Which Youth Competitive Soccer Leagues Are The Best?

Introduction

In recent years, youth competitive soccer has experienced a huge surge in popularity as kids from all over the world have become enamoured with the sport. The captivating energy on the field, the team spirit, and the sense of accomplishment after a hard-fought match all contribute to making this sport so popular with young kids. What’s more, even parents are starting to get hooked on it after seeing the changes this sport brings to their kids.  

When it comes to youth soccer leagues, however, a lot of parents are unclear as to which league would be best for their child. With the sheer number of leagues to pick from, it is only normal for parents to be confused. Fret not, we will take you through the various youth soccer leagues to help you figure out which one is right for you and your child. 

Breakdown of the Youth Soccer Leagues in the U.S.

To make things easier, let’s imagine all American soccer leagues are in the form of a pyramid. At the top of the pyramid is the US Soccer Federation - the governing body for soccer in the United States. 

Directly under this, there are the Tier 1 leagues, consisting of:

1. Major League Soccer 
2. National Women’s Soccer League 
3. US Men’s National Team 
4. US Women’s National Team 

Following this tier is the 

1. United Soccer League (for men)
2. Women’s Premier Soccer League (for women)

The third tier is pretty much a mix of pro and semi-pro leagues. 

Our focus, however, lies in the tier below this, which is where the youth competitive leagues are situated. Youth soccer programs can be divided into four primary categories:

1. United States Youth Soccer 
2. US Club Soccer
3. United States Specialty Sports Association Soccer
4. Collegiate Soccer

Now, let’s take a look at what leagues your child can join, depending on their age. 

• Between the ages of 5 and 9, there aren’t any professional youth soccer leagues. There are recreational leagues that are organised locally and, hence, are not part of any of the four major categories. Most of these leagues will have divisions that go all the way up to high school. 
• After 9 years, you will be able to access local competitive leagues. Similar to the recreational ones, there will be divisions that include high school students as well. However, these leagues are usually conducted by their respective US Soccer State Associations, which come under USYS. 
• Now, at the age of 13, both regional and national competitions come into play, and that makes things a lot more confusing. At this age, your child will be able to play in the following leagues:

• Conferences of the National League
• National Premier Leagues 
• Elite Clubs National League 
• MLS Next (for boys)
• Girls Academy League (for girls)

Let’s take a closer look at these leagues and their pros and cons!

• National League

There are a total of 13 regional conferences in the National League. For your team to stand a chance there, they should have a solid number of wins in competitions held by their respective US Youth Soccer State Associations. 

Each conference consists of a Premier I Division and a Premier II Division. Where your team is placed will depend on how they perform during each soccer season. Now, you might be wondering what the difference is between the two divisions. 

If your team is in Premier I, they will be able to qualify for the four US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. If your team wins in the regional championships, they will be able to take part in the US Youth Soccer National Championships and compete for the chance to become the National Champions of their age group!

At the age of 14, teams that were in the Premier I Division can also participate in the National League of the next season. Teams at this level will be able to participate in the US Youth National Championship without going through the regional championships, like before. 

The National League follows a similar structure to the ECNL. It is called an e64, which is more of a club vs. club format with the intent of matching the best clubs across age groups instead of just the best teams. 

• National Premier Leagues 

The NPL falls under the umbrella of US Club Soccer. As such, only clubs can participate in this league. However, they can only do so if they have teams for every age group. Within the NPL, there are Showcase events and a playoff system for the top teams in each NPL member league. 

Now, within the NPL, there is a higher tier of competition called the Elite National Premier League (ENPL). The structure for this is similar to that of NPL; however, more teams are participating, so you will be exposed to a broader spectrum of skills. 

• Elite Clubs National League 

The ECNL also comes under the umbrella of US Club Soccer. However, the ENCL was originally formed for elite female players. This has since expanded to include boys as well. As of right now, there are 8 regional conferences. Similar to the NPL, the ECNL is a club commitment and also offers several showcase events throughout the year. 

The ECNL recently formed the ECNL Regional Leagues (ECRL). This can be compared to the conferences for the National League; - it is a lower level of competition. If your team does well in the ECRL and qualifies for the playoff events, they will also be able to play at the ECNL level. 

However, it is important to note that, as of right now, the ECRL does not function as a qualification league for the ENCL “national” league. 

• MLS Next (for boys)

MLS Next (Major League Soccer), formerly known as the Development Academy, is the highest level for boys’ soccer teams. As the name suggests, MLS Next is affiliated with Major League Soccer and is often used as a pathway for their respective professional teams. 

This league intends to create a single path for boys through competitive youth soccer. The standard for being accepted as a club is quite high. The league has three regional conferences, and each of them is further divided into age groups. 

The structure of this league is still under development, but there are a lot of strict rules, including the types and amounts of tournaments allowed as well as participation in sports outside of the MLS Next. 

• Girls Academy League (for girls)

The Girls Academy League is quite new and was made for U13 and older girls. Currently partnered with MLS Next and USYS, GA aims to become the highest level of youth soccer for girls. 

GA was made as a replacement for Girls DA, although some of the teams from Girls DA moved to the ECNL instead of joining the GA. Unlike MLS Next, GA allows its players to participate in high school soccer and has a much more lenient substitution policy. 

Now that we have gone through most of the major youth soccer leagues, let’s take a look at how you should choose which league is best for your child. 

How Do I Choose the Right Soccer League for My Child?

• Age Groups and Divisions

When it comes to competitive soccer, it is important to understand the significance of age-appropriate competition. More than keeping up with their peers, your child should be able to thrive in the environment. When competing, your child will be exposed to several challenges and triumphs at different stages. So, a league that understands this will help your child grow by giving them a positive and constructive experience. There is more to the game than just winning. Divisions within youth soccer leagues play a crucial role in shaping a player’s journey. From U8 to U18, each bracket provides a different type of development. 

• Geographic Considerations

When it comes to choosing between local, regional, and national leagues, it is more than just pinning locations on a map. Local leagues offer a sense of community and familiarity, which is important for younger children. On the other hand, regional and national options broaden horizons and expose your child to more serious competition. 

Of course, there is the travel aspect as well. Regional and national leagues will require a decent bit of travel, which only increases as you enter the higher leagues. Keep this in mind before choosing to enter a league!

• Skill level and competitiveness 

Find the right balance between competition and player growth. The most important aspect of the competition is creating an environment that challenges young athletes without overwhelming them. Whether a player is honing their skills for personal enjoyment or dreaming of becoming a professional player, it is key to find the sweet spot between skill levels and competitiveness. 

Using these three criteria, you should be able to find the perfect league for your child to play in. Once that is done, you can take the next step, which is enrolling your child on the right team! This poses its challenges, but don’t worry; we can help you find the right youth soccer team near you!

The Bottom Line

To sum it up, there is no “best” youth soccer league! Each soccer league offers a different set of experiences, and you should choose which league to join depending on what you want. However, the most important thing is to always prioritise your child’s wishes! 

If you want to learn more about the world of youth competitive soccer, head on over to TeamPlayr today! We will help you find the right team for your child. 

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