New competition brings together NPL & National League

 PLANO, Texas (March 13, 2026) – US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer are proud to announce all league operators of its new competition, beginning with the 2026-27 season, that serves as the top team-based league of both organizations. This new league, temporarily referred to as “NewComp,” brings together the National Premier Leagues (NPL) and National League, ushering in a new era of collaboration in the youth soccer ecosystem and serving 10,000 teams and more than 150,000 players. 

The competition’s inaugural season will be capped in summer 2027, as part of a postseason structure operated by the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). The recently announced ECNL Conference League Playoffs will welcome the top-performing teams from this competition, along with selected ECNL Regional League (ECNL RL) teams. 

Eight conferences comprise the new competition with multiple districts in each conference and those districts advancing teams to the ECNL Conference League Playoffs. The first round of league operators was announced last week. The complete list is now available below with the newest announced leagues noted with asterisks. 

• Alaska Youth Soccer Association* (Northwest District 4) 
• Arizona Soccer Association (West Districts 2, 3) 
• Carolina Premier Soccer League (Mid-Atlantic District 3) 
• Chesapeake Premier Soccer League* (Mid-Atlantic District 1) 
• Colorado Soccer Association (West District 1) 
• El Paso Premier League (South District 4) 
• Elite Development Program (Northeast Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 & Mid-Atlantic District 1) 
• Florida Club Leagues (Southeast District 2) 
• Frontier Premier League* (South District 1) 
• Great Lakes Alliance (Midwest District 1) 
• Idaho Premier League* (Northwest District 1) 
• Las Vegas Club Soccer League* (West District 5) 
• Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (Midwest District 5) 
• Mid-Atlantic Premier League (Northeast District 3) 
• MISO Junior League* (Northwest District 5) 
• Missouri Youth Soccer Association* (Central District 2) 
• NorCal Premier Soccer (West District 4) 
• Northern Illinois Soccer League (Midwest Districts 3, 4) 
• Ohio River League & Indiana Soccer Association/Ohio Soccer Association/Kentucky Youth Soccer Association* (co-operated; Midwest District 2) 
• Oregon Youth Soccer Association* (Northwest District 2) 
• Regional Club League* (Northwest District 3) 
• Snap Soccer* (Southeast Districts 3, 4) 
• SOCAL Soccer League (West District 3) 
• South Texas Champions League* (South District 3) 
• Southeastern Clubs Champions League (Southeast District 1) 
• Tennessee State Soccer Association* (Mid-Atlantic District 4) 
• Texas Club Soccer League (South District 2) 
• Twin Cities Soccer Leagues (Central District 1) 
• Utah Youth Soccer Association* (West District 6) 
• Virginia Premier Soccer League & National Capital Soccer League (co-operated; Mid-Atlantic District 2) 
• Washington Premier League (Northwest District 3) 

“NewComp aligns with the broader goals of the U.S. Soccer Pathway Strategy. The work to connect pathways into NewComp begins now,” said commissioner Marc Frankland. “Our team will partner with selected operators and the respective state associations across the country to develop district-level pathways that are more inclusive and easier for players and parents to understand. The goal is not to disrupt local leagues, but to connect them into a clearer national structure. This work will take time, but we are committed to building it thoughtfully. Access to NewComp will not be tied to whether leagues, teams or players are registered with US Youth Soccer or US Club Soccer.” 

League operators were selected based on their commitment to access and inclusivity, quality competition and player-first decision-making across all districts. A breakdown of the conferences, league operators and districts is available here. By layering districts into each conference, the new competition reaches more players and reduces travel burdens for families. League operators will meet at the end of the month in Atlanta to collaborate further. Team registration opens next month. 

More information about the league, including FAQs, is available here. 

New competition brings together NPL & National League

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Feb. 27, 2026) – US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer are proud to announce the first round of league operators of a new competition, beginning with the 2026-27 season, that serves as the top team-based league of both organizations. This new league, temporarily referred to as “NewComp,” will bring together the National Premier Leagues (NPL) and National League, ushering in a new era of collaboration in the youth soccer ecosystem and serving 10,000 teams and more than 150,000 players.

