FRISCO, Texas (Aug. 8, 2018) — US Youth Soccer is excited to announce the formation of the Frontier Player Development League, which is under the banner of the Frontier Conference, one of 13 Conferences under the US Youth Soccer National Leagues Program in the Multi-State Tier.
The Frontier Player Development League (FPDL) is composed of member clubs who have a U.S. Soccer Girls Development Academy (DA) program. The FPDL is a is a pilot program league developed to address the needs of the Girls Development Academy Clubs within the Frontier Conference, namely, player pool depth, staffing and college recruiting.
Clubs participating in the inaugural FPDL season include Lonestar SC (TX-S), FC Dallas (TX-N), Houston Dash (TX-S), Solar SC (TX-N), Oklahoma Energy FC (OK) and Dallas Texans (TX-N).
“The Houston Dash is thrilled at the formation of the FPDL for the Frontier Conference Clubs,” Houston Dash Youth Director Randy Evans said. “This league will provide an important step in our club's player development pathway. The FPDL will be a great option for players looking for an advanced college prep program with opportunities to guest play with the Development Academy.”
The FPDL will offer competition for girls in the 13U (2006), 14U (2005), 15U (2004), 16U (2003), 17U (2002) and 19U (2001 and 2000) age groups for the 2018-19 season. Each club participating in the FPDL will field a team in each age group, and the league expects to operate on a home-and-home schedule, with a club’s teams all traveling to an opponent club.
The champion in the 13U through 17U age groups of the FPDL in the 2018-19 season will earn automatic qualification into the US Youth Soccer National League for the 2019-20 season.
“Lonestar SC is excited to be a part of the inaugural season of the Frontier Player Development League. The FPDL will create a highly competitive, stable and consistent platform with advancement into regional and national competitions,” said Wes Schevers, the Lonestar SC National League Program Director. “We are looking forward to sharing this venture with other clubs leaders in the Development Academy Frontier Conference. Through collaboration of the best clubs in our markets, the FPDL will only add to the college exposure opportunities for each of our clubs and players.”
The FPDL falls under the administration of the National League Frontier Conference, which is part of the network of 13 conferences in the reimaged National Leagues Program. For more information on the program and its conferences, click here.