2019-20 National League: Information | Application
League will feature teams in the 14U through 19U age groups in 2019-20

FRISCO, Texas (May 13, 2019) — Beginning today, the national tier of the US Youth Soccer Leagues Program — the US Youth Soccer National League — is accepting team applications for its 2019-20 seasonal year. Applications are due Friday, July 5, 2019. National League competition will be held for the 14U (2006), 15U (2005), 16U (2004), 17U (2003), 18U (2002) and 19U (2001) Boys and Girls age groups.

For the 2019-20 seasonal year, the participating National League teams are determined through a combination of qualifiers and selected teams. Teams can earn acceptance into the National League in one of four ways:

• Top finishers in the 2018-19 US Youth Soccer National League (national tier) re-earn 2019-20 NL slots (the number of slots varies from age group to age group)
• 2018-19 Conference (multi-state tier) teams earn 2019-20 NL slots (process varies among age groups and conferences)
• 2019 National Championship Series Regional Champions/Representatives earn 2019-20 NL slots
• Open slots are filled by eligible teams who submit applications (as determined by the National League team selection committee)

All teams who would like to participate in the National League must submit an application.

Teams for the 2019-20 season are expected to be announced around August 1, 2019, following this summer’s US Youth Soccer National Championships.

For each gender, the National League will see up to 32 teams earn their place in the 14U through 18U age groups, while up to 16 teams per gender will qualify to compete in the 19U age group. Each team is scheduled to play seven games while competing at two National League events during the course of the season.

The top finishers in each 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U and 18U division from the 2018-19 National League season have earned the opportunity to retain their slots for the 2019-20 season, provided teams meet all eligibility requirements. Each of the US Youth Soccer Conferences — the multi-state tier of the Leagues Program — have opportunities for 2018-19 teams to automatically qualify for the 2019-20 National League. Conference qualifying spots and procedures vary among age groups and conferences.

Teams either automatically qualify for National League spots or are selected by the National League for remaining open slots. Qualification and selection of 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 2019-20, can be found here.

Also earning a place in the 2019-20 National League season will be the four representatives from each of the upcoming 2019 US Youth Soccer Regional Championships who advance to the 2019 US Youth Soccer National Championships in the 13U through 18U gender age groups. The remaining slots will be filled by teams that have either achieved success in their respective Conference or were a semifinalist at the 2019 Regional Championships. For those remaining slots, the teams will be selected by the National League based on a team’s Conference, Regional Championship and State Cup performance, when applicable.

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.

The National League held its 12th season of play in 2018-19, with the US Youth Soccer National Championships still to be played. During the first 11 years, National League teams have won 65 of a possible 88 National Championships, including nine of 10 last year.

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’s alumni have gone on to prove themselves at the collegiate and professional levels, with former players competing in NCAA Division I, II and III, Major League Soccer, National Women’s Soccer League, the UEFA Champions League and the Olympics. National League alumna Morgan Brian was on the United States’ 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup championship team, and Brian is one of four National League alumnae — along with Rose Lavelle, Samantha Mewis and Emily Sonnett — who were recently named to the U.S. Women’s National Team for the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

The National League is the highest level of play in the US Youth Soccer Leagues Program and operates at the national level. Additionally, a network of 13 Conferences fall under the scope of the Leagues Program and operate at a multi-state level — providing high-level competition on a consistent basis at a targeted local level.

For more information on the US Youth Soccer National League, visit the National League homepage. Please contact the National League Commissioner Paul Luchowski at NationalLeague@usyouthsoccer.org with questions.
 

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