The competition’s inaugural season will be capped in summer 2027, as part of a postseason structure operated by the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). Qualification will include the top-performing teams from this competition, along with selected ECNL Regional League (ECNL RL) teams, creating a highly competitive and meaningful postseason event. The existing postseason structures within the ECNL and ECNL RL will remain, and this new additional postseason pathway will further strengthen and integrate the competitive pyramid while adding opportunity. The combination of postseason pathways will offer best-in-class college scouting opportunities and event experience for families. More information about the playoff structure will be announced next week.

The new competition will consist of eight conferences – Northwest, West, Central, South, Midwest, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast – with multiple districts in each conference and those districts advancing teams to the postseason. The first round of operators is as follows in alphabetical order, and the remaining operators will be announced in the coming weeks:

• Arizona Youth Soccer (West Districts 2, 3)
• Carolina Premier Soccer League (Mid-Atlantic District 3)
• Colorado Soccer Association (West District 1)
• El Paso Premier League (South District 4)
• Elite Development Program (Northeast Districts 1, 2, 3, 4)
• Florida Club Leagues (Southeast District 2)
• Great Lakes Alliance (Midwest District 1)
• Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (Midwest District 5)
• Mid-Atlantic Premier League (Northeast District 3)
• NorCal Premier Soccer (West District 4)
• Northern Illinois Soccer League (Midwest District 4)
• SOCAL Soccer League (West District 3)
• Southeastern Clubs Champions League (Southeast District 1)
• Texas Club Soccer League (South District 2)
• Twin Cities Soccer Leagues (Central District 1)
• Virginia Premier Soccer League & National Capital Soccer League (co-operated; Mid-Atlantic District 2)
• Washington Premier League (Northwest District 3)

Operators were selected based on their commitment to access and inclusivity, quality competition, and player-first decision-making across all districts. Additional approvals will be announced as applications are finalized, and all designations remain subject to ongoing compliance.

A breakdown of the conferences, league operators and districts is available here. Additional operators will contribute to the eight conferences on a to-be-announced district-by-district approach. By layering districts into each conference, the new competition reaches more players and reduces travel burdens for families. Leagues that wish to apply for open districts may do so via this application. League operators will meet next month in Atlanta with team registration opening early April.

A committee comprised of US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer representatives will consider all applications based on demonstrated success, operational plans, staffing structure, league management experience and market knowledge. Operators were selected based on their commitment to access and inclusivity, quality competition, and player-first decision-making across all districts. Additional approvals will be announced as applications are finalized, and all designations remain subject to ongoing compliance. This committee was approved by both organizations’ board of directors and will support the new league in its inaugural season.

“Having been involved in the oversight of national youth leagues for almost a decade, this competition is exactly what youth soccer needs,” said Marc Frankland, commissioner of the new competition. “I’m proud to work with US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer to develop a league that focuses more on local travel and aligns with the U.S. Soccer Pathways Strategy to create a unified, team-based competition that is player-focused and merit-based.”

These efforts coincide with U.S. Soccer’s Pathways Strategy, an initiative committed to making the game easier to navigate, more accessible and more supportive. The NewComp pathway is inclusive of ECNL, ECNL RL and localized/state competitions, providing opportunities for promotion of top clubs within this new competition into the ECNL RL, as well as localized competitions and state leagues into NewComp.

“An extraordinary amount of diligence and care are being put into the creation of this new competition,” said Alexandra Rieben, US Club Soccer Senior Vice President of Programs & Partnerships. “US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and the ECNL are all working to provide a league platform that welcomes more players, minimizes travel, connects above and below in the current pathways structure, and elevates the best teams in the country. Because of our collective commitment to collaboration, the next chapter of American youth soccer is one that the entire ecosystem will be proud of and model after for years to come.”

Tom Condone, US Youth Soccer CEO, added: “We are committed to a competitive structure defined by clear standards, consistent accountability and expanded opportunity for players.”

