options. Competition is available for boys and girls teams that are playing in the 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U and 19U age groups during the 2025-26 youth soccer season.

Teams will be accepted for the winter events based on their history of performance — giving any applying team the chance to earn its way into the highly competitive field. Within each age group, 40 total teams will compete in the winter events, with the teams divided evenly among two events (20 teams per event).

At the events, teams are split into five groups of four, and each team plays its three group opponents over three days. Teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss.

Teams that finish in first place in their four-team group will advance to the 2026 USYS National Championships as a National League representative. Teams that finish in second place in their four-team group at the winter events will earn a spot into The NL Cup at the end of the 2025-26 season.

About The National League: Established in 2007, The National League represents the top league platform in US Youth Soccer and offers both team-based and club-based league formats across the country. National League teams experience high-level localized competition with national connectivity through events and The National League Cup — an annual postseason competition that determines the league’s best team in each age group.