CCL, NCSL to pioneer US Youth Soccer League Championship program

Charlottesville, VA (Via Club Champions League) – The Virginia Youth Soccer and Maryland State Youth Soccer Associations have announced the formation of a three-year pilot program designed to offer an additional pathway for teams to advance to the US Youth Soccer Eastern Regional Championships for US Youth Soccer affiliated leagues.

The League Championship (LC) program will launch in the Fall of 2019. Virginia and Maryland based Club Champions League (CCL) and National Capital Soccer League (NCSL) will become inaugural members of the LC.

Member leagues participating in the LC must apply and meet significant minimum standards. Teams and players must be properly registered with US Youth Soccer through their state association in order to participate. Participating leagues will have the opportunity for their top finishing teams from their top division to compete against the other participating league’s top finishers to earn a place in the US Youth Soccer Eastern Regional Championships. Participating teams must continue to participate in their State Association’s State Cups. The pilot LC program will be managed by a committee consisting of US Youth Soccer employees, Member State Associations and league leadership.

“Virginia Youth Soccer Association is pleased to be a leader in the development of the new League Championship pilot program. This program’s success will be assisted by the involvement of two strong professionally run leagues in National Capital Soccer League and Club Champions League. The Virginia-DC and Maryland area has a strong reputation for the development and advancement of players and teams to the National level,” commented VYSA President, Denise Edwards.

“Maryland State Youth Soccer is excited to be part of the three-year pilot known as The League Championship. We support the additional pathway for our teams to be able to earn a place in the USYS Regional event. This opportunity helps to advance the best teams forward to compete at the highest level within the youth soccer landscape,” commented Flo Egan, Executive Director, MSYSA.

“This is a massive development for the Club Champions League. Creating a pathway to the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships through league play makes every CCL match that much more important. The design is ideal as it keeps costs low with limited additional travel expenses and places an emphasis on leagues versus events,” said Brian Kuk, CCL Executive Director.

“NCSL is thrilled to be an inaugural member of the League Championship. We are excited to offer our teams quality, competitive games and a pathway to the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships while maintaining our commitment to reasonable league fees, travel, and accessibility,” commented Richard Smith, President NCSL.

Additional information on the LC pilot will be available in the coming weeks.