As we begin 2026 and look ahead to the United Soccer Coaches Convention, we wanted to share a brief update on the progress of the Pathway Strategy. Over the past several months, we have onboarded all Pathways Participants and engaged every major member audience to gather input and perspective. That work is now informing a set of meaningful next steps, outlined below.

Key Updates

Shaping a Connected Competition Architecture | We have begun working with Pathway Participants to shape a potential competition architecture spanning recreational soccer through the level just below professional play. This work focuses on identifying ‘what must be true’ for players at different ages and stages and the competition structures best suited to support those needs.

Main Points

• As an initial step, MLS, NWSL, USL, US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, ECNL, Girls Academy, and State Associations have shared insights from their environments. This input is helping to inform how a connected architecture can improve player experiences.
• This process has helped to build understanding from the organizations and enable more productive discussions about a future state system.
• Next, we will begin socializing an initial version of the proposed competition architecture for broader membership feedback.

Creation of a New, Integrated Team-Based Platform | After nearly two years of dialogue between US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer, the two national associations are aligning to create a unified, team-based competition structure – the integration of US Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues (NPL) and US Youth Soccer’s National League, starting with the 2026-2027 season. Together with U.S. Soccer, this update marks the first step in a broader effort to strengthen optimal soccer competition platforms among national organizations and local / state leagues.

Main Points

• The unified pathway aligns competition structures to serve tens of thousands of teams nationwide – creating clearer progression, rewarding on-field performance, and maintaining strong connections to local and state-based competitions.
• By better aligning levels of play and competition standards, the pathway is designed to reduce unnecessary travel while preserving – and in many cases improving –access to meaningful, high-quality matches. The result is a simpler, more efficient structure that improves the participant experience.
• Additional details on the unified competition structure and future phases of collaboration will be shared in the coming months, beginning at the USC Convention.

How to Engage with Us

The Pathways Strategy team will be at the USC Convention and are currently slated to speak at several USYS workshops, hold 1:1 conversations (as requested and feasible), and be available in-and-around the event. Please complete this survey if you would like to request time (note: if we cannot meet at the Convention, we will set up virtual time after the event). 

Good times are ahead, and we’re looking forward to working with all of you on the path forward! Your voice across both updates is critical in the next phase of work.

Sincerely,

The Pathways Strategy Team

FRISCO, Texas (July 3, 2025) — US Youth Soccer and The National League are excited to be a presenting sponsor for the inaugural North American Soccer Expo, taking place Aug. 1-3 in Novi, Mich.

The three-day event is designed exclusively for soccer directors, coaches, administrators, and professionals at every level of the game. The expo will include workshops, seminars, and presentations from top coaches, industry experts, and influential brands in the soccer world.

“We’re honored to have US Youth Soccer and The National League as presenting sponsors of the inaugural North American Soccer Expo,” said Paul Tinnion, Executive Director of the Expo. “Their leadership and commitment to advancing the game at every level align perfectly with our mission to bring together soccer professionals from across the country to learn, collaborate, and elevate the sport for the next generation.”

As a presenting sponsor, US Youth Soccer is supporting the expo through a classroom, the on-field demonstration field, a lounge area and club partner pavilion.

In addition to US Youth Soccer’s support for the event, US Youth Soccer CEO Tom Condone and Director of Education Chris Bentley will each be leading a session at the expo.

“We are very proud and excited to support the North American Soccer Expo and help facilitate the opportunities it will provide for all attendees,” Condone said. “It’s always a welcome opportunity to bring together people with shared passion and knowledge for soccer, all with the common goal of moving the game forward in our country.”

National Soccer Hall of Famer and Michigan native Alexi Lalas is among the nearly 50 announced presenters taking part in the expo, and many levels of the game — professional, college and youth — will be represented by the leaders of the sessions.

Attendee registration for the expo is open through the start of the event, with an online early-bird discounts available through July 27.

