Field of teams announced for 2019-20 US Youth Soccer National League season

FRISCO, Texas — US Youth Soccer has announced the teams that have earned their place for the 2019-20 season of the US Youth Soccer National League.

[View the Team Lists: BOYS | GIRLS]

The National League, entering its 13th season, is home to US Youth Soccer’s top 14U through 19U Boys and Girls teams, with each side having an individual proven track record of continued success in US Youth Soccer programs.

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. The 2019-20 season features up to 32 teams per gender in the 14U through 18U age groups and up to 16 teams per gender in the 19U age group.

The winner of each of the four divisions in the 14U through 18U age groups, as well as the top two finishers in each of the two divisions in the 19U age group, will earn an automatic berth to the 2020 US Youth Soccer National Championships, to be held July 20-26, 2020 in Overland Park, Kan. The four National League representatives will join the four Regional Champions for a total of eight qualifiers per age group at the National Championships in the 14U through 19U divisions. Most recently in 2019 in Overland Park, Kan., National League teams won all 12 possible National Championships in those age groups.

The 2019-20 National League field features 78 of 88 teams that qualified for the 2019 National Championships in the 13U through 18U age groups, including 21 of the 24 finalists and 11 of 12 champions.
As is the case with the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series events and the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program, the National League creates another significant opportunity for the nation’s collegiate, professional and national team staffs to see players in an environment of meaningful play.

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, the Olympics and the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Most recently, National League alumnae Rose Lavelle, Samantha Mewis, Morgan Brian and Emily Sonnett helped the United States win the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Last season, several National League players earned invites to youth National Team camps, and many of the and 18U and 19U players committed to play collegiate soccer at programs all across the country.

“The US Youth Soccer National League is excited to provide the top competition in the country for each of these teams, who have each proved themselves to gain entry into the league,” National League commissioner Paul Luchowski said. “National League teams have claimed 51 of 62 possible National Championships in the past six years, which speaks to the quality of the teams in the league and the value of the competition. Hundreds of collegiate, professional and national team scouts attend each National League date for just that reason.”

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 US Youth Soccer Leagues Program also includes a multi-state tier with a network of 13 Conferences throughout the country. In 2019-20, the conferences will provide opportunities for qualification into the 2020 US Youth Soccer Regional Championships, as well as the 2020-21 National League.

The 2019-20 National League will consist of teams from 41 of the 55 US Youth Soccer State Associations. State Associations with participating teams include: Alabama, Arizona, California North, California South, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Eastern New York, Eastern Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York West, North Carolina, North Texas, Ohio North, Ohio South, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania West, South Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Cal South and New Jersey lead the way with 28 teams each in the league. Meanwhile, Maryland has 23 teams, Michigan has 21 and Eastern Pennsylvania has 20. Nine other State Associations have at least 10 teams competing in the National League in the upcoming season.

Each team will compete in a seven-game season while playing at two events. Click here for more info on play dates and event locations.

Girls Events
Nov. 24-27, 2019 – Boca Raton, Fla. (All 14U)
Dec. 5-8, 2019 – Wilson, N.C. and Goldsboro, N.C. (All 15U-19U)
Jan. 10-12, 2020 – Lakewood Ranch, Fla. (Half 15U-19U)
March 20-22, 2020 – Las Vegas, Nev. (All 14U, Half 15U-19U)

Boys Events
Dec. 11-14, 2019 – Panama City Beach, Fla. (All 17U-19U)
Dec. 12-15, 2019 – Panama City Beach, Fla. (All 15U-16U)
Dec. 27-30, 2019 – Tampa, Fla. (All 14U)
Dec. 28-30, 2019 – Tampa, Fla. (Half 15U-19U)
March 13-15, 2020 – Las Vegas, Nev. (All 14U, Half 15U-19U)

The complete 2019-20 National League schedule will be announced in the fall.

Since its inception, National League teams have captured a combined 77 of 100 possible National Championships. In 2008, seven of the eight championship finals slots in the 15U and 16U age groups were won by National League teams, which resulted in the League’s first four national championships. Since that inaugural year for the league, National League teams have continued to excel each year at the National Championships. Most recently in Overland Park, Kan., National League teams won all 12 possible National Championships.

For a list of past National League division champions and history, click here.