To register, or for more information on the North American Soccer Expo, visit northamericansoccerexpo.com.

FRISCO, Texas (June 3, 2025) —US Youth Soccer and Taka are excited to continue their multi-year partnership and announce enhanced access to Taka’s cutting-edge platform for all participants in The National League, beginning in the 2025-26 youth soccer season.

Since the partnership began in 2021, Taka has helped advance the youth soccer experience for thousands of players in The National League. Now, the enhanced relationship will extend the availability of Taka’s centralized video analysis platform and college recruitment hub to more than 70,000 players competing annually across all levels of The National League.

Through the enhanced partnership, every player in The National League automatically receives a free profile on Taka. Profiles will be made visible to over 1,500 verified college coaches across all levels who are active users on the Taka platform — elevating players’ visibility and exposure to coaches and scouts. 

 “Over the last four years, we have seen the immense value that Taka’s video analysis and highlight capabilities have brought to our players, and youth soccer as a whole, in the United States,” said Tom Condone, CEO of US Youth Soccer. “We’re proud to continue working with Taka to be at the forefront of innovation within youth soccer, and we’re excited for the opportunities coming to our players as Taka’s platform continues to expand.”

“We are excited to reinforce our long-term partnership with US Youth Soccer, by extending Taka access to the entire National League ecosystem,” said Mark Shields, CEO of Taka. “Our team is committed to elevating the National League player experience through the provision of established and soon to be released Taka features, which will facilitate player development, recognition and exposure.”

Teams and clubs within The National League have the option to opt-in for full-service professional analysis, and players will continue to have the option to purchase Taka event packages at select major US Youth Soccer events.

Current participants in The National League, along with confirmed and prospective participants for the 2025-26 season, will have access to webinars in the coming weeks that detail the advantages Taka can bring to the youth soccer experience.

About Taka: Taka is a comprehensive platform for players, coaches and college scouts that utilizes industry-leading technology and professional soccer analysts to elevate youth soccer. Taka provides athletes with personalized highlights and crucial exposure, while facilitating streamlined performance analysis and talent identification for coaches and scouts. With over 50,000 athlete profiles, 25,000 analyzed games, and 6 million individual highlights, Taka is shaping the future of player development in youth soccer. Visit: Taka.io

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. 29, 2023) — The US Youth Soccer National League is excited to announce a renewed partnership with ProScore that will bring enhanced benefits to teams and players for the 2023-24 season.

ProScore is a professional-level analysis and highlights platform that aids performance, makes every moment a recruitable one and immortalizes soccer memories. ProScore’s analysis provides a complete look at each game, including both on-ball and off-ball actions, which gives coaches and players an invaluable tool for facilitating individual and team development.

The ProScore platform and features are available to teams and players in the 14U-19U age groups.
 

Elite 64

Every Elite 64 club will receive auto-generated, downloadable team and player highlights of every game — regular season, Elite 64 Playoffs and National League P.R.O. — at no extra cost.

Each player in Elite 64 has access to a ProScore Pro Profile, which compiles personalized highlights from an array of in-game actions into a user-friendly platform. Player clips from every Elite 64 game are downloadable and automatically sorted by each type of action — highlighting plays that show aerial ability, intelligence, shots, and more — with a customizable playlist of best overall actions coming later this season.

Once again, ProScore will power the Elite 64 Best XI for the 2023-24 season — providing an objective list of the top-performing boys and girls players in the 14U-19U age groups across the full seasonal year.

For a match to be properly evaluated and contribute to player highlights and Best XI consideration, ProScore requires only match footage and up-to-date rosters.
 

Conference Playoffs

Teams competing in the National League Conference Playoffs this December will receive ProScore highlights and analysis for all three games played in Orlando, as well as their National League P.R.O. event and the 2024 USYS National Championships, should teams advance to those competitions.

Players on the Conference Playoff teams receive free access to ProScore lite packages, and they can access the ProScore Pro package for $45. ProScore Pro Profiles provide auto-generated individual highlights from each game played at the Playoffs.

Requirements for Clubs

To enable ProScore to analyze your team’s games and create profile for all players, ProScore must be provided with up-to-date rosters and given timely access to regular season game footage.

To set up your team for the 2023-24 season, contact info@proscore.soccer.
 

What They’re Saying

“Entering our third year working with ProScore, we have full belief in the impact it can have on youth soccer players,” National League Commissioner Simon Collins said. “The highlight clips and game analysis present coaches and players with a great tool for growth and learning, and it provides each player with a customizable profile where every positive in-game action is hosted and can be viewed by college coaches.”  

“After an exciting 2022-23 season, during which over 7,000 USYS National League players created ProScore Profiles, we are delighted to have taken our partnership up a notch for the 2023-24 campaign,” said Mark Shields, Founder and CEO of ProScore. “We look forward to analyzing thousands of competitive games across Elite 64, NL Conference Playoffs, NL P.R.O. and the National Championships, highlighting every significant moment to revolutionize performance analysis for teams, while immortalizing playing memories and transforming recruitment processes for the highly talented athletes.”

“ProScore has been phenomenal. Our parents don’t have to spend hours breaking down their film as ProScore does all the work for them,” said Yassine Iguidre, Boys Director of Coaching for Coppermine SC. “It’s been crucial for us. I tell all the parents; I wish I had this system when I was younger. It’s 100 percent recommended.”

“ProScore is a game changer for the ability to review game film and use it for both learning and for highlight film…It’s been great, I would recommend it for any club,” said Peter Stahl, a parent from New York Premier FC. “My son is in the process of trying to get recruited to play college soccer, and the clips ProScore provided made that process much smoother, easier and faster.”

To learn more about ProScore and to view the existing match hub and player directory, visit proscore.soccer.

Teams can apply for open slots now through June 21

FRISCO, Texas (June 2, 2023) — The US Youth Soccer National League is now accepting team applications to fill open slots for the 2023-24 National League Conference Playoffs, which will feature competition for boys’ and girls’ teams in the 14U-19U age groups.

The National League Conference Playoffs will take place in December at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the Orlando, Fla., area. Boys will compete Dec. 1-4, while girls will compete Dec. 8-11.

Teams wishing to apply for open slots into the Conference Playoffs must complete every field in registration form on GotSport. Open slots are available to teams who did not automatically qualify for the Conference Playoffs through their standing in their National League Conference. The Conference Playoffs are the first of two national events, followed by the National League P.R.O., that provide teams with a pathway to earn direct qualification for the USYS National Championships.

The Conference Playoffs open slot application deadline is Wednesday, June 21, 2023. All teams who wish to apply for open slots in the 2023-24 Conference Playoffs must submit their registration form by that date.

The National League management group will review open slot applicants and accept teams based on several factors, including but not limited to past Conference performance, competitive history, high school soccer calendars and geographic balance.

Teams selected to fill open slots will join the automatic qualifiers to complete the field of teams for the Conference Playoffs. Open slot team selections will be announced in late July.

Click here for information on the dates and locations of National League P.R.O. events for the 2023-24 season, and visit this page for more information on the National League’s enhanced national event format that will begin with the 2023-24 season.
 

FRISCO, Texas (March 3, 2023) — Chloe Ricketts, 15, signed a three-year contract with the Washington Spirt, the club announced Friday — making the Michigan native the youngest contracted player in NWSL history.

Ricketts competed for multiple years in the USYS National League with Michigan Tigers 07 Boys Gold (MI). The midfielder helped the team to a second-place finish during the 2021-22 season of National League P.R.O., and team went on to capture the 2022 USYS National Championship in the 15U Boys age group.

“Chloe has always been driven like no other. Even in her younger years here at Michigan Tigers, coaches always saw the energy and love for the game she had,” Michigan Tigers Club Director Andy Pritchard said. “In her more recent years playing in the National league platform, her mentality and speed of thought improved to the degree of contributing and impressing in games, as well as winning the National Championship.”

Ricketts and Michigan Tigers 07B also won back-to-back Great Lakes Conference titles with perfect records — winning the 15U Club vs. Club Division in Spring 2022 with a 7-0-0 record and finishing on top of the 14U Premier I Division in Spring 2021 with a 7-0-0 record.

“The real difference maker for Chloe has been her work ethic on and off the pitch, making it no surprise that Washington have snapped her up,” Pritchard said. “We’re so proud of the player she’s become and if she continues to work this way, I’m sure we will see her in a National Team shirt soon enough.”

Ricketts surpassed Portland Thorns FC’s Olivia Moultrie as the youngest player to sign a contract in NWSL history, as the National League alum was three days younger at the time she signed her deal with Washington.

The 15-year-old joins a Washington Spirt squad that featured nine total National League alumnae on its preseason roster, including fellow former USYS National Champions Sam Staab (DMCV Sharks) and Maddie Elwell (YMS). 

More reactions on Ricketts signing with the Washington Spirit…

National League Commissioner Simon Collins:
“We are thrilled for this latest step forward in Chloe’s promising young career, and we’re excited to watch and support her as she begins her professional career with the Washington Spirit. Chloe and the Michigan Tigers proved their abilities on the field over the last few years, and she always displayed a desire to maximize her potential. We wish her the best of luck at this next level!”

Washington Spirit Head Coach Mark Parsons (via washingtonspirit.com):
“This season, we remain very focused on building a roster that can help us succeed now while also investing in the future. Chloe has shown great quality with and without the ball and has an incredible intensity in everything she does. The vision and infrastructure of our club make this signing possible, and we are look forward to Chloe developing and becoming an important player and teammate for our team.”

Watch a video feature on Ricketts from the 2020-21 season, when we caught up with her and her Michigan Tigers teammates during Great Lakes Conference action:

FRISCO, Texas (March 2, 2023) — The game schedules are now available for USYS National League Greensboro 2023, which will feature both National League P.R.O. and Elite 64 competition in the 15U-19U Boys and Girls age groups.

All girls games for National League Greensboro will take place March 17-20 at Bryan Park – Truist Soccer Complex in the Greensboro area. The boys games will take place March 24-27 and be split between Bryan Park – Truist Soccer Complex in the Greensboro area and Truist Sports Park in the Winston-Salem area.

“National League Greensboro will provide a very exciting conclusion to what has been a thrilling National League event season,” USYS National League Commissioner Simon Collins said. “Elite 64 clubs will be challenging themselves with unique matchups as they enter the heart of their spring seasons and prepare for the E64 National Finals. And National League P.R.O. teams will be battling to secure the remaining spots to the USYS National Championships. It will be a great environment to watch and play youth soccer at the highest level.” 

National League Greensboro features teams from the National League’s top team-centric model (National League P.R.O.) and top club-centric model (Elite 64). Both models of competition will see teams from dozens of states come together to compete in Arizona.

Prior to the action in Greensboro, National League national events for the 15U-19U age groups took place in December in Orlando, Fla., and January in Mesa, Ariz. To view schedules and results for all National League competitions during the 2022-23 season, click here.

About USYS National League P.R.O.
USYS National League P.R.O. represents the top team-based competition in the USYS National League. National League P.R.O. provides teams in the 14U-19U Boys and Girls age groups with the ability to earn their place into the league, where they have the opportunity to play against the top teams in the country while competing for berths to the USYS National Championships. For each gender, 12 teams per age group will advance to the National Championships from National League P.R.O.

About USYS National League Elite 64
USYS National League Elite 64 represents the elite club-based platform in the USYS National League. Elite 64 features year-round competition in six age groups (13U through 18/19U) for the top 64 boys clubs and top 64 girls clubs in the country. The annual competition calendar includes the league season, national showcases and the Elite 64 National Finals. Thanks to partnerships with world leaders in their respective fields, Elite 64 players have access to tools and technology to capture key information that can be shared with college coaches and professional scouts — making every game a recruitable